Best South Pacific Islands: Which One Should You Visit?

Choosing the best South Pacific island isn't easy. We've been lucky enough to visit Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia, and while every destination is stunning, they're all very different.

Some are perfect for relaxing on white-sand beaches, others are better for snorkelling, adventure, road trips, or travelling with younger children.

Budgets, travel times, accommodation and the overall vibe can also vary quite a bit.

In this guide, I'll share our honest experience visiting these islands as a family to help you decide which South Pacific destination is the best fit for your next holiday.

Fiji

Fiji is probably the best-known destination in the South Pacific, and it's easy to see why. Beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and friendly locals make it a favourite for families from all over the world.

Most visitors stay on the main island around Denarau or the Coral Coast, enjoying a resort-style holiday. We did things a little differently and explored the Yasawa Islands, staying in locally run homestays and simple bungalows to keep costs down. You can read our full Fiji travel guide here.

One of the things we loved most about Fiji was the incredible snorkelling. The underwater world is spectacular, and swimming with manta rays was one of the highlights of our trip.

Unlike destinations such as Rarotonga or Moorea, Fiji isn't just one island. It's made up of hundreds of islands, so if you want to experience more than one area, you'll need to travel between them by ferry or boat. Island hopping is relatively easy, but the transport costs can add up quickly when you're travelling as a family.

Travel tip we'd definitely recommend is checking whether your accommodation includes a compulsory meal package before you book. Many resorts, homestays and island bungalows require guests to purchase one, and these can significantly increase the overall cost of your holiday.

Best for: Families wanting amazing snorkelling, island hopping and plenty of choice.

Vanuatu

Like Fiji, Vanuatu is made up of many beautiful islands. The big difference is that travelling between them isn't as straightforward. Rather than an easy passenger ferry network, most island hopping is done by domestic flight, which can become quite expensive for families.

We spent our time exploring Efate and the small island of Moso. You can read our full Vanuatu itinerary here.

Vanuatu felt much less developed than some of the other South Pacific destinations we've visited, and that's part of what we loved about it. The locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the pace of life was slow and relaxed.

One thing we loved about Vanuatu was how much people still live off the land. Wild banana trees, pawpaws and coconut palms grow everywhere, and most families still fish, farm and grow their own food. It gave the islands a really authentic, unspoilt feel.

Hiring a car gave us the freedom to explore much of Efate at our own pace. We were surprised by the number of beautiful rock pools around the island, which are perfect for swimming and snorkelling at low tide. Other family favourites include the Blue Lagoon, Hideaway Island and simply enjoying the beaches dotted around the coastline.

If you'd rather avoid constantly packing up and moving accommodation, Vanuatu is a great option. You can easily base yourself on Efate, take a few day trips, and enjoy a relaxed holiday without needing to travel between multiple islands.

Travel Tip: Don't leave Port Vila without enough cash. Once you head out to places like Le Life Resort or around the eastern side of Efate, ATMs are few and far between, and shops, roadside stalls & entrance fees to Blue lagoon etc only accept cash. It's much easier to withdraw what you need before leaving the capital.

Best for: Families looking for a laid-back holiday, shorter trips of around a week, and those wanting to explore at their own pace without moving accommodation every few days.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia was one of the biggest surprises of all our South Pacific trips. We spent 16 nights exploring Grande Terre, the Isle of Pines and Ouvéa, and were amazed by just how much variety there was. You can read more about our New Caledonia adventures here.

Unlike many South Pacific destinations, New Caledonia offers much more than just beaches. Grande Terre is perfect for a road trip, with rugged mountains, waterfalls, winding coastal roads and landscapes that reminded us of the Wild West, complete with horses roaming the countryside.

If you're looking for postcard-perfect beaches, the Isle of Pines and Ouvéa certainly deliver. Think crystal-clear turquoise water, powdery white sand and plenty of opportunities to swim, snorkel and simply relax. We found some lovely snorkelling around the Isle of Pines, particularly at Oro Bay and Kuto Bay, although overall New Caledonia isn't quite the snorkelling destination that Fiji or Vanuatu are.

If you're short on time, you don't have to explore the whole country. Flying into Nouméa and spending most of your holiday on the Isle of Pines is a fantastic option for families wanting beautiful beaches and a slower pace without trying to see everything.

Best for: Families wanting a scenic road trip, stunning beaches, French culture and plenty of variety all in one holiday.

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are another fantastic option for families, especially if you're looking for an easy, laid-back holiday. We spent a week in Rarotonga, dividing our time between an Airbnb in Muri and the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium. You can read all about our Cook Islands itinerary here.

Although Rarotonga is a little further from Australia the extra travel time is well worth it. The island itself is small and incredibly easy to explore. It takes around 30–40 minutes to drive all the way around, and you can hire a car, catch the local bus or even rent a scooter.

One thing we really loved was how simple everything felt. You can settle into one place for the week, explore a different beach each day, swim at waterfalls, enjoy the lagoon and snorkelling, and never feel like you're spending your holiday rushing from place to place.

We also noticed the food had a stronger American influence than some of the other South Pacific islands, with plenty of burgers, fries and food trucks alongside local dishes.

One thing to be aware of is that much of Rarotonga's coastline is privately owned by local families and resorts. Unlike some destinations where you can simply pull over anywhere for a swim, beach access is mostly via public beaches and designated access points. Fortunately, there are still plenty of beautiful places to snorkel and swim, including Black Rock, Muri Lagoon and several public beaches around the island. Aroa Beach was our favourite

If you have a little extra time, many travellers add a few nights on Aitutaki, famous for its breathtaking turquoise lagoon and postcard-perfect scenery.

Best for: Families wanting an easy, relaxing holiday with minimal driving, beautiful lagoons and a destination that's simple to explore.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a true bucket-list destination, and it's easy to understand why. The turquoise lagoons, dramatic volcanic peaks and picture-perfect islands are every bit as beautiful as you've imagined.

It's also the furthest South Pacific destination from Australia and, generally speaking, the most expensive. Flights, accommodation, food and travelling between islands all come at a higher price than the other destinations in this guide.

We explored Tahiti, Huahine, Bora Bora and Moorea. Getting around is easier than you might think, with regular ferries between some islands and domestic flights connecting others. You can read our Guide to getting around French Polynesia.

Bora Bora may be the island everyone dreams about, and for good reason. The lagoon is breathtaking, the motus are stunning, and hiring a boat to explore is one of the best experiences you can have. If you're wondering whether Bora Bora can be done without spending a fortune, we've also shared How we Visited Bora Bora on a Budget.

That said, Moorea completely stole our hearts. It offered a little bit of everything—beautiful beaches, mountain hikes, ATV adventures, incredible snorkelling, swimming with humpback whales and unforgettable shark and stingray encounters. Moorea is definitely worth seeing if you are travelling through French Polynesia.

Best for: Bucket-list holidays, special occasions, couples and families with a bigger budget who want stunning scenery, adventure and unforgettable lagoon experiences.

Which Is the Best South Pacific Island?

If you're still undecided, here's our quick summary after visiting them ourselves:

🌴 Best first South Pacific trip: Cook Islands or Fiji – Both are easy to organise, family-friendly and offer everything people imagine when they picture a South Pacific holiday.

🐠 Best snorkelling: Fiji & Cook Islands – Incredible coral reefs, colourful marine life and unforgettable experiences like swimming with manta rays & turtles.

💰 Best value: Vanuatu – Generally more affordable than many other South Pacific destinations, especially if you're happy to self-drive, self-cater and stay outside the larger resorts.

🚗 Best road trip: New Caledonia – Scenic coastal drives, mountains, beautiful beaches make it ideal for exploring by car.

🌊 Best white sandy beaches: French Polynesia & New Caledonia – Those turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches really are as stunning as they look in the photos.

🤿 Best mix of adventure and relaxation: French Polynesia & Fiji – Whale swims, ATV tours, shark and stingray encounters, hiking and world-class lagoons all in one destination.

🌺Best Coral Reefs: Vanuatu - their reefs are so beautifully protected and still so colourful

❤️ Best local culture: Vanuatu – Friendly locals, traditional villages and communities that still live closely with the land make it feel incredibly authentic.

🏝️ Best variety: New Caledonia – Rugged mountains, French culture, road trips, tropical islands and beautiful beaches all in one destination.

👶 Best with younger children: Vanuatu or Cook Islands – Both are easy to explore without constantly changing accommodation, making for a more relaxed family holiday.

✨ Best bucket-list destination: French Polynesia – If it's always been your dream, it really does live up to the hype.

🏝 Best if you only have 1 week: Cook Islands, Vanuatu or Isle Of Pines - base yourself in one place & chill

⛴ Best for island hopping: Fiji & French Polynesia - both a a great ferry service available.

💸 Most expensive: French Polynesia - cha-ching! It's definitely the priciest destination on this list, but if it's on your bucket list, don't write it off. Read The Cheapest Way to get to Tahiti From Australia, and you might be there sooner than you think!

💙 Our biggest surprise: New Caledonia – We hadn't expected to love it as much as we did, but it ended up being one of the most diverse and fun trips we've taken.

No matter which island you choose, you're in for an unforgettable family holiday. Each destination has its own personality, and there's really no wrong choice—just the one that suits your family, budget and travel style best.

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