South Pacific Cruises

About the Destination

The South Pacific is made up of approximately 7,500 islands, mainly located south of the Tropic of Cancer in the Pacific Ocean. Islands are grouped into the sub-regions of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The population of just over 6 million people come from diverse backgrounds, making for a combination of interesting culture and cuisine on the islands.
 
Melanesia comprises a number of western islands, these being Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Guinea. Polynesia is made up of American Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia while Micronesia consists of eight tiny islands north of the equator, including the popular, scenic Palau.

Main attractions

Here are some of the highlights of a South Pacific cruise that you wouldn’t want to miss out on:

• Dive among historic World War Two shipwrecks in the Solomon Islands.

• In Nadi, Fiji visit the magnificently decorated Hindu temple, Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple.
• Discover the colourful, coral and exotic marine life while snorkelling at Palolo Deep Marine Reserve in Samoa.
• Hike on Fiji’s Nounou Mountain - also known as 'Sleeping Giant' - and admire the beauty of the surrounding native plants.
• Enjoy diving or snorkelling while being mesmerised by Bora Bora’s crystal-clear lagoon.

Cruise lines that sail there

There are a wide range of exciting itineraries from a wide range of cruise ships to the South Pacific.
 
P&O Australia, Princess Cruises and Carnival Australiavisit throughout the year, while from September to May trips are offered by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line and Holland America Line.
 
Short trips to the Yasawa Islands with small-ship lines, Captain Cook Cruises and Blue Lagoon Cruises, are also on offer.

When to go

May to October is often the best time to cruise the South Pacific, as its warm with invigorating fresh sea breezes. The wet season settles in from November all the way through to April bringing with it very high humidity levels and tropical storms.

A very popular time is July and August and during the December-January school holidays.