Island Information

Moon Handbooks
South Pacific (8th Ed.)

South Pacific Cruising Guide

With thousands of picturesque islands dotted in the turquoise and blue lagoons of the South Seas, this region is picture postcard perfect for a cruising vacation. One of the advantages of a holiday afloat compared with a resort or hotel vacation, is that you are able to visit many out of the way islands with pristine beaches and snorkelling reefs. Many are uninhabited Robinson Crusoe like paradises and the ever-changing scenery as you journey along will take your breath away. Also enjoy magnificent sunsets over the ocean as one day ends and another is just over the opposite horizon.

Travelling from east to west across the South Pacific one finds

• French Polynesia must surely be one of the most enchanting and ideal destinations for a romantic cruise ship getaway. It has five separate archipelago formations, combining 118 islands and atolls, of which the most famous are Tahiti, Moorea and Borabora. Haumana Cruises is a boutique cruise ship operator that focusses on the Tuamotus, a collection of remote and beautiful atolls. (See small picture on this page). Bora Bora Cruises has a round trip itinerary from Bora Bora and to the islands of Huahine, Taha'a, and Raiatea over six nights.
• Fiji Islands has two main small-ship cruise operators, being Blue Lagoon Cruises (pictured on the top banner) and Captain Cook Cruises. They both operate a number of vessels, giving a wide selection from which to choose. Their 3, 4 or 5 day itineraries primarily concentrate on the beautiful Yasawa Islands, while they occasionally offer a 7 day journey that also takes in Taveuni and other islands in Fiji's north. Quest Charters operate a cruise ship taking in the Mamanuca Islands. In addition to the cruise ships, there are also liveaboards such as the Naia'a or the Fiji Agressor for first-class diving, Xtasea Charters for fishing, and Safari Charters in Kadavu for sailing adventures. Tui Tai Adventure Cruises in the north of Fiji is a three-masted ship with a number of itineraries combining land-based and ocean-based adventure activities.
• Solomon Islands has Biliki Cruises, which offers 7-night and 9-night trips to the Florida Islands, Russell Islands and Mary Island. A longer itinerary is also available and goes up to the famous Marovo Lagoon in Solomon's Western Province.