When the stars want to escape the glare of the paparazzi they fly out of Hollywood and head across the world to the South Pacific. And with the region’s pristine beaches, tropical weather, and exclusive resorts, who can blame them? Wakaya Resort is a favorite of a host of stars, with Bill Gates, Pierce Brosnan, Keith Richards, Michelle Pfieffer, and Russell Crowe amongst its famous guests. It’s not hard to see why these celebs keep coming back; with just 20 guests allowed to stay at any one time Wakaya offers the sort of privacy few resorts can match. Of course, the stars pay for the privilege with luxury cottages starting from $1900 US a night. But that’s just the tip of the lu...

Many coastal tourist destinations around the world invite visitors to swim with seals and dolphins, but you’ll need to travel to Tonga if you hope to swim with whales. The South Pacific nation is known as The Friendly Islands, and its humpback whales are just as genial as the natives. More than 160 of the marine mammals return to Tonga’s calm waters each year to mate. They stay there until their babies are born, nursing them in the warm Pacific waters before returning to polar oceans. WhaleSwim is Tonga’s premiere whale experience company. Owner Rae Gill was inspired to create the business after meeting her first humpback whale off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Al...

During your stay in Fiji, you will likely come face to face with kava. Fiji’s national drink appears much like dirty dishwater, but partaking in it is an essential part of your Pacific stay. The national flag of Fiji Chiefs offer this ceremonial beverage to visitors as part of village tours. It is a sign you are welcomed into the village as a friend. The drink is prepared using the root of the piper methstyicum plant. While it is non alcoholic, kava’s mild analgesic properties may make you feel lethargic and tingly. The kava ceremony is serious business. Before drinking, you will sit cross-legged on a woven mat facing the chief. To show your respect, you should wear modest clothe...

It’s got a reputation for sun, surf, and sand, but there’s more to Fiji than its coastal allure. The island nation is also home to thousands of hectares of tropical rainforest. While bush walking is always an option, Fiji’s zip trekking tours provide an experience that’s just a little different. Zip trekking lifts you up off the rainforest floor and high into the canopy. The method, which originated in Costa Rica, uses specialized climbing equipment to zip from one treetop platform to the next along steel cables. By getting off the ground, zip trekking allows you to see Fiji’s flying foxes, colorful parrots, butterflies, tree frogs, and other creatures that ...

The Cook Islands is a tropical slice of Oceania made up of 15 isles. Most tourists flock to the capital, Rarotonga, but if you have romance in mind the more peaceful Aitutaki is a much better choice. Couples can enjoy a little alone time at luxurious accommodation options including the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa and the five-star Pacific Resort. Both resorts are positioned right on the beach, with fine white sand and fragrant frangipani trees helping to create an idyllic island atmosphere. They also offer the kind of opulent rooms that lovebirds will struggle to leave. However if you do feel like venturing out, the resorts offer plenty of fun activities. You could immerse yourself in...