A Dream Paradise: The Best Polynesian Resorts & Guides 2023
Dream Paradise: The Best Polynesian Resorts and Guides 2023
We will introduce you to the top attractions, restaurants, traditional dining options, flights, and cruise lines in the Philippines. It’s not easy to organize a vacation anymore! Polynesia is the easternmost cultural province of Oceania, as well as a sizable range of Pacific islands. It is the largest island region in Oceania, covering about 50 million km².
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Informations
Temperature: The dry winter season, from May to October, is the best time to visit.
Language: Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, Māori and Hawaiian. People speak English in places frequented by tourism.
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=18 USD, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=50 USD
You can find more information about the visa here.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a fee at no extra cost to you. Click here to view our complete affiliate disclosure.
Things to do
American Samoa
American Samoa is a component of American Oceania, which is the southern Pacific region outside of the United States. Situated southeast of the Independent State of Samoa, American Samoa is a component of the Samoa Islands. With Pago Pago as its capital, Tutuila is the largest and most populated island in American Samoa. Between 1942 and 1945, American Samoa experienced a brief surge in strategic significance for the United States during World War II, as plans to establish a naval station and an airport (Pago Pago International Airport) were made. Samoan customs and the contemporary American lifestyle coexist, which is a unique cultural aspect of the entire archipelago.
Attractions include the National Park of American Samoa, Ofu Beach, Tia Seu Lupe Park, Jean P. Haydon Museum, Rose Atoll, Leon Church, and Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, scuba diving, game fishing, snorkeling, volcanoes, and the serene beaches of American Samoa.
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Samoa
Up until 1997, the island nation known as the Independent State of Samoa—which includes the western portion of the Samoan islands—was formally referred to as Western Samoa. As a former League of Nations mandate, the state separated from New Zealand in 1962. American Samoa, the eastern portion of the region, has been an American territory since 1929. Activities: hiking, golf, beaches, fishing, and scuba diving. The following are some of the area’s attractions: Dwarves Cave, Alofaaga Blowholes, Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Reserve, O Le Pupu-Pui National Park, Falealupo Rainforest Preserve, and Lake Lanoto’o National Park. (Low-cost tours in Samoa; use Viator to save money)
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Tonga
Polynesia includes the island nation of the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. In the past, the archipelago was known as Friendship Islands. Tonga’s population is referred to as Tongans. Activities include whale viewing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, sports fishing, and yacht chartering. Attractions: The Niuas, Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava’u, and Ha’apai. (Tonga inexpensive tours / use Get Your Guide or Viator to save money)
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Tuvalu
In the Pacific Ocean is the island nation of Tuvalu. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and is set up as a parliamentary monarchy. The settlement of Vaiaku, which is situated on the Funafuti atoll, serves as the seat of government and is the capital. Ellice Islands was the name of the territory until October 1, 1978, when it gained independence. Activities: scuba diving, traditional dancing, sports fishing, and yacht chartering. Attractions: Funafala, historic WWII sites, the Philatelic Bureau, and the Funafuti Marine Conservation Area.
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Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are an archipelago in the southern Pacific and an independent island state in “free association with New Zealand”. With a land area of 242 km² and a population of approximately 18,600, nearly all of them are Cook Islands Maori. On the island of Rarotonga, the capital is Avarua. The first state where women were allowed to vote was the Cook Islands. Atiu, Dive Sites, Rarotonga, Wigmore’s Waterfall, Avaura, Aitutaki, and Aitutaki Lagoon are among of the attractions. (Cook Islands Tours: Use Viator to save money.)
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Niue
Niue, sometimes referred to as “The Rock,” is a remote coral island 2,400 kilometers northeast of New Zealand in the South Pacific, close to Tonga. It is situated west of the Cook Islands and south of Samoa. Since 1974, Niue and New Zealand have been connected through an association agreement. In 2017, Niue had 1784 residents. Since 1966, the population has decreased by over half due to a high rate of emigration to New Zealand. This resulted in multiple destructions. Currently, over 24,000 Niueans reside in New Zealand. The nearest related language to Niuean is Tonga, which is spoken by the Niueans in their own Polynesian language. There is also spoken English. Activities include exploring caves, hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, whale watching, fishing, and kayaking. Attractions: Talava, Matapa Chasm, and Huvalu Forest Conservation Area
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French Polynesia
Originally known as French Oceania, French Polynesia is a French overseas territory located in Polynesia. French Polynesia is not a member of the European Union and has its own flag and legislative constitution (with the Assemblée de la Polynésie française). In the southern Pacific, French Polynesia is made up of several smaller islands, atolls, and archipelagos. Tahiti is the most well-known and populated island; French Polynesia also includes the atoll of Mururoa, the site of French nuclear weapons testing. Activities: hiking, mountain climbing, scuba diving, surfing, golfing, horseback riding, safari tours, and windsurfing. Points of interest: Arahurahu Marae, James Norman Hall House, Papeete Municipal Market, Gauguin Museum, Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, Tomb of Pomare V, and Tahiti Lagoonarium. (In French)
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Vacations: We are happy that we have the opportunity to work with the most famous companies in the world, we always order our vacations from these companies and we have never been disappointed: Check 24, Trivago, Trafalgar, TravelUp, Insight Vacations, Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to stay
Hotels, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses, regardless of location—in the center of town, close to a lake, or amid natural surroundings. We were able to identify the top companies providing the best hotels: Booking.com, Trip.com, TravelUp, esky, Hoteltopia, Millennium Hotels and Explorer Fernreisen.
Traditional Food & restaurants
A trip to American Samoa wouldn’t be complete without experiencing one of the fabled feasts known as fia fia, where taro, breadfruit, pisupo, or canned corned beef, are served around a suckling pig at the head of the table. Weekly fia fia nights, replete with traditional music and dance, are held at a number of restaurants and hotels for guests who are unable to attend the gathering at a local residence. But there’s also a great selection of other meals, including American fast food restaurants like Pizza Hut and McDonald’s.
Tafuna, the largest hamlet in the territory, is home to a significant number of American Samoan eateries, including many locations of American fast food chains. But Mom’s Place (AS 96799 Tafuna) offers substantial home-cooked pork chops, fish and chips, and other American diner staples alongside Samoan fare like banana fritters and panikeke (deep-fried puffs), for those seeking a more distinctive taste. Chinese, Korean, and Japanese food are the specialties of the more sophisticated Manuia Restaurant (Tafuna). Evie’s Cantina (Pago Pago) serves the best Mexican food in American Samoa.
In Samoa, food plays a huge role in the native way of life. While the archipelago is home to a large number of foreign eateries, Samoan cuisine is still widely available to tourists. Try the Oka, and don’t miss the palusami, a delicious dessert created with taro and coconut from the area. All around the islands, however, Western food is significantly more prevalent.
Within the city of Apia, there are numerous international dining options. Among the most popular is Giordano’s Pizza. Here, a delicious assortment of pasta and pizza recipes are available. Indian restaurant The Curry House is well-known for its genuine food. If travelers are looking for seafood, Paddles Restaurant will definitely satisfy their craving.
Tonga: In Tonga’s daily food, lamb belly and imported tinned meats like corn beef are still highly popular. Lu is a well-known meal made of chopped beef wrapped in taro leaves, which is then cooked and covered once more with a banana leaf. Otai, a coconut cream-based beverage created with shredded coconut pulp combined with any kind of grated tropical fruit, is a traditional drink.
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Due to the islands’ seclusion, Tuvaluan cuisine is distinct in the middle Pacific Ocean and has not been greatly impacted by its neighbors. The meals are typically prepared with fresh fish and seafood and mostly rely on coconut and coconut milk for taste. Local plants are frequently used, such as taro, which is versatile and used in various savory and sweet dishes. One typical cuisine in the area is called palusami, which is made of taro and taro leaves cooked with lime juice, onions, coconut cream, and regional spices.
On Vaiaku’s main island, the hotels and restaurants that are attached to them offer the best eating experiences. The Hideaway, Filamona, Fisherman’s Lodge, Island Breeze, Laisinis, and Su’s Guesthouse are a few of the area’s well-known eateries.
There is a vast variety of international and Polynesian food available on the Cook Islands. The most developed areas, such Aitutaki and Rarotonga, are home to a wide range of eateries, including cafés, clubs, and restaurants that serve anything from traditional to contemporary fusion cuisine. Both tourists and local islanders like the quantity of seafood, particularly shellfish. Fresh fruits and vegetables are used in the preparation of all ingredients.
Niue culture is heavily reliant on food, from the nu pia starch that is often given as gifts to the delicious ti root that is employed in one traditional ritual. The largest feasts are offered at the customary fiafia celebrations. When preparing traditional foods using items that are rare to find elsewhere on Earth, including as kumara, shellfish, bananas, and luku ferns, Niueans take great satisfaction in their meticulous preparation techniques. The majority of Niue’s dining establishments are located in Alofi, which also has the main supermarket and the island’s biggest market. Here, fast food chains are nonexistent.
Alofi is home to almost all Niue eateries, including Gill’s Indian Restaurant and Takeout. The last door from Auckland’s Mount Eden Prison leads to Kai Ika, the sole Japanese restaurant on the island. The menu at Falala Fa Bar and Restaurant features sashimi in addition to other well-liked dishes like paninis, hamburgers, and fish & chips.
Polynesia française – The most popular Tahitian meals are mountain bananas, smoked breadfruit, poe, a tropical fruit pudding, poisson cru, marinated fish, and suckling pig served with spinach. The majority of the international eateries in Papeete are focused on French, Chinese, or Italian food. The most popular beer in the area is Hinano, while the juice from Tahiti’s noni tree is well renowned for its health-promoting properties.
Polyself, a cafeteria where patrons may merely point to get salads, sandwiches, or breakfast dishes, is one of Papeete’s most reasonably priced dining options. In front of Papeete’s beachfront, the Le Retrot sidewalk café provides reasonably priced appetizers in a Parisian-inspired setting. Sitting at curbside tables, patrons of Les 3 Brasseurs, an American-style tavern, may sip beer and eat hearty grilled food while waiting for the Moorea boat. Because of its sophisticated ambiance and fine French cuisine, L’O a la Bouche is one of French Polynesia’s best-rated eateries.
Travel Tips
Remain silent during the customary early-evening prayer period, show respect for Samoan culture by not wearing skimpy clothing, and give gifts to your hosts, known as mea alofa. Rather than overspending on opulent resorts, think about booking accommodations at guesthouses, commonly referred to as “pensions” or “fare.” Get your phone a local SIM card to save money on pricey international roaming fees.
In Polynesia, the shoulder seasons are regarded as April through June and September through November. September through October or May through June are the ideal times to visit Tahiti. Make early reservations for your excursions. From Bora Bora Airport (BOB), take the complimentary shuttle boat to the main island. The fastest and most affordable method to travel from Tahiti to Moorea is by ferry, which takes around 30 minutes and costs about 12€ each trip.
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The secret to a trip that fits your budget is to save on transportation. The Air Tahiti Pass, which provides inexpensive flights between islands, is a fantastic choice. While dining in Tahiti may not be inexpensive, every restaurant displays the price of their food using dollar signs. The most costly restaurants in Tahiti feature three or four dollar signs, while the poorest simply have one. Enjoy low-cost and free activities like as hiking, snorkeling, and beach exploration.
Ensure that breakfast is served. Select a guesthouse or motel that serves breakfast. Staying in a pension, sometimes referred to as a guest home, is an additional choice outside Airbnb. Packing your own equipment will help you save money whether you plan to walk, surf, or swim the island.
The first travel choice that springs to us when we think of stunning scenery and amazing islands is a cruise. Thus, this is the greatest choice if you would rather visit several stunning islands than fly to only one and remain there. When on a cruise, you can unwind on days when the ship is just in the sea or ocean, but if you’re an adventurer, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to see other locations. We work with the world’s top cruise operators, so you may select the ideal voyage:
Book your tours!
Tours: If you do not go by car and need to know more information about the tours, and things to see, we recommend these companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
Viator, Get Your Guide, Tiqets, City Sightseeing, Sesame, Sightseeing Pass, Contiki, Riviera Travel, CityPass: the best activities in town!
The best tours in Samoa :
The best tours in New Caledonia :
The best tours in Tonga :
shopping
The largest island of American Samoa, Tutuila, is where most people shop, with everything from bustling outdoor markets to malls in the American manner. Shopping in American Samoa, where sales tax is nonexistent and American dollars are the default currency, is appealing mostly because of its affordability. The most widely accepted credit card is American Express, and most stores close four hours early on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. It is not advisable for travelers looking for genuine American Samoan handicrafts to buy them at Pago Pago International Airport.
Samoa resembles other countries in Pacific islands. While shopping isn’t exactly the same as it is in the US, it may still be fun. Major fashion labels are largely unavailable throughout the nation, and there aren’t any notable shopping centers. Samoan shopping is characterized by a relaxed attitude and a large selection of traditional goods. The majority of the busiest marketplaces are located in Apia.
An excellent memento of your trip to Tonga is tapa cloth. These locally created goods are available for purchase in numerous locations throughout the Tonga islands. The capital city of Nuku’alofa’s main market is another place to get tapa cloth. Aside from these wonderful keepsakes, this market also sells handcrafted jewelry and wood with traditional carvings. Tonga’s biggest shopping center is called Nuku’alofa. The widest range of goods, many of which are imported, may be found here.
Funafuti is the place to go for the best souvenir buying, as some islands and atolls don’t have any stores. Handmade shell jewelry, Tuvaluan woven cloth, and the wooden boxes with lids called tulumas, which fisherman used to store their catch, are likely the greatest gifts to take home. These can be bought at the women’s handicraft market near the airport, where you can also get handcrafted hats, fans, mats, bags, and bags.
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The Cook Islands do have their fair share of local stores that offer a wide variety of traditional arts and handicrafts, as well as urban bazaars, even though they may not be the best spots for extreme retail therapy. There are discounts on home products, apparel, jewelry, artwork, and other gift items. Crafts created locally, including sculptures, woven items, and tivaivai, a hand-sewn bed covering crafted by Polynesian women, are ideal mementos from Cook Islands.
Tropical fruits such as kumquat, passion fruit, taro, and cassava are frequently offered in the island’s sole grocery, the twice-weekly market in Alofi, and roadside stands all around the island. The Alofi Commercial Center, which also houses the only bank on the island, is the only shopping center in Niue. This little mall has a stationery store, a butcher shop, an art gallery, and a souvenir shop. The Niue Philatelic and Numismatic Bureau, located next to the post office in the commercial district, is where visitors may buy local stamps.
French Polynesia: The majority of Papeete’s jewelry stores are located in the Centre Vaima on Pomare Boulevard and the small lanes of the Quartier du Commerce. Tahiti Pearl Market, Tahia Collins, and Sibani Perles Joallier—located on the second floor of the Centre Vaima—are the country’s other principal black pearl dealers in addition to Robert Wan. Although Ron Hall’s Island Fashion Black Pearls in Moorea and Matira Pearls in Bora Bora both provide excellent black pearl deals, haggling is customary when tourists buy pearls.
Getting Around Polynesia
Renting a car is the most practical way to travel throughout American Samoa. You can now travel at your own pace thanks to this. A public transportation system is in place. Family buses, or “aiga,” are available to transport you across the island for a nominal cost.
Whether you are traveling between islands by ferry, renting a car, or using public transportation (bus and taxi), getting about Samoa is rather simple. On the island, gas stations are widely distributed; nonetheless, it is advisable to refuel at the closest station rather than waiting for the next one.
The quickest, most convenient, and most pleasant way to travel throughout the Tonga islands is by air. In addition to ‘Eua, ferries run between the three major island groups of Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Tongatapu. Only on Tongatapau are taxis and rental automobiles available.
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While there isn’t a car rental agency, Funafuti offers motorbikes and taxis. The islands are connected by boat, however these voyages are only planned every three to four weeks. Tuvalu’s whole length may be covered on foot in two hours! Niue: Since there is no public transportation on the island, it is highly advised that you rent a car or a bicycle so that you can visit all of the picturesque towns and landmarks.
Cook Islands: Using public transportation to go about the island is quite simple. The island of Rarotonga is circled by two buses: one that travels counterclockwise. Anywhere along the major route is where the busses will stop. Simply wave them away with a smile on your face.If your foreign license includes a motorcycle class, you can obtain a Cook Islands license without taking a test by paying NZ$20 at the police station, where your visiting license will be issued.
French Polynesia: Tahiti is home to buses. The fare ranges from 200 to 600 XPF, according on the distance. The entire island is connected by three primary roadways. Ferries: Ferries operate between Bora Bora and Maupiti (3,000 XPF) between Tahiti and Moorea (45 minutes).
Book your transport!
- when it comes to buses, Busbud is the best choice.
- when I want to travel by train, I choose Omio.
Rent a car!
Here you can find the best offers to rent the right car for you, as well as parking right in the airport: esky, Explorer, Centauro and intui.travel.
Getting to Polynesia
Three foreign airlines operate flights from Hawaii, USA, Samoa, and Tonga to American Samoa. Hawaiian Airlines flies to Pago Pago every two weeks from Honolulu, and Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways fly daily from Apia, Samoa. Most people find that flying internationally and connecting at Auckland, New Zealand, Sydney, Australia, Nadi, Fiji, or Honolulu, Hawaii, US, is the best method to go to the Samoan Islands.
The islands can only be reached by plane from a select few nations; the only other options are to travel there by international cruise or by boat. However, we believe that once you get to Tonga, you’ll agree that the trip was well worth it. The primary route to reach Tuvalu is via Fiji, another nation of Pacific Islands. There are three weekly flights using an ATR 72-600 connecting the two countries. Although many of the flights link through Australia, there is one that goes directly from Hawaii to Fiji.
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There are a few different ways to go to Niue from abroad, including airplanes, cruises, and sailing. Less than five cruise lines provide trips there, there are only 17 places available for mooring, and there are only a few weekly flights operated by one airline. There are only a few direct flight options available from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States to Rarotonga, the largest island in the Cook Islands. Rarotonga is the entry point to the Cook Islands. The trip could be rather drawn out and costly, depending on where you’re coming from.
The majority of visitors to this idyllic tropical location arrive by air. Situated approximately 5 kilometers west of Papeete on the main island of Tahiti lies the Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport. All of the main hotels and resorts on Tahiti are easily accessible from this airport, which is the sole international airport in French Polynesia.
Book tour Flights!
If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the cheapest flights to a wonderful destination!
Book your Cruise!
Here you can find the best offers for luxury cruises, or cheap cruise offers. We went on a cruise in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman and we can only recommend this unforgettable experience, not just here, but around the world!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a type of insurance designed to cover the costs and losses associated with traveling. It serves as a safeguard for travelers in case of unexpected events. Here are the main types and key components of travel insurance: Trip Cancellation,Medical Insurance,Baggage Insurance, Travel Delay Insurance, Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance, Accidental Death , Rental Car Insurance:
Order your Luggage!
Choosing the right travel luggage can make your journey more comfortable and hassle-free. Here are the best offers to help you select the best travel luggage for your needs:
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