Situated to the east of Australia and Indonesia, it’s broadly made up of three distinct regions: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.

Polynesia is the largest of the three, and is also known as the Polynesian Triangle – with Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand the three major island groups marking its three corners. The Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and French Polynesia are some of the other main islands within Polynesia.

Melanesia sits to the west of Polynesia, close to the north-eastern coast of Australia. Papua New Guinea is the largest island by far, and one of the most culturally interesting with over 800 languages on this island alone. The Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are Melanesia’s other best-known islands.

Micronesia, so called due to the small size of its islands, includes more than 600 islands and many more tiny islets. Located to the north of Melanesia and west of northern Polynesia, it’s the most remote and least-visited part of the South Pacific, but no less stunning or fascinating.

Diving and snorkelling are some of the most popular activities thanks to the outstanding marine life, which includes spectacular coral reefs, whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays, tropical fish and much more. The region is also brimming with important historical sites, including many WWII wrecks both on land and underwater, and the indigenous cultures across the islands are as welcoming as they are fascinating, with the opportunity to witness traditional ceremonies, dances and singing all common.

When to go?

The South Pacific is hot and humid most of the year, but it has two distinct seasons: the wet season from November to April, and the dry season from May through October, which brings milder temperatures, less humidity and less rain. Most cruises operate from April to September, but given the vast area that the South Pacific covers – which includes having islands on both sides of the equator – there are opportunities to cruise year-round depending on the specific destination.

Where to go?​

Given the sheer size and number of islands, cruise routes and itineraries can vary enormously. Most cruises will visit the better-known islands within the region, but there are expedition cruises that exclusively visit some of the least-known Micronesian islands. Cruises can start and end at different ports throughout the region, with Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia also common destinations within South Pacific cruise itineraries. 

Take a deeper dive into the South Pacific and discover which operators offer the region