Discovering The Best Of The South Pacific

Sailing through the spectacular South Pacific, I must admit I found the leisurely journey to be every bit as captivating as the destinations. Days at sea with Oceania Cruises offered time to unwind, lingering over long lunches with friends new and old or simply watching the horizon change from sapphire to gold. There was also plenty to do – from art classes and sampling mixology treats like an Old Fashioned topped with flavored smoke bubbles to hands-on cooking classes.

But then came the shimmering islands, each trying to upstage the rest with their brilliant aquamarine lagoons framed by dramatic peaks, the scent of frangipani on the breeze. Along the way, certain moments stayed with me that I believe define the magic of this part of the world. There are a lot of things to do in the South Pacific; below are a few of my favorites experiences.

1. Lei, Lady, Lei – Best Island Welcome
   I’ve traveled all over the world but must admit that few cultures have mastered the art of hospitality like Hawaiians. Being greeted by a gracious smile and a lei made of sweet plumeria and fragrant orchids is just the beginning. At Kualoa Ranch on Oahu, once reserved for Hawaiian royalty, my fellow Oceania Cruises adventurers and I were also introduced to the spirit of aloha. As we explored sacred valleys framed by rainforest and sea, our hosts spoke of the land as a living ancestor and treated each of us as ohana, or family. In Hawaii, I truly felt a natural connection to the land and its people.
2. Making an Entrance – Most Dramatic Arrivals
   I’ve witnessed many unforgettable island arrivals, but none quite like Bora Bora. Standing on deck as dawn brushed the lagoon in shades of turquoise and rose, I watched Mount Otemanu appear through a veil of morning mist, a striking sight plucked from an Impressionist painting. Not to be outdone, Sydney Harbour offered fewer palm trees and more skyline – but every bit as much drama. The iconic Opera House gleamed like a seashell catching the light, while the Harbour Bridge arcs overhead in perfect symmetry.

3. Something in the Oven – Best Traditional Dish
   Among the things to do in the South Pacific, savoring the unique flavors of the region is a must. On Nuku Hiva in French Polynesia, I discovered how deeply food connects to culture. With our Oceania Cruises Culinary Center Chef Instructor, we joined locals in preparing ka’aku, a humble yet soulful dish of mashed breadfruit blended with fresh coconut milk. The fragrance of roasted breadfruit filled the air as volcanic rocks warmed the earth beneath the traditional oven known as ahima’a. When we finally tasted the creamy, subtly smoky ka’aku, it felt like the island itself on a plate, humble and deeply Polynesian.
4. Taking the Plunge – The Ultimate Snorkeling
   In a region where every lagoon could be mistaken for the world’s finest aquarium, choosing the best snorkeling is nearly impossible. Yet I found something different on Mystery Island in Vanuatu. With no permanent residents and only a handful of visitors at a time, the water glows with a clarity that feels almost otherworldly. Drifting above coral gardens teeming with life, I felt the kind of stillness that’s rare even in paradise, a quiet moment suspended above a living kaleidoscope.

5. Hot to Trot – Most Unique Cultural Experience
   I watched in astonishment as members of the Sawau tribe in Suva, Fiji, calmly stepped barefoot across stones heated to a fiery glow. The experience began with a traditional kava ceremony, where a mildly sedative drink made from the root of the pepper plant is shared in a gesture of welcome and respect. Accompanied by rhythmic meke dances, this ritual symbolizes the enduring connection between the physical and the divine.
6. Going Coconuts – Best Island Drink
   You’ve probably tried bottled coconut water, but nothing compares to sipping it straight from the shell, still cool from the shade of a palm tree. Across the South Pacific, coconut water is everywhere, but on Moorea in French Polynesia it has been elevated with a kick at the Manutea Distillery. Local coconuts are pressed, blended and transformed into the silky Moorea Coco Liquor, with subtle notes of vanilla and what I’d like to think is the faintest hint of sea breeze. Perfect alone or mixed into a piña colada, tasting it felt like I discovered the islands’ essence in liquid form, both refreshing and quietly indulgent.

7. Fiji is for (Nature) Lovers – Most Romantic Spot
   In the foothills of Fiji’s Sabeto Mountains, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is glowing with romantic vistas. Beneath arcing bamboo, I followed paths lined with heliconias and hibiscus blooms past ponds dotted with water lilies. The mountain light is vivid and the air rich with the sweetness of orchids. Best shared with someone special, the garden offers a calm connection to nature and to the beauty of being fully present and in love.
8. Clutching Your Black Pearls – Best Take-Home Treasures
   If you’re going to bring home only one keepsake from the South Pacific, I found you can’t go wrong with black pearls from Papeete’s Tahiti Pearl Market. The famed treasures are cultivated in the vibrant lagoons of Rangiroa, Raiatea and other South Pacific atolls. At the market, I watched local artisans clean, grade and polish each pearl. Holding one in my hand, I understood why Tahitian black pearls are more than adornment; they reflect the enduring spirit and artistry of Polynesia.

9. Baywatching in New Zealand – Most Surprising Destination
   While New Zealand’s coast can be dramatic and wild, the Bay of Islands delighted me with a more reserved beauty. More than a hundred emerald islets lie scattered across strikingly blue water, their beaches edged with pohutukawa trees that blaze red in the Southern Hemisphere summer. I took a catamaran cruise where dolphins surfaced beside me, spritzing the air with a briny mist that caught the sunlight. It was also here on the bay that Māori chiefs and the British Crown signed the Treaty of Waitangi, shaping the nation of New Zealand.
10. Tea of Tranquility – Best Sea Day Indulgence
    There were plenty of things to do in the South Pacific while ashore; sea days on board were just as fulfilling, with a myriad of enriching choices, ranging from cooking classes in The Culinary Center and art instruction in the Artist Loft to sommelier-led pairing lunches and guest speakers delving into the history and culture of the South Pacific destinations we were visiting. But my favorite choice was my own personal self-care routine which began in the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center. A morning of yoga beneath the endless sky gave way to a nourishing coconut poultice massage. Later, I traded the spa’s serenity for another kind of ritual with afternoon tea, where sunlight poured through panoramic windows, a string quartet played and silver carts laden with sweet and savory treats glided across the room. Every day should be as indulgent as a sea day!

11. I’ll Have What She’s Having – Best Tastes of the South Pacific On Board
    Sailing with a cruise line created for foodies by foodies, I found that the South Pacific frequently followed us on board, especially at the table. In The Grand Dining Room, locally caught yellowfin tuna and Pacific snapper were on the menu, while the same pineapple, mango and papaya that filled the markets ashore appeared in Terrace Café’s tropical salads and in the cocktails served at Waves Bar. Dining in Red Ginger, I lingered over dishes layered with coconut, lemongrass, ginger and chili, flavors deeply rooted in the region. Even the Tahitian vanilla in Toscana’s crème brûlée seemed to carry the warmth of Raiatea and Huahine. All the dining venues were stars, and even when I wasn’t in the mood for a taste of the South Pacific, the surf and turf in Polo Grill, the richly flavored osso buco at Toscana, the creamy cappuccino and pastries at Baristas and the casual fare of Waves Grill were welcome diversions.

If my experiences have piqued your interest, explore sailings that feature the best of the South Pacific, including the upcoming ones below. Book your cruise and let your story begin today.

Oceania Riviera – Dec 10, 2025: Sydney to Papeete
Oceania Riviera – Jan 6, 2026: Papeete to Auckland
Oceania Vista – Mar 7, 2026: San Diego to Papeete
Oceania Vista – Mar 23, 2026: Papeete to Sydney

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