South Pacific's Other Attractions
Have A Great Story Or Comment You'd Like To Share?
Here's your chance to share them (as well as post a picture)! [Go to the South Pacific Page] [Return from South Pacific's Other Attractions to the World of Waterfalls Home Page] |
And speaking of resorts, they're amongst some of the most luxurious in the world. But you don't necessarily need to be a celebrity to indulge in the guilty pleasures this place has to offer. Even ordinary folks (like you and I) can experience tropical paradise in a way that is unmatched anywhere else. 
Belvederes: In Bora Bora and Moorea, you'll find overlooks (called Belvederes) giving you gorgeous looks at their lagoons as well as shapely volcanic peaks. Most of them are reachable either by tour, self driving, biking, or even good old fashioned hiking.
I know if you're in Bora Bora and especially in Moorea, you'll undoubtedly take photos in at least one of these overlooks.
Isolated Fijian Resorts: If you're into isolation and a sense that you're far away from the cares of the world, Fiji has heaps of self-contained island resorts that stand by themselves. It's a great way to relax, participate in activities, or even get to know some of the other folks on holiday with you. These island resorts can be as luxurious as Turtle Island or something more modest like Matamanoa Island (which Julie and I stayed at). 
Tahitian (French Polynesian) Restaurants: This is a great way to truly experience the mix of French and Polynesian flavors that has made Tahiti THE prime place to indulge in memorable dining experiences. While many tourists are satisfied with all-inclusive packages that include food, I think going out on your own to try these restaurants is THE way to truly taste the wonderful mix of tropical fruits, Tahitian vanilla, local fish, and even meat.
Julie and I have enjoyed the Tahitian dining experience so much that we always compare all subsequent dining experiences to this. The places we have been to in our 2002 trip were Le Bateau and Te Honu Iti in Moorea as well as L'Espadon (Club Revatua), Bamboo House, Top Dive, and Bloody Mary's in Bora Bora. I encourage you to go out on your own away from the resort and try some of these (or other places I didn't mention) out.
Wildlife: Most of the tropical island wildlife is underwater. To experience this, you can go onto a lagoon, snorkel, dive, or go on some boat tour. However, there are also plenty of life on land as well - especially birds. As an added bonus (if you're a wildlife enthusiast), many organisms you'll find here are so isolated from the rest of the world that they exist nowhere else. 
Mt Mouaputa: While tropical mountains can be a dime a dozen, this particular one stands out because it has a very big hole in it. In fact, one of the locals even jokingly tilted his head as he looked at it because it resembled a well-endowed woman looking up at the sky (at least from the angle he was looking at it). Nonetheless, it's an intriguing mountain and worth a look as you visit the east side of Moorea.
Lavena Coastal Walk: Even though the destination of this hike is a gorgeous waterfall called 
In addition to coastal scenery, there are secluded beaches, a village with a waterfall behind it (hard to photograph it though), and the intriguing Pedestal Rocks (Vatuni'epa).
Honeymoon Island: Perhaps what makes Aituaki a very memorable lagoon destination is that it has some picturesque islands with extensive sandbars. Honeymoon Island is one such island where it has sandbars reaching out well into the lagoon creating an almost Whitsunday-like quality to it. And while the island is surrounded by colorful lagoons, perhaps this is what embodies that classical image of a tropical paradise. 
We managed to visit this island as part of an extensive Aitutaki Lagoon tour where this was one of many stops in the all-day excursion. There's a neighboring island called "Divorce Island" (at least that's what our guides told us) where we had a delicious lunch, and it was said that there are no mosquitoes there.
One-Foot Island: There seems to be no shortage of theories or stories as to how this island got its name. And I'll be the first to admit that I don't remember any of them. However, this island also has extensive sandbars and shallow lagoons allowing you to walk far from the island itself without needing a boat or a swim. And just like Honeymoon Island, it has a very Whitsundays-like quality to it for this reason.
We also visited this island as part of an all-day Aitutaki Lagoon Tour. This was one of the last stops we made before we headed back to the main Aitutaki Island, but not before stopping at the former "airport" that was right in the lagoon where long haul flights across the Pacific required a refueling stop here.
Aitutaki Lagoon: I don't think you can talk about non-waterfalling attractions in the Cook Islands without mentioning the extensive lagoon on Aitutaki. For it was here during an all-day lagoon tour that we snorkeled and witnessed giant clams, purple reefs, and even all sorts of reef formations including brain coral. Adding to the allure was the extensive colors you can see in the water when the sun's out as it was for us.
Tahiti Vacations
| There's lots to say about the South Pacific and its waterfalls. Click on one of the following links to jump to the section you're interested in... |
you might also like...
South Pacific Waterfalls
Other South Pacific
Attractions
South Pacific
Travel Stories
Tell YOUR Story!
or Comments
| Had my honeymoon on Taveuni in 1999. My wife and I loved it, all of it: the scuba diving, the people, the Garden Island feel, the short golf course, the hiking, everything...[more] |
World of Waterfalls
See Where We've Been!
The World's Top 10
Waterfalls FAQ
Waterfalls 101
Take an Emotive Journey!
Waterfalls Blog