Escape to the world’s most remote tropical islands this summer. They’re unbeknown to most of Europe and June to August is the best time to travel.
These are huge natural islands, surrounded by vibrant reefs, without another island in sight.
Holidays in the South Pacific require more time than holidays in Europe. This is one reason these castaway islands are more exclusive and private. And in the South Pacific you get a whole lot more for your summer holiday.
The Brando, French Polynesia
The best five-star resort in French Polynesia, The Brando is only accessible by private plane or helicopter. It’s the only resort on the entire Tetiaroa Atoll.
On a massive natural island you’ll find only 35 oceanfront villas, all with their own pool and beach.
The Brando is a vast tropical playground. You have an entire private atoll to explore. There’s space for couples and families to holiday on the same island, without ever seeing each other.
Kokomo Private Island, Fiji
We love Kokomo for its nature and space too. You really feel cast adrift in another world here, surrounded by the sound of silence and all the tropical hues.
Like so many South Pacific private islands, Kokomo is big. To reach the fitness centre you must trek uphill through the jungle to the island’s highest point. To snorkel or dive you just swim off from the beach.
The villas are like private homes, with vast indoor and outdoor areas, private pool, hot tub, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows for an uninterrupted Pacific view.
Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands
The vibe is a little more rustic on the tranquil waters of Aitutaki Lagoon, an immense lagoon fringed by small sandy islets and coral reefs.
Pacific Resort Aitutaki is a five-star adults-only South Pacific hideaway that gives you access to some of the best marine adventures anywhere in the world.
While the villas don’t match the quality of those on Fiji or French Polynesia, the widely scattered Cook Islands are almost unrivalled globally, as a destination for diving and snorkelling.
The Havannah, Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a tiny South Pacific nation made up of 80 islands stretching 1300 kilometres north to south across the Pacific. Its geography is very similar to the Maldives. Tourism is different though. Here it’s very nascent and hardly any islands have been developed.
Adult only The Havannah is the best place to stay in Vanuatu and we recommend a Deluxe Waterfront Villa, with a private infinity pool and private chef.
Have you heard about Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tonga, Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands? These South Pacific countries don’t really offer five-star tourism. But they’re incredibly unspoiled and beautiful, so we expect tourism to develop in the coming years.
Four Seasons Bora Bora and Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort
Bora Bora in French Polynesia is where you’ll find the highest concentration of five-star resorts in the South Pacific.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is our top choice for families, after its incredible 2019 renovation. The overwater suites and villas are superb and you have very diverse dining and activity options, including the two kids clubs.
For couples we suggest Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, where the best villas have the iconic lagoon view towards Mount Otemanu.
COMO Laucala Island, Fiji
Fiji is similar to the Seychelles because it has two main islands with a variety of different accommodations. It’s also similar to the Maldives because it’s an archipelago with hundreds of smaller islands as well.
COMO Laucala Island is remote Fiji, where rainforest stretches across a volcanic island and white-sand beaches separate infinity pools from a turquoise lagoon. The island is enormous.
This is one of the largest, most individual and exclusive islands anywhere on the planet. It’s the holiday home of Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, given a resort makeover by COMO.
The 25 villas provide an incredible level of privacy, yet the resort still offers five restaurants, a spa, 18-hole golf course, plus enough space to hike, horseback ride, scuba dive and jet ski to your heart’s content.
Bora Bora One
Exclusive-use island estates are also available in the South Pacific. One Bora Bora has five bedrooms and is perfect for travelling with your grandparents, children and extended family.
This is the most private property in Bora Bora, truly a private estate rather than only a villa. Availability is scarce and we recommend combining One Bora Bora with another property, as the resorts have a wider variety of facilities.
Comparing the South Pacific to Islands You Know
How do these ultimate South Pacific islands compare to islands you know in the Maldives?
There are three key differences between a South Pacific island holiday and an Indian Ocean island holiday.
The South Pacific is much further away. It usually takes three flights and around 24 hours to reach these destinations. They’re typically visited in summer, when the weather is best and most people have more time for longer holidays.
The South Pacific is all about big and completely natural private islands. They’re typically much larger and most spacious than those in the Maldives, with a lot more to explore. The closest Indian Ocean equivalent would be Six Senses Zil Pasyon on Felicite Island, Seychelles.
Our favourite Maldives properties have fewer villas than the Maldives norm. For example, Cheval Blanc Randheli has 45 accommodations, Velaa has 47. The Nautilus is small, with only 27 villas.
In the South Pacific, 27 villas is a mid-sized resort. South Pacific islands are larger with fewer accommodations, so naturally they feel more private and exclusive.
Your South Pacific Summer Holiday?
Exclusivity and value is incredibly hard to find in Europe this summer. Comparatively, the South Pacific offers so much more. It’s just a lot further away so you do need time.
How do you fly to the South Pacific? How do you combine these incredible castaway islands and resorts?
The easiest way to find out is to schedule a call with one of our private travel consultants. A specialist who will create a South Pacific holiday just for you.
Interested in the South Pacific?
