18 days in French Polynesia, New Caledonia & Honolulu Itinerary

An archipelago consisting of the sizable Grande Terre as well as a scattering of smaller surrounding islands, New Caledonia has many of the tourist draws characteristic of the South Pacific: long sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, azure lagoons, and coral reefs. It also supports many unique species of plants and animals, such as the tall conifers that tower above the palm trees lining the waterside. Nature lovers on holiday in New Caledonia should head to the lagoon that surrounds Grande Terre: a World Heritage Site and one of the largest lagoons in the world, it is home to countless species of marine life, including endangered dugongs and green sea turtles. The local culture blends French chic and Melanesian warmth, and it is usually a only short walk from the beach to a stylish bar, cafe, or gourmet restaurant.

Spanning an area of the South Pacific as large as Western Europe, French Polynesia includes 118 islands and atolls scattered across the blue ocean. White sand beaches (and pink and black) skirt rugged island peaks, while magnificent coral reefs form tranquil lagoons, dyed a startling blue and teeming with fish, eels, dolphins, rays, turtles, and sharks. The names Tahiti and Bora Bora conjure up images of private thatched bungalows built out over a lagoon, and couples silhouetted against the sunset. That said, a wide range of family-run hotels and bed and breakfasts offer less extravagant (and surprisingly affordable) experiences that take in more of the laid-back local culture.