If your idea of the perfect vacation is to close your eyes and open them up to views over the calm azure ocean waters, with long stretches of beach with sand as soft as flour, and palm trees dotting the walkways, you’ll love the Pacific Islands.
Lying to the north-west of Australia, the Pacific Islands are popular amongst Australian holiday makers, but their remoteness means they are never crowded with people. This means that they make for delightfully relaxing island getaways.
There are more than a dozen Pacific Islands, but three of the most popular to visit are Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. Other popular Pacific islands include Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, however in this blog we’ll explore the first three to inspire you to visit the islands, and hopefully help you to choose between the many great options.
You’ll be enjoying your perfect island getaway in no time!
Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia: The Culture Compared
These three countries are all situated in the Pacific Ocean, and each have their own distinct cultures and traditions. There are some similarities between them, however, with each being a relaxing island haven. Like many islands, time tends to pass quite slowly on the islands, and even the idea of time on a clock is relatively flexible.
Of the three, New Caledonia stands apart as quite a different experience on account of the fact that it remains under the control of the French. The French influence is strong, and can certainly be seen, tasted and heard. In Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, there are many French restaurants and French is the national language. Many people who live in New Caledonia are actually French, and have been drawn to New Caledonia for the lifestyle or the industry.
That said, the Indigenous Karnak people have their own strong culture and traditions that you can easily experience for yourself when visiting. Karnak people are rightfully very proud of their culture, and happy to share it with interested visitors.
Those who live in Vanuatu are known as Ni-Vanuatuans. Vanuatu is an extremely diverse place, with thousands of different islands. As such, the culture varies quite hugely from island to island. One of the most fascinating aspects of the culture on some islands is traditional beliefs and practices that resemble witchcraft. However, you need to get quite far from the main islands of Efate and Santos to experience it.
People in Vanuatu are very friendly and talkative, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with just about anybody. In fact, don’t be surprised if your taxi or tour bus suddenly stops because the driver has seen a friend and stopped to fill him in on the latest news.
Of the three islands, Fiji sees the most tourism, and many people who visit rarely venture away from the luxurious sprawling resorts. If you do, however, you are richly rewarded. Fijian culture is very interesting, with some similarities to Vanuatu, but also its own distinct flavour. Life on Fiji is incredible laid back, and don’t be surprised if you hear happy shouts of Bula!(Hello) as you walk down the street.
Fiji happily runs on what it calls ‘island time’, which really means they don’t run on time at all. Time tends to be quite nebular, and just because a hotel booking says 7pm doesn’t mean that the staff are really expecting you to turn up at 7pm. This gives everything in Fiji a relaxing atmosphere, with no stress.
Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia: the Attractions Compared
The most popular pastime on all three islands is relaxing by the beach. perhaps with a tropical cocktail or cocktail in hand. Each of them boast beautiful beaches which have clear seas and immaculate sand. Although the Pacific Islands are popular, their relatively expensive cost (more on that later) means they are not overrun by tourists like some of the islands in Indonesia, Thailand or Mexico.
Beach lovers will adore each of the islands, however New Caledonia does have something very special in the Isle of Pines. This beach is home to some of the most expensive realestate anywhere in the Pacific, and its easy to see why. When you close your eyes and imagine paradise, it probably looks a lot like the Isle of Pines.
That said, both Fiji and Vanuatu have their own jaw-dropping beaches to enjoy. One of the most popular spots in Fiji, the Coral Coast is spectacular and close to many other attractions, while Vanuatu’s many islands mean there’s always a new island beach to discover. Some of the best include deserted Champagne Beach on the island of Santos, and the beach where Survivor: Vanuatu was filmed near Port Vila on Efate.
As well as beaches, the islands offer other water-based activities such as windsurfing, kayaking and snorkeling. The snorkelling and diving in Vanuatu, in particular, is incredible and you truly feel like you’re diving into a tropical aquarium. Other popular activities include hiking and horseriding, which is a fun and romantic activity to try at the beach.
Of the three islands, New Caledonia is the least set up for tourism, so tends to offer a little less. Fiji, by contrast, has been a popular vacation spot for families for decades, so it offers many activities including many that are family-friendly. Most resorts and hotels offer “kids clubs” so the kids can enjoy age-appropriate activities while the parents soak by the pool.
Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia: the Costs Compared
Compared to budget-friendly Asia, the Pacific Islands are a little more expensive. This is good in a way, because it means there aren’t as many people, and those who do come tend not to be as party hardy as those that descend on places like Thailand and Bali. That’s not to say there’s no nightlife at all, but it does tend to be quieter due to the relative expense.
Of the three countries, Fiji is generally the cheapest where New Caledonia can be quite expensive. One of the major reasons for the steep costs in New Caledonia is that a majority of their produce is imported in from France. Although the shops might look quite modest, they are usually stacked with a great selection of French breads, cheeses and pates. Another reason that New Caledonia tends to be more expensive is that it is more developed than the other two countries, and the standard of living is a bit higher.
Fiji, by contrast, is quite a budget friendly destination. It’s not dirt cheap, but thanks to the great range of hotels and accommodation options, it’s pretty easy to find something that is reasonably priced. Food and activities also tend to be fairly affordable, although again its not really comparable to the ultra-cheapness of Asia.
Vanuatu is somewhere in the middle of the two. Vanuatu tends to attract an older crowd than family-friendly Fiji, so resorts tend to be aimed more at older tourists with a little more cash to splash. There are many luxurious restaurants and resorts that are available for those who have a bit of money to splurge. On the other hand, there are still a few budget-friendly options including laid-back cafes and homestyle diners.
Its worth keeping in mind with all the options that if you are planning to stay in a resort, you’re likely going to want to eat there a few times. This is particularly the case if you’re staying someone a bit further away from the main tourist hubs, as the offerings may be limited. Although they have a few national dishes (and delicious, fresh seafood), the Pacific Islands don’t have a cuisine that is as extensively developed as some other places. Therefore, you don’t need to feel about ordering some home comforts like burgers, pizza or sandwiches.
Final Thoughts
In many ways, the Pacific Islands remain an undiscovered gem, hidden away as little pin-pricks in the ocean on most maps. Even in the busiest tourist areas, they remain largely unspoiled, and in the more remote locations they are almost entirely deserted. Three of the most popular to visit are Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia – and each offers the quintessential island experience. In addition, however, they each have their own distinct charms and feel.
Choosing between the islands can be tough, and you really can’t go wrong. Largely, it depends on what you are hoping to get from your relaxing vacation. Of all three, Vanuatu offers a lot for older people, including fascinating culture and unspoiled natural beauty – especially on the more far-flung islands. By contrast, Fiji is great for a family vacation where the emphasis is on fun in the sun – its laid-back ‘island time’ approach to a holiday is a great way to create memories together. Finally, New Caledonia is the place to go if you’re keen to experience a little hint of France in the Pacific – and make sure you don’t miss the enchanting Isle of Pines.
In the end, whichever you choose, you’re sure to find the perfect island getaway.
Plane Addicted 