Lautoka, Fiji's second-largest city, offers beaches, turquoise seas, jungle, and rich local culture. Known as the "Sugar City," it's named for a spear-duel legend and centers on sugar trade. Visit botanical gardens, temples, cafes, mills, and the lively market, plus see warrior dances and firewalking. Nearby highlights include the Blue Lagoon, mineral-rich mud pools and spas, and Savala Island, with soft sand, reefs, and great snorkeling.

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Leleuvia is a tiny low-lying island southeast of Ovalau, about 500 m long, with a small resort. Near Bau, Moturiki and Ovalau, it has an easy western reef with colorful fish, sea kraits by the north pier, and a surprisingly rich forest of tamanu, lantern tree, fish-poison tree and beach gardenia, plus beach hibiscus, heliotrope and Pacific rosewood that attract Sacred Kingfishers, Orange-breasted Honeyeaters and Pacific Swallows.

Fulanga, in Fiji's Southern Lau Group, is one of the country's easternmost islands. This crescent-shaped raised limestone island has a central lagoon, a 50-meter pass to the ocean, many small islets, and sandy beaches. About 400 people live in three villages: Muana-i-rai and Muana-i-cake on the south outside coast, and Naividamu on the lagoon side. Muana-i-cake is the main village. Traditional weaving and carving remain important, and pandanus mats and wooden bowls are sold as far as Suva.

Uoleva is a classic South Sea island: white sand, coconut palms, and clear shallow water over coral reefs. It feels like a castaway paradise, but also offers beachcombing, swimming, snorkelling, and exploring. The reef supports rich marine life-feather stars, fan worms, sponges, sea squirts, and many fish. The island has some visitor accommodation, but is mainly used by locals for coconut growing and pig grazing. Tongans reach it from nearby Lifuka, where Cook named Tonga the "friendly islands."

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Palmerston is a low-lying atoll inhabited by three families, all descendants of William Marsters (1831-1899). Locals greet visitors and guide small boats and Zodiacs through coral reefs to the only inhabited islet, "Home," where the community often comes ashore. Highlights: church, oldest house, cemetery, school, underground gardens, and "Duke's Pool." The lagoon has reef fish, sea cucumbers, rays, turtles, and birds like tropicbirds, boobies, noddies, frigatebirds, and terns.

Lonely Planet's co-founder calls Aitutaki "the world's most beautiful island," and it's easy to see why. In the Cook Islands, it has white sand, turquoise waters, and a spectacular reef-enclosed lagoon, making it a top diving and snorkeling spot. Its Polynesian history dates to around 900 AD, later shaped by missionaries and the Mutiny on the Bounty era. Traditional songs, dances, and Christian hymns remain part of island life, and visitors entering the main village may face a warrior challenge.

Bora Bora is a dream island: blue seas, white beaches, palm trees and vivid marine life. Famous for romantic sunsets, it offers more than honeymoons-lagoon excursions, underwater scooters, aqua safaris, and island tours, often stopping at Bloody Mary Restaurant & Bar. Its history includes a WWII US supply base ("Operation Bobcat") with ships, equipment, troops and coastal cannons. It was once called Vava'u, suggesting Tongan colonization before French annexation in 1888.

Papeete is the capital and gateway to French Polynesia, a tropical paradise of islands, beaches, and turquoise seas. It's a superb base for exploring Tahiti, with clear lagoons for snorkeling, black volcanic beaches, blowholes, and lush green mountains. Visit to relax and soak up the rhythm of Polynesian life.