What are the best islands to visit and why?

What South Pacific islands should I visit?

• I am about to depart from the UK on a round the world tour starting in South East Asia, then India, Australia and New Zealand. Following that, I have around a 1 month slot to visit some islands in the South Pacific before heading to South America. Fiji and the Cook Islands seem the most popular but are either of those the most enjoyable to travel? I am looking for adventure, culture, discovery, weather (I'll be there in September) and beautiful landscapes. What islands should I visit and why?

• Answer:

  Definitely go to Fiji.  It's extremely easy to get to.  Fly into Nadi and take a boat to the outer island chains.  I suggest the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasawa_Islands. This is a peaceful and beautiful chain of islands that includes two famous movie sites: 1) The Blue Lagoon and 2) the island from Castaway (it was filmed facing westward into the pacific).  There are lots of great hikes on these islands and some great scuba diving.  If you want to party, visit http://www.beachcomberfiji.com/.  The sand is great there and the beach parties never end (which is a good or a bad thing depending on your POV). As for other islands, the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vava%CA%BBu chain in Tonga was incredible.  The chain was formed by volcanoes, so the topography is one of a kind. But there are no sandy beaches or resorts.  There's a large set of boats operated by Moorings that you can rent.  See http://www.tongasailing.com/  Warning: you either have to know how to operate a sailboat or hire a captain. As for other places, I recommend the society islands (home to Tahiti), and suggest you choose between Bora Bora > Tahaa > Moorea depending on your price range.  The super swanky resorts are in Bora.  But you'll get most of that if you go to another island.  Warning: Tahiti does not have beaches.  Just a coral reef.  Bora has beaches, but is finely chipped coral, rather than sand.  Do not expect to see Florida.  However, its more on the beaten path than Fiji, Tonga or ... The Tuamotu Archipelago (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuamotus) is a chain of atolls (late stage islands that have wilted to nothing and had a giant coral reef grow around the perimiter of the old island and become a massive land mass with sand, trees, etc.  The old island has become a giant lagoon) in French Polynesia. If you care at all about scuba diving, go here.  For my money this is the best in the world (and i've been to the Red Sea, Fiji and the Great Barrier Reef).  To get there many people fly into tahiti and take a scuba dive boat out to Rangiroa (the largest atoll).  The best dive I ever did (on Ahe in the Tuamotus) was one that went from the outside of the atoll in through a pass into the lagoon.  Always go when the tide is going in, so the clearer outside water comes into the lagoon.  Oh and btw, Rangiroa (does have some nice resorts. This is paradise.  You can also get awesome black pearls here.