8 Incredible Pacific Ocean Islands

The origin of the South Pacific’s name is more meaningful than many would think. A Portuguese navigator named Ferdinand Magellan gave the ocean its name when he discovered it after a terrible and harsh journey. Because the Pacific Ocean was calm, he named it Pacific, which means peaceful.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest in the world. It’s also home to some of the most beautiful islands that man has discovered. Let’s take a look at 8 incredible Pacific Ocean islands.

Bora Bora

Without a doubt, Bora Bora is one of the Pacific’s most popular islands, and it’s pretty easy to understand why. Dreamy beaches, volcanoes, mountains, and unbelievably clear waters are just some reasons to visit the Tahitian island.

Bora Bora’s famously gorgeous waters are the result of an illusion created by the interactions of light and water, as well as the depths of the lagoon which are covered by white sand. This island is quite the location for animal lovers too. Bora Bora is home to a lot of endangered flora and fauna. Tourists often spot sharks, whales, rays, and tropical fishes of many species.

Fiji

Famed for its romantic sceneries and the Moana Animation, Fiji is what dreams are made up of. The Archipelago is located in the South Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by water. Fiji is made up of over 300 islands! Some of Fiji’s popular Islands are the Mamanuca Islands, Viti Levu, the Yasawa Islands, and Wakaya Island.

Fiji isn’t known for its land animals. Since the islands appeared from volcanic activity, the only land animals present were brought by people. Fiji’s waters, however, tell a different story. There are hundreds of fish species in the waters. Dolphins, sharks, gray rays, and leopard rays are commonly found in these waters.

Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is quite a romantic getaway for nature lovers. The island is famed for its geology, plants, and amazing marine life. Visitors to the island can enjoy water activities such as diving, surfing, kayaking, and fishing.

Lord Howe Island is also home to the hammerhead shark, an endangered shark species and a rare and exciting sight for shark-lovers. To control crowds, only 400 tourists are welcome at a given time. The island is known to have zero snakes, stingers, and sandflies. It also has a 25 kph (16 mph) speed limit which makes it a child-friendly island.

Cook Island

Located in New Zealand, Cook Island is neatly placed between American Samoa and French Polynesia. Not only does the island pack a refreshing dose of intriguing marine life, limestone caves, and deserted beaches, Cook Island is free of venomous snakes or stingers.

Many people do not know that there is a law on this island that doesn’t allow any building to be taller than a coconut tree. Its friendly people and mesmerizing waters are just some of the reasons to visit this island. Tourists have often spotted eels, turtles, sharks, and humpback whales in the waters.

Cook Island is well-famed for its glaring connection with nature. It’s quite easy to understand why the island never lacks tourists seeking a quiet and nature-filled vacation.

Samoa Island

If you’re on the lookout for an island filled with nature and culture, Samoa Island is worth considering. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy and learn about Samoan culture. One of Samoa’s best spots is Savaii Island. Although a lot of people have heard of Samoa, not many know of its gorgeous Savaii Island, Samoa’s largest island.

Savaii Island contains most of Samoa’s plants and animals, but it is also heavily occupied by volcanic craters. The island has a large number of landmarks, nature parks, and of course, corals.

Island of Tahiti

The islands of Tahiti are located on the southern part of the Pacific Ocean and just like a lot of its neighboring islands, it is exquisite. The island is known for its black sand beaches, coconut trees, and white sand beaches on the West Coast. The marine life of the Tahiti waters is pretty cool, too! Gray sharks, Tiger sharks, giant turtles, and manta rays are frequently spotted by excited watchers.

Most tourists enjoy water activities such as diving, fish-watching, and even kayaking. Considering a visit? You’ll be pleased to know that the island is totally free of venomous snakes and insects. New visitors to the island are often surprised by the low cost of living as well as the pleasant weather. It’s a perfect location for a vacation.

Moorea

Often referred to as Tahiti’s sister, Moorea Island is simply mesmerizing. The South Pacific island is a part of French Polynesia’s Society Islands archipelago. Though much smaller, Moorea is often compared to Bora Bora. This volcanic island is well known for its clear waters, beautiful mountainside views, and culturally-rich people.

Moorea sits proudly on the south 12 miles northwest of Tahiti. One fun fact about the island is that it was created from the remains of a half-eroded volcano. Not only is Moorea known for its lush interior, but it is also home to the Opunohu Valley. This valley is famously filled with every tropical plant and fruit imaginable! Its marine life is equally mind-blowing. You can expect to see humpback whales, spinner dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, and even short-finned pilot whales. It is quite easy to understand why the island is called the Magical Island.

Solomon Islands

Located in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands is an archipelago situated east of Papua New Guinea. As you might have guessed, the islands were named after King Solomon. They were given this name by Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568. He claimed he had discovered King Solomon’s riches. Many years later, the island was transformed into a major relaxation spot and a magnet for tourists. It is also home to the largest raised coral atoll in East Rennell.

The sands and waters on this island are remarkably clean and pure. The surrounding waters are also a sight to see. They house thousands of marine creatures and plants of different species. You can also expect to encounter fish of many species, sharks, rays, and even dolphins. The Solomon Islands also have six of the seven species of marine turtles known to man.