You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with "Frommer's". It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every "Frommer's Travel Guide" is up to date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Our expert author has been covering these exotic islands for years, and he's personally checked out every hotel, every restaurant, every beach, and every activity he recommends. He gives you a feel for the islanders way of life, and offers a wonderful introduction to the region's unique blend of cultures. From Fiji to Tahiti and beyond, there are many islands and hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so "Frommer's South Pacific" compares all the options, helping you find the tropical getaway that's right for you. We've included web addresses for every hotel, so you can check out pictures as you make your decision. Rely on us for in depth, honest reviews of lavish honeymoon resorts, intimate inns, simple bungalows, family friendly motels, and more, with selections in every price category. We'll point you to the loveliest secluded beaches, and send you to the best places for snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, deep sea fishing, and more. You'll also get the latest trip planning information, including tips on finding the best airfare or package deal.

Table of Contents

List of Maps.What's New in the South Pacific.1 The Best of the South Pacific.1 The Most Beautiful Islands.2 The Best Beaches.3 The Best Honeymoon Destinations.4 The Best Family Vacations.5 The Best Cultural Experiences.6 The Best of the Old South Seas.7 The Best Dining Experiences.8 The Best Island Nights.9 The Best Buys.10 The Best Diving & Snorkeling.11 The Best Sailing.12 The Best Offbeat Travel Experiences.2 Planning Your Trip to the South Pacific.1 The Islands in Brief.2 Visitor Information.3 Entry Requirements & Customs.4 Money.Island Time vs. Island Service.5 When to Go.6 Travel Insurance.7 Health & Safety.Insects & Other Critters.8 Specialized Travel Resources.Frommers.com: The Complete Travel Resource.9 Planning Your Trip Online.10 The 21st-Century Traveler.Configuring Your Laptop.11 Getting There & Getting Around.12 Packages for the Independent Traveler.Flying with Film & Video.13 The Active Traveler.14 Tips on Accommodations.15 Recommended Reading.3 Suggested South Pacific Itineraries.1 Two Weeks in Fiji.2 Two Weeks in Tahiti & French Polynesia.3 A Week in The Cook Islands.4 A Week in the Samoas.5 A Week in Tonga.4 Introducing Fiji.1 Fiji Today: The Regions in Brief.Diving in Fiji.2 Fiji Yesterday: History 101.3 The Islanders.A Holy Meal."Grog" Etiquette.4 Languages.5 Visitor Information & Entry Requirements.6 Money.The Fiji Dollar & the U.S. Dollar.7 When to Go.8 Getting There & Getting Around.Fast Facts: Fiji.5 Viti Levu.1 Nadi.Fast Facts: Nadi.A Side Trip to Lautoka.Don't Miss a Meke.2 The Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands.How to Choose Your Offshore Resort.3 The Coral Coast.Fast Facts: The Coral Coast.4 Pacific Harbour & Beqa Island.5 Suva.Fast Facts: Suva.Walking Tour: Suva.A Side Trip Back in Time to Levuka.6 Rakiraki & Northern Viti Levu.6 Northern Fiji: Savusavu & Taveuni.1 Savusavu.Fast Facts: Savusavu.2 Taveuni.Fast Facts: Taveuni.3 Resorts on Qamea & Matagi Islands.7 Introducing French Polynesia.1 French Polynesia Today: The Islands in Brief.2 French Polynesia Yesterday: History 101.Sexy Skin.3 The Islanders.Sex & the Single Polynesian.4 Languages.5 Visitor Information & Entry Requirements.6 Money.7 When to Go-Climate, Holidays & Events.French Polynesia Calendar of Events.8 Getting There & Getting Around.9 Seeing the Islands by Cruise Ship & Yacht.10 Dining Out in French Polynesia.Fast Facts: French Polynesia.8 Tahiti. 1 Arriving & Getting Around.Fast Facts: Tahiti.2 Exploring Tahiti.Walking Tour: Papeete.The Moon & Six Million.3 Golf, Hiking & Watersports.4 Shopping.Buying Your Black Pearl.5 Where to Stay.6 Where to Dine.Don't Miss Les Roulottes.Dining with a Belle View.A Most Indecent Song & Dance.7 Island Nights.9 Moorea.1 Getting Around.Fast Facts: Moorea.2 Exploring Moorea.Tiki Theatre Village.3 Safari Expeditions, Lagoon Excursions & Dolphin-Watching.4 Fishing, Hiking,Watersports & Other Outdoor Activities.5 Shopping.6 Where to Stay.The Bali Hai Boys.7 Where to Dine.8 Island Nights.10 Bora Bora.1 Arriving & Getting Around.Fast Facts: Bora Bora.2 Exploring Bora Bora.A Side Trip to Maupiti.3 Safari Expeditions & Lagoon Excursions.4 Diving, Fishing & Watersports.5 Shopping.6 Where to Stay.7 Where to Dine.8 Island Nights.11 Huahine & the Other Islands of French Polynesia.1 Huahine.Fast Facts: Huahine.2 Raiatea & Tahaa.Fast Facts: Raiatea & Tahaa.3 Rangiroa.Fast Facts: Rangiroa.4 Tikehau.5 Manihi.6 Fakarava.12 Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.1 The Cook Islands Today.2 The Cook Islands Yesterday: History 101.All in the Family.3 The Cook Islanders.4 Language.5 Visitor Information & Entry Requirements.6 Money.The New Zealand Dollar & the U.S. Dollar.7 When to Go.The Cook Islands Calendar of Events.8 Getting to Rarotonga & Getting Around.Fast Facts: Rarotonga.9 Exploring Rarotonga.10 Fishing, Hiking, Diving & Other Outdoor Activities.11 Shopping on Rarotonga.12 Where to Stay on Rarotonga.13 Where to Dine on Rarotonga.Cook Islands Chow.14 Island Nights on Rarotonga.Don't Miss an Island Night.15 Aitutaki.Fast Facts: Aitutaki.13 Samoa.1 Samoa Today.2 Samoa Yesterday: History 101.The Teller of Tales.3 The Samoan People.4 The Samoan Language.5 Visitor Information & Entry Requirements.6 Money.The Samoan Tala & U.S. Dollar.7 When to Go.8 Getting There & Getting Around.Fast Facts: Samoa.9 Exploring Apia & the Rest of Upolu.10 Watersports, Golf & Other Outdoor Activities.11 Shopping.12 Where to Stay on Upolu.Hot Dogs & Hamburgers.Beach Fales at Aleipata.13 Where to Dine in Apia.Don't Miss a Fiafia.14 Island Nights on Upolu.15 Savai'i.Manono & Apolima.14 American Samoa.1 American Samoa Today.2 History 101.3 Visitor Information & Entry Requirements.4 Money.5 When to Go.6 Getting There & Getting Around.Fast Facts: American Samoa.7 Exploring American Samoa.Seeing American Samoa as a Day Trip from Apia.8 National Park of American Samoa.9 Where to Stay.10 Where to Dine.15 The Kingdom of Tonga.1 Tonga Today.2 History 101.3 The Tongans.What Day Is It?4 Language.5 Visitor Information & Entry Requirements.6 Money.The Pa'anga & the U.S. Dollar.7 When to Go.8 Getting to Tonga & Getting Around.Fast Facts: Tonga.9 Exploring Tongatapu.10 Island Excursions,Watersports & Other Outdoor Activities.11 Shopping on Tongatapu.12 Where to Stay on Tongatapu.13 Where to Dine on Tongatapu.Dine Like a Tongan.14 Island Nights on Tongatapu.15 Vava'u.Fast Facts: Vava'u.16 Ha'apai.Appendix: The South Pacific in Depth.1 A Shared History.2 The Islanders.3 The Islands & the Sea.Index.List of Maps.The South Pacific.Two Weeks in Fiji.Two Weeks in Tahiti & French Polynesia.A Week in the Cook Islands.A Week in the Samoas.A Week in Tonga.The Fiji Islands.Viti Levu & Ovalau.Nadi.Walking Tour: Suva.Northern Fiji.The Society Islands & the Northern Tuamotus.Tahiti.Walking Tour: Papeete.Moorea.Bora Bora.Huahine.Rarotonga.The Samoa Islands.Apia.Pago Pago.Nuku'alofa.

About the Author

Born and raised in North Carolina near Hampton Roads, Bill Goodwin has lived in northern Virginia since 1979. He was an award-winning newspaper reporter for the Atlanta Journal before becoming a legal counsel and speechwriter for two U.S. Senators, Sam Nunn of Georgia and the late Sam J. Ervin Jr. of North Carolina. Now a full-time travel writer, Goodwin also is the author of Frommer's Virginia and Frommer's Tahiti.

Reviews

"Best for upscale facilities on the beaten tourist track." (Wanderlust, April 2007)