Aitutaki's coral reefs enclose a particularly large and beautiful lagoon. The main island is only eight square miles in area and is virtually flat-so much so that you can keep the ocean in site from nearly any point on Aitutaki. The island is thought to have been first settled around 900 A.D. by Ru, a legendary Polynesian explorer. Today the island's inhabitants preserve much of their traditional culture through song, dance, legends, and crafts like tivaevae -handmade, intricate, patchwork quilts featuring designs inspired by nature.

Auckland is known as the City of Sails for its long maritime history and locals' love of the sea. In fact, Auckland is surrounded by water on three sides, located on a narrow isthmus between Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. As such, the city boasts gorgeous beaches and scenery. Auckland is also host to a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultures, and maintains its strong Polynesian heritage, seen in the city's lively arts, cuisine, and everyday culture.

Known as the birthplace of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is where the first ancestors of the Maori came ashore from Polynesia, and where their descendants later reached an agreement with European settlers to create the country we now know. Today, this spectacular area is known for its fantastic sailing, big game fishing, and natural beauty-a 2006 survey found the Bay of Islands to have the second bluest sky in the world!

Bora Bora lies 150 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore “motu” islets inside a protective coral necklace. Its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. A partially paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, and old Army bunkers and cannons left over from WWII, when 5,000 American GIs made a “friendly invasion.”

Fakarava is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls. Fakarava's main village is called Rotoava.The first recorded European to arrive to Fakarava Atoll was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on the ships Vostok and Mirni. He originally named this atoll “Wittgenstein.”

The southernmost island in the Marquesas, Fatu Hiva may also be the most beautiful. This remote paradise has no airstrip, only one road, and just 500 residents. A century ago, the island was known as a haven for sailors looking to avoid the attention of authorities. Today, it's known for the production and sale of tapa , beaten bark cloth decorated in ink with traditional Polynesian artwork.

One of the most picturesque and geographically diverse islands in the Society Group, enclosed in a single lagoon, it covers 75 square miles. Huahine is located 109 miles northwest of Papeete. The highest point on the island, Mt. Turi, reaches 2,200 feet and is located on Huahine Nui. Mt. Tavaiura in the Fitii Peninsula looks like a women's face, leading to her chest and her round belly, hence one of the interpretation for Huahine's original name (pregnant woman).

Hiva Oa is one of the islands discovered and named by Mendaña in 1595. The main town is Atuona on the southern shore within Traitors Bay. Above the steady rumble of the Pacific surge, the sharply sculpted mountains of Hiva Oa hide their summits in the mists of rain-filled clouds. The largest and most fertile island in the southern group of the Marquesas, Hiva Oa has deep valleys, lush plateaus and thickly wooded forests. Atuona is a favorite port of call for yachts.

The Fiji archipelago consists of tiny coral atolls and mountainous forest-clad islands of volcanic origin, and is famed for its aquamarine waters and white sand beaches. Lautoka, the country's second-largest city and major seaport, is synonymous with sugar, Fiji's main export. The city is surrounded by the blue Pacific Ocean on the western side and green gold sugar cane and pine trees on the other sides. Stroll the town's market, where you can purchase a variety of local goods.

Part of the Mamanuca island group, Malolo lies to the south of the Yasawa islands. The Mamanuca Islands are a volcanic archipelago consisting of 20 islands, but 7 of them are so low that they're covered by the Pacific Ocean at high tide. The area features phenomenal snorkeling, with an abundance of tropical fish inhabiting local reefs.

Moorea, often likened to James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai, is only 11 miles from Tahiti. Many visitors say it is worth the visit just to see Moorea's spectacular bays. The volcanic peaks, reflected in the waters of Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, rise like a shark's jaw from the island's base. Sharks sighting on nearly every dive makes this island a popular diving destination. At times a tuna will come by or dolphins will be heard clicking just out of sight.

Taiohae is a pleasant village bordering the sea. It is the administrative, economic, educational and health center of the Marquesas Islands. Here are the French and Territorial administrators, the government buildings, gendarmerie, post office, general hospital, town hall, Air Tahiti office, banks, schools, well-stocked stores and shops. It lies on the south coast at the head of the Bay of Taiohae whose entrance is guarded by two rocks called “Les Sentinelles.”

Home to about 35% of Tonga’s population, Nuku’Alofa is the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. Here, the King of Tonga resides in the Royal Palace, built in 1867. Tonga is the oldest Polynesian monarchy and the only Pacific nation never brought under foreign rule.

The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Papeete, the modern capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, hospitals, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the islands as well as tourists who come to these islands for a life-enriching experience.

Rarotonga, the capital of the scattered nation of the Cook Islands, is a relaxing place of beauty and style. Its small population lives on the coast of the circular island, while the interior is lush, rugged, and jungle-clad, offering the opportunity for challenging walks and sensational views. A former New Zealand colony, it has the distinct feel of a New Zealand Polynesian outpost, including New Zealand newspapers and television-as well as the distinctive accent.

Raiatea and Taha'a are two separate islands sharing the same lagoon. Located 120 miles northwest of Tahiti, between Huahine and Bora Bora among the leeward Society Islands, Raiatea is the second largest island of French Polynesia after Tahiti. The island tour reveals lush green valleys, numerous waterfalls, and pineapple and vanilla plantations. Discover fascinating under-water scenery within Raiatea's deep lagoon, rich with fish and surrounded by mountains.

Rangiroa is the largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago, which comprises 78 coral atolls scattered over several hundred miles of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Life on these remote atolls is simple, quiet and peaceful. In the small villages, the visitor can discover the true flavor of the Tuamotu, often participating in the daily activities of the Paumotu people. The interior lagoons are a haven for black pearl farms, fish breeding farms, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Savusavu was originally established as a trading center for sandalwood, beche-de-mer and copra, and is the site of a major copra mill. Tourism is growing in importance, owing to its diving and yachting facilities. Geothermal energy is resource waiting to be tapped. A geological survey has found that Savusavu's hot springs could generate enough electricity to power the entire island of Vanua Levu. Savusavu has been called “The Hidden Paradise” of Fiji.

Located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, Suva is the capital city of Fiji. As the largest urban area in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand, it is Fiji's main port city, and the commercial and political center of Fiji. The city hosted the 2003 South Pacific Games, being the third time in the event's history that they had been held in Suva.

Enclosed in a common lagoon with Raiatea and accessible only by boat, Taha’a produces about 80% of all vanilla in French Polynesia. Taha’a is the only island in the Society Islands that can be completely circled by ship inside the protected lagoon. With its many deep bays and deserted motu, Taha’a is an ideal island to escape. With only a handful of guest houses and small hotels, Taha’a is slowly awakening to tourism and yet maintains an authentic flavor of Polynesia.

Enjoy a beachside barbeque on our own private island of Motu Mahana – which means it’s your private island for the day. The motu is uninhabited except for fellow guests, and those wonderful Gauguines who will welcome you in song.

Located in the midst of the Bay of Plenty's stunning scenery, Tauranga is a vibrant harbor city on New Zealand's North Island. Its name comes from the Maori language, and translates to “a sheltered anchorage,” since the location of the city is protected by nearby Matakana Island and the extinct volcano of Mauao. Thanks to the area's temperate climate, outdoor activities, including golf, hiking, mountain biking and white water rafting, are popular in Tauranga. The Bay of Plenty coastline also features miles of golden sandy beaches, making it an ideal location for watersports.

On Ua Huka, hundreds of stallions and wild goats run free through the island's uneven terrain. Known for its fine wood carvings, it's also home to the oldest ruins in the Marquesas, dating back to 300 A.D. The island features French Polynesia's only arboretum, filled with unique indigenous flora and fauna.

The waters off of remote and unspoiled Vava’u are home to 100 species of colorful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and, July through October, humpback whales. Swim, snorkel, scuba dive, or simply relax on the island’s pristine coral-sand beaches.