Australia
Encounter massive potato cods, friendly Māori wrasse, vibrant corals and reef fish of all colors at the Great Barrier Reef. For the best snorkeling and diving and a chance to swim with minke whales, take a liveaboard to the Coral Sea.
Explore the Queensland rainforest to come across rare cassowaries, tree kangaroos, platypus, salt water crocodiles and much more. Take the train or skyrail to Kuranda, cruise the Daintree River and hike with award winning photographers or Aboriginal guides.
Visit Frasier Island, home of sandy dunes, freshwater lakes and curious dingoes. Climb Indian Head for expansive views of the ocean below and many of its large inhabitants like dolphins, sea turtles, sting rays, tiger sharks and humpback whales.
Go for an multi-day hike or stay in a nature lodge in Tasmania for amazing eye to eye encounters with echidnas, wombats, wallabies, quolls and of course the Tasmanian devil which is found nowhere else in the wild.
Kangaroo Island offers protection to native Australian animals that are threatened on the mainland. Diverse habitats make this the perfect home for kangaroos, koalas, wombats, echidnas, endangered birds and large goannas.
Head to Neptune Island where fur seals congregate and are sought out by great white sharks. Dive, snorkel or drink a beverage in an underwater glass pod while coming face to face with these awesome predators.
Ningaloo Marine Park is an ocean lover’s dream. Visitors to this region include whale sharks, humpback whales, endangered dugongs, four species of sea turtles, manta rays and dolphins. We know the best time of year to spot each.
Kakadu boasts about one-third of Australia’s bird species and a wide range of amazing animals. Some of our favorites are the blue-winged kookaburra, rock wallaby, barramundi, Leichhardt’s grasshopper, and the frill-necked lizard.
While you will see some desert dwelling lizards, birds and maybe an endangered mammal or two, visit the Red Centre to experience two of Aboriginal Australia’s most sacred sites, Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa.
The cities here are iconic and a must for any Australia itinerary. But did you know that each night flying foxes soar over Sydney, a penguin parade and wild koalas can be seen near Melbourne and Rottnest Island near Perth is home to one of the cutest marsupials, the quokka?
Fiji
The Somosomo Strait near Taveuni is known as the soft coral capital of the world. The lush underwater branches come in dazzling arrays of colors. Epic hikes and waterfalls are also found here with endemic birds and plants living in the highlands.
Located in the south, no other island in Fiji has as much wildlife as remote Kadavu. The Great Astrolabe Reef is well-known for close encounters with mantas while on land you can see Fiji banded iguanas and numerous rare birds like the Kadavu honeyeater.
If you are a scuba diver, Beqa Lagoon is a must stop. For this is the only dive in the world with eight species of shark, included near guaranteed sightings of bulls and tigers. Nearby Pacific Harbour has exciting river rafting, world class surfing, fire walkers and ziplining.
The Mamanuca and Yasawa Island groups have secluded white sandy beaches, luxurious island resorts, romantic overnight cruises and lots of ocean critters. Movies like The Blue Lagoon and Castaway were filmed here.
French Polynesia/Tahiti
Truly the jewel of the South Pacific, islands like Bora Bora, Tetiaroa, Moorea and Taha’a offer luxurious resorts with idyllic beaches and overwater bungalows. Swimming in the turquoise lagoons have you feeling like you are in an aquarium. Spinner dolphins can be seen offshore and humpback whales visit seasonally from August to October. Unlike most places in the world, you are allowed to swim with them.
The sandy atolls of the remote Tuamotu islands are perfect for scuba diving or snorkeling vacations. Rangiroa and Fakarava offer the best diving of all the Tahitian islands where hundreds of reef sharks can be seen on a single dive along with dolphins, rays and sea turtles. Rangiroa, in fact, has a pod of friendly dolphins that often visit divers. Explore a black pearl farm for that perfect souvenir.
The Marquesas feel like they are at the end of the Earth and not much has changed since the early European explorers first came across the islands. Melon-head whales ride the wake of boats and in the deep valleys rare birds cling on to existence in a land of waterfalls and untouched flora. This is also the birthplace of the tattoo.
Hawaii
For a perfect tropical vacation in a luxurious beachfront resort or condo, come to Maui. Humpback whales make their way down from Alaska in the winter. Join a whale watching trip to get up close and be entertained by acrobatic spinner dolphins. Snorkeling and diving allows you to meet green sea turtles, pufferfish, frogfish and so much more.
Kauai is one of the best islands to see the endangered Nene or Hawaiian goose along with many other seabirds. Endangered Hawaiian monk seals and Hawaiian hoary bats can also be found on Hawaii’s garden isle. With more rain than the other island, waterfalls here are spectacular and hidden trails are begging to be explored.
On the Big Island you can actually play in the snow in the morning and be on a black sand beach in the afternoon. The active volcano is very active and you can see what happens when boiling lava meets the ocean (note: it’s awesome). Divers and snorkelers can go belly to belly with feeding manta rays. The black water dive offers a crazy underwater spectacle. Wild dolphins and sea turtles visit kayakers and snorkelers in some of the bays.
New Zealand
With so many things to see and do, New Zealand is an adventurer’s paradise. Let’s start in the north where you can hike through the ancient forest of Trounson Kauri Park for a good chance to see a wild kiwi. These flightless birds are the national icon of New Zealand and can only be found here. Tour the Bay of Islands searching for dolphins, orcas and Bryde’s whales. Take a magical boat ride through Waitomo Caves for sparkling glowworms lighting up the stalactites and stalagmites. Nearby see the impressive geothermal features of Rotorua, go zorbing and experience an unforgettable Māori cultural show. In Wellington you can visit Zealandia, a sanctuary with a 500 year vision to restore the ecosystem to a pre-human state, where you can take tours to see many endemic birds, frogs and reptiles. The only touring kakapo also visits the sanctuary.
The south island is known for extreme sports, stunning scenery and a haven for endangered species. Kaikoura may be the best place in the world to see sperm whales and here you can also swim with fur seals or dusky dolphins. Or you can snorkel with the tiny but adorable Hector’s dolphins in Akaroa. Spy sea lions, yellow-eyed penguins and royal albatross on Otago Peninsula. Cruise and explore beautiful Milford Sound for chances of encountering the little blue penguin, Fiordland crested penguin, blue duck and kea (the only alpine parrot). Glaciers such as Franz-Josef and Fox are impressive and worth exploring. Of course no south island visit is complete without a stop in Queenstown, the home of bungy jumping, sky diving, jet boating, white water rafting, riverboarding, skiing and so much more.
Birders visit Stewart Island to view rare species. This island is south of the south island and humans are outnumbered by kiwis. This is one of the best places to see a kiwi in the wild along with weka, kaka, sooty shearwaters, kereru, albatross and all three species of penguin that live in New Zealand.
Papua New Guinea
Birds, marsupials and coral reefs thrive in Papua New Guinea as it is one of the richest wildlife destinations in the world. There are over 700 bird species that have been identified. Of the 43 known species of bird of paradise on our planet, 38 are found in Papua New Guinea. Hornbills, parrots, crowned pigeons, fruit doves, night jars…the list could go on and on. Tropical marsupials make the island home with tree kangaroos, possums and wallabies being the most abundant. Some of the top viewing areas are the Sepik River, Mount Hagan, Tari Valley and the Western Highlands.
The underwater world is just as diverse with twice as many marine species as the waters of the Red Sea and up to ten times as many as the Caribbean. Snorkeling, muck diving and reef diving are rewarding activities. This is a great place for underwater photography as the water is crystal clear and the marine life is unique with sought after species like pygmy seahorses, cuttlefish and mandarinfish. Milne Bay, Kimbe Bay and New Ireland are the top spots.
While the wildlife is impressive, it’s not even what Papua New Guinea is best known for. Several hundred Papuan and Melanesian tribes have preserved many of their traditional ways, all separate from each other. Every year the villages come together at cultural shows and festivals to showcase their traditional customs and beliefs through dance and “sing sings”. This provides a wonderful opportunity to see the many different cultures of Papua New Guinea all come together in an array of color and passion.
Other Islands
Cook Islands: If you want to find yourself on a deserted island away from the hustle bustle, the Cooks are for you. Known for the beauty of their beaches, these small islands dotting the Pacific are perfect for seeking out sea and bird life on a relaxing vacation.
Micronesia: Yap is home for a large number of manta rays and massive stone money is still used here as a currency. Truk Lagoon is located in Chuuk with WWII wrecks waiting to be explored by the underwater adventurer. Pohnpei has the mysterious Nan Madol ruins which was once a large city linked by a network of canals. Kosrae is enjoyable for birders with many rare species and boasts a giant clam farm where these protected mollusks can grow to weigh over one thousand pounds!
New Caledonia: The Madagascar of the Pacific, New Caledonia is home to many endemic plants and animals with origins of life dating back to the dinosaurs. See Cook pines which tend to lean toward the equator, flightless and endangered kagu birds living in the Blue River Park and the giant gecko which is true to its name. The lagoon is the largest in the world and home to a wide range of marine species including dugong, dolphin, sea krait and the prehistoric nautilus.
Palau: A fantasyland for adventurers who love the ocean, it doesn’t get much better than Palau’s underwater world. With a collection of marine species unrivaled by other islands, Palau has been deemed the Serengeti of the sea. You can snorkel with thousands of stingless jellyfish at Jellyfish Lake, kayak the hidden bays, tunnels and caves of the beautiful Rock Islands or dive famous sites known for numerous shark species, mantas, and huge schools of fish.
Solomon Islands: Most people visit by cruising the remote islands or staying at a resort built for sea adventures. Watch as Fraser’s and spotted dolphins play in the bay, explore the forests looking for Blyth’s hornbill and Solomons cockatoo or dive and snorkel with manta rays and a rainbow of tropical fish.
Tonga: The Kingdom of Tonga is a destination that should be on every adventurer’s list. This remote chain of islands is one of the best places in the world to get up close and personal with humpback whales. These gentle giants take shelter in Tonga’s tropical waters off the island of Vava’u to mate and give birth from July through October. You can snorkel with mothers and newborn calves, with the little ones as curious about you as you are of them.
Vanuatu: These primitive islands provide wonderful cultural experiences and amaze with unforgettable nature. Journey to the top of the very active Yasur Volcano to see molten rocks shoot high into the sky and on the way you are likely to see wild horses. Scuba dive one of the best wrecks in the world, the SS President Coolidge, or snorkel fringing coral reefs. Watch as Pentecost Island men tie vines to their ankles and leap off a 100ft tower, falling head first, to ensure an abundant yam harvest or to show acceptance into manhood. In less extreme village visits, hear the rhythmic sound of water drumming, take part in the traditional dance and purchase local handicrafts.
Photo Credits
(clockwise):
Australia: The Maria Island Walk, Chris McLennan, Tourism Whitsundays, James Fisher, Premier Travel Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism
Fiji: Chris McLennan, Markus Roth, Chris McLennan, Ryan Dandy, Ryan Dandy, Ryan Dandy
Tahiti: Gregory Lacoeur, Tahiti Tourism, Tahiti Tourism, Gregory Lacoeur, Tahiti Tourism, Philippe Bacch
Hawaii: Ryan Dandy, Pierce M. Myers, Amanda Sabato, Ryan Dandy, Pascale LeJeune, Joe West
New Zealand: Chris Stephenson, Chris Stephenson, Glacier Southern Lake Helicopters, Corin Walker, Cape Kidnappers, Rob Suisted
Papua New Guinea: David Kirkland, David Kirkland, David Kirkland, Ryan Dandy, David Kirkland, David Kirkland
Other Islands: Stephane Ducandas NCTPS, Ryan Dandy, Imagin Productions NCTPS, Ryan Dandy, Martial Dosdane NCTPS, Ryan Dandy