You can experience the unexpected on the Rock of Polynesia, writes Paul Rush.

On a getaway in Fiji, Lucy Hughes Jones rouses herself from the cocktail bar to see how the locals live.

Under the Rarotongan sun, Chris Daniels works up a good tropical sweat, without losing his wedding ring.

Sometimes work is just work ... even on a beach, with beautiful people, and never-ending surf, writes Elisabeth Easther.

We take a look at some of Honolulu's most interesting eateries.

Shandelle Battersby relaxes at one of Hawaii's most historic hotels, the Halekulani.

Sun, sea, swimming and fishing add up to a perfect gathering for Jim Eagles and his far-flung family.

Mountain fern salad, taro leaves in coconut milk, sea grapes... Jane Jeffries meets three chefs shaking things up.

Elisabeth Easther and her son enjoy the festive cheer on board a freighter ship in the Pacific.

Aitutaki's eco-snorkelling trail highlights the frailty of lagoon life, writes Jane Jeffries.

An amazing fantasy world beneath the seas of Hawaii's Big Island astounds even veteran diver Pam Leblanc.

Far from work, Winston Aldworth clocks in to experience the charms of Tahiti.

Winston Aldworth makes the InterContinental his base for exploring Papeete.

Flat seas threaten to ruin his surfing trip, but James Russell avoids breaking point thanks to some awe-inspiring oceanic phenomena.

With the All Blacks playing in Samoa this week, the Herald's Pacific Affairs reporter, Vaimoana Tapaleao, selects her top things to do on the islands.

Megan Singleton has a fine time on Castaway Island, where cocktails come with umbrellas.

Party of one Helen van Berkel boards an ocean liner for a Pacific cruise and learns that being on your own is far from lonesome.

Diana Balham comes face to face with a very angry - but very pretty - volcano on the Vanuatu island of Tanna.

Listening to the gentle breeze in the palm trees and the lazy waves gently turning, time slows for Liz Light.

We asked Travel readers to send us tips for their favourite South Pacific snorkelling spots. Here are a few of your top recommendations.

To inspire us with ideas for a winter break, Rick Felderhof from Our World shares the five most popular Pacific escapes for Kiwis.

Patricia Greig looks at the best spots to get eyeball-to-eyeball with fish on your next visit to the islands of the South Pacific.

Jane Jeffries tries to mind her manners while cooking a meal for her fellow cruise ship passengers in Fiji.

Tropical beaches, fine dining, cooking and dance lessons – Lynley Bilby finds her every whim is catered for on a Pacific island cruise.

Nicky Park stays at a beachside hotel near the New Caledonia capital.

Three unique resorts make Anne Cooke and Steve Haggerty feel right at home.

Elisabeth Easther and her son booked a passage on a freighter to explore the far-flung charms of French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands.

Good food, waterfalls and gorgeous beaches are great reasons to visit Vanuatu, writes Megan Singleton.

The tourist mecca's restaurants are fast becoming a culinary force with their focus on fresh, local ingredients and indigenous dishes, discovers Delaney Mes.

Rachel Grunwell finds serenity, seals and Shiva on Oahu.