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Best pacific islands to visit.

You may have to trek a bit to reach the thousands of islands that comprise the South Pacific, but the journey is well worth the effort. In this vast area, you'll discover unspoiled beaches, impressive historical sites and a laid-back atmosphere ideal for a relaxing getaway. But with so many islands within Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia to choose from, deciding which remote paradise to prioritize may be a challenge – that's where we come in. To determine the best Pacific Islands, U.S. News considered user votes and expert opinions, plus factors like diversity of attractions, accessibility and affordability. Use these recommendations to plan your next vacation, and cast your vote below to have a say in next year's list.

Cook Islands

Solomon islands.

For a dreamy vacation set amid turquoise waters, lush jungle and extensive coral reefs, book your ticket to Palau. This tiny country in the western Pacific Ocean is known for its premier scuba diving sites and incredible scenery. Get a taste of local culture in Koror, Palau's capital, where you'll find an assortment of craft shops, restaurants, bars and small museums. Other must-do activities include swimming with thousands of non-stinging jellyfish, kayaking Nikko Bay and taking a boat or flight tour of the breathtaking Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Head to one of Fiji's 330-plus islands if you appreciate cultural activities and attractions as much as you enjoy spending time outdoors. In Suva, Fiji's capital city, you can participate in a traditional kava ceremony (which involves drinking yaqona, a root-based drink with mild sedative properties), watch a firewalking festival at Mariamma Temple and explore the Fiji Museum. Meanwhile, Fiji's smaller destinations – including the Yasawa Islands and Taveuni – feature incredible coral gardens, stunning rainforests and some of the world's best beaches . When you tire of sunbathing, snorkeling and hiking, retreat to a rustic bungalow, a trendy boutique hotel or a luxe five-star resort.

One of the smallest countries in the world, Tuvalu is comprised of nine low-lying islands featuring unspoiled white sand beaches, abundant marine life and a laid-back atmosphere. Most of your days here will be spent snorkeling, scuba diving or simply lounging on the beach. However, remember to save time for visiting the Tuvalu Post, which is home to a wide collection of rare decades-old stamps, and checking out the destination's World War II wreckage sites. Despite its beauty, Tuvalu is off many travelers' radars, meaning you won't have to fight hordes of tourists for a spot on the sand.

Newlyweds who want to see a lesser-known side of French Polynesia should consider honeymooning on Moorea. This awe-inspiring island features the same kind of striking natural wonders and romantic accommodations couples will find on Bora Bora, but with a more relaxed atmosphere and lower price tags. What's more, Moorea only sits 10 miles away from Tahiti, making it easy to reach from French Polynesia's main international airport or by ferry. Once travelers arrive on the island, they'll discover eight towering mountains and two beautiful bays, plus several noteworthy attractions, including the Moorea Dolphin Center and Temae Beach.

This string of more than 80 volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean is a picture-perfect getaway that is well off the beaten path. Port Vila, the country's capital located on the island of Efate, is where you'll find many of Vanuatu's tourism facilities, including a selection of restaurants, shops and accommodations. Top activities in Vanuatu include hiking to the summit of Mount Yasur (an active volcano), swimming in the Blue Lagoon and snorkeling Mystery Island's crystal-clear waters.

Despite its small size, this group of 15 islands midway between New Zealand and Hawaii offers something for everyone. Popular activities range from snorkeling excursions and hikes to waterfalls to village tours. The striking white sand beaches on Rarotonga and Aitutaki also can't be missed. After exploring, savor local staples like ika mata (marinated raw fish) and poke (a pudding-like dish made with tropical fruit) at a market. Meanwhile, make sure to attend an island night celebration, which combines traditional dancing with an umukai (a feast prepared in an underground oven). Because the Cook Islands are associated with New Zealand, visitors can easily fly here from Auckland.

This French Polynesian island is the perfect place to go if you're looking to reconnect with nature, dial up the romance and pamper yourself while on vacation. In Bora Bora, you'll find overwater bungalows and luxurious spas made for honeymooners , plus a beautiful turquoise lagoon and lush Mount Otemanu to explore. For an overview of the island and an adrenaline rush, sign up for a four-wheel-drive excursion or a boat tour that includes a shark and stingray feeding. Then, head to Matira Beach or your resort's private stretch of sand to relax as you watch the sun set.

Tahiti's international airport and variety of big-city amenities (think: diverse restaurants, exciting cultural events and abundant five-star resorts) make it a natural choice for a South Pacific vacation. But don't let the French Polynesian island's hustle and bustle fool you: Tahiti also boasts plenty of rushing waterfalls, towering mountains and pristine beaches to set the scene for your relaxing island getaway. Start your visit by checking out the markets, boutiques and nightlife venues in Papeete (Tahiti's capital city) before escaping to one of the island's jaw-dropping natural wonders. Can't-miss spots include Fautaua Waterfall, the Water Gardens of Vaipahi and Papenoo Beach.

Home to about 170 islands, Tonga is known as the last Polynesian monarchy. Tonga vacationers can spend time relaxing on crowd-free beaches, touring the Mapu'a 'a Vaca blowholes and enjoying a traditional Tongan feast. For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, don't miss an opportunity to swim with Tonga's graceful humpback whales, an activity that is possible between July and October. Other adventurous travelers will want to go for a dip in the 'Anahulu Cave, an underground freshwater pool surrounded by ancient stalactites and stalagmites.

Water lovers, eco-tourists and culture hounds will all love visiting tranquil Samoa. Here, you'll find breathtaking natural wonders like the To Sua ocean trench (a giant swimming hole), the Alofaaga Blowholes and the Sopoaga and Papapapaitai waterfalls. Additionally, Samoa offers an array of cultural attractions, including the Samoa Cultural Village (with traditional tattooing and tapa cloth-making demonstrations) and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. Once you've gotten your fill of sightseeing, head to a local market for fresh produce or seafood before retiring to a fale (a rustic beachfront accommodation) for the night.

Thanks to its abundance of untouched natural wonders and lack of traditional accommodations, the Solomon Islands are an ideal destination for eco-tourists. Visitors can explore dense jungles, surf uncrowded waves and even climb a dormant volcano. The country was also a battle site during World War II, so history buffs can find historic relics like abandoned tanks and amphibious vehicles scattered throughout the islands. But perhaps the most unique sights are those found in the islands' surrounding waters. Divers from around the world flock here to see the Solomon Islands' sunken WWII seaplanes, submarines and oil tankers.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

American Samoa

New Caledonia

Easter Island

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South Pacific Tours & Vacations

There is so much more to the South Pacific than cruise ships and resorts.

These remote islands – and there’s a lot of them – are bursting with ancient cultures, fascinating festivals and wallpaper-worthy scenery. But our South Pacific tours aren’t your typical beach holiday. While there’ll be plenty of time to kick back on the sand and swim in bright blue lagoons, we’ll also get you trekking up volcanoes in  Vanuatu , splashing around in Fiji ’s dreamiest waterfalls, experiencing traditional village life in New Caledonia  or hiking the historic Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea . These are Intrepid adventures, so you’ll discover the real South Pacific while supporting local communities along the way. Isn’t that what traveling’s all about?

Our South Pacific trips

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South Pacific highlights

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Vanuatu Expedition

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10 reasons to visit Samoa

8 unique experiences in Papua New Guinea

The 5 best things to do in Vanuatu

5 bucket list-worthy things to do in New Caledonia

5 of the best New Caledonian beaches to get some sun on

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South pacific travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

What’s the weather like in the South Pacific?

The South Pacific islands have a tropical climate with only two seasons: a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October.

The weather is hot all year round, though it's hotter and stickier in the wet season and tropical cyclones and typhoons can occur.

The dry season sees clearer skies and cooler temperatures, though daytime highs rarely dip below the low 60s (F).

The water temperatures don't fluctuate much, with average temperatures lingering between a pleasant 81°F and 84°F.

When is the best time to visit the South Pacific?

The most popular time to visit the South Pacific is in the dry season from May to October when skies are clear and humidity is low.

However, these months also see the biggest influx of tourists so expect busier beaches and higher prices for things like accommodation.

The wet season is the quietest time in the South Pacific and if you don't mind hotter, stickier and wetter weather, it can be a great time to enjoy the islands in their most idyllic state.

What do I pack for the South Pacific?

The South Pacific region experiences tropical weather, so packing sandals, sunscreen and plenty of swimwear is a must. Because of the high temperatures and often humid conditions (depending on the time of year), packing lightweight, breathable clothing (think linen or cotton) is also a good idea. You might also want to consider packing comfortable walking shoes for exploring the islands and insect repellant for those pesky tropical bugs. 

What is the internet access like in the South Pacific?

While the South Pacific is largely remote as a region (the only way to get there from neighboring countries is to fly), it's fairly connected with great internet access across Samoa, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. However, there are some exceptions as each island boasts lush tropical rainforests that can interfere with your mobile coverage. Having said that, if you stick to the populated areas, most hotels and restaurants should have wifi for you to connect to. 

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

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Experts in tailor-made vacations to the South Pacific

The South Pacific is remoteness redefined. If the escapist inside you is looking for true seclusion, it’s the ultimate fantasy of tropical islands ringed by white-sand beaches and luminous turquoise waters. Our team have extensively explored these scattered islands and atolls, and they’ll use this on-the-ground knowledge to help you decide which corner(s) to choose for your South Pacific vacation.

Whether you’re looking for the best snorkeling in the Cook Islands or you’re paying homage to Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia , our specialists will craft a South Pacific tour to meet your interests. They can also help you witness how longstanding Melanesian and Polynesian traditions underpin everyday life. You could find yourself listening to hymns in Fijian or Samoan villages, or wandering among tiki sites in the far-flung Marquesas Islands.

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our South Pacific specialists

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Where you can travel with us in the South Pacific

Our specialists can help you plan your trip, individually focusing on your tastes and interests, to the destinations below.

French Polynesia

Cook Islands

Trip ideas in the south pacific.

These itineraries will give you a starting point for what your trip could entail. They cover routes that we've found work particularly well and feature some of our favorite places to stay. Treat them just as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you and there are many more options available.

Classic French Polynesia

12 days from $6,925pp

Lagoon highlights of French Polynesia

13 days from $10,305pp

Cook Islands & Society Islands cruise on the Paul Gauguin

13 days from $11,480pp

Classic Cook Islands: Rarotonga & Aitutaki

13 days from $2,920pp

Luxury Cook Islands

13 days from $5,915pp

French Polynesia cruise on the Aranui 5

16 days from $13,895pp

Discover Fiji

9 days from $4,150pp

Luxurious Fiji

9 days from $11,970pp

Our expert guides to exploring the South Pacific

Capturing our specialists’ extensive travel experience in the South Pacific, these guides share inspiration, recommendations and our honest advice for how to enjoy the best of what the region can offer in the most authentic ways. From the wealth of options we describe, you can narrow down the choices and start to shape your own trip.

Cruising in the South Pacific

Enjoy exploring the South Pacific islands while on a cruise with time for relaxation, activities and cultural insights.

Luxury vacations in French Polynesia

If you're planning a luxury vacation to French Polynesia we have a wide range of luxury vacation resorts and luxury hotels we can recommend.

French Polynesia honeymoons

Country specialist, Lisa, offers her expertise on getting the most out of your honeymoon in French Polynesia. Swim in clear lagoons with manta rays, stay in an overwater bungalow and take a guided walk in a rainforest.

What to do in French Polynesia: our highlights guide

See our recommendations for what to see and do in French Polynesia, from which food you should try to the best hotels to stay in.

Honeymoons in the Cook Islands

An island paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with unspoiled beaches and volcanic peaks, the Cook Islands make an ideal destination for a honeymoon. Our specialists can advise on the best places to stay to make your honeymoon extra special.

Family vacations in the South Pacific

A warm Pacific island welcome and laid-back atmosphere, combined with reefs and lagoons to explore, and traditional bungalow-style accommodation make the South Pacific an ideal location for a family vacation.

Cruises in French Polynesia

South Pacific specialist Joshua reviews the Aranui, which, for him, is the best cruise vessel around French Polynesia. He explains what to expect from life on board, and why the out-of-the-way Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands are such intriguing places to explore.

Honeymoons in Fiji

Plan your perfect honeymoon to Fiji with Audley. Discover some of the beautiful beaches and properties available and how you can make your honeymoon in Fiji extra special.

Where to go in the Maldives

Whether you’re looking for absolute opulence or a family getaway, the Maldives has an island to suit your needs. Just back from the archipelago, specialist Tracey helps you to decide which island is right for you.

Find a trip to match your requirements

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How to Visit Every Country in the Pacific – The Ultimate Guide for 2024

Travelling to the Pacific islands might sound like the perfect beach holiday. And that’s true if you are planning to spend a week in the Cook Islands or Tahiti.

But if you wish to see more than just one country or some of the lesser-known islands, you may run into some logistical issues.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

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You might also be one of the very few visitors on the island.

If you plan to visit every country in the Pacific, this guide is just for you.

Update 2024: This guide on how to visit every country in the Pacific was initially researched and written in 2020 to help travellers plan their trip. We’ve made updates as per real-time information from other travellers who have since travelled this route in 2023.

How to Visit Every Country in the Pacific – The Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

Visiting countries or territories in the Pacific – know the difference

There are many islands in the Pacific. Some islands are independent countries; others are overseas territories.

Here is a little list to help you understand the difference.

Every country in the Pacific – There are officially 14 countries in the region known as Oceania: 

• New Zealand
• The Marshall Islands,
• Micronesia (the Federated States of)
• Papua New Guinea,
• The Solomon Islands

These are the dependent territories of five countries:

• USA:  American Samoa ,  Guam ,  Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island
• New Zealand:  Cook Islands ,  Niue ,  Tokelau
• France : French Polynesia ,  New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna
• Australia:  Norfolk Island
• United Kingdom:  Pitcairn Islands

PS: Don’t forget that there is also Hawaii. It is not a territory but the 50th state of the USA.

This article focuses more on countries in the Pacific, rather than on the territories. There seem to be a few articles dedicated to the Cook Islands and French Polynesia, so I will try to focus on the countries as it’s harder to find more info.

Which countries in Oceania are developed for tourism?

Regarding infrastructure for tourism and visitors, you would find plenty in some countries. Australia, New Zealand and Fiji lead in the region and are visited by many people yearly.

You will find everything from tour operators to extensive options for accommodation. Check out Viator or GetYourGuide to book the best day trips and extraordinary experiences in this region.

Our blog about  the best travel websites to save money may be helpful to help you plan. And if you’re up for it, why not do the Big Lap of Oz?

Here are our 9 best tips for travelling the whole lap of Australia . 

Don’t forget to try these 12 Classic Australian foods while you’re there.

Vanuatu , Samoa and Tonga would come second, and you can find plenty to do here. There is a wide range of accommodation as well.

We recommend using  Booking.com  in this part of the world.

Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have been focusing on building tourism in the past few years. Especially considering the proximity to Australia these islands could see a rise in visitors as long as the infrastructure is there.

Don’t forget that the real gems are located outside the capital city and require another domestic flight.

When it comes to the remaining countries – the infrastructure is more limited as there are very few travellers or tourists here. That includes  Tuvalu , Kiribati,  Nauru ,  Marshall Islands  and  Micronesia .

This means limited flights and limited accommodation.

Of course, let’s not forget Hawaii which is a very popular destination in the Pacific for the US as well as international tourists.

Which territories should you visit in the Pacific?

When it comes to the territories, the easiest to visit would be French Caledonia (Tahiti and Bora Bora), the  Cook Islands and New Caledonia. The rest of the territories are somewhat undiscovered.

Where should you go first? 

This depends if you are planning to visit one country, or multiple islands or try to see all of them in one trip. It’s probably best to look at flight connections for multiple country trips and follow those.

For example, you might visit Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with Vanuatu. Or use Fiji as a base to see Tonga, Samoa and Tuvalu .

If you are planning to visit all the countries in one trip, then careful planning and flexibility is the key—more on that below in our suggested itinerary.

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How to Visit Every Country in the Pacific – By Plane, Cruise or Ship

Airlines in the Pacific:

Numerous airlines connect the Pacific with major air hubs:

The main players are Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Nauru Air, Air Niugini and United Airlines.

We used Skyscanner to plan and book flights for our itinerary around the Pacific. 

From Australia, you will find direct flights to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Nauru.

If you are in New Zealand, you can quickly get to Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Cook Islands.

Finally, when travelling from the USA, you can fly to Fiji, and Australia and connect to the rest.

But more importantly, the so-called United Island Hopper connects Hawaii with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Guam and then flies onto Manila.

United is the only airline that currently connects the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, and many choose to fly to Palau with United Airlines as well.

Please note this flight connects via Guam. Guam is a US territory so unless you are one of the lucky nationalities that qualify for the Guam Waiver ( CLICK HERE  for info) you will need  ESTA  or USA visa to transit.

Cruise Ships in the Pacific

The obvious option to see islands is to search for a cruise in the Pacific.

While cruising might not be for everyone, some can find a pretty good deal when signing up online. It can be practical if you are also planning to see a bit of Australia or New Zealand, as many cruise companies incorporate these two destinations with a few other islands, usually Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa.

Also, many cruises usually visit more territories than countries.

The cruise that seems to cover a few of the islands for a great price is the  Norwegian Jewel  from Sydney to Papeete. You can check the best deals on this cruise and many more by searching on CruiseCritic and these View%20last%20minute%20deals%20here. “>last-minute cruise deals with Princess Cruises.

Cargo Boats in the Pacific:

The last option is for the most adventurous with more flexibility. Cargo ships ply the oceans everywhere, and technically there is a chance you could score a ride. There are probably two common assumptions:

1. It’s easy to board a cargo ship in the Pacific.

2. It’s free or cheap.

Both are false.

To find more information on cargo ships, you can read this article written by Thor, the man who recently visited every country in the world without flying. He is the right person to talk about cargo ships.

More about Thor’s journey can be found on his website,  Once Upon Saga .

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How to Plan your Trip to Visit Countries in the Pacific – Suggested Itinerary

Planning any multi-country trip to the Pacific starts with airline routes. Unfortunately, despite some major airlines flying into the Pacific, not all islands are connected with daily flights.

Some fly only once a week. Especially when it comes to the less-visited countries. There are a few suggested itineraries below. They’ve been put together based on airline connections and the overall cost of flights.

If you are based in the USA or planning to  visit Palau , Micronesia and the Marshall Islands 

While you can technically visit these three countries by three different airlines, the most common route for most travellers is with United Airlines on Flight 154/155.

The route is known as United Airlines’ Island Hopper. You are flying from Honolulu (HNL) to Majuro (MAJ) to Kwajalein (KWA) to Kosrae (KSA) to Pohnpei (PNI) to Chuuk (TKK) to Guam (GUM), or the reverse. From Guam, you can fly to  Palau  and Manila.

Check Skyscanner for the best flight deals on the Island Hopper

If you have any points with United Airlines or Star Alliance, then it is a good idea to use them on this flight as the cost of the ticket is high. The flight itself is considered a bucket list item for flight enthusiasts.

If you fly from Honolulu, it can take up to 20 hours to reach Guam. You can disembark at each airport except Kwajalein.

The only food service is breakfast out of Honolulu, so if you are hungry, make sure you bring some snacks.

One annoying part: Once you reach the Marshall Islands or depart from there, the flight lands every hour for Kwajalein, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chukk and then Guam. Your in-flight entertainment will start all over again, so you will never finish the movie.

Note: Should you not be able to fly on the flight with United, you can access these three countries by other routes: 

• Palau  – There are flights from Manila, Taipei and Seoul with United Airlines, China Airlines, Asiana Airlines
• Micronesia  – There are weekly flights from Port Moresby with Air Niugini
• The Marshall Islands  – There are two flights from Kiribati/Nauru with Nauru Airlines

If you are based in Australia and planning to visit South Pacific and Melanesia :

Australia is a great base to access some islands on multiple trips. Virgin Australia flies to multiple countries.

Regional Airlines such as Air Niugini, Solomon Airlines, Fiji Airways and Air Vanuatu all fly to Australia as well. You can choose to visit on a return flight or combine a few countries on multiple trips.

Flights depart mainly from Brisbane or Sydney.

Here is the list for 2023:  Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Nauru

If You Are Planning to Visit Every Country in the Pacific in Just One Trip

The ultimate challenge is to visit all the countries in the Pacific on a single trip. Here are a few options on how to do it.

From Australia:

Sydney  to  Nuku’alofa  to  Nadi  to  Apia  to  Nadi  to  Suva  to  Funafuti  to  Tarawa  to  Yaren  to  Majuro  

to  Pohnpei  to  Guam  to  Koror  to  Manila  to  Port Moresby  to  Honiara  to  Port Vila

Sydney/Brisbane  to  Port Vila  to  Honiara  to  Tarawa  to  Funafuti  to  Suva  to  Nadi  to  Apia  to  Nadi  

to  Nuku’alofa  to  Nauru  to  Majuro  to  Pohnpei  to  Guam  to  Palau  to  Manila  to  Port Moresby .

From Asia – Round trip from Manila 

Manila  to  Guam  to  Palau  to  Pohnpei  to  Majuro  to  Kiribati  to  Nauru  to  Nadi  to  Apia  to  Nadi  

to  Nuku’alofa  to  Nadi  to  Suva  to  Funafuti  to  Suva  to  Nadi  to  Port Vila  to  Honiara  to  Port Moresby  to  Manila

There are, of course, a few other combinations available. Here are a few hints that may help you when planning for each country.

Tuvalu  – It is connected with Fiji Airlines three times a week from Suva, not Nadi, and it’s the only reliable flight.

Air Kiribati used to connect Tuvalu with Kiribati every Wednesday – UPDATE in 2023: This route is no longer operating.

Kiribati  – Is connected with Fiji Air twice a week and with the Solomon Islands on Monday/Tuesday—a great link between Melanesia and Polynesia. Nauru Airlines also connects Kiribati to the Marshall Islands and Nauru.

Nauru  – The only country that almost everyone requires a visa for, and it can take some time to obtain. You can find more info  here . The only airline flying to Nauru is Nauru Airlines.

It also connects Nauru with Brisbane, but the ticket is expensive. In 2020, Nauru Airlines cancelled flights Nauru – Pohnpei and Nauru – Honiara.

Micronesia  – Apart from the United Airlines flight that connects it with the Marshall Islands or Guam, you might consider flying in or out of Port Moresby with Air Niugini. The flight was only about $280, but it has been suspended in February due to the coronavirus.

Samoa/Tonga  – Both countries have direct flights in and out of Australia or New Zealand, and it’s often cheaper to fly on return from there than to nearby Fiji.

Accommodation – Visit Every Country in the Pacific

Booking.com is an easy-to-use search engine. It offers the best selection of accommodation available all over the world. We find they offer the lowest prices and no fees. Our Tip: Search by price, and filter by best reviews.

Travelling across the Pacific doesn’t come cheap. Fiji and Tonga were the cheapest; the most expensive would be the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Nauru.

RELATED POST –  The Best Budget Accommodation Options in Tonga

On average, accommodation costs are around USD 100 per night. Except in Fiji, there are virtually no hostels.

We book hotels and accommodation on  Booking.com .

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How Long Should You Spend in Each Country?

Each of us travels differently, and while you can spend a few weeks in Fiji or Vanuatu, you might run out of things to do in places like Nauru, Tuvalu or the Marshall Islands.

Personally for us, we would put the countries in a few groups:

Australia and New Zealand  – You can easily spend months in both countries. While New Zealand is smaller, it is fantastic for many outdoor activities.

Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands  – A week in each place will give you enough time to see it, and you might venture to neighbouring islands too. Fiji has the best infrastructure, and you will eventually come back to this island sometime in between flights.

Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru & the Marshall Islands  – As some smaller and less developed nations, you might be happy to spend three days in each place.

Tuvalu  and  Nauru  are both tiny, and you will eventually run out of things to do.

The Marshall Islands has one of the least attractive main islands, Majuro. Try to get to Eneko Island (Read about our experience here), Arno Atol or Laura Beach.

Most travellers fly into Tarawa in Kiribati, and while we have heard the outer islands are beautiful, if you stay on the main island, a few days will be enough.

Micronesia & Palau  – We spent some extra time in Micronesia at Pohnpei and loved it there. It’s green, with impressive ruins of Nan Madol, and you can go snorkelling or fishing. The people were super lovely, and the food was excellent.

Palau is another gem with fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities. While it’s not easy for budget travellers, it is beautiful.

Here are  10 awesome things to do in Palau  and don’t miss the chance to swim with a million stingless jellyfish. Read more about our incredible Jellyfish Lake experience in Palau’s Rock Islands.

The food in Palau is worth mentioning, too! We enjoyed it very much.

Money in the Pacific

There are a few currencies used across the Pacific. A complete list is below.

Please note you will need cash for Tuvalu as there is no ATM.

Generally, make sure you have some money in AUD and USD when travelling in this region for a few weeks.

Travel Insurance for the Pacific Islands

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

Our post about getting  stranded in the Pacific: Cancelled flights, lost luggage and coronavirus  will provide you with inside tips and perhaps a few laughs at the same time.

We hope this post has been helpful to you in planning your journey to visit every country in the Pacific. We want to keep this post updated with the latest information for all, so please feel free to share your suggestions, updates to schedules or tips in the comments below if you have travelled this route in 2023 and beyond.

Travel Tips & Inspiration

We love to share our knowledge of travelling, and you may enjoy reading our  top 6 travel hacks to save you money  and our  ultimate packing list for travellers .

For food lovers, don’t miss our  top 10 best countries for foodies!  And, if you’re more interested in history, these  30 amazing historical places in the world  will fascinate you! 

Perhaps you’re travelling on a budget? These  10 cheapest European countries to visit  may be just the tool you need to start planning an epic trip.

But here are  8 things to know about travelling to Eastern Europe  and it’s good to know these  7 misconceptions about Eastern Europe  too.

Or, perhaps these  21 Cheapest Countries to Visit Right Now  is just what you’ve been searching for. 

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11 comments . leave new.

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences. When can we expect the 2022 update? And how much would the trip from Sydney (as shown on the picture) cost – a rough estimate, of course? Thank you.

There are still countries closed for tourists in the Pacific so once they reopen I might be able to update this blog. In general, the Pacific loop of visiting them all would be around USD4000-5000 before the pandemic. Sadly I don’t think it will be any cheaper due to limited services and the high cost of United airlines between Marshall Islands – Micronesia – Palau.

This post is GOLD. Thank you!

Are there any tour companies that do all of the islands in one trip

No, not that we’re aware of. It’s logistically too hard to operate a tour to visit all of these nations at once, some of them are the least visited countries in the world.

Hey Marty I just finished my NZ journey and now in Auckland again. NZ has very bad weather now and I think I’ll go to some islands instead. I have 1.5 months left, would you suggest me the route for this time, starting and finishing in Auckland? Please keep in mind that I don’t have american and french visas (and no time to applying). I can visit Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa (not American), Tuvalu, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Papua, Solomon Islands. How to spend 1.5 months in between them and how should my route looks like?

The best option would be to fly from Auckland to Samoa, Tonga or the Cook Islands as there are great flights from Auckland. Then you can fly to Fiji (from Tonga or Samoa) and access some other islands from Fiji such as Tuvalu or Vanuatu. You just need to check different dates and prices online and put it together step by step. Hope that helps.

PNG currency is Kina not NZD Dollar.

The flights to Tuvalu with Kiribati airlines no longer run, only Fiji airlines, as a result I will have to save Tuvalu for another trip and hopefully a direct flight/boat from Samoa.

Air nugini you can kill two birds with one stone with a 24hr layover in Port moresby when flying from Cairns to Honiara for around 350aud.

I couldn’t find any (reasonably priced) flights to Tarawa from Honiara so had to go via Fiji and Nauru airlines pulled the plug with Solomon which would have been perfect for me removing the need to go through Fiji.

Did you visit bouganville (PNG), if so have you done a write up?

Thanks for your input. We’ve updated this post to advise that Kiribati Airlines no longer run that flight to Tuvalu. And yes, PNG uses the Kina as currency, we’ve also updated this in our post 😉 Regarding your question regarding Bougainville, we itinially had flights booked to visit, but then the pandemic spread across the world and we had to cancel. When PNG opened up to visitors a few years later, flights were incredibly expensive, so we didn’t get there. So no, we dont have a write up for you.

I read your post twice. I am a great fan. The maps are helpful. I wanted a little more guidance for a round trip – multi city trip out of sydney covering few countries not all. Can I get some help please? An email or a chat if possible please 🙏

Hi Prabir, We’re happy to know that you found our blog really helpful. Everything we know about doing this journey, we have noted in this blog. If you have a specific question, please ask us here as it may be useful to other readers. 🙂

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South Pacific's most idyllic islands for a tropical getaway

Sep 22, 2021 • 6 min read

Small thatched beach huts known as Samoan fales on one of the South Pacific island's most pristine beaches © zstockphotos/Getty Images

The South Pacific confounds even the savviest map buffs with its splatter of dots spread across the world's biggest ocean. What you can't tell from a map, or even most tourist brochures is that these palm-laden pinpricks are as diverse as the region is vast. While the postcards might look similar, Fiji and Tahiti are not interchangeable or even much alike when it comes to landscapes and culture.

As you move east across the Pacific from the Solomon Islands to Easter Island , the flora and fauna becomes less diverse. Islands to the east like New Caledonia and Fiji have land snakes and fruit bats, French Polynesia and Easter Island don't. Underwater you'll find more soft corals in the plankton-rich waters to the west but better visibility in the greater reaches of open water to the east.

South Pacific islands are culturally and geographically divided into Polynesia (from the Greek meaning 'many islands') and Melanesia (meaning 'black islands'). Polynesian islands include Samoa , Tonga , Cook Islands , French Polynesia and Easter Island while Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands are Melanesian. The colonial history of the islands has resulted in a modern-day patchwork of English- and French-speaking island groups (plus Spanish in the far eastern Easter Island).

Still confused? Here's the low-down on the main regions and their highlights.

Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Best for beaches and hospitality Languages: English (official), Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan)

The Cook Islands mix Polynesian blue water and hospitality with New Zealand (who administer the islands) savoir faire . On the lush, main isle of Rarotonga beach bum all day then experience an 'Island Night' Polynesian feast (pork cooked in an earthen oven, taro root and more) and a local dance performance.

Hop a plane to Aitutuaki atoll, with its low-lying coral islets curling around one of the world's most fantastic lagoons. When not diving, snorkelling or swimming in blue water, check out the atoll's ancient stone temples called marae .

Best for: friendly vibes and backpacker adventures Languages: English, iTaukei, Fiji Hindi

Fiji receives nearly the same amount of visitors (about 630,000 annually) as the rest of the South Pacific combined but it still feels wild and exotic. Scents of Indian curries waft from city roti shops while in villages Melanesian families invite you in for a bit of 'grog' ( kava , a slightly narcotic locally made beverage). Diving is another popular activity here and underwater you'll find seascapes of soft corals so dense they look like purple and white forests.

Viti Levu , the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands have the best beaches and most resorts. It's also easy to get off-the-beaten-path on islands like the lush, dive havens of Taveuni and Vanua Levu or the near-roadless traditional escape of Kadavu.

Tahiti & French Polynesia

Best for: luxury resorts and surfing Languages: French, Polynesian

With over 115 islands spanning five archipelagos, French Polynesia has it all from the legendary, luxe Bora Bora and its over-the-water-bungalows to uncountable forgotten islands perfect for Crusoe-wannabes looking for a basic beach bungalow. Wherever you go, you'll be kissed with a touch of French style.

Dive with plentiful reef sharks and manta rays in the Tuamotu Atolls ; ogle the world's fastest hip shaking at a Tahitian dance performance during the July Heiva Festival; hike to waterfalls and mountain ridges on Tahiti, Moorea , the Marquesas Islands and more; or watch professional surfers brave cavernous tubes at Teahupoo , Tahiti.

Best for: volcanoes and hiking Languages: (more than 100) Bislama (creole), English, French, others

If you want rumbling volcanoes, kava bars, shipwrecks to dive on and wild jungles to trek but still want your roads paved and your cheese French, Vanuatu is the place for you.

The main Island of Efate is home to the endearingly dusty capitol of Port Vila but the real action lies on the outer islands. Tanna is dominated by fiery and climbable Mt Yasur. Espiritu Santo has upscale resorts and a tough trek to the massive Millennium Cave filled with waterfalls and bats. Dive and snorkel WWII wrecks to coral gardens.

Samoa & American Samoa

Best for surfing and hiking Languages: English, Samoan (Polynesian), Samoan/English

The Samoan Islands are divided into two countries – Samoa, which is independent, and American Samoa , which - you guessed it – is an American territory. Both however remain very traditionally Polynesian. Although 'Upolu in Samoa has a few relatively upscale resorts, all the islands feel untouristy and much other accommodation is in the form of basic open beach huts called fale .

You'll find some of the South Pacific's best and most pristine beaches, lots of smiles, flower-filled villages and a pace of life that stands out as slow even in this region. There are few organized excursions but for independent types the opportunity for hiking, cultural connections, surfing and snorkelling are endless.

New Caledonia

Best for: food and water sports Language: French, 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

New Caledonia's massive Grande Terre is the third largest island in the Pacific (after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand) and is home to the second largest double barrier coral reef in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef).

Beyond the diving, wind sports and sailing in the lagoon, the land supports a mix of Melanesian and French cultures that bring an elegant balance to hospitality, cuisine and accommodation ranging from beach bungalows to very posh resorts.

Outlying islands such as Île des Pins and Ouvéa offer more remote escapes with some of the Pacific's best beaches and heaps of delicious seafood.

Best for: swimming with humpback whales Language: English, Tongan

The Kingdom of Tonga is a country of traditional values and strong Christianity backed by endless blue bays, sparkling beaches and ancient stone temples.

The main island of Tongatapu is the seat of the monarchy but most visitors head quickly to the Vava'u Group . Here you'll find one of the best places on Earth to swim with or watch humpback whales. Sailboats flock around the Vava'u's many sheltered blue bays while plenty of scarcely discovered surfing waves are tucked along the coasts.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Best for archaeology and wildlife Language: Spanish

Few places on the planet are as intriguing Easter Island 164 square kilometer island so far east, it's technically a part of Chile. Giant, sober-faced stone statues called moai dominate the landscape here whether they are full-standing or still only partially carved from rock; their mystery is an even larger presence.

Tour the island on foot, bike or horseback, find small white beaches and enjoy the lively Polynesian culture mixed with South American spice. Tourism is on the rise but the island remains personable and dedicated to eco-travel.

Solomon Islands

Best for: diving and eco-tourism Language: English, Melanesian pidgin, English, 120 indigenous languages

Arguably one of the wildest destinations in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands host a traditional Melanesian culture and an ever-lingering WWII history. Guadalcanal , the capital island, is home to numerous historical war sites.

For relaxation head to the New Georgia Islands , particularly Marovo Lagoon for its fish-filled lagoon dotted with small islands. Beaches are few but the kayaking, diving and traditional culture make it a true adventure.

Remote South Pacific islands

Where to begin? Some places like Niue , Tuvalu , Kiribati and Wallis & Futuna have flight connections while others like Tokelau and Pitcairn Island can still only be reached by sea . If you're not booking that South Pacific adventure-of-a-lifetime this year, then what are you waiting for? 

You might also like: How to choose the best island for your Fiji vacation Natural spoils: why Kiribati is a nature lover's paradise Why Tanna Island in Vanuatu should be your next big adventure

This article was first published August 2019 and updated September 2021

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The South Pacific Islands: a first timer's guide

Roxanne de Bruyn

• Pacific Islands travel guide

With white, sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and scattered palm trees, the Pacific Islands look like paradise. Dotted around the South Pacific, these islands are small and untouched.

A holiday in the Pacific Islands is all about relaxing, switching off from everyday life, and enjoying the simple pleasures of a tropical island - exotic fruit, warm weather, beautiful lagoons and fresh fish. These holidays are less about adventure or luxury and more about simply experiencing some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Many of the islands (with the notable exception of Fiji) are relatively underdeveloped, with few large hotel brands there. While the Pacific Islands have a strong tourism industry, it's mostly targeted at New Zealanders and Australians

• How to get there

Getting to the Pacific Islands is the most convenient from New Zealand. Flights to each island leave multiple times a week. There are also regular flights from Australia, Fiji has a weekly flight from LA, and the Cook Islands has a connection to Canada.

Travelling between the South Pacific Islands is more complicated than you would think, with routes changing frequently. Saying that, Tonga generally has good connections to Fiji and Samoa, and you can usually fly from French Polynesia to the other South Pacific Islands. It is best to check before you go.

• When to visit

The Pacific Islands have distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season runs from April to October and is the most popular time to visit the islands. This is for two reasons: the weather is great, and it's winter in New Zealand and Australia, where many tourists come from.

The humidity is significantly reduced during the winter, and the cyclone season has passed. You are also more likely to see humpback whales between June and October. On the other hand, there'll be more visitors and prices will be a bit higher.

Travelling to the Pacific Islands during the low season is entirely possible. Just keep in mind that it'll probably rain during your stay, it will be hot and humid, and some activities may be closed, especially if you visit outside of the Christmas school holidays. It's also cyclone season, so there is the possibility of high winds and torrential rain, although generally, rainfall is light, and there are still long patches of sunshine.

Fiji is a popular family holiday destination with resorts, kids' clubs, and activities for all ages. Fiji is more developed than the other islands, and several brand-name resorts are here. These are mainly clustered on Denarau Island, a resort development on the Western side of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island - before booking, remember that there isn't a natural beach in Denarau.

Just a short boat ride from Denarau, you'll find the Mamanuca Islands, with beautiful beaches, excellent snorkelling and tall palm trees. There are several resorts on these islands, ranging from family-friendly with kids' clubs and childcare services to adult-only resorts for romantic getaways. The Cloud 9 surf breaks are easily accessible for a day trip - go for the surf or to relax in the on-water bar. Just keep in mind that food and accommodation in Fiji aren't cheap.

If you're interested in scuba diving in Fiji or want to experience Fiji without mass tourism, the stunning Yasawa Islands are a bit further from Viti Levu. The Yasawas are less convenient to visit, but there are regular local seaplane flights. Accommodation here is a bit more rustic, but the views are spectacular, and you can enjoy the untouched scenery. Backpackers are well catered for, and there are a couple of resorts if you want a touch more luxury.

• The Cook Islands

A territory of New Zealand, the Cook Islanders are just a couple of hours' flight from Auckland. Rarotonga, the largest island, is particularly popular with New Zealanders, and there are several small resorts on the island.

With calm lagoons, long beaches and friendly locals, Rarotonga is great for a family holiday. The island is small, but there are enough activities to keep you busy (and relaxed) for a week or two. You can also rent a house near the beach and self-cater during your stay.

Aitutaki, about an hour's flight from Rarotonga, is the perfect destination for a more secluded getaway. A favourite with honeymooners , Aitutaki is simply stunning. White sandy beaches are studded with palm trees, and the scenery is like a postcard come to life.

The island is tiny, and there are several resorts, mainly catering for couples. There are a few cheaper options, but they're much harder to track down.

In terms of activities, the lagoon cruise is a must, stopping at various deserted islands and including a fish lunch. One Foot Island is a favourite stop, with an old post office, shady trees and a small reef for snorkelling. Aitutaki is a remarkably beautiful place and is the perfect spot for relaxing on the beach with a cocktail and a good book.

Less developed than Fiji or the Cook Islands, your holiday in Tonga will likely include simple accommodation, friendly people and beautiful surroundings. There are several locally owned and run accommodation options, which are generally clean, simple and often absolute beachfront.

Tonga is a more affordable destination, but service isn't always up to international standards, so don't expect luxury service. However, the surroundings are stunning, people are helpful and welcoming, and it's easier to get a sense of the local culture than on some other Pacific islands.

• Introduction

Share this article

Author - Roxanne de Bruyn

Roxanne is the founder and editor of Faraway Worlds. She is a freelance writer and guidebook author and has written for several travel publications, including Lonely Planet and The Culture Trip. With a background in communications, she has studied ancient history, comparative religion and international development, and has a particular interest in sustainable tourism.

Originally from South Africa, Roxanne has travelled widely and loves learning the stories of the places she visits. She enjoys cooking, dance and yoga, and usually travels with her husband and young son. She is based in New Zealand.

Last Updated 9 January 2023

Pacific Northwest Tours & Trips

British Columbia , as well as the American states of Washington and Oregon . Travel to this mountainous region, filled with natural parks and wildlife, which makes it the perfect choice for any hiking or trekking enthusiast. Find here the best US vacation packages .

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Active West Coast Canada Discovery

7 Day Vancouver Island Camping Adventure

This Vancouver Island tour was another great tour from Fresh Adventures. The trip was well run and organised. The 2 guides, Jafar and Carl were excellent and cooked some fantastic meals throughout the week. A good mix of exploring and relaxation at some great swimming areas throughout the island. Definitely recommend.

• £115 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Christmas & New Year

USA – Best of WA – North Cascades Olympic Mount Rainier National Parks

Great experience getting to see many of the National Parks in Washington state. It was great not to have to find hotel accommodations and to have guides that are avid hikers to guide us on the hikes. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience!

Vancouver Island Premium Tour

Had one of the best trips of my life so far! I've seen and done about everything on this weekend: watched a beautiful sunset, learned how to do s'mores, seen whales (!!) & eagles & sea lions and even a bear! I met some great people on the trip and really enjoyed Vancouver Island, Tofino and its nature :D

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

Vancouver Island Explorer

Great tour! Our guide Kilian was great. Having grown up in the area, he knew the best spots very well. Wonderful experience. I’m really satisfied. Very good hotels.

Discover Klahoose - British Columbia Summer Wildlife & Cultural Tour - 3 Nights / 4 Day Package

Very friendly staff, beautiful scenery, awesome food

• In-depth Cultural

Exploring the Pacific Northwest

Ken, our guide was knowledgeable, efficient, courteous and fun. The tour would have been better with a full day in Seattle spending 2 nights there. You could skip Leavenworth, Yakima and the nature center in Bend.

3 days Private Vancouver Cultural Tour

Fun,unforgettable, unique experience visit Vancouver the beautiful city see capilano suspension bridge, Vancouver aquarium, Grouse mountain, Stanley park and much more vehicles was spacious and driver cum guide very helpful and polite in nature recommended

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Pacific Travel Partners Reveals New 'Vantage' Name, Reassures Past Customers

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Pacific Travel Partners, which earlier this month purchased assets from Vantage Travel, has revealed the new company built on those assets will be Vantage Explorations.

"Vantage Explorations will be the name of the new brand, and the intention is to formally announce this, as well as our plans, in the coming months," a spokesperson for the company said. "Whilst there is an ongoing process following the finalization of the brand acquisition, a new 'Vantage style' offering will be introduced across oceangoing, river, and land product that will deliver exceptional travel experiences for our passengers."

Customers of the now bankrupt Vantage Travel had expressed concern that the expedition products offered by Aurora Expeditions (the parent company of Pacific Travel Partners) were too active and exceeded their physical capabilities, making their credits earned from canceled Vantage Travel trips unuseable.

"A team of customer service has been established to begin communication with customer creditors, and we hope that they will consider our offering in the spirit that it is intended."

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Customers of Vantage Travel, who lost trips worth thousands of dollars when the Boston-based luxury cruise line abruptly shut down, will be able to apply the value of their canceled trips to future travel according to details of an agreement outlined in federal bankruptcy court.

The proposed sale of Vantage to Pacific Travel Partners follows an auction that lasted two days. Details are being divulged in a hearing in front of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Janet E. Bostwick, who is overseeing the sale of the company’s assets.

The winning bidder is Pacific Travel Partners, a subsidiary of Australia-based Aurora Expeditions, which runs similar tours to those offered by Vantage. The cash price of the proposed sale is $2 million, but the winning bid also brings a better-than-expected opportunity for customers to recoup the value of their lost trips.

In the bankruptcy filing , Vantage admitted that customers lost $108 million for trips they had paid for but never got to take.

Under previous proposals, Vantage customers would only have received 20% off a single future trip, and the credits were not transferable. Customers objected to that detail of the plan and sought to block the sale. (Video below)

However, the deal announced Wednesday will allow customers to use 100% of their claim against Vantage toward future trips with the new company.

Customers will have until Nov. 30, 2028, to book travel with the new company, and caps will be imposed for how much value can be applied to individual services. Oceangoing travel credits will be capped at 50% of the trip's cost, while credits toward river cruises and land travel, like safaris, will be capped at 20%. Credits can be applied toward either a deposit or later payment but cannot be used toward airfare.

Credits can be spread across multiple trips and transferred to friends or family but customers using the credits will be required to obtain travel insurance from a third-party provider.

Because the auction ran late on Tuesday night, attorneys have not submitted the terms of the sale in writing, and Judge Bostwick indicated she likely won’t approve it until a new hearing scheduled for Monday morning.

Welcome to Consumer Rescue

Fiascos and Fixes

Vantage Travel assets sold to Pacific Travel Partners. Here’s what customers can expect

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Consumer reporter and ombudsman

August 20, 2023

The remnants of Vantage Deluxe World Travel have been sold to Pacific Travel Partners, a subsidiary of Aurora Expeditions, for $2 million. 

Pacific Travel Partners will operate the new company as Vantage Explorations .

This outcome has surprised many following the Vantage Travel bankruptcy proceedings since late June, as competing bidder United Travel was widely expected to emerge as the winner. 

And there were more surprises when the purchase agreement details were revealed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on August 9. For Vantage customers, who are collectively owed $108 million, the offer from Pacific Travel Partners is considerably better than the initial sale proposal from United Travel.  

Now that the assets of Vantage Travel have been sold to Pacific Travel Partners, here’s what customers should know. 

What Pacific Travel Partners and Aurora Expeditions will offer Vantage Travel customers

As part of the sale agreement, Pacific Travel Partners will provide Vantage Travel customers with future travel credits equal to 100 percent of the value of the refund owed to them at the time of the bankruptcy. As with the original sale proposal, there are redemption guidelines and limitations:

• The credits can be redeemed with either Aurora Expeditions or Pacific Travel.
• Travelers may pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of a new ocean trip with their credits.
• Travelers may use their credits to pay for up to 20 percent of river or land tours. (Note: As of Feb. 27, 2024, river tours — operated by Viva Cruises — are available for booking through V antage Explorations .) 
• Travel credits can be shared with friends and family but can’t be sold. 
• Customers can apply their credits to as many trips as they like until they are gone (at the percentages given above) until November 2028.

What to know about traveling with Aurora Expeditions or Pacific Travel

• All passengers must be medically approved for travel.
• Each customer must independently research and purchase their own travel insurance.
• Tour payments will be placed in an escrow account until the day of departure. 
• Except for contact information, all personal details (credit card, banking, passport numbers) will be deleted ten days after the customer’s trip.  

Vantage Travel customers have questions

Since the announcement of the sale of Vantage Travel to Pacific Travel/Aurora Expeditions, questions from customers have flooded the Consumer Rescue helpline and our 2,200-member strong Facebook group dedicated to Vantage customers. 

Here are the most frequently asked questions from Vantage Travel customers.

Who bought Vantage Travel?

Pacific Travel Partners, a subsidiary of Aurora Expeditions, bought the assets of Vantage Deluxe World Travel after a bankruptcy auction held on August 7 and 8, 2023. Judge Janet Bostwick approved this purchase in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Boston on Aug. 14, 2023.

Why can’t I find any information about Pacific Travel Partners?

Naturally, when it was announced that Pacific Travel had won the auction to buy the assets of Vantage Deluxe World Travel, customers started scrolling through the internet to learn about the new company. Confusion immediately ensued when many could find no internet footprint for Pacific Travel Partners. 

There’s a simple explanation.

Pacific Travel Partners is a brand new company created solely in anticipation of bidding and hopefully purchasing Vantage Travel through the bankruptcy court. It has no employees, crew, ships, or tours available – yet. 

But although Pacific Travel has no internet footprint or reputation to boast of, its parent Aurora Expeditions does . 

Having been in business since 1985, Aurora Expeditions, headquartered in Australia, is a well-respected adventure tour operator focusing heavily on The Arctic and Antarctic regions of the world. 

Will Vantage Travel executives work at Pacific Travel?

In a word: No. The leftover Vantage Travel executives will not be hired by Pacific Travel or Aurora Expeditions.

An earlier version of the bankruptcy proposal indicated that the new owner of Vantage Travel would be required to hire the four or five remaining executives of the company. That made many Vantage customers understandably angry.

But that was before Pacific Travel became the front-runner to buy what’s left of Vantage. 

In a conversation I had with the chairman of Aurora Expeditions this week, he made it clear that was no longer the case.

We have no relationship to the former owners or management of Vantage Travel business and do not intend to employ the former senior management going forward. Neville Buch, Chairman of Aurora Expeditions and Pacific Travel

This information was music to the ears of many Vantage customers, who could not imagine patronizing another company led by the very executives they blame for their lost cash and trips.  

What is Form 410 Proof of Claim?

All Vantage Travel customers who believe they are owed a refund should file Form 410, “Proof of Claim,” through the bankruptcy court via Stretto. By submitting the Form 410, you will ensure that you are on the list to receive travel credits from the new company.

At this time, it is possible to file Form 410 electronically through the link above. You can also confirm that you’ve successfully been added to the claims list by checking here (using just your last name) about 10-14 days after you’ve submitted the form.

* Dec. 1, 2023: The deadline for filing a Notice of Claim has passed.

How can I spend my travel credit?

It’s true that there are no tours available to book at Pacific Travel at this time. Until that company is up and running, Vantage customers are free to use their credits on a trip with Aurora Expeditions. 

Will any of my money go back to Vantage Travel if I spend my credits?

No. Although there is a clause in the sale agreement that says 5 percent of the sales booked through Pacific Travel Partners for the next five years will go back to the Vantage Travel bankruptcy estate, there is an important exclusion : Trips booked by Vantage Travel customers in which they use any of their credits.

Former Vantage Travel customers can rest assured that none of their cash spent with the new company will end up going back to the bankruptcy estate.

I’m elderly, and I can’t take an adventure trip with Aurora Expeditions. Now what?

We know that, on average, Vantage customers tend to be an older population. In fact, most of them are in their 70s and 80s.  That’s not exactly the prime target for a company that operates adventure travel to remote areas of the world.

In my conversation with Buch this week, he addressed the question of whether an older population could take an Aurora Expeditions tour: 

People do go on our tours and enjoy sightseeing and lectures, the main physical activity is getting in and out of zodiacs. We take healthy people comfortably into their late 70s early 80s but only when mobility becomes an issue does it become more difficult. Neville Buch, Chairman of Aurora Expeditions and Pacific Travel

But with that mobility concern in mind, Buch went on to explain that Aurora’s ultimate goal is to develop Pacific Travel into a tour operator that provides journeys more in line with the expectations of Vantage Travel’s customer base.  

Additionally, Aurora is expanding its own offerings in the coming months and years with “adventure-light” type tours, which may be more appealing to Vantage customers.  

How do I know for sure my upcoming Vantage trip is canceled?

Even though we are nearly two months into the bankruptcy proceedings, some customers are still not ready to accept that Vantage Travel is bankrupt and out of business . Nearly on a daily basis, a Vantage customer will email me and ask about an upcoming trip they hope might still operate.

Vantage has contributed to this confusion in a number of ways: 

• It filed for Chapter 11 (restructuring) instead of Chapter 7 (liquidation).
• Vantage did not send a notification of total cessation of operations to its entire customer list. 
• Its website has remained live, and customers can still sign in. The canceled tours they expected to take are still listed as active.
• In all correspondence Vantage has had with its customers, the company has refused to say these simple words: “All future Vantage Deluxe World Travel tours are canceled.” Instead, the company has consistently used the word “suspended.”

So, since Vantage won’t say it, I will. 

• All Vantage Deluxe World Travel trips are canceled. Forever.
• Vantage is out of business.
• That company will not be operating any future tours. 
• The assets of Vantage Deluxe World Travel, including the customer list, were sold to Pacific Travel Partners.
• Pacific Travel/ Aurora Expeditions can’t take over the Vantage Deluxe World Travel website because of the Personal Identifying Information (PII) contained inside, which is not part of the sale. It is expected that the current site will be taken down shortly after the closing this week. 

Note : Pacific Travel Partners will “trade as” Vantage Explorations . That means that the name Vantage will continue to live on but will not be the former company. 

How will I find out about my future travel credits?

The sale will officially be finalized this week. At that time, Pacific Travel will receive the Vantage Travel customer list and will soon send an introduction letter with a short survey to everyone on that list. 

Update: The new company, operating as Vantage Explorations now has a website and you can reach their customer service team at [email protected]

Can I still get future credits if I received a refund in some other way?

No, that’s what’s called double-dipping, and it isn’t legal. Vantage customers who received a refund via a travel insurance policy, a credit card chargeback, or an ACH reversal don’t qualify for future credits with Pacific Travel or Aurora Expeditions. 

Do I have to accept these credits? I want a refund instead

Surprisingly, this is a question I receive frequently from Vantage customers . I’m afraid it’s rooted in a misunderstanding about bankruptcy. 

Vantage Travel went bankrupt. The company is in debt to the tune of 170 million dollars. Unsecured creditors, like customers, are always last on the list for refunds in bankruptcy cases. And in this situation, there are no assets. Even the secured creditors will be walking away with virtually nothing. 

Of course, no Vantage Travel customer will be forced to accept or use the credits offered by Pacific Travel. But a better deal will not be in the cards. There will not be cash refunds for Vantage customers at the end of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Fact: The buyer of the assets of a bankrupt company is under no obligation to absorb the former company’s debt.

In this case, Pacific Travel Partners is offering customers a chance to receive something instead of nothing out of the Vantage bankruptcy. It’s ultimately up to the customer to decide whether or not to use those credits, but they’ll have five years to make that decision. And remember, if you’re a Vantage customer who will receive travel credits, you can also give them as gifts to friends and family if you decide you don’t want them.

Refusing the credits in anger might make you feel like you’re making a statement against Vantage, but it really doesn’t. I see no benefit from rejecting something that you may find valuable down the road after the sting of this bankruptcy dissipates — and after we learn more about the company Pacific Travel intends to evolve into.

Vantage Explorations contact information

* Note: If you are a former Vantage Deluxe World Travel customer who was owed a refund at the time of the company’s bankruptcy (or had a future trip planned) and have not been contacted by the new company Vantage Explorations, you can reach their team at [email protected] (Note: There is just one letter E in the center of the email address.

*If you haven’t filed your “notice of claim” Form 410, with the bankruptcy court make sure to do so ASAP. There is information here that explains how to file .

The bottom line

The last several months have been a long and unpleasant journey for Vantage Travel customers blindsided by this bankruptcy. 

Although Pacific Travel Partners’ purchase of the assets of Vantage Travel will not lead jilted customers to retrieve the 108 million dollars owed to them, it will hopefully give them closure. They now have the possibility of recouping their losses in the form of travel credits that can be spent on future adventures.

And that is likely the best outcome anyone can hope for in this terrible consumer catastrophe. ( Michelle Couch-Friedman , Consumer Rescue)

Dec. 31 update:

There was very good news for some victims of the Vantage Travel bankruptcy as we finsihed the year.

Jan. 21, 2024 update:

Why are so many Vantage Travel customers rejecting their credits?

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The Race to Keep an Amtrak Train From Falling Into the Pacific

S AN CLEMENTE, Calif.—The Pacific Surfliner train runs along some of the most spectacular coastline in America, traversing Southern California bluffs and beaches while ocean waves crash on the golden sand nearby.

Soon, some fear it might fall into the ocean.

Rising sea levels and powerful storms are eating away at the ground holding up the tracks on the second most popular Amtrak rail corridor in the U.S. The route runs 351 miles from San Diego through Los Angeles to California’s Central Coast and is also used by freight and commuter trains.

The erosion has caused landslides that shut down the Surfliner at least a dozen times in the past six years.

During the shutdowns, engineers have installed boulders, steel pilings and concrete walls that allow the Surfliner to operate again—but only temporarily. Despite the $140 million they have spent on repairs, officials say a more costly, permanent fix is needed because climate change is going to keep pushing up sea levels and making storms more intense.

“Ultimately, these things fail,” said Patrick Barnard, a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. “The water rises and the shoreline wants to move inland.”

Around the U.S., civil engineers are fighting to save hundreds of billions of dollars of coastal infrastructure. Few places are more threatened than California, where transportation routes, homes and businesses built along the Pacific Ocean have long been part of the Golden State’s identity.

In the Central California resort town of Big Sur, officials urged residents to evacuate Wednesday as a storm threatened damage to coastal Highway 1, part of which already collapsed recently. That route has been affected by landslides about 50 times since 2009, and the frequency is growing.

Last year, the California Transportation Department moved a nearly one-mile stretch of Highway 1 in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, inland and away from bluffs that threatened to crumble beneath it.

To get the Pacific Surfliner on safer ground for the long run, nearly everyone agrees it needs to relocate away from the ocean. Officials are considering moving several particularly vulnerable miles inland through the upscale San Diego suburb of Del Mar and the South Orange County city of San Clemente. The total cost would be billions of dollars.

Those plans have drawn opposition, particularly in Del Mar, where proposed tunnels under homes have caused residents to worry about everything from noise to vibration to a hazardous spill from a freight train.

“We don’t want to trade off one unsafe situation for another,” said Dave Carey, a Del Mar homeowner and member of a citizens group called Coalition for Safer Trains.

Amid the local opposition and questions about how government agencies would split costs, officials expect the track relocation process to take years or even decades. Meanwhile, the risks to the Pacific Surfliner only grow.

“There is no easy answer,” said Chad Edison, chief deputy secretary for rail and transit of the California State Transportation Agency. “In all cases, we have to buy time.”

Tracks for what became the Pacific Surfliner were first laid along the Southern California coast in 1888. Amtrak took over the long-distance service in 1971, eventually scheduling 26 daily trains. On a recent weekday before Easter, one train was so full that passengers with suitcases walked through cars looking for the few empty seats.

“You see people from all walks of life, from elderly to students to families,” said conductor Ray Luna, as the train rumbled north through a patch of San Clemente that wasn’t so scenic because tarp and concrete covered many of the bluffs to protect from erosion.

Increasingly frequent disruptions to service are upending schedules and economic activity across Southern California. In Amtrak’s last fiscal year, the Pacific Surfliner carried 1.5 million people, down from a peak of 3 million in 2017.

One afternoon in late March, Laurel Wenger waited at a station in San Diego County’s Solana Beach to ride the Surfliner to visit her son 200 miles away in Santa Barbara—at the senior citizen round-trip price of $40. “If it’s just me and the car, it will cost me three times what it takes to take the train,” she said.

Her other son living in Australia wasn’t so lucky when he flew into Los Angeles in February and wanted to ride the train down to see his mother, only to find it closed because of landslides. “He rented a car one way, and had to rent another one when he went back to LAX,” Wenger said.

At the San Clemente Pier in Orange County, where weekend trains deposit large numbers of passengers, the Caterina’s cafe loses out on as much as $1,000 a day when the track is shut down, as it has been on and off since last year, said owner Josie Rietkerk.

“The biggest impact definitely affects employees the most—they get their hours cut and work fewer hours,” Rietkerk said.

The first of the landslides to shut down the trains at San Clemente happened in 2021, when a slope near former President Richard Nixon’s Western White House collapsed and forced a three-week closure during which repair crews installed 100-foot-deep steel anchors.

A year later, service was closed again when the earth began to shift due to erosion, pushing the tracks 28 inches closer to the ocean. The Orange County Transportation Authority brought in hundreds of boulders to shore up the ocean side of the track.

County transportation officials have asked the state to look at the possibility of relocating as much as 7 miles of track, possibly underground. A local group called Bring Back Our Beaches opposes any relocation. They say a better option would be to restore sand, but officials say the beach sand is intended to provide only temporary protection and is already disappearing on its own.

About 40 miles down the coast in Del Mar, trains run atop bluffs where erosion has forced track shutdowns seven times since 2018.

To help keep tracks from collapsing off a cliff, concrete-and-steel pilings have been drilled up to 65-feet deep. Work began in March on a three-year project to fortify other bluffs along the track.

Some residents complain the fortifications are ugly and unnecessary, because sand would provide better protection. “We are going to be left with 2 miles of concrete and rusted steel,” said Shirli Weiss, a member of Coalition for Safer Trains.

Even more contentious are the plans to reroute 1.6 miles of track away from the bluffs and underground, possibly under homes. Dissatisfied residents have shown up at public hearings and contacted local officials.

“Del Mar Residents don’t want freight trains or frequent passenger trains under their homes. PERIOD,” Angelina Neglia, whose house sits above a proposed tunnel entrance, wrote in an email to city leaders last November. “If there is a derailment or toxic chemical spill in the tunnel, this will destroy Del Mar.”

Local planning officials say it will take years to make a final decision.

Meanwhile, rail enthusiasts such as Greg Jabin, a San Diego real-estate investor who has ridden the Surfliner since 1989, hope to enjoy the views while they still can.

“When those tracks move off the bluffs to a dark, deep tunnel bypassing the beauty of the ocean, waves and sand, we will all suffer a great loss,” he said.

Write to Jim Carlton at [email protected]

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse

Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse you can see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 7, 2024 / 7:29 PM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse crosses North America on April 8, 2024, with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show where and when astronomy fans can see the big event . 

The total eclipse will first appear along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then travel across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon will fully block out the sun , according to NASA. The path will range between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse will start over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT on April 8, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse will exit continental North America around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality includes the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. are included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others will see a partial eclipse. Here are some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — if the weather cooperates :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse will reach totality across the path

The eclipse will begin in the U.S. on the afternoon of April 8. It will first be visible as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and progressing along its path to the northeast over the next few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. You can also  check your ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse will reach you if you're on, or near, the path of totality. 

How much of the eclipse will you see if you live outside of the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse will cover a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may spot a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer you are to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that will be hidden.

NASA allows viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun will be covered in their location.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality have a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You can check the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where will the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, will get to experience totality for the longest. Totality there will last 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes long, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. come close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, will have a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

After the April 8 eclipse, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse than the upcoming one on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse, but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

More from CBS News

See the list of notable total solar eclipses in the U.S. since 1778

How often do total solar eclipses happen?

Why do total solar eclipses happen? Learn what causes the celestial show

When was the last total solar eclipse in the U.S.? Revisiting 2017

Travel Health Index: Asia Pacific Leads as Industry Growth Stabilizes

Saniya Zanpure , Skift

April 4th, 2024 at 11:05 AM EDT

In February 2024, the travel industry maintained positive momentum with 7% year-on-year growth. Transitioning from double-digit growth to single-digits indicates a trend towards stability.

Saniya Zanpure

The travel industry continued to strengthen in February: The Skift Travel Health Index stood at 107, 7% growth over February 2023.

Growth had been in the double-digits and the new levels point to stabilization in the industry.

Asia Pacific’s Growth Levels are Normalizing

According to the latest Skift Travel Health Index: February 2024 Highlights , Asia Pacific, which has been on an upward trajectory since early 2023, leads the index.

A key driver of Asia Pacific’s growth is China reopening its borders for travel after three long years. The country started  easing travel restrictions in January 2023 and  fully opened tourism for foreigners  by March 2023. With the full impact of open borders now realized, we’re witnessing a significant uptick in the region’s performance compared to last year.

However, while February 2024 marks a 13% growth for the Asia Pacific region, growth numbers are slightly reducing compared to the previous months, suggesting a stabilizing trend in the region. 

Skift Travel Health Index Score by Region

Vacation Rental Boom is Stabilizing

There is a noticeable softening trend in the performance of vacation rentals. Demand for vacation rentals soared through the pandemic with double-digit growth. However, recent data suggests a deceleration in this growth trajectory, indicating a shift towards moderation in demand levels.

While the sector’s performance remains above pre-pandemic levels, the softening trend aligns with the evolving market dynamics that suggest stabilized growth levels in the post-pandemic travel landscape.

For further insights, read the February 2024 Highlights and the Travel Health Index dashboard .

Skift Travel Health Index: February 2024 Highlights

For the first time since the pandemic, we are benchmarking travel performance year-on-year (YoY) in 2024. February 2024 highlights the continued strength of the travel industry this year, with the Skift Travel Health Index at 107, reflecting a 7% growth compared to February 2023.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: asia pacific , normalization , skift research , skift travel health index , stabilization , vacation rentals

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Help! Japan Airlines Downgraded Us From First Class and Skimped on the Refund.

A couple is bumped from ultraluxury to semi-luxury on a trans-Pacific flight and receives what they feel is only a pittance in compensation.

By Seth Kugel

Dear Tripped Up,

Last year, my husband and I splurged on round-trip first-class tickets on Japan Airlines from San Francisco to Tokyo for $13,474 each. We reserved them in February for an October flight through American Express Travel. On the same day, I also bought business class tickets for a couple who was traveling with us at $8,429 apiece. In September, Amex notified me that we had been downgraded to business class for the return flight. JAL’s conditions state that we would receive “the difference between the normal fare amount of original class of service and for the normal fare of lower class of service.” To me that means that since the difference between our first class seats and our friends’ business seats was $5,045 each, we should be refunded about half of that — around $2,522 per person — for the second leg. But we got only $941 each. I contested this with Amex Travel, but they rejected our claim. Can you help? Teri, San Francisco

I’ve been collecting stories from readers about downgrade disappointments recently, so I looked not only into yours but also stories from four other travelers — three of whom believe they were stiffed by British Airways and another by Avianca.

All three airlines I contacted delayed, obfuscated or otherwise dillydallied before getting me answers, but let’s start with your travel agent, American Express.

“We worked with the card member and merchant to the best of our ability to resolve the issue,” wrote Emily Vicker, a spokeswoman for Amex, in an emailed statement. “Card members wishing to pursue additional compensation requests need to do so directly with the airline.”

As you said to me, you did not follow up with Japan Airlines because an online link that Amex sent you led to a form that said it was only for those travelers who had booked with JAL directly; others should deal with their travel agent. Gary Leff, the writer behind the travel site View from the Wing , told me you should have ignored that. “Follow all avenues to advocate on behalf of yourself,” he said.

Could Amex have done more? It’s impossible to tell, and Japan Airlines, responding only to my third email, said that it “has verified that the amount applied was accurate and was based on the difference of the First Class fare originally purchased and the applicable Business Class fare with the same fare conditions as the original ticket for the sector involved.”

But that is just a restatement of the company’s terms and conditions . So I wrote back with a spruced-up version of your argument. Your original first class seats cost $13,474 round trip, so although the two legs may have varied somewhat in price, I simplified and said for each way, each ticket would cost $6,737. JAL refunded you $941 for each ticket, which means they consider the value of the business class seats you ended up in, on the return, to be $5,796.

But your friends’ business class seats were just $4,214 each. And every business class fare I can find for flights from Tokyo to San Francisco on the JAL site in recent days (except for last minute fares) is well under $5,000. Could they explain their calculations?

I did not hear back.

So I turned to Mr. Leff. He noted that simply knowing what another business class seat cost on the same flight does not mean that if you had bought four seats on that day rather than two, the third and fourth seat would have been the same price — airline pricing algorithms are notoriously complex and opaque. And there is no way to know if the leg back from Tokyo (the one you were downgraded for) was actually cheaper than the leg there, as your Amex invoice doesn’t give a breakdown.

But Mr. Leff still took your side, mostly. The $941 refund “strikes me as unreasonable,” he said, “especially given the not ironclad but very persuasive evidence of tickets bought on the same flight on the same day.”

Anyone who finds themselves in such a situation must realize, unfortunately, that it’s impossible to know exactly what their refund should be. “I don’t think there’s an organization beside the airline itself that has the data,” said Anton Radchenko, chief executive of AirAdvisor , a company that assists fliers in receiving compensation from airlines. But he added that in most cases, airlines do offer fair compensation.

Then he told me something I didn’t know — that flights starting in Britain or those operated by British carriers have set rates for downgrades depending on the length of the flight: a 30 percent refund if under 1,500 kilometers (around 932 miles), 50 percent between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and 75 percent for longer flights. The European Union and Canada have similar rules.

Alas, such fixed reimbursement rates only work if you can get the airlines to refund you in the first place. All three British Airways customers faced, instead, a wall of customer service nonsense.

A British Airways spokeswoman, Catherine Wilson, apologized for the delays and said the airline aimed “to process refund requests as quickly as possible.” But even after my intervention, only two of the three got refunds — and for less than British regulations seem to demand.

In late 2021, Mark from San Diego and his wife were flying home on British Airways premium economy from Split, Croatia, via London and Dallas, but missed a connection. They were rebooked in economy on Virgin Atlantic and tried for two years to get reimbursed when finally, in December 2023, they were told they had agreed to the downgrade, which he denies. (It shouldn’t matter anyway, both Mr. Leff and Mr. Radchenko said.)

They finally received $746 from British Airways earlier this week. But the full cost of their original round-trip itinerary (two tickets from San Diego to Ljubljana, Slovenia, and back from Croatia) was $5,821, and it is unlikely that their refund could account for 75 percent of a premium economy trans-Atlantic flight. British Airways confirmed they calculated the difference in fare rather than using the parameters laid out by the British government and offered no explanation to me as to why.

A year later, Cynthia and her partner had a very similar situation, missing a British Airways premium economy connection in London on their way home to Los Angeles, ending up in economy. They had booked through a travel agent, who tried unsuccessfully to get a refund. Then Cynthia ran into a brick wall when she tried herself. She has still not received a refund.

In the third British Airways case, David of Carmel, N.Y., and his wife were booked to fly first class from London to New York when their flight was canceled. On their rebooked flight, they were downgraded to the equivalent of business class. Their initial request for a refund was rejected by someone who almost comically misread their complaint, responding that they were not entitled to compensation because their flight had arrived with only “18 minutes delay.” Subsequent calls to customer services led nowhere. And even after I got in touch with the airline, another representative wrote the couple with the coup d’absurdité: They were not entitled to a refund because “based on our research, your final flight was in First Class, hence there is no downgrade refund due for your booking.” (I can attest that their boarding passes say otherwise.)

British Airways did finally send the couple a refund, of $1,036, this past Saturday. But their original fare for first class (plus a short hop from Amsterdam to London on the return) was just under $10,000 for both, which presumably means the return flights from London to New York cost a total of close to $5,000. Again, British Airways said it calculated the difference in fares rather than the appropriate percentage of the original fare. I have advised David to look at Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance on rejected claims.

The case with Avianca ended on a more positive note. Alan, of Riverside, Calif., and his wife were booked on a business class flight from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires via Bogotá this past February. But Avianca replaced that direct first leg, to Bogotá, with two legs — Los Angeles to San Salvador, El Salvador, and then on to Bogotá, with a three-hour layover. For these new flights, the couple was placed in economy, with no business-class lounge access, no free meals and no word about compensation.

Rolando Lamas, Avianca’s sales director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean explained in a statement that the airline suspended that direct Los Angeles-to-Bogotá flight in January and had offered most passengers either a full refund or compensation for the downgrade. But it had trouble communicating with a few passengers, including some who had booked through a third party, as was the case with Alan.

The airline has now offered Alan and his wife $580 each, and they have accepted.

Most of the time, airlines do refund fare differences promptly and accurately, but clearly there are holes in the system. If the airlines stymie any future refund requests, I suggest contacting a company like AirAdvisor or registering a complaint with the appropriate federal agency, like U.S. Department of Transportation . This process can be slow but often prods the airlines into action, said Mr. Leff. However, if the airline has done something as specifically absurd as reject your downgrade refund because your flight arrived almost on time, send me a copy so I can add it to my collection.

If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

Seth Kugel is the columnist for “ Tripped Up ,” an advice column that helps readers navigate the often confusing world of travel. More about Seth Kugel

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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