Discover the Pacific Less Traveled

The Pacific is the world's largest ocean, with thousands of islands, from some of the world's most popular destinations to some of the most undiscovered. Here, we go through a handful of spectacular spots that are for various reasons not yet overrun by visitors, offering secluded hideaways for more intrepid travelers.

The piko (umbilicus) of the Hawaiian Islands is also one of the chain's least visited islands. With just one hotel and no sprawling resorts, the stop-light free island offers hiking and views of some of the state's most spectacular sea cliffs, along with a laid-back, bucolic visitor experience that's unlike anywhere else in the chain.

Long a destination for artists seeking to escape the malaise of the modern world (Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel both spent their terminal years here), Hiva Oa is virtually as untouched now as it has always been. A tiny trickle of (mostly French) visitors gives this gorgeous island air as unspoiled as any in the Pacific.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui in the local language) is the eastern point of the Polynesian triangle. Visitors come here for bragging rights, spectacular scenery and the mysterious mo'ai, which stand sentry across the island. Archaeologists still to this day work to uncover exactly why and how the mo'ai were constructed. Easter Island is five hours by air from Santiago or Tahiti.

Even Rarotonga, the primary island in the Cook Islands group, is already isolated, but visitors seeking even more seclusion can island hop to Aitutaki. With a handful of hotels and resorts to suit most budgets, the island is famous for its crystal clear lagoon and laid back vibe. Still relatively untouched by tourism, it's a prime choice for independent travelers.

Think of it as Bora Bora without the crowds. Vanilla-scented Taha'a is so close to Bora Bora, guests at Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa can still see the famed silhouette of Mt. Otemanu from their bungalows. When not taking in views, visitors can enjoy the Polynesian review, explore vanilla and pearl farms or drift through the private island's coral garden.

Distinct from the U.S. Territory American Samoa, the sovereign nation of Samoa is just beginning to hit the visitor industry radar. New Sheraton resorts raise the profile with international visitors and the country's beaches are as scenic as any in the Pacific. The international airport at Apia can be reached twice weekly from Honolulu.

An hour by catamaran or 15 minutes by helicopter from Nadi, Fiji's Tokoriki Island has just two small resorts and is a world away from the more trafficked parts of this South Pacific destination. Visitors can relax in a private bure or villa with a plunge pool while enjoying warm Fijian hospitality and the freshest seafood from the surrounding waters.

Far off in the Western Pacific, almost to the Philippines, lies Palau. Relatively untouched by North American travelers, save for a trickle of Americans from nearby Guam, the island's crystalline waters host a kaleidoscopic diversity of marine life virtually unmatched among the world's dive destinations. The archipelago's prominence during WWII also means a wealth of wreck diving.

The Fijian language has multiple words for "Heaven," but "Yasawa" is the primary one. A short hop from Nadi, this island is known for brilliant technicolor reefs, white sand beaches, friendly residents and spectacular sunsets. It's just one more corner of the vast Pacific to enjoy almost entirely to oneself.