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Stunning escapes in the South Seas (photos)

  1. A Spine-Cheek Anemonefish in the Solomon Islands.
    01 A Spine-Cheek Anemonefish in the Solomon Islands.
  2. Another day in paradise: Fiji's lagoons shimmer in hues of aquamarine, cerulean and turquoise.
    02 Another day in paradise: Fiji's lagoons shimmer in hues of aquamarine, cerulean and turquoise. © Courtesy of Tourism Fiji
  3. Pleasure craft form a ring around an islet resort in Fiji.
    03 Pleasure craft form a ring around an islet resort in Fiji. © Courtesy of Tourism Fiji
  4. The months of July through September bring humpback whales back to Tonga.
    04 The months of July through September bring humpback whales back to Tonga. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  5. Enjoy the beauty of One Foot Island, part of the Cook Islands.
    05 Enjoy the beauty of One Foot Island, part of the Cook Islands. © Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism
  6. Kayak the tranquil bays of Tonga on your next cruise to the South Pacific.
    06 Kayak the tranquil bays of Tonga on your next cruise to the South Pacific. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  7. A flower in western Fiji.
    07 A flower in western Fiji. © Creative Commons BY-ND
  8. A lone paddler in Akitua Lagoon, on Aitutaki, the Cook Islands.
    08 A lone paddler in Akitua Lagoon, on Aitutaki, the Cook Islands. © Creative Commons BY-ND
  9. A perfectly still inlet serves as a mirror for Fiji's lush scenery.
    09 A perfectly still inlet serves as a mirror for Fiji's lush scenery. © Courtesy of Tourism Fiji
  10. The fish of Rainbow Reef on Vanua Levu, Fiji.
    10 The fish of Rainbow Reef on Vanua Levu, Fiji. © Creative Commons BY-ND
  11. Snorkel in the warm waters of Tonga.
    11 Snorkel in the warm waters of Tonga. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  12. Enjoy a leisurely snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Tonga.
    12 Enjoy a leisurely snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Tonga. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  13. Get a glimpse of native culture in the Cook Islands.
    13 Get a glimpse of native culture in the Cook Islands. © Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism
  14. Travel to another world when you visit the Anatakitaki Caves of the Cook Islands.
    14 Travel to another world when you visit the Anatakitaki Caves of the Cook Islands. © Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism
  15. Book an excursion that allows you to explore the small out islands of Tonga.
    15 Book an excursion that allows you to explore the small out islands of Tonga. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  16. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy the guitarists of Tonga.
    16 Music lovers of all ages will enjoy the guitarists of Tonga. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  17. The small islands of the Kingdom of Tonga offer beautiful beaches and dense foliage.
    17 The small islands of the Kingdom of Tonga offer beautiful beaches and dense foliage. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  18. Suva, Fiji.
    18 Suva, Fiji. © Creative Commons BY
  19. The exquisite view of the reef from the beach on the west side of Castaway Island. Some bures, or cottages, are only 20 steps from the water.
    19 The exquisite view of the reef from the beach on the west side of Castaway Island. Some bures, or cottages, are only 20 steps from the water. © Special to Cruiseable
  20. Snorkeling near Vaimaaga on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
    20 Snorkeling near Vaimaaga on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. © Creative Commons BY
  21. Visit the Mango Cafe in Vavaʿu, Tonga, for an afternoon refreshment.
    21 Visit the Mango Cafe in Vavaʿu, Tonga, for an afternoon refreshment. © <a href="http://jonestravel.com.to" target="_blank">Courtesy of Jones Travel and Tours, Tonga</a>
  22. A Fiji Clown Blenny on a Black-banded Sea Cucumber in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
    22 A Fiji Clown Blenny on a Black-banded Sea Cucumber in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji © Creative Commons BY-ND
  23. Just a sample of the brilliant blue waters in Fiji.
    23 Just a sample of the brilliant blue waters in Fiji. © Creative Commons BY
  24. The amazing view at Liku Lagoon in Fiji's Yasawa Islands, where cruise ship passengers can stroll the empty beaches or snorkel on reefs teeming with tropical fish.
    24 The amazing view at Liku Lagoon in Fiji's Yasawa Islands, where cruise ship passengers can stroll the empty beaches or snorkel on reefs teeming with tropical fish. © Special to Cruiseable
  25. Visit the Blue Hole when you sail to Espiritu Santo, the largest island of Vanuatu, Melanesia, with Silver Discoverer.
    25 Visit the Blue Hole when you sail to Espiritu Santo, the largest island of Vanuatu, Melanesia, with Silver Discoverer. © Courtesy of Silversea Cruises
  26. A villager in Vanuatu. Sail to Micronesia with Silver Discoverer and encounter new cultures and people.
    26 A villager in Vanuatu. Sail to Micronesia with Silver Discoverer and encounter new cultures and people. © Courtesy of Silversea Cruises
  27. Fiji boasts some of the gnarliest waves in the world, including an annual Fiji Pro surf contest.
    27 Fiji boasts some of the gnarliest waves in the world, including an annual Fiji Pro surf contest. © Courtesy of Tourism Fiji
  28. A lobster claw, or heliconia, at Fiji's Garden of the Sleeping Giant, home to 25,000 species of flowers.
    28 A lobster claw, or heliconia, at Fiji's Garden of the Sleeping Giant, home to 25,000 species of flowers. © Special to Cruiseable
  29. Find a sarong or perhaps a snack at a market in the Cook Islands.
    29 Find a sarong or perhaps a snack at a market in the Cook Islands. © Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism
  30. Palm's Reach on Castaway Island, Fiji.
    30 Palm's Reach on Castaway Island, Fiji. © Creative Commons BY-ND
  31. A scenic overlook on the coastline of Fiji.
    31 A scenic overlook on the coastline of Fiji. © Courtesy of Tourism Fiji
  32. Coral reef on an island south of Santo, Vanuatu.
    32 Coral reef on an island south of Santo, Vanuatu. © Creative Commons BY-ND
  33. Cool off in Cascade Falls, Port Vila on Vanuatu
    33 Cool off in Cascade Falls, Port Vila on Vanuatu © Creative Commons BY

I'm eager to start a-wandering again! Where, oh where should I vacation this spring? I've been thinking about a vacation to the South Seas for some time, but where to go?

Tahiti and Bora Bora are glorious but very popular and very expensive.

Some of these other choices are harder to get to, but they all look inviting: Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Solomon Islands, even Vanuau or New Caledonia! Can you tell I'm an adventurer?!? (Yes, I know about Easter Island and Papua New Guineau, too. Maybe next time.)

I'll start researching which of these make sense for a cruise or a weeklong island getaway. But the photos here look incredibly inviting ... so hard to choose! Enjoy the photo gallery I put together like tossed salad.

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