Pacific

Pacific Island holidays: perfect hacks for a budget-friendly stay in Paradise

Want a Pacific Island holiday, but don't want to spend your life's savings? We've got the best budget hacks to get you sorted.

While the coveted Pacific Islands all guarantee white sand and swaying palm trees, they also come with a range of accommodation prices, varying from $60 to a whopping $700 per night. So, how do you choose where to go?

We’ve weighed up the median price of accommodation against seasonality across the Pacific Islands, so you can make the most of your hard-earned dollars and book during the cheapest months in high season.

Stay in Tonga for the cheapest accommodation among the South Pacific islands.

Say Maloe lelei (hello!) to the South Pacific Island with the cheapest accommodation, Tonga! A night here will cost a median price of $153, which sets it apart as the most affordable island in the region.

Tonga is known for its understated beauty and raw wilderness, which is spread across 176 islands. There’s nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow in this ultra chilled-out island paradise. Visit one of the oldest islands in the Pacific, explore a hidden cave, or discover unique flora.

Beachfront cabins in Tonga

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Book your stay at the Royal Sunset Island Resort for low-key but elegant surroundings. The beachfront cabins are tucked in lush tropical gardens and are just steps away from the white coral sands and a shimmering lagoon.

The accommodation is ideally set up for enjoying a tropical sunset, meeting locals, or enjoying a meal at the open-air Polynesian Restaurant. The hotel can also assist you in booking various tours, whether it be scuba diving or whale watching!

Royal Sunset Island Resort

Nukuʻalofa

Vanuatu is the cheapest Pacific Island destination for those who don’t want to stray too far!

artifirsov / Fotolia

Not wanting to stray too far? Vanuatu is great for its proximity to home and boasts affordable accommodation among the South Pacific Island destinations.

Median prices during the dry season are relatively stable, but the cheapest time to visit is April—so you can focus on snorkelling in blue holes and collecting trinkets in Port Vila’s markets instead.

A Vanuatu resort that will fulfill your paradisaical fantasies

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If you’re going to Vanuatu, you should do things well, and a stay at Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary is certain to meet the criteria. Located on a pristine sandy beach, with the backdrop of turquoise waters, the resort turns your Vanuatu fantasy into a reality.

The bungalows and villas are located amidst tropical trees and foliage. For some indulgence, grab the one-bedroom villa and secure yourself a private pool and a free continental brekkie!

Situated in a marine sanctuary, guests can also snorkel around the hidden gems of the local coral reef. Venture independently or follow one of the hotel’s certified instructors.

Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary

Port Vila
8.4 Very good (564 reviews)

Travel to Palau in April for cheaper accommodation

An archipelago with more than 500 islands, Palau is located in the western Pacific Ocean and is a great destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. Unlike most of the South Pacific Islands, the best time to visit this paradise is in the dry season from December through to April.

If you’d like to dip your toe in some luxury, Palau is the place as the government plans to pass a law allowing only five-star hotels on the island.

A regal stay on the island

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If you want to feel as fit as a queen while holidaying in Palau, the regal Palasia Palau won’t disappoint. The suites and rooms are positioned over seven floors and boast stunning ocean views.

Grab a bite downstairs at Desomel Restaurant or otherwise indulge in a well-prepared cocktail at neighbouring Weltz Bar.

Palasia Palau

Top rated
Koror
8.6 Excellent (477 reviews)

Head to Guam during the dry season

Guam is filled with its own delights: mouthwatering local cuisine and culture at Chamorro Village, temperate waters perfect for swimming, and a vibrant nightlife in the seaside town of Tumon.

The best months to visit during dry season is April and June, where accommodation prices are at their lowest with a median price of $235 per night.

Admire the ocean from the infinity pool at this Guam resort

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Located in the heart of Guam, the waterfront resort is in the midst of upscale shopping centres and an exhilarating entertainment quarter—just the thing for socialites, shopaholics, and beach bunnies!

Book a room in the Beach Tower for contemporary surroundings and modern décor—think crisp white sheets against citron accents—and stunning ocean views. Guests are not only guaranteed spectacular sunsets from the comfort of their rooms, but they can also relax in the hotel’s own Olive Spa, see the Magic & Dinner Show or splash around in the Infinity Pool.

Guam Reef Hotel

Top rated
Tumon
8.5 Excellent (2155 reviews)

Organise your Pacific Islands holiday to Samoa in June to save money during the dry season

Discover a 3000-year-old way of life by visiting the islands that makeup Samoa. Whatever nature escape you’re after, Samoa has it all, thanks to its volcanic mountains, vast valleys and fringes of white sandy beaches.  The warm hospitality and friendly people make it an authentic destination for those looking for a true Polynesian experience.

Hotels - Western Samoa

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Perfect for a relaxing family holiday in Samoa

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Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort is great for a relaxing family holiday. Located on the western coast of the Island of Upolu, the resort boasts more than one hundred rooms all overlooking the ocean, and various options to keep both adults and kids alike entertained.

Drop the little ones off at the Kids Club for a range of stimulating activities such as fish feeding, Siva dancing and weaving, while you make use of the spa treatments or play a round of tennis. The Fia Fia Polynesian Show is also a great way to spend a Friday evening as you learn about Samoan history and culture through song and dance.

The Deluxe Ocean View Rooms are great for couples or groups, with an option of Sheraton’s Sweet Sleeper king-sized bed or two queen beds. Each room comes with a private patio and balcony, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows ensuring an abundance of natural light.

Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows

Apia

Head to Fiji in October

It’s no wonder Fiji is an Aussie family favourite. With some of the warmest hospitality to be found in the South Pacific, Fiji’s friendly people and jaw-dropping natural beauty offer ample opportunity to experience paradise close to home. Not only beachgoers, but hikers, birdwatchers, and forest-fanciers will appreciate a trip out to Fiji.

The perfect spot for solo travellers

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The Fijian-themed Uprising Beach Resort has everything from traditional thatched beachfront villas to eight-person dorms, perfect for solo travellers, families and groups of friends.

The accommodation is ideally located, being just metres away from the beachfront and surrounded by lush tranquil gardens. The rooms are furnished with large balconies, private open-air showers, solar hot water, and uninterrupted ocean views.

Uprising Beach Resort

Top rated
Pacific Harbour
8.6 Excellent (116 reviews)

A Pacific Island holiday with a taste of France

If you’re a Francophile who can’t afford to make it to Europe, New Caledonia will give you a little taste of France with a South Pacific twist. It’s not only close to Australia, but it’s got a unique blend of cultures, seamlessly marrying the French boulangerie with Melanesian traditions and tropical lagoons teeming with marine life.

If you’re on a budget, the best time to visit is in the middle of the dry season in July, with the median price of accommodation at $232 per night.

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616 Hotels
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Overwater bungalows in New Caledonia

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Located just 20 minutes away by boat from Noumea, L’Escapade Island Resort boasts bungalows that sit among 200 hectares of a natural reserve. It’s the perfect location to base yourself for a number of water sports, including stand up paddling, jet skiing and wakeboarding. There’s even a children’s playground, so families are also welcome.

Choose from the garden, beach, or overwater bungalows—surrounded by lush tropical gardens, sandy white beaches, or glistening waters. The resort’s luxurious overwater bungalows are equipped with a separate lounge and bedroom, a spacious Italian marble bathroom, and a private terrace with direct access to the water.

Doubletree By Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort

Top rated
Noumea
8.7 Excellent (236 reviews)

Visit the Cook Islands in May and June to enjoy the dry season

One of the most popular destinations to go by the Kiwis, the Cook Islands are filled with various natural wonders: raised coral atolls, deserted islets sprinkled across aquamarine waters, and underground cave pools to tempt the adventurer in you. Despite that, Rarotonga is confidently cosmopolitan, with a burgeoning foodie scene abuzz with cafes and artisan delicacies.

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Soak in the view of the lagoon from this Cook Islands resort

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The Moana Sands Beachfront Villas provide stunning panoramas of the lagoon, reef and the Pacific Ocean. Situated on ten kilometres of soft white sand on Titikaveka Beach, the resort’s studios and villas are ideally positioned for walks on the beach, swimming or snorkelling.

The two-bedroom villas are great for groups and families, with adjoining ensuite bathrooms and an open-plan living and dining area. Each villa is conveniently equipped with full-size refrigerators, kitchens and a private patio or balcony, and blend contemporary décor with Polynesian accents.

Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel

Top rated
Titikaveka
9.1 Excellent (277 reviews)

Though Bora Bora is the popular choice, save some coin and go to Tahiti instead

Bora Bora, Mo’orea or Tahiti? French Polynesia is home to a number of revered destinations, but did you know that you could save approximately $495 per night on accommodation by staying in Tahiti instead of Bora Bora?

Turquoise waters and high, evergreen mountain peaks make Tahiti the ideal nature escape for those who love deep valleys, coastal lands, clear streams and spectacular waterfalls. And best of all, it’s the most accessible and affordable island in French Polynesia.

Manava Suite Resort Tahiti

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Check-in to the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti to float around the island’s largest infinity pool and admire the sunset light up the sky and the ocean. The resort also remains true to Polynesian style with interiors that reflect the local taste of Tahitian designer Bruno Hervochon.

The four-star resort has 121 luxury rooms to suit travellers of varying budgets, as well as two bars and a restaurant serving Polynesian and international cuisine.  Guests can also get their adventure fix with access to a number of island activities, such as jeep safaris, dolphin watching and scuba diving.

Manava Suite Resort Tahiti

Top rated
Punaauia
8.6 Excellent (2245 reviews)

Bora Bora is the most expensive of all the Pacific Islands

Marcelo Rabelo / Fotolia

Bora Bora may be the most expensive island of the Pacific, but it is also one of the most unique places on earth. Made up of an encirclement of islands and lagoons, it’s home to strips of sandy white beaches, emerald waters, and coral gardens.

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Overwater villas in Bora Bora

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Ever dreamt of waking up to bright blue waters and horizon views? Simply book your stay at one of these overwater villas, where you can spring straight from your bed into the ocean. The suites are great for a luxury holiday, with king canopy beds, glass-floor viewing panels alive with exotic marine life and Italian marble bathrooms.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui is ideally located, with access to 800 metres of sandy white beaches, a private islet, coral gardens, and ancient volcanoes.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Top rated
Bora Bora
9.4 Excellent (939 reviews)

Float above a sparkling lagoon

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The Sofitel lights up at night like no other. Floating over a sparkling lagoon and draped in fragrant blossoms, the bungalows are luxury at best with glass in-floor viewing platforms, rain showers and sun lounges. Order room service or dine under the stars at the resort’s own Latitude 16 restaurant, or simply relax with a full-body massage at the spa.

Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort

Bora Bora
7.5 Good (139 reviews)

Plan a Pacific Islands holiday to Hawaii in May

Andrea Izzotti / Fotolia

Last but not least, Hawaii is an ever-so-popular destination for Aussies but it can be hard to know when the best time is to hit the sands of Waikiki and find the cheapest hotel rate.

Aqua Oasis

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After a hectic day on the streets of Waikiki, retreat to the serenity of Aqua Oasis. Nestled in the heart of Honolulu’s most dynamic district, Aqua Oasis offers well-appointed accommodation suitable for any type of traveller.

Rooms feature natural timbers and hibiscus-printed throws, truly evoking a local touch. The highlight of this place, however, is the open-air reception and garden which offers egg-shaped hanging chairs, a swimming pool, and leafy palms.

Aqua Oasis

Honolulu
8.3 Very good (2940 reviews)