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If you’re a Bangkok first-timer, this is your invitation to explore a city teeming with life, flavour and history.
If your heart’s desire is to truly get away from the modern world and escape to an island paradise free from hoards of tourists, the remedy you need is the unfrequented but captivatingly beautiful Pacific Islands.
Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, or a little bit of both, the archipelago has an untapped potential for the makings of a trip of a lifetime.
Picture islands with no noisy resorts, frustrating traffic and overcrowded beaches, just crystal-clear waters, lush tropical landscapes, exotic wildlife and friendly locals.
There’s world class scuba diving right on your doorstep and epic waves to surf, or you can take it easy with a snorkel in the calm lagoon waters directly in front of your beach hut.
While you will feel a world away, the reality is that these islands are all conveniently accessible from Brisbane aboard Nauru Airlines’ Pacific Island Hopper route which connects Brisbane Airport to our northern Pacific neighbours.
This is one of the world's most memorable airline routes offering the chance to see up to five islands up close from the skies.
Here are three dreamy itineraries to help you navigate your way to this secluded wonderland. Choose from a one week getaway, or bundle in a few destinations for a longer expedition.
1. Pohnpei and Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
Flying into Pohnpei, you’ll immediately see why the island has earned the title of “The Garden Island of Micronesia”.
Fertile soil and heavy rainfall has created an abundance of tropical foliage, and visitors can hike mountain trails at Mt Nahna Laud. Despite the difficulty in getting to the top, the trip is well worth it to see the otherworldly beauty of the ridge - a perpetually dripping wonderland of mossy growth.
Forty rivers sweep over the rugged terrain in a series of swift-running streams that create spectacular waterfalls, including popular Kepirohi Waterfall.
The remoteness of the island and the healthy reef ecosystem also make for perfect scuba diving conditions with an average of 100m visibility. Manta rays, sea turtles, white and black tipped reef sharks all call this underwater sanctuary home, and the drop-offs are enchanting with sea anemones, soft corals and gorgonian sea fans dotting the walls.
Pohnpei is a haven for surfers too. Similar to Tahiti or Fiji (sans crowds), the waves break far from the shore, either on the barrier reef or near a reef pass. The local Pohnpei Surf Club has the longest operational surf camp in the Western Pacific and operates boats out to the waves.
After exploring Pohnpei, it’s time to island hop to Chuuk, a site on every scuba diver’s bucket list.
Chuuk Lagoon is considered the world’s best wreck dive site due to the volume of wrecks left during World War II battles between Imperial Japanese Fleet and Allied carriers. The underwater museum is the final resting place for more than 70 ships, planes and submarines across 199 square kilometres, including tanks, mines, bombs and artefacts. Over the years, the thriving marine life has transformed the former war vessels into artificial reefs, now revered by divers, historians and archaeologists.
GETTING THERE
2. Majuro, Marshall Islands
Few people have heard of the Marshall Islands, fewer still have set foot on their sandy shores.
The Marshall Islands are composed of five palm fringed islands, with Majuro being the capital and largest of the islands, and 29 coral atolls. Flying in from above, the islands and atolls appear like ribbons of iridescent blue floating in the ocean.
As excepted, the scuba diving is spectacular, offering drop off walls, coral pinnacles, channels, and wrecks. The underwater oasis includes over 800 species of fish and 160 species of coral and is home to the largest shark sanctuary in the world.
A short 20 minute boat ride from Majuro is Eneko Island, a quiet private island with a handful of oceanfront bungalows nestled among foliage blooming with colourful flowers. The only sounds you’ll hear from your bungalow are rhythmic waves lapping at the shore.
An hour boat ride from Majuro are the laid-back shores of Arno Atoll. This slice of paradise offers swaying palms, white sand beaches and turquoise seas. There isn’t much on the atoll (part of the appeal), so book a return boat and bring supplies for food and drinks.
Majuro is also a gateway to the famous Bikini Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was a nuclear weapon test site for the United States of America government between 1946 and 1958. The island is still radioactive, so Bikini Atoll is only accessible via two liveaboard operators, Truk Master and Indies Trader.
Against all odds, the marine life is spectacular and thriving and divers who make the trek are rewarded with an armada of sunken warships, including the USS Saratoga.
GETTING THERE
3. Beran Island, Marshall Islands
If you like your watersports with a side of luxury, and dished up on a remote atoll thousands of miles from any urban zone, Beran Island is your new bucket list destination.
Spanning 45 acres, Beran Island is an all-inclusive eight-room private island luxury villa getaway for keen surfers, divers and kiteboarders – or at least those with the budget to fly halfway across the world for the chance to surf a pristine break.
Built in 2015 by legendary surf captain Martin Daly, Beran Island is the holy grail for wave riders where the daily activities revolve around finding the best breaks reached by one of two boats anchored on the island. Of course, there is an abundance of other water activities including diving, kite surfing, jet-skiing and fishing if you find the surf unusually not up.
After a jam-packed day working up an appetite, guests spend their evenings in luxury with gourmet meals hand-crafted by private chef Mango and five-star amenities with a focus on sustainability.
GETTING THERE
4. Palau, Federated States of Micronesia
Ready to dive into an adventure? Mark your calendar for Palau's dry season. From December to April, the weather is just right for water sports and island hopping. And with Nauru Airlines' weekly flights starting November 30 2023, you can explore Tarawa, Majuro, and Pohnpei before landing in the breathtaking archipelago.
This natural gem has been described by Lonely Planet as an overwhelming natural wonder of pristine limestone and volcanic islands, blanketed in emerald forest, surrounded by a shimmering turquoise lagoon.
Spend a day on the water paddling between islands or through hidden coves before diving beneath the surface to discover the colourful marine life. While you're there, check out some historic sites from WWII or go chasing waterfalls.
GETTING THERE
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