The west coast of Hawaii's Big Island is home to magnificent marlin, titanic tuna and merry mantas, writes Paul Davies.

A terrifying mule ride delivers Judy Bailey safely into Kalaupapa, a park with a dark past, now a place of saintly seclusion.

Polynesia's last unspoiled outpost is gearing up for a tourism influx, writes Paul Rush.

James Henderson packs his clubs and hopes to beat his handicap on some of Hawaii's world-class golf courses.

Liz Light checks out the delights of Noumea and finds plenty to catch the eye in the lush capital of French territory New Caledonia.

Paul Rush samples the simple pleasures of Robert Louis Stevenson's Samoa.

As the explorer noted, the islands of Tonga are truly the 'Friendly Isles'. Jane Jeffries is captivated on her visit.

To the people of Beqa Island sharks are friends. Nicholas Jones tested that trust.

Paul Davies stays at a full-service lifestyle hotel close to Waikiki Beach.

Whale watching in Tonga goes extreme when Jane Jeffries hops in with the cetaceans.

Paul Rush meets creatures both noble and dangerous in waters of astonishing clarity.

Kim Palsenbarg revisits a past hobby and is entranced to find the world beneath the waves as welcoming as ever.

Laura Hutchins cherishes the easy-going pace of Cook Island life because she knows when she's home it'll be what she misses the most.

All his courage gathered, Nicholas Jones ventures underwater for an eye-opening scuba dive.

Hanging up the backpack has converted Stuart Condie to the feared 'package' holiday and he couldn't be happier.

Laura Hutchins is blown away by the hospitality at a three-star Cook Island resort.

Andrew Stone has the low down on making the most of the island's high times.

In an azure and cobalt bay, gentle sea creatures welcome Phil Welch to the 'closest island to paradise'.

Tonga is a kingdom blessed with many warm-hearted people, finds Paul Rush.

In the far-flung Yasawas, Sue Baxalle finds adults and kids toiling hard to revitalise their cyclone-ravaged village.

The lure of game fishing is pretty strong at Fiji's Mango Bay, discovers Nicholas Jones.

The grandson of the last cannibal in Vanuatu shares his family's extraordinary story with an astonished Diana Balham.

It doesn’t take long to be seduced by Mana Island.

Fun, fitness, sightseeing - the Swim Series is a great winter getaway with something for everyone from 7 to 70, writes Zoe Hawkins.

A Fijiian island is reversing the often destructive impact of tourism, finds Peter Feeney.

Man's best friend is never far from Tessa Chrisp's side, offering companionship on a Rarotongan holiday.

Hawaii celebrates its design heritage in a show that offers a welcome break from the beach, writes Janetta Mackay.

Belinda Henley explores beyond Noumea and discovers a land of red earth and dramatic scenery.

The Solomons' underwater denizens introduce themselves to Richard Moore.