French Polynesia · Pacific Islands
Bora Bora is the kind of place that ruins every other vacation for you. The lagoon alone — an impossible gradient of blues that shifts hourly — would be enough to justify the trip. Add overwater bungalows perched above coral gardens, volcanic peaks draped in jungle, and some of the best snorkeling in the Pacific, and you start to understand why this tiny island punches so far above its weight. It's expensive, unapologetically so, but the tradeoff is an island that feels curated without feeling fake.
French Polynesia has no designated nude beaches. What that means for resorts and overwater bungalows, the best public beaches, and where legal nude beaches are in the Pacific.
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Why the Cook Islands have no nude beaches, what the tourism office says about nude and topless sunbathing, how the church shapes beach culture, and the nearest clothing-optional alternatives in Auckland and Australia, with flight times from Rarotonga.
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Samoa beaches range from the powdery white sand of Lalomanu to the black volcanic shores of Aganoa, with beach fale stays, the To Sua Ocean Trench, and living Polynesian culture shaping every visit. This guide covers both Upolu and Savai'i islands.
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Vanuatu beaches span from Champagne Beach's fizzing volcanic sand to Tanna's black-sand hot springs, with the world's largest accessible wreck dive, blue holes, and Mount Yasur's nightly lava show. This guide covers the best islands, dive sites, and cultural experiences.
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Where to see bioluminescence: Mosquito Bay, Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon, Toyama Bay's firefly squid, the Maldives, Holbox and more, with swimming rules, seasons, moon timing and safety.
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From the volcanic black sand of Piha to the golden coves of Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's beaches are as varied as they are uncrowded. This guide covers the best coastal spots on both islands with practical details on access, water safety, and the best season for each beach.
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