Pacific Island Beaches

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

From Tahiti's dramatic black-sand surf beaches to Moorea's luminous white-sand lagoons, these two French Polynesian islands deliver beaches at every extreme. A guide to the best shores on both islands, with prices and practical advice.

A guide to Fiji's best beach resorts, from Likuliku's overwater bures to Mantaray's budget dorms — with inter-island transfer logistics, kava ceremony etiquette, and honest pricing across every tier.

Aitutaki's lagoon is the postcard, but Rarotonga's reef snorkeling at Titikaveka and Muri Beach's kayak-to-motu lagoon make the Cook Islands a two-island trip. Plus getting there via Auckland or LA, ika mata worth eating, and realistic daily budgets.

Ha'apai's deserted white sand, humpback whale swimming in Vava'u, Lalomanu's beachfront fale sleeping, and To Sua's 30-meter ocean trench. Plus the Sunday shutdown, inter-island logistics, and what fa'a Samoa means for visitors.

A price-ranked guide to the world's best overwater bungalow resorts, from $350/night in Malaysia to $3,000+ in the Maldives and Bora Bora.

Why beach sand comes in different colors: quartz and parrotfish poop make white sand, volcanic basalt makes black, foraminifera shells make pink, olivine crystals make green — plus how long sand takes to form and why beaches are disappearing.