Easiest Pacific Islands cruise ports to explore on your own

Ranked: easiest first

1. Rarotonga Cook Islands Easy
   Avarua and Punanga Nui Market are a 10–15 minute walk. · Tender
2. Lifou New Caledonia Easy
   Tender lands at Easo with a small village and beach. · Tender
3. Mystery Island Vanuatu Easy
   You land on the island; walk around it in about an hour. · Tender
4. Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia Easy
   The waterfront and Papeete Market are a short walk.
5. Suva Fiji Easy
   The municipal market and downtown are walkable.
6. Apia Samoa Moderate
   Apia town is walkable from the wharf.
7. Bora Bora French Polynesia Moderate
   Vaitape has a small market, shops and ATMs; beaches need transport. · Tender
8. Lautoka Fiji Moderate
   Town is a short ride; most go to Nadi or offshore islands.
9. Moorea French Polynesia Moderate
   Little at the landing; transport is needed for beaches and viewpoints. · Tender
10. Nouméa New Caledonia Moderate
    Depending on berth, the centre is walkable or a shuttle ride.
11. Port Vila Vanuatu Moderate
    Town is a taxi or bus ride.

How we rank

Ports are grouped by our rating (Easy, then Moderate, then Book a tour). Within each group, the shortest walk to town or the main sights that our guide states comes first, then the shortest stated distance. The quote under each port comes from its guide; check your pier, because some ports have more than one. How we rate ports.