Family-friendly resorts – complete with packed activity schedules, kids’ clubs and nannies – abound in this South Pacific paradise. With an inflatable water park, a cultural village and complimentary kids’ meals from dawn until dusk, Plantation Island Resort is one of Fiji’s best. Part of the dazzling Mamanuca group of islands, an easy 50-minute boat ride from Port Denarau Marina, Malolo Lailai’s warm waters and palm-fringed beaches are a distillation of everything families love about Fiji.

From hiking along lava cliffs to swimming in caves, careering down natural-rock water slides and abseiling amid the spray of hidden waterfalls, Upolu is where to go to get your adrenaline pumping. Home to the capital, Apia, this volcanic island is the second largest in Samoa. The stays on Upolu are the antidote to a day of thrilling adventures: in a traditional beachfront villa at boutique Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, about 50 minutes’ drive from Faleolo International Airport, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of the ocean lapping at the nearby shore after resetting your body with a traditional Samoan massage.

Staring into the eye of a whale as you swim alongside it in the clear blue ocean is a true bucket-list experience. Majestic Whale Encounters offers the chance to do just that between the dry-season months of July and October, when humpbacks ditch chilly Antarctica for the warm waters of Tonga’s Ha‘apai islands to mate and give birth. After a short two-hour flight from the capital, Nuku‘alofa, base yourself at Sandy Beach Resort on the northern tip of Foa for proximity to one of the island’s best whale nurseries, as well as snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and kiteboarding opportunities.

Picture waking up beside your significant other in an overwater villa filled with fragrant flowers and gazing out at volcanic peaks in the distance, before diving off the deck into a striking turquoise lagoon. That’s the kind of morning you can expect in Bora Bora, a 50-minute flight from Tahiti in French Polynesia. At InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, spend your days lounging in your private plunge pool, snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding in the ocean or indulging in a couples spa treatment. The resort also offers sunset cruises and private dining experiences under the stars to complete your picture of bliss.

If you’re seeking a tropical paradise that looks lifted from a postcard, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands (a six-hour flight from Sydney) is about as close as you can get. Pastimes here follow the desert-island theme: book a cruise and explore the stunning lagoon, stopping off at small islets known as motus, where you can stroll along the soft white sand, take a dip or just laze under a palm tree. To make the most of the serene view, stay in a beachfront bungalow or villa at adults-only Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort. The Zen you’ll find is worth the 50-minute flight from Rarotonga.

Skiing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the South Pacific but there’s one destination that’s a mecca for snow enthusiasts: New Zealand. Base yourself in an apartment at The Rees Hotel Queenstown, on the South Island, to soak up the vista of snow-capped peaks framing Lake Wakatipu. Then get ready to hit the powder, as you’ll be within easy reach of four of the country’s top ski areas: The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone.

A visit to Lord Howe Island is like stepping back into a simpler time. Only 400 tourists are permitted on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island at any given time and bikes are the preferred mode of transport. Snorkel alongside green sea turtles on the world’s southernmost coral reef, spot nesting sooty terns and graceful providence petrels or hike the lush, craggy mountains (including the formidable full-day climb to the top of Mount Gower, where you’ll skirt sheer drops and tackle rope-assisted portions). Pinetrees Lodge, which has been in the same family for six generations, offers a beachfront location and is all-inclusive, ensuring a fuss-free visit.

Vanuatu’s rich culture varies greatly across its 80-plus islands, from death-defying land-diving rituals on Pentecost Island to women performing water music on Espiritu Santo. But the main island of Efate, about a seven-hour flight from Australia’s east coast, is the most accessible destination for getting a taste of traditional life. Learn about everything from hunting to societal structures at Ekasup Cultural Village, sample the local drink – kava – or be wowed by fire dancers during a Melanesian feast at Erakor Island Resort & Spa, located on its own island a short boat ride from the capital, Port Vila.

Featuring about 1000 enormous moai (stone statues), spread across 163 square kilometres of grasslands, Easter Island is an archaeologist’s dream. Traditionally known as Rapa Nui, the isle lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, about a five-hour flight from Chile’s capital, Santiago. Visit the famous Ahu Akivi site, where seven moai stand proudly with their backs to the ocean and the Rano Raraku volcanic crater – which was previously the residents’ main quarry – then hike along the rugged coastline before watching a Polynesian dance performance. Afterwards, retreat to your digs at the environmentally friendly oceanfront lodge Explora Rapa Nui, less than 20 minutes’ drive from the main town, Hanga Roa.