South Pacific tours & holidays

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

The most popular time to visit the South Pacific is from May to October when skies are clear and humidity is low.

However, these months also see the biggest influx of tourists, so expect busier beaches and higher prices for accommodations.

The wet season is the quietest time in the South Pacific, and if you don't mind hotter, stickier and wetter weather, it can be a great time to enjoy the islands in their most idyllic state.

The South Pacific islands have a tropical climate with only two seasons: a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October.

The weather is hot all year round, though it's hotter and sticker in the wet season, and tropical cyclones and typhoons can occur.

The dry season sees clearer skies and cooler temperatures, though daytime highs rarely dip below the low 20s ℃.

The water temperatures don't fluctuate much, with average temperatures lingering between a pleasant 27°C and 29°C.

The South Pacific region experiences tropical weather, so packing sandals, swimwear and plenty of sunscreen is a must. Because of the high temperatures and humid conditions (depending on the time of year), packing lightweight, breathable clothing (think linen or cotton) is also a good idea. You might also want to consider packing comfortable walking shoes for exploring the islands and insect repellant for those pesky tropical bugs. 

While the South Pacific is largely remote as a region (the only way to get there from neighbouring countries is to fly), it's fairly connected with great internet access across Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Fiji

However, there are some exceptions, as each island boasts lush tropical rainforests that can interfere with your phone coverage. Having said that, if you stick to the populated areas, most hotels and restaurants should have wi-fi for you to connect to. 

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.