The Thousand Islands are a group of over a hundred small islands off Jakarta’s coast. They offer clear waters, coral reefs, and plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and diving. Some islands are quiet and sandy, like Pulau Macan, while others, such as Pulau Onrust, have colonial-era ruins to explore. Visitors can hop between islands, paddle in calm lagoons, or just relax on the beaches.

Due to the tropical climate and fertile soils, the rainforests of Samoa are a lush and vibrant paradise. Native wildlife such as seabirds, skinks, flying foxes, geckos, as well as a plethora of unique flora call the forests home. Le Pupu-Pue National Park on Upolu is one of the best with extensive walking tracks and a listed 42 bird species. Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Reserve, in the southeast, is another bird watchers haven where you may see the rare Samoan tooth-billed pigeon. In the Falealupo Rainforest Reserve, take the treetop canopy walkway built about 40 metres above the ground among giant Banyan trees!

On Savaii, Pulemelei Ancient Mound is a historical site located on Letolo Plantation. At 12 metres tall, it’s the largest ancient structure in Polynesia. This massive man-made mound measures a whopping 61x50 metres. The mystery of how and why it was built still remains unsolved. It’s marked on some maps as Tia Seu Ancient Mound.