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Polynesia is the most far-flung, easterly region of Oceania.

Regions

Polynesia is comprised of the following island nations:

Polynesia regions - Color-coded map
  Cook Islands
Fifteen islands spread out over an Exclusive Economic Zone of 2,200,000 square kilometres
  Kiribati
The eastern two thirds of this sprawling island nation fall within the scope of Polynesia. Remote and poor, the sun rises first here every day.
  Niue
A coral island halfway between Tonga and the Cook Islands.
  Samoa
Two main volcanic islands with luxuriant vegetation, traditional culture and wonderful open-sided houses.
  Tonga
The so-called “Friendly islands” and a Kingdom. But traditional and modern cultures are now clashing.
  Tuvalu
One of the smallest countries in the world in terms of population.

Polynesia includes smaller overseas territories of larger nations, including:

  American Samoa (USA)
  Baker and Howland Islands (USA)
  Easter Island (Chile)
An isolated island with amazing stone carvings.
  French Polynesia (France)
Includes three islands with a strong claim to being the most beautiful island in the world, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Moorea, but also Mururoa where the French carried out nuclear tests until 1996.
  Hawaii (USA)
  Jarvis Island (USA)
  Johnston Atoll (USA)
  Midway Islands (USA)
  Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef (USA)
  Pitcairn Islands (UK)
Home to descendants of the Bounty mutineers.
  Tokelau (New Zealand)
  Wallis and Futuna (France)

New Zealand is also often considered part of Polynesia both culturally and historically.

Cities

Street view in Apia

Other destinations

  • Aitutaki — the classic picture postcard of a palm tree fringed tropical island with turquoise waters, in the Cook Islands.
  • Bora Bora — the most beautiful lagoon of French Polynesia, but incredibly pricey.
  • Moorea — budget alternative to Bora Bora with beautiful scenery.
  • Vava'u — group of more than 50 islands in Tonga, a common destination for yachters.

Understand

Polynesia comes from the Greek words "Poly" and "Nēsos" meaning "many islands".

Talk

Due to its colonial past, English is widely spoken in Polynesia, French in much of the rest, and Spanish on the Easter Island. In addition, there are of course several indigenous languages.

Get in

A340 aircraft of Air Tahiti Nui

Compared to the rest of Polynesia, Hawaii has excellent connections from mainland North America plus many flights from East Asia. The southern parts usually have flights from New Zealand, Fiji and/or Australia. Easter Island is connected to mainland Chile and French Polynesia to Paris via Los Angeles.

Get around

Most travelers get around by plane here. The alternative is cruising on small craft.

See

The "Ahu Akivi" group of moais at the Easter Island

There are a couple of world heritage sites in Polynesia:

Itineraries

Do

Eat

Drink

Stay healthy

Take precautions against mosquito bites, as there have been outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus in the 2010s in the tropical countries.

Stay safe

Go next

This region travel guide to Polynesia is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!