The 15 Best Shore Excursions in the Pacific Islands

1.1/2 day Tahaa coral garden – departure Raiatea / ideal for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $144Our pick

From Raiatea, you’ll take a scenic 35 to 45 minute boat ride to Tahaa, walk briefly over dead coral, then drift through a shallow coral garden with colorful fish and clams. Guides such as Gony, Laurence, and Julian lead small groups of up to 10. Bring water shoes, a camera, and basic swimming skills.

“I organized 2 boats in Raiatea for 20 of our friends to experience the drift snorkel in the Coral Garden in Taha'a and we were not disappointed. Our boat driver and snorkel instructor were super friendly, accommodating and exceptionally welRead more”

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2.River Tubing Fiji / Suva Shore Excursion Cruise Ship Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $90Top rated

From Pacific Harbour, you travel by air-conditioned vehicle to the Navua River, then head upstream by longboat. The day includes a Namosi Highlands village visit, a waterfall swim, riverside lunch, and a guided inner-tube ride through gentle rapids. Guides such as Rosie, Douggy, Nick, and Winnie are praised for safety and care.

“Had a wonderful tour with great crew. Had some long boat rides, hiking, toured a village and tubing a river. All of it was great!”

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3.Ultimate Upolu Highlights Tour – Apia Cruise Ship Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · from $130

Join Shawn or Janette from Samoa Surf and Turf for a six-and-a-half-hour Upolu tour from Apia port. Swim in Piula Cave Pool, visit To Sua Ocean Trench, relax at Lalomanu Beach, and stop at Papapapaitai Falls. The air-conditioned vehicle carries small groups, with water and a snack included.

“Excellent tour with great scenery and local flavor. Good lunch location (on) your dime with beautiful warm ocean water for swimming”

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4.1/2 day “Treasures of Raiatea” by boat – ideal for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $144

Spend 3 to 4 hours with Hava’i and Sea exploring Raiatea by boat. Guide Julien, and sometimes Teiki or Arianne, take you up the Faaroa River, across the lagoon, and to a local pearl farm. Expect a small group of up to 12, island stories, pearl-making details, fresh fruit, and free time afterward.

“We had a remarkable time! The ride up the river was beautiful, peaceful, calm, and we were told about the different plants and fruits and how they’re used in the culture. We also saw a por of dolphins that we watched for a bit on the way Read more”

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5.Apia Highlights Shore Excursion Tour + Lunch & Island Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $194

Spend six to eight hours touring Upolu from Apia Wharf with guides such as Tasi and Elijah. Visit the market, cathedral, Stevenson Museum, Bahá’í temple, waterfalls, To Sua Ocean Trench, and Le Mafa Pass. Lunch, bottled water, private transport, and a Samoan island show at Maninoa are included.

“We really enjoyed this tour and our guide. There lots of good stops. The Robert Louis Stevenson House is interesting and has several informative guides throughout. The lunch and show are the highlight of the tour!”

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6.Private Denarau Shore Excursion – Temple, Shopping, Market, Garden & Mud Pool

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $84

From Port Denarau, a private air-conditioned vehicle takes you to Nadi’s Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, local markets, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, and Sabeto’s hot springs and mud pools. Guide Rakesh Chand may provide temple sarongs, and the flexible format lets your group set the pace.

“This experience was unbelievable. This family run business made us feel welcome and if we asked, we felt we would be taken home for dinner. Very friendly and informative. Learned a great deal of the history and culture. They took care of evRead more”

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7.Adventour Samoa: Cruise Ship Excursion(Highlight of Samoa)

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 14 reviews · 1 day · from $150

From Apia Port, you’ll visit To Sua Ocean Trench, Togitogiga Waterfall, Papapapaitai Falls, Apia’s markets, and key cultural sights. The tour includes air-conditioned transport, entry fees, water, and an English-speaking guide. Guide Wayne has received especially strong praise for informative, friendly guiding. Lunch and snorkeling gear cost extra.

“escursione molto bella. da cambiare il mezzo di trasporto.”

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8.Shore Excursion-Nadi Mudpools,Sleeping Giants Gardens,Markets, Temple & Shopping

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $121

Spend 5 to 6 hours with a private guide exploring Lautoka Market, Fiji’s orchid-filled Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pools, and Krishna Kaliya Temple. Air-conditioned transport and bottled water are included. Guides such as Avi, Mohamed, and Jason have led this route.

“This tour was fun. Avi was a joy and shared a lot. Although the Indian history and temple visit was nice to learn and see, we would have preferred a better balance of history of the islands and the Fijian people in addition to the Indian history. Read more”

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9.Shore Excursion: 3-Hour Tongatapu East Coast and Anahulu Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $71

Start at Vuna Wharf with a local driver-guide, then visit royal landmarks, Captain Cook’s Landing Place, Ha’amonga’a Maui, Anahulu Beach, and Anahulu Cave. You’ll have time for a swim in the cave’s freshwater pool, though wet steps, soft sand, and island-style vehicles require some care.

“It's worth the time and money. Beautiful impression and very pleasant guide and driver. Flexible duration of stay at cave/beach.”

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10.Scenic Shopping Tour from cruise ship

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $80

Join Spirou Thebaud for a three-hour, air-conditioned tour around Moorea, with stops at Belvedere and Toatea lookouts, the agricultural school, Maharepa shops, and Manutea Tahiti. Expect explanations in up to six languages, free tastings, and help choosing Tahitian pearls, pareos, oils, and local souvenirs.

“Spirou (la dame en bleu) était très interessante et dynamique. Elle prend le temps de nous expliquer l’histoire, les fruits, les arbres etc. Spirou est passionnée par la merveilleuse île de Moorea et sait nous transmettre son amour de Tahiti. Merci encore! Chloé, Karl, Kathleen et Francis”

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11.Private Lautoka Shore Excursion including Viseisei Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $111

From Lautoka Wharf, your private air-conditioned vehicle takes you to Viseisei Village, Nadi’s Hindu temple and markets, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, and Sabeto’s mud pools. Guides such as Rakesh, Shivaan, and Madhu have tailored routes around weather and interests. The five-hour tour includes entry fees, but not lunch.

“What a fantastic shore excursion! Shivaan picked us up right outside the pier gate. We enjoyed seeing the Nadi Temple, the Local Fruit Market and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. But the best part of the day was relaxing in the Hot Springs. It is Fiji Time, no hurrys, no worries. Thank you for a great day!”

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12.Suva Cruise Ship Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 7 reviews · 4 hours

Join a locally owned private tour from Suva Kings Wharf with an English-speaking driver-guide. In four hours, you’ll see Suva’s civic sights, visit the Fiji Museum, walk through Colo-I-Suva Forest, stop around Nausori, and shop in town. The price covers transport and port fees for up to four people, but entry fees and lunch cost extra.

“Our driver was very flexible. The tour was customizable for what we wanted to see and where we wanted to go. Our driver gave good commentary and took great care of us at all our stops. We loved the Colo-I-Suva waterfalls. We had a great day.”

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13.Apia Port: Cruise Guests’ Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $155

Spend six hours touring Upolu’s east coast in an air-conditioned van with a local English-speaking guide. Swim at Piula Cave Pool and To Sua Ocean Trench, see Sopoaga Falls, relax at Lalomanu Beach, and visit Apia sights before returning to the cruise terminal. Lunch is extra, and the group is limited to 11.

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14.Private Guided Lautoka Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

This private Lautoka shore trip uses an air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking guide, with pickup at your ship’s rear entrance. You can tailor the day around gardens, temples, markets, beaches, and mud pools. Mr Singh has been praised for punctual service, clean vehicles, useful local information, and a relaxed pace.

“We love this company! They have the best customer service and communicate well.”

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15.Lautoka Cruise Ship to Natadola Beach Round Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 3 reviews · 5 hours

Travel privately from Lautoka Port to Natadola Beach with an English-speaking driver, passing through Lautoka, Nadi, and Sigatoka. You get about two hours on the sand, swimming time, and beach entry, while food, massage, and horse riding cost extra. The vehicle stays with your group for the return trip.

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