To most people in the West, the South Pacific does seem to be quite literally on the other side of the world. Journeying to Auckland in New Zealand from London, for example, generally takes quite literally longer than a full day – yes, a whopping 25 to 26 hours – by plane.

Needless to say, therefore, Oceania isn’t exactly the most popular weekend getaway destination for most international tourists. In fact, most people in the Western world – because of the sheer distance – wouldn’t even think of it as a potential holiday destination at all.

However, the South Pacific, home to places like Bora Bora, Fiji and the Cook Islands, offers some of the most perfect destinations for that idyllic and exclusive tropical escape.

Fiji is one of those places where it seems to be summer all year long. The island people are also not only famous for their exquisite rugby skills, but also their hospitality. The island’s sands are white, the waters are warm and the tropical rainforest is lush and shady.  Fiji offers everything from total relaxation to adrenalin-rushing adventure. Small cruises exploring the seas around Fiji, as well as the Cook Islands and Polynesia offer an intimate experience of the South Pacific far off the tourist trail. These cruises offer the exclusive opportunity to snorkel or scuba as a way to explore some of the most beautiful and colourful coral reefs on the planet.

Dolphin Island in Fiji is a stunning 6-hectare retreat offering the ultimate luxury holiday experience which is only available to a maximum of 8 guests on an exclusive-use basis. The only transportation to the island is by private boat, with the duration of the journey being about 30 minutes from the main island. Dolphin island offers all the scenic beauty one could ever dream about on a holiday in the South Pacific: including crystal clear blue waters and long golden sand beaches with palm trees. Freshly caught fish is brought daily to the island, allowing guests to select their favourites from the catch.

One of the most exclusive destinations in the South Pacific is Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands – and an adults-only private resort. This secluded island is the home to only a handful of people and its secluded location offers a particularly romantic allure. The island’s underwater or overwater bungalows allows you to watch schools of fish from the comfort of your living room. Lagoon Aitutaki is a stunningly expansive, crystal clear lagoon, making for one of the most beautiful sceneries anywhere on the planet.

St. Regis resort in Bora-Bora is located on the secluded north-eastern side of the lagoon. Exclusive beach villas surrounded by Palm Trees with 24-hour butler services are a signature of St. Regis. The resort also offers guests the exclusive opportunity of seeing blacktip reef sharks and rays up close while exploring under water.

The most extraordinary eco-friendly escape in French Polynesia, The Brando, is located on the private island of Tetiaroa. It is the result of Marlon Brando’s plans for a sustainable eco-friendly private island paradise, which was over a half-century in the making. The magnificent Tetiaroa is made up of a dozen small islands surrounding a glistening lagoon located 20 kilometres northeast of Tahiti. The resort features luxury villas on strikingly white sand beaches frequented by exotic birds, manta rays and sea turtles.

While the South Pacific remains a hidden treasure from the viewpoint of many Westerners, it is precisely the very exclusivity and secludedness of many of its exotic islands and resorts that makes it the perfect luxury holiday destination.