We asked Air New Zealand what are the most frequent questions raised by clients planning a trip to the South Pacific.
Do you need a visa? No, but your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to return home. You must also be in possession of an onward or return airline ticket.
What vaccinations are required? It is advisable to have current vaccinations – against tetanus, yellow fever and hepatitis A – topped up, but in general the South Pacific is relatively disease free. A yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from an infected area of South America or Africa.
What currency should I take? US, New Zealand and Australian dollars are widely accepted throughout the islands.
Do temperatures vary much between seasons? Because the Pacific Islands lie within the tropics, there is little variation. It is mostly warm and humid year round but is cooler and drier between May-October (19C-28C). The wet season is during November-April when it is also hotter (21-29F), but slightly cooler in the Cook Islands and Tonga, which are farther from the Equator.
When is the busiest tourist season? During July-August when visitors from the Southern Hemisphere escape their coldest winter months.
Is it safe to drink tap water? Except in Apia on Samoa, it is safe to drink tap water in the main towns, but you can buy bottled water in most grocery stores.