The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia

Aukena is the smallest of the four large Gambier Islands in French Polynesia in the South Pacific. The Gambier Islands are the remnants of a volcanic caldera now surrounded by a fringing reef. Aukena is only 3km long and less than 800m wide, with highest points (to 178m and 128m) at each end of the island. Read more about Aukena (Gambier Islands), French Polynesia

Over a thousand kilometres SE of Tahiti are the Gambier Islands, also a part of French Polynesia. Mangareva, the largest island of the archipelago, is home to most of the population and the centre of the region's pearl industry. Mangareva and a few small islands are contained within a lagoon 24 km across, bounded by a reef. Read more about Mangareva, French Polynesia

Most cruise ships make a scenic pass of the island, and as few as 30% tender successfully to shore, there being no harbour and the weather is problematic. (Serious sight-seers arrive by air from Chile mainland.) One of the most isolated islands in the world, this triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific is 2,300 km off the west coast of Chile. It is intriguing, its history is as unclear as it is mysterious. Read more about Easter Island, Chile

Most cruise ships make a scenic pass of the island, and as few as 30% tender successfully to shore, there being no harbour and the weather is problematic. (Serious sight-seers arrive by air from Chile mainland.) One of the most isolated islands in the world, this triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific is 2,300 km off the west coast of Chile. It is intriguing, its history is as unclear as it is mysterious. Read more about Easter Island, Chile

Read more about Raivavae, French Polynesia

Rurutu is an island in the Austral archipelago of French Polynesia, in the centre of the Pacific hemisphere. The population of two thousand subsists on fishing, some agriculture, as well as the growing tourism industry. Steep sea cliffs of ancient coral are riddled with numerous caves, so not surprisingly Rurutu is unique among islands in French Polynesia in that its historic inhabitants were cave-dwellers. Read more about Rurutu, French Polynesia

The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia