Pacific
The Pacific Ocean and Pacific Islands
The Pacific is the world’s largest ocean. It is so huge that you can fit and submerge all of the world’s countries in it. The deepest portion is the Mariana Trench near the Philippines. It is more than 10,000 meters deep, while Mount Everest, the Earth’s highest peak is only over 8,000 meters high. The Pacific Ocean is 165.25 million square kilometers wide, to be exact.
Since the planet has more water than land, there is much more to explore on and under the surface of the Pacific Ocean than the biggest continent in the world. Who knows what lie in the deepest, darkest and hardest-to-reach areas of our world – glowing fishes, giant squids, mermaids? But to catch the real gem in the Pacific, you don’t need to dive any deeper than your scuba equipment will allow you. There are thousands of spectacular islands scattered in the Pacific that offer a unique kind of tourism.
Some of the most popular Pacific Islands are Palau, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Easter Island and Fiji, among many others. The most notable of these islands is Fiji, for its spectacular dive sites and coral reefs.
If you love snorkeling, you should start packing for Fiji’s Great Astrolabe Reef. Imagine swimming over the coral gardens along with eagle and manta rays. Turtles and wrasses might also show up to join the party. This reef is located south of Fiji in the island of Kadavu. The country is made up of several islands. The best dive sites are found around the Mamanuca Islands. It was in one of these islands where the Tom Hanks starrer “Castaway” was filmed, and not far away was where Brooke Shield’s “Blue Lagoon” was shot.
But if you don’t enjoy getting wet, Fiji is also popular for its pearls, golf courses, eco-tours, authentic tribal communities and exciting local festivals. If only for Fiji, the Pacific is truly a magical place in this expansive corner of the world.
