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Often touted as the world's most beautiful island, (almost) heart-shaped <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tahiti-tourisme.com%2Fislands%2Fmoorea%2Fmoorea.asp" target="_blank" target="_blank">Moorea</a> is half an hour by high-speed ferry from Tahiti. Beach resorts with posh over-water bungalows wrap around white sand beaches and two fjord-like bays on the north shore. <br /><strong>Romantic rush:</strong> Swimming with rays, sharks and dolphins.<br /><strong>Hot hotel:</strong> <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.hilton.com%2Fen%2Fhotels%2Ffrench-polynesia%2Fhilton-moorea-lagoon-resort-and-spa-PPTMLHI%2Findex.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa</a>, Papetoai, French Polynesia; +689 44 55 1111

Moorea (French Polynesia) —

Often touted as the world's most beautiful island, (almost) heart-shaped Moorea is half an hour by high-speed ferry from Tahiti. Beach resorts with posh over-water bungalows wrap around white sand beaches and two fjord-like bays on the north shore.
Romantic rush: Swimming with rays, sharks and dolphins.
Hot hotel: Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, Papetoai, French Polynesia; +689 44 55 1111

Courtesy Hilton Moorea lagoon resort & spa

Rarotonga (Cook Islands) —

A huge volcanic hunk drenched in rainforest and surrounded by a wildlife-rich lagoon, "Raro" is the spitting image of Bora Bora -- without the crowds or high prices. Its lively little Avarua town might have the best nightlife in the South Pacific.
Romantic rush: A sensuous Cook Islands dance show.
Hot hotel: Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa, Muri Beach, Rarotonga, Cook Islands; +682 2 8150

Cook Islands Tourism

There are good reasons that four different seasons of "Survivor" have been filmed on this <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.samoa.travel%2Fdefault.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank">massive volcanic island</a>. Waterfalls, reefs and sea caves compete with rich Samoan culture and funky Apia town as the island's main attractions. <br /><strong>Romantic rush: </strong>Hunting for his and her lavalavas (sarongs) in the Apia markets.<br /><strong>Hot hotel: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.temanava.com%2Ftemanava%2Findex.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa</a>, South Coast of Upolu, Mamoa; +685 25191

Upolu (Samoa) —

There are good reasons that four different seasons of "Survivor" have been filmed on this massive volcanic island. Waterfalls, reefs and sea caves compete with rich Samoan culture and funky Apia town as the island's main attractions.
Romantic rush: Hunting for his and her lavalavas (sarongs) in the Apia markets.
Hot hotel: Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, South Coast of Upolu, Mamoa; +685 25191

Samoa Tourism Authority

Lord Howe Island (Australia) —

This secluded UNESCO World Heritage Site in the middle of the Tasman Sea is one of the least spoiled landfalls in the South Pacific. Rare flora and fauna inhabit the wooded mountains, while white-sand beaches dot the back side of the island and a crescent-shaped reef encloses the similarly cresent-shaped island.
Romantic rush: The view from the top of 875-meter Mount Gower.
Hot hotel: Capella Lodge, Lagoon Road, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia; +61 02 6563 2008

Courtesy Capella Lodge

Yasawa (Fiji) —

Renowned as the drop dead gorgeous place where "Blue Lagoon" (1980) was filmed, the Yasawa Islands float across the top of Fiji like a tiara. There's only one resort on the islands and the six villages are few and far between, making this one of Fiji's least crowded corners.
Romantic rush: Snorkeling the Blue Lagoon Caves.
Hot hotel: Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, Yasawa Island, Fiji; +679 672 2266

Yasawa island resort & spa

One of the earliest sections of the Great Barrier Reef to be protected as a national park (1937), pristine <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nprsr.qld.gov.au%2Fparks%2Flizard-island%2Fabout.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Lizard Island</a> is surrounded by 24 powder-fine beaches and waters that teem with whales, sea turtles and dolphins. <br /><strong>Romantic rush: </strong>Camping on the beach at Watsons Bay.<br /><strong>Hot hotel: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lizardisland.com.au%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Lizard Island Resort</a>, PMB, 40 Cairns, Queensland, Australia; +613 9426 7550

Lizard Island (Australia) —

One of the earliest sections of the Great Barrier Reef to be protected as a national park (1937), pristine Lizard Island is surrounded by 24 powder-fine beaches and waters that teem with whales, sea turtles and dolphins.
Romantic rush: Camping on the beach at Watsons Bay.
Hot hotel: Lizard Island Resort, PMB, 40 Cairns, Queensland, Australia; +613 9426 7550

Courtesy Delaware North Companies

Located at the southern end of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanuatu.travel%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Vanuatu</a> chain, this exotic island has gorgeous black sand beaches, secluded jungle waterfalls and a volcano (Mt. Yasur) that stages a spectacular pyrotechnic show each night. <br /><strong>Romantic rush: </strong>Horseback ride to Lenuanatuaiu Falls.<br /><strong>Hot hotel: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitegrassvanuatu.com.vu%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">White Grass Ocean Resort</a>, Lenakel, Tanna, Vanuatu; +678 3 0010

Tanna Island (Vanuatu) —

Located at the southern end of the Vanuatu chain, this exotic island has gorgeous black sand beaches, secluded jungle waterfalls and a volcano (Mt. Yasur) that stages a spectacular pyrotechnic show each night.
Romantic rush: Horseback ride to Lenuanatuaiu Falls.
Hot hotel: White Grass Ocean Resort, Lenakel, Tanna, Vanuatu; +678 3 0010

David Kirkland/Vanuatu Tourism Organisation

A largely undiscovered paradise for scuba and sailing, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tongaholiday.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Vava'u</a> comprises 70 islands (mostly uninhabited) scattered across a patch of teal and turquoise sea. <br />Humpback whales gather around Vava'u in large numbers between July and October. <br /><strong>Romantic rush: </strong>Chartering a crewed or bareboat catamaran from The Moorings.<br /><strong>Hot hotel: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mounuisland.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mounu Island Resort</a>, Neiafu, Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga; +676 886 6403

Vava'u (Tonga) —

A largely undiscovered paradise for scuba and sailing, Vava'u comprises 70 islands (mostly uninhabited) scattered across a patch of teal and turquoise sea.
Humpback whales gather around Vava'u in large numbers between July and October.
Romantic rush: Chartering a crewed or bareboat catamaran from The Moorings.
Hot hotel: Mounu Island Resort, Neiafu, Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga; +676 886 6403

Tonga Tourism Authority

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) —

An ancient and mysterious Polynesian civilization and romantic windswept landscapes make this Chilean island one of a kind. Hiking trails lead to clusters of giant stone heads, the most famous feature on the island. What you don't hear as much about is Rapa Nui's awesome beaches and great surf.
Romantic rush: Full moon mountain bike ride along the south coast to Ahu Tongariki.
Hot hotel: Explora Rapa Nui, Te Miro Oone S/N, Hanga Roa, Chile; + 56 2 2395 2800

Joe Yogerst/CNN

This teardrop-shaped atoll in the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tahiti-tourisme.com%2Fislands%2Ftikehau%2Ftikehau.asp" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tuamotu Archipelago</a> is a throwback to the French Polynesia of 50 years ago. Coconut palms shade pink-sand beaches on tiny islands (motus) scattered around the outer edge of a fish-filled lagoon.<br /><strong>Romantic rush: </strong>A kayak paddle to your own uninhabited isle.<br /><strong>Hot hotel: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spmhotels.com%2Fresort%2Ftikehau%2Fwelcome" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort</a>, Motu Tiano, Tuamotus, Tahiti; +689 4050 8445

Tikehau Atoll (Tuamotus) —

This teardrop-shaped atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago is a throwback to the French Polynesia of 50 years ago. Coconut palms shade pink-sand beaches on tiny islands (motus) scattered around the outer edge of a fish-filled lagoon.
Romantic rush: A kayak paddle to your own uninhabited isle.
Hot hotel: Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, Motu Tiano, Tuamotus, Tahiti; +689 4050 8445

SPM Hotels

Hiva Oa (Marquesas) —

Paul Gauguin found paradise on this rugged volcanic island in the Marquesas group. The island's Gauguin Museum offers a glimpse of the French Impressionist's creations.
Romantic rush: Snorkeling with giant manta rays in Atuona Bay.
Hot hotel: Hiva Oa Hanakee Lodge, Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquises; +689 927 587

Joe Yogerst/CNN

Isle of Pines (New Caledonia) —

Bursting with modern French savoir faire, this tiny, pine-scented island is surrounded by the New Caledonia Barrier Reef. It's renowned for its laid back vibe and unplugged ambiance.
Romantic rush: Dugout canoe cruise around the lagoon.
Hot hotel: Le Meridien Ile des Pins, Baie d'Oro,BP 175 Ile des Pins, New Caledonia; +687 26 5000

Courtesy Tourism New Caledonia

12 most romantic isles in the South Pacific

CNN —

For more than 300 years, travelers have been coming to the South Pacific in search of romance.

Paul Gauguin, Marlon Brando, Fletcher Christian, Robert Louis Stevenson. We know the legends. Today, the tradition continues with honeymooners, artists and dreamers who descend on the region each year.

With more than 20,000 islands spread across a watery area larger than Asia, Africa and Europe combined, there’s plenty of South Pacific to discover.

Nearly all of the landfalls are romantic in some respect – that makes choosing the most amorous islands a difficult deed.

Some stand out.

For ardent ambiance, natural beauty, culture and history, this dreamy dozen vie for the title of most romantic island in the South Pacific.

Survey says: Top honeymoon destinations

10 honeymoon hot spots for gay and lesbian couples

10 underrated romantic destinations from India to Italy

San Diego-based Joe Yogerst has written on travel, business and culture for the Washington Post, International Herald Tribune, Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue and Forbes Traveler.

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12 most romantic islands in the South Pacific

12 most romantic isles in the South Pacific