Forget Tahiti: Why You Should Go to Tuvalu, Micronesia, and Beyond
The Pacific Islands you’ve never heard of...and stories you’ll never forget.
When people hear "Pacific Islands," they think Tahiti, Fiji, maybe Hawaii. Cocktails with umbrellas, big resorts, infinity pools, honeymoon brochures. That’s not what this is about. I don’t really do beaches, resorts, or warm weather all that well anyway. What I do do is adventure and stories, and these islands are full of them. I’m talking about the other Pacific Islands…the ones people don’t talk about. Places like Tuvalu, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia.
These are the islands where you won’t find a single chain hotel. No Michelin stars, no luxury spas. Instead, you’ll find unspoiled nature, a slower pace, and a kind of escape from the “modern world” that feels almost extinct. The internet won’t always work, your phone might not roam, and that’s the point. You’re forced to unplug and actually be present.
Tuvalu: The Runway is the Town Square
There are only a couple flights a week into Tuvalu. The rest of the time, the runway is the island’s social hub. It’s where people gather to play soccer, hang out, and catch up. I’ve seen kids flying kites and families laying out a picnic on a stretch of asphalt meant for planes.
I’ll never forget sitting at the hotel restaurant, chatting with a local over a beer. I explained I was visiting every country in the world. He asked if I wanted to meet the President. I laughed and said sure. He stuck out his hand, grinning: “NICE TO MEET YOU!” That’s Tuvalu. Only 6,000 people live here, so why not bump into the President at dinner?
Micronesia: Stone Money and Lost Cities
Head west to the Federated States of Micronesia, a cluster of islands where adventure feels raw and unpolished. Take the United “Island Hopper,” a flight that goes 3x a week from Honolulu to Guam with 5–6 stops in between…it’s the only way to get there!
In Yap, you’ll find stone money. These are massive carved disks of limestone, some taller than you. They’ve been used for centuries as a form of currency, but nobody moves them. Ownership is tracked orally, and the stones stay where they are. Imagine buying a house, but the “payment” is a giant rock in the jungle that never leaves its spot.
On Pohnpei, you’ll find Nan Madol, a mysterious city built on the water. Often called the “Venice of the Pacific,” it’s made of giant basalt logs stacked into canals and walls. Nobody knows exactly how it was built or why it was abandoned, but standing among the ruins feels like stepping into a lost world.
And if you rent a jeep, drive the ring road on Pohnpei. Stop at Kepirohi waterfall, jump into the cool water, and let the jungle swallow you in mist.
The Vibe: Community, Respect, and Slowing Down
One of the best ways to connect? Go to church. Even if you’re not religious, you’ll find yourself swept up in song, joy, and laughter. For many islands, this is the highlight of the week: a place where community comes together. Just remember: respectful clothing is non-negotiable. Shorts and tank tops will get you turned away.
And when you’re ready for true escape, hire a boat. Find a remote atoll where nobody lives. Put your toes in the sand, sip from a fresh coconut, and just breathe. You won’t hear car horns or see billboards. Just the sound of waves and the kind of silence you didn’t know you needed.
Tonga: Meeting the King’s Dog
And then there’s Tonga. Stories here write themselves. For me, it was meeting the King’s dog. You know, just walking down the street…saw this dog…and someone told me not to touch it…it belongs to the King. Well, of course it does…
Why You Should Go
If you’re chasing infinity pools and room service, these islands aren’t for you. But if you want to unplug, to see the Pacific in a way that hasn’t been packaged and polished for mass tourism, this is your bucket list.
Tuvalu, Yap, Pohnpei, Tonga…they’re places that remind you travel isn’t about checking into a resort. It’s about connection, about slowing down, about stories you’ll tell for the rest of your life.
And maybe that’s why they stuck with me. I’ll never be the guy sprawled on a beach chair for a week, but give me a place where stories live in runways, waterfalls, stone money, and stray royal dogs? That’s my kind of Pacific island.
So next time you think “Pacific Islands,” forget the brochures. Think smaller. Think stranger. Think unforgettable.
🌏 Are You Ready to Go? Here Are 5 Travel Tips to Get You Started
⏳ Embrace slow travel. Flights are limited, ferries can be irregular, and schedules shift. Don’t plan tight connections, flights get canceled often. Give yourself time to soak it in.
👕 Pack modest clothes. Shorts and tank tops won’t fly in church or community settings. A light wrap or collared shirt (even an Aloha shirt) goes a long way in showing respect.
💵 Cash is king. ATMs are rare, and credit cards aren’t always accepted. Bring small bills in U.S. or Australian dollars. It’s the most widely used currency in the region.
🏡 Expect simple stays. Guesthouses and family-run hotels are the norm. Forget infinity pools…you’ll get genuine hospitality instead.
🤝 Say yes to community. Accept that dinner invite, join the pickup soccer game, or sing along in church. The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks, they’re offered to you by people.
Agree! I lived on Guam for 17 months in the late 70s and was able to visit a few other islands in the region. Sadly, I never made it to Yap. I worked for a company that was doing anthropological studies there, so I saw lots of photos and heard many great stories. Clearly I need to go now! BTW, the diving on the reefs around Guam was world class back then. I hope it still is.