The South Pacific’s Best Family Resorts

There are so many stunning South Pacific holidays destinations, all with fantastic accommodation options. Our readers have voted for the best family resorts in Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Samoa and French Polynesia. These resorts make for the best island holidays for families. Some are set on crystal clear lagoons, have awesome kids’ clubs or offer excellent snorkelling opportunities, while others host horse riding on the beach and nature immersion. Everywhere in the South Pacific, you’ll find friendly people, natural beauty and family fun galore. The tropical islands are filled with unique swimming spots, markets selling local handicrafts and fresh fruits and Pacific cuisine. Stay at one of the best resorts in the South Pacific to explore these family-friendly offerings in a relaxing paradise.

1. Warwick Le Lagon

Vanuatu

Perched on the shores of peaceful Erakor Lagoon in Port Vila, Warwick Le Lagon is a 4.5-star luxury resort designed for families. Surrounded by lush gardens and cascading waters, it offers a serene escape while keeping town within easy reach. Spacious rooms, bungalows and private villas combine comfort and style, while children can enjoy supervised fun at the excellent kids’ club. Families can make the most of water sports, tennis, a 13-hole golf course, and both adult and children’s pools. A choice of dining caters to every appetite, and the Oasis Spa provides parents with a chance to unwind.

2. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

Cook Islands

The sparkling waters of Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Sanctuary set the scene for a family escape that feels effortlessly blissful. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium is a beachfront resort that balances relaxation and adventure, with world-class snorkelling right on your doorstep and daily activities that let kids explore island culture, from lei-making to ukulele lessons. For those seeking water fun, kayaks and paddleboards are on hand. Young travellers are looked after at Moko Kids Club, the creche or the Teen Zone, while families can take advantage of generous offers, including up to four children staying free in larger beachfront suites.

3. Iririki Island Resort & Spa

Vanuatu

Just minutes by ferry from Port Vila, Iririki Island Resort & Spa is a slice of island paradise offering endless activities for all ages. Days are filled with snorkelling adventures, kayaking safaris and diving lessons, while little ones can explore the games room, playground or even try their hand at traditional coconut husking. Parents can drift into relaxation by the four-tier pool or surrender to a spa treatment with ocean views. When the sun dips, the island shifts gears, offering exquisite dining at Azure Restaurant and vibrant evening entertainment that keeps the magic alive, making it a perfect getaway for every member of the family.

4. Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu by IHG

Vanuatu

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu by IHG is a haven for families, boasting a lagoon frontage, two sprawling pool areas, and a whole lot of fun for families. There’s a kids’ club for children aged from three to 12, plus an activities program for all resort children, including teens. Kids will have a blast with nature walks, treasure hunts and more. Parents aren’t forgotten either, with a great spa and adjacent golf course and a plethora of sports on offer, including sailing, kayaking, beach volleyball, windsurfing and boating. 

Located just minutes from town, this resort boasts a range of accommodation offerings, from family suites to stunning overwater villas. Kids will love staying in the Banyan treehouse-themed room. The resort’s ‘Kids Stay and Eat Free’ deal for children under the age of 12, along with its combination of fun zones for young travellers and secluded quiet zones for adults, ensures that everyone will enjoy their best holiday ever.

5. Erakor Island Resort & Spa

Vanuatu

Accessible by a free 24-hour ferry from Port Vila, Erakor Island Resort & Spa is a deserving winner. Slip into island time as you swim in the pool and lagoon, snorkel with schools of tropical fish, kayak, paddleboard and learn how to paddle an outrigger canoe. There is something new for families to experience every day, with weaving, sand drawing, and plenty of coconut trees to climb.

The fun doesn’t end when the sun sets. Each Thursday, Erakor Island Resort & Spa hosts a Melanesian feast and fire show, complete with kava tasting, delicious food and death-defying antics. Order from an a la carte menu, enjoy themed nights with trivia or karaoke, and set up camp on the beach each Tuesday for pizza and movies. Relax in two-bedroom Garden, Beachfront or Sunset villas. Larger groups can kick back in a range of luxe beach houses, sitting beachfront and featuring ensuite bathrooms, a full kitchen, spacious living area, and an outdoor deck.

6. Eratap Beach Resort

Vanuatu

This award-winning boutique luxury resort was the first in the South Pacific to make TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels of the World list. Eratap Beach Resort offers families a blend of high-end comfort and authentic eco-friendly living, hidden within the coastal forest of Vanuatu’s Efate Island. There are 14 beachfront villas (six with private pools) perched on a private peninsula, which provides families access to white-sand beaches, coral reefs and great surfing. Designed to have minimal environmental impact and a positive influence on the local community, the resort is surrounded by forests, lagoons, mangroves and reef-filled waters. Children aged 13 years and over are welcome year-round and younger guests are only invited during designated Family Weeks.

7. The Edgewater Resort & Spa Rarotonga

Cook Islands

Any day that starts with a complimentary tropical breakfast is going to be a good one, and at The Edgewater Resort & Spa, that’s exactly what’s on offer. Sprawled across 2.5 hectares, this resort has something for every family member. Keep the kids occupied at the daily Coconut Kids Club where children aged four to 12 can feed fish, race crabs, learn how to make leis, and more. There’s also daily activities for the whole family to bond over, ranging from ika mata (raw fish salad) cooking demonstrations and pareu (sarong) tying to dance lessons.

When hunger strikes, choose from three incredible dining options – a buffet of iconic Cook Islands cuisine and traditional entertainment, the beachfront The Brasserie and pizza and pasta at The Spaghetti House. For a spot of extra relaxation, head to Akaora Spa & Salon for a variety of a la carte treatments. As for accommodation, you’ll find comfortable rooms and spacious villas offering views of the garden, lagoon and beach.

8. Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Cook Islands

The 4.5-star Pacific Resort Rarotonga is situated on the absolute beachfront of stunning Muri Beach in Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands. Free kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are available to explore the lagoon or don a snorkel to explore underwater, then enjoy the swimming pool. The resort offers daily activities for family bonding.  The complimentary kids’ club, entertains children with traditional dancing, coconut husking, basket weaving and beach-focused activities. The kids’ club welcomes children aged 6 to 12 years, however, children under 6 years are welcome with a parent or child carer. Pacific Resort Rarotonga has 64 rooms, suites and villas with eight different options including a three bedroom villa for up to seven guests

9. Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort

Samoa

Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort sits on the shores of Mulifanua on Upolu’s western coast, just steps away from beautiful beaches and only a five-minute drive from Faleolo International Airport. It boasts a world-class fitness centre, a lagoon-style pool and the Manaia Polynesian Spa where mums and dads can kick back and relax. The onsite restaurant showcases authentic local flavours and handcrafted cocktails backdropped by ocean views. Families can dive into cultural experiences, such as attending Fiafia Night, or venture out to explore nearby waterfalls, blowholes, beaches and the local marine reserve.

10. InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

French Polynesia

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa offers families an unforgettable five-star escape, where you can step straight from your luxury over-water villa into the warm lagoon. With one and two-bedroom pool villas and suites, three onsite restaurants, a gym, pool, pristine beach and an award-winning spa, the resort balances relaxation and adventure effortlessly. Families can enjoy everything from scuba diving and reef explorations to sunset cruises.

Keep reading:

• Vanuatu family-friendly travel guide
• The best things to do in the Cook Islands

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