One Of The World's Least-Visited Countries Is A South Pacific Island Destination With Crystal-Clear Waters

When you dream of a getaway to Polynesia, you might immediately think of the iconic destinations everyone dreams of: Tahiti, Hawaii, or even the top-rated islands in Fiji. But there are hundreds of islands out there to explore, hidden from the world by endless miles of the Pacific Ocean. Not all of those islands are quite as famous as the others, and some can even still provide quiet escapes with no crowds and plenty of space to explore on your own.

Nestled halfway between Fiji and the Cook Islands, Niue is one of those places. While the island is self-governing, it is associated with New Zealand and is part of the Commonwealth — English is the official language, and the New Zealand dollar is the official currency. The land here is distinctive for the South Pacific. Instead of dramatic volcanic cliffs, Niue is an elevated coral atoll made of limestone. There are craggy rocks, caves, chasms, and shell-filled beaches. Plus, the limestone filters all the runoff water, so the surrounding ocean is crystal-clear with brilliant visibility of up to 260 feet. Coral reefs are right offshore, making them easily accessible for snorkeling or diving.

But getting to this secluded wonderland requires fortitude; the island sees fewer visitors than most other destinations in the world because it's so off the beaten track. Only one airline flies to the island, so you must get to Auckland, New Zealand, to get to Niue. When you total up all the flight times, not including layovers, you're looking at 16.5 hours in the air to get there from Los Angeles. But, at the end of the journey, you'll be rewarded with a genuine Polynesian welcome, no crowds, and a magnificent tropical island getaway.

The locals call Niue "The Rock," which sums up the feeling of being on this little island so far from anywhere else. But, while it is technically one of the world's smallest nations, it has plenty to see and do. As with any tropical island paradise, there's sure to be plenty of time spent playing in the water, lounging on the beach, or gazing at the watery horizon. Niue's landscape is the result of coral reefs, so there are many opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

Niue's underwater world is one of its biggest draws. Since the island's reefs form a narrow band near shore, it's easy to launch yourself from shore and start exploring, making it one of the best places to snorkel in the South Pacific. The calmer waters on the island's west side are ideal for pleasant days of swimming, exploring, and wildlife watching. The Limu Pools, near the village of Namukulu, are a series of shallow tide pools perfect for snorkeling. The rocks form arches and little caves to explore, each teeming with life. Niue is also a breeding and calving ground for humpback whales, and it's one of the only places where licensed charters can take you to swim with these gentle giants. The whales are in the area from July to September.

The island has a circumference of about 40 miles and an area of 100 square miles. Your hotel will likely provide an airport shuttle service, but you should consider renting a car to explore the island, as there is no public transportation. On land, Niue offers unique scenery, hidden swimming holes, and local villages. There are many walking tracks around the island, and if you've built up an appetite after all that swimming and hiking, the local tropical cuisine is delicious.

Accommodations for visitors range from romantic bungalows to welcoming guest houses. The only full-service resort on the island is the 56-room Scenic Matavai Resort, with clifftop ocean views, a swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant. Guests rave about the resort's friendly and attentive staff, fantastic sea views, and recent renovations. The resort has a nearly five-star rating on both Tripadvisor and Google.

There's only one airport on the island: Hanan Niue International Airport, near the capital of Alofi. And only one airline flies in, which is a twice-weekly (at the time of this writing), three-and-a-half-hour-long Air New Zealand flight from Auckland. This limits the number of nights you can stay on the island based on how you arrange your tickets and the days the flights are offered. If you're not into flying, a handful of South Pacific cruises call on Alofi. Or, for the seagoing adventurers, you could sail in on your own boat. 

Niue is a year-round destination with no real off-season or wrong time to visit. No matter the season, temperatures rarely dip below 70 or top 88 degrees Fahrenheit. A steady, pleasant trade wind keeps the air moving, and the ocean temperatures hover around the 80-degree mark. However, Niue lies in the typhoon belt, and tropical weather is possible during the wet season between December and March. You'll find that most other travelers choose to come during July or August, although this bucket list Polynesian island could never be described as crowded.