Polynesian Islands And Coral Atolls

Volcanic peaks, palm-fringed atolls and reefs scattered across a vast ocean.

Across the central South Pacific, thousands of islands rise from the sea: high volcanic islands with forested slopes, and low coral atolls that barely clear the waves. Far from any continent, each group has developed its own plants and animals.

Life here is tied to the ocean, from nesting seabirds and turtles to the fringing reefs that protect the shore.

The Landscape

High islands such as Tahiti and Samoa have steep green valleys, rainforest and cloud forest on the peaks, and mangroves and lagoons at the coast. Atolls are rings of low coral islets around a lagoon, covered in coconut palms, pandanus and hardy coastal scrub. Reefs surround most islands.

Who Lives Here

Collared Kingfishers hunt along shores and in gardens, and seabirds such as Red-footed Boobies, noddies and frigatebirds nest in trees and on remote islets. Green Sea Turtles graze seagrass and reef, and fruit bats and doves feed in the forest. Coconut Palm and Sea Hibiscus line the beaches.

Through The Year

The warm wet season runs roughly from November to April and brings heavy rain and the risk of cyclones. The cooler, drier months from May to October are the best time to visit. Humpback whales come to some island groups, such as Tonga, to breed from about July to October.

Pressures And Care

Introduced rats, cats and invasive plants have taken a heavy toll on island birds, and Common Mynas have spread widely. Warming seas bleach coral, storms and rising seas threaten low atolls, and overfishing strains reef life. Removing invasive predators from islets and protecting reefs lets seabirds and turtles recover.

Visiting Well

Do not touch or stand on coral, keep your distance from turtles and nesting birds, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Most land is held by families or villages, so ask permission before entering and follow local customs.

Look for

Collared Kingfisher
Red-Footed Booby
Brown Noddy
Green Sea Turtle
Coconut Palm

Often a good time to visit: May, June, July, August, September, October. Conditions vary from year to year and place to place.

Related habitats

Coastal · Woodland

More in Oceania

Australian Outback And Eucalypt Woodlands · New Zealand Forests And Coasts