Pristine South Pacific

Kiribati is the only country in the world whose 32 atolls span all four hemispheres and receives very few tourists. In the 1950s and 1960s, the USA and the UK tested atomic and hydrogen bombs on the island of Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island. Today, the coral island once again resembles a natural paradise.

Niue is unlike most islands in the South Pacific: a landscape that seems to be from another world, with rugged coastlines, caves and gorges. In 2022, Niue placed its entire marine area of 320,000 square kilometres under protection. This episode follows researchers as they observe humpback whales giving birth to and rearing their calves – a rare natural wonder.

Although the islands of Wallis and Futuna are French, they are governed by their own kings in accordance with Polynesian tradition. Futuna boasts steep mountains and rainforests, whilst Wallis features crater lakes and islands set in a turquoise lagoon.