Having traveled alone through the South Pacific for more years than I care to admit, I can tell you it's a great place to be unattached. After all, this is the land of smiles and genuine warmth toward strangers. The attitude soon infects visitors: All I've ever had to do to meet my fellow travelers is wander into a hotel bar, order a beer, and ask the persons next to me where they are from and what they have done in Fiji, Tahiti, and so on.
The two hottest destinations for singles -- especially backpackers -- are Fiji and the Cook Islands. Fiji has dozens of resorts aimed at this low-budget market, including the rocking Beachcomber Island Resort.
Even couples-oriented French Polynesia has a playground especially suited to singles: The Club Med on Bora Bora.
Unfortunately, the solo traveler is often forced to pay a "single supplement" charged by many resorts, cruise lines, and tours for the privilege of sleeping alone.
TravelChums (tel. 212/799-6464; www.travelchums.com) is an Internet-only travel-companion matching service hosted by respected New York-based Shaw Guides travel service.
Based in Canada, Travel Buddies Singles Travel Club (tel. 800/998-9099; www.travelbuddiesworldwide.com) runs small, intimate, single-friendly group trips and will match you with a roommate free of charge and save you the cost of single supplements.
