Camping in the South Pacific?

Bit of a scattershot question. Since it's my goal to visit every country eventually I'll just ask this as a general question about the whole region. To what extent can you camp in the various countries? If I were to bring my own tent, are there any campsites? Any possibility of convincing a local to let you set up on their land? Is bush camping (ie, free camping wild somewhere) dangerous? Are you likely to get arrested trying it?

Obviously each country will have a slightly different take on the idea so I'm looking for anyone that's done it somewhere or knows if it's impossible/possible in specific countries/areas.

I have extensive travel experience and as always am looking to keep my costs down.
Thanks

There are very few official campsites. Tahiti and Fiji have a couple, but most countries don't have any at all. Those that do exist that I know of generally charge only a couple dollars less than staying in their dorms, so it doesn't offer any sort of meaningful savings.

There isn't really bush camping either like there is in places like Oz & NZ, as all land is owned by somebody and it would be improper to pitch a tent without first seeking permission.

I second the above post. You would eb better off saving the woeight of your luggage for other things, and leaving the tent behind.
Generally, in any area where there is customary land, you would need to pay a custom fee, which may be more than the cost of a night at the village rest house. Also, the locals may be offended that you rejected their hospitality.

New Caledonia has lots of campsites, they are great, and offer huge savings on accommodation.
It is the best place for camping in the region, I think.
Elsewhere, possibilities are limited indeed - if you ask for landowners' permission, they would usually rather have you stay in their village than camp out.

I think in a few areas like the Cook Islands, camping is even downright forbidden by law.

I agree with others that your official campsites will be limited in the South Pacific not to mention that Oceania is one of the most logistically challenging and most expensive place to visit.

I can only speak on our 3-month experience "camping" in French Polynesia specifically (Tahiti and her islands, including the Tuamotus, and Marquesas). I must say that our main objective was to really experience the true Ao Te Maohi/Polynesian experience regardless of cost but understand that FP is one of the most expensive destination in Oceania. It started with staying in Moorea at a very basic camping area (theres two choices). We travelled there by cargo boat loaded with supplies for delivery to the outer islands Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, etc..We landed in Bora Bora and the local bus had filled up quickly and left. The locals we're always helpful. We waited at the port's snack stall. We noticed that two of the customers there was also from our cargo boat and exchange a few words while they started drinking Hinano at 10am for breakfast! Several days later, we saw them again at a local beach just walking and we had a longer conversation. They later invited us for dinner...cut the story short, the invitation extended to staying with them on their simple hut! When we explained that we wanted to explore other islands, they either went with us or referred us to one of their friends or relatives. They had so much connection that later the invitation further extended all the way to the tuamotus and marquesas.

They later explained that most tourists are NOT interested to learn or meet the locals. We explained that we were not there for honeymoon but to enrich ourselves of their culture. The most memorable experiences weve had with them were playing the ukelele in honor of us, celebrating with a himaa (underground cooking of pig), receiving leis from their relatives, and receiving gifts of black pearls that they had kept for so many years...in short, they were very hospitable people and treated us like family! Several times we were struggling to offer to buy groceries and food (the least that we could do). They will do all their effort to make you happy literally. When we had to fly back home, our flight was at 4am and we had an entourage of 14 people (which most of them had to work at 7am the same morning) with us which all came to bring us 3 hrs before our flight. They gave us shell leis when we had to go through the gates while the other tourists looked at us. Before we went inside the plane, we looked back from the plane's door and we could still see them waving back! To us that was priceless.

Up to this day we still communicate with them.

You can have the same experience if you stay long enough, have an open mind to mingle and learn the local ways. Theres more you can experience from the resorts and away from tourists, the higher your chances are to become one like them. Of course, speaking French helps as well as looking like one them.

Thats how you can save but the cultural experience was worth more than staying at the overwater bungalows for us (at least). Good luck

Edited by: drgreenthumb

Thanks for the replies guys, the answers were much what I expected actually.

I was wondering where it would be illegal as was mentioned for the Cook islands.

@drgreenthumb I love your story and I am indeed looking for that type of experience again. When I mention travelling with a small tent I am thinking of those times in parts of Africa, Oman, etc where I travelled and hitched and met the locals, stayed with the locals and had amazing experiences but still had a tent for the occasional bush camping when nothing turned up or to lay down in a backyard somewhere when there was no space inside. I have no idea how much empty space there is for that kind of thing or if it is all regulated by village elders and locals aren't allowed to invite you into their homes to stay. I guess every country is different in that regard as well.

The last thing I want (and the other reason besides expense that I've delayed visiting various island countries around the world) is that they primarily cater to package honeymooners in resort environments. I want to avoid that as much as possible. Is there anything worse than paying a fortune for a service you don't want to not have the experience you're looking for?

Having said all that, in your opinions, which countries in the south pacific are the most welcoming or flexible with that type of experience so that I know to give them more time relative to others? It's a problem trying to go to multiple countries and having to book flights between them when you don't know which ones to spend more time in....
Thanks

Solomon Islands is great for the real cultural experience. It is one of the biggest countries among the Pacific Islands, and you need plenty of time if you want to travel this way. However, unlike the wide open spaces of Africa or Australia, you won't find acres of empty land - everything belongs to someone.
And it would be worth checking out the site in my sig line for ideas.
Basically there are very few resorts except in the Western Province.

Camping in Vanuatu is good. Many people are willing to let you camp near their Villages or Bungalows. Most of the time they will not be able to provide a tent.