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The South Pacific is fringed with errupting blowholes

Sailing the South Pacific

Example 13 Day Cruise
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Discover the pristine beaches, coral coves, and extensive reef systems of the South Pacific on this 13-day small ship cruise. Sailing from Tahiti's port city of Papeete, this cruise circles the Tuamotu Islands and French Polynesia before disembarking in Bora Bora. As you cruise, discover the small island villages of the region and snorkel in some of the world's most pristine waters. Fall in love with the island nations of the South Pacific as you stop at Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Fatu Hiva, and more.
A Polynesian canoeSail the crystal waters of the South Pacific reef systemSnorkeling among the coral reef systemGolden beachsideThe South Pacific is fringed with errupting blowholes
Places Visited
  • South Pacific
  • Tahiti
  • Bora Bora
  • Fatu Hiva
  • French Polynesia
  • Hiva 'Oa
  • Marquesas Islands
  • Nuku Hiva
  • Oceania
  • Papeete
  • Polynesia
  • Rangiroa
  • Society Islands
  • Tahuata
  • Takapoto
  • Tuamotu Islands
  • Ua Huka
  • Ua Pou
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Papeete, Tahiti

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive in Papeete and transfer to the Aranui. Settle in to your cabin as the ship sets sail.

Day 2: Takapoto, Tuamotu Islands

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Takapoto is a small, oval shaped atoll which offers a white sand beach and pristine snorkeling opportunities. Enjoy arts and crafts at the beach before returning to the ship in the afternoon.

Day 3: At Sea

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Relax on board as the ship sails the South Pacific.

Day 4: Nuku Hiva

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail into Taiohae's spectacular bay, a giant volcanic amphitheater dominated by towering cliffs streaked with waterfalls. Spend the morning exploring, the tiny Administrative capital of the Marquesas. Taiohae Bay is where a 23-year-old sailor, Herman Melville, jumped a whaling ship in 1842 and began an escape route around the area. Follow the route in a jeep along a steep, winding dirt mountain road. Enjoy lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the Marquesas, where the specialty is pig baked in an underground oven. Meet the owner-chef, Yvonne, who also happens to be the town's energetic mayor, then travel to the valley of Taipivai. The area is dotted with stone tiki gods and sacred ritual sites (me'ae) and immense stone platforms (paepae), where the Taipi built their houses. Enigmatic petroglyphs of birds, sacred turtles and fish are carved on huge boulders.

Day 5: Ua Pou

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
From the deck, admire the soaring mountain spires of Ua Pou. Greet the locals of the village and set out to explore while the ship unloads supplies. Visit the church, which features a hand-carved wooden dais, and meet with some of the village's woodcarvers. Enjoy lunch at Rosalie's Restaurant before re-joining the ship.

Day 6: Tahuata / Hiva Oa

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Drop anchor in front of the island of Tahuata. Spanish explorers landed in 1595 and opened fire on a crowd of curious islanders, killing about 200. Tahuata is also the site of the first French settlement in the Marquesas in 1842. The huge church, which was ordered built by the Vatican, is decorated with beautiful Marquesan carvings and a stunning stained glass window.

In the afternoon, sail for Hiva Oa, the second largest village in the Marquesas. Visit the colonial store where Paul Gauguin shopped and a replica of the Impressionist’s infamous “House of Pleasure.” As you walk up the hill to the cemetery, enjoy sweeping views of the harbor. Beneath a huge frangipani tree is a tombstone with the simple words: Paul Gauguin 1903. Nearby is the grave of another famous European, Belgian singer-composer Jacques Brel, who died in 1978. You will enjoy another lavish Marquesan lunch at Hoa Nui Restaurant.

Day 7: Fatu Hiva

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Fatu Hiva is the most remote island of the Marquesan, and is a center of Marquesan crafts. Explore the village of Omoa to see some of the traditional foods and crafts of the region. Fatu Hiva is also well-known for its hand-painted pareus (sarongs) and monoi, a perfumed coconut oil scented with tiare blossoms and sandalwood.

Day 8: Hiva Oa

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel by foot or by jeep to the most important archeological sites for tikis (ancient, human-like religious sculptures). Similar the those of Easter Island, follow your guides to the mysterious jungle ruins of Puamau.

Day 9: Ua Huka

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit a museum on Ua Huka which features exquisite replicas of Marquesan art. Choose to explore the island by either four-wheel drive or Marquesan horses.

Day 10: Nuku Hiva

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Dock in Nuku Hiva at Taiohae in the morning and spend a free morning exploring on your own.

Day 11: At Sea

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 12: Rangiroa

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
On lovely Rangiroa, the largest atoll in the world, enjoy a picnic on a coral beach. Swim and snorkel in a translucent lagoon, "Rangi," an underwater jewel box with stunning colors of corals and clouds of tropical fishes.

Day 13: Bora Bora

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in Bora Bora and disembark the ship after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your continued independent journeys.

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  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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