Papeete (Tahiti) To Valparaiso

Papeete is the heart of French Polynesia, a tropical paradise where beautiful beaches and clear turquoise waters invite you to relax and unwind. As the capital city, it’s the perfect starting point for exploring the island of Tahiti, known for its stunning scenery and ocean views. You can snorkel in the calm, crystal-clear lagoon, walk along striking black-sand beaches, and see natural blowholes that hint at the island’s volcanic past. Inland, lush green mountains offer exciting adventures. Whether you're looking to explore or simply slow down, Papeete is the gateway to the laid-back, vibrant lifestyle of Polynesia.

Rangiroa is the largest atoll in French Polynesia, made up of over 400 small islets (motu) that surround a vast lagoon. The lagoon is so wide that from the main northern islets, you can't see the southern side—hence the name Rangiroa, which means "wide sky" or "immense sky." Several natural channels, called passes, connect the ocean to the lagoon. The two main villages, Avatoru and Tiputa, sit beside passes with the same names.

One of Rangiroa’s top attractions is drift diving and snorkeling through these passes, where visitors often spot sharks and manta rays. The atoll’s main sources of income are government work, ecotourism, and pearl farming. Its calm, turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and peaceful vibe draw tourists to local guesthouses and a few small hotels throughout the year.

Avatoru and Tiputa also host schools for students from nearby Tuamotu Islands, which don’t have their own higher education options. A unique highlight of Rangiroa is the locally made white and rosé wine, produced on a small islet just west of Avatoru. The wine has even won several international awards.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Snorkeling with the Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Physically fit
• Please note: Activity level and duration of this activity are approximate. More specific information and logistics are communicated by the Expedition Leader on board. This activity is recommended only for guests in good physical condition and with good swimming skills; some snorkeling experience might be needed in certain areas. Snorkeling takes place from either a beach or a Zodiac platform dependent on the conditions of the day. Equipment is available for all guests, though bringing personal gear is welcome (full-face masks are prohibited). Some floating noodles are also available for those guests who wish to make use of them. The sun can be strong in these areas, making eco-friendly sunscreen and a rash guard ideal for protecting exposed skin. It is compulsory to snorkel with a buddy and never alone. You are kindly reminded not to swim too far away from the site. Your Expedition Team is available to give you all the specific information you need. It is especially important to remember not to touch or kick anything, nor stand on corals. If you are using an underwater camera or any other equipment, make sure it is safely attached to you (neck or wrist strap) and that you are comfortable in the water first, prior to usage. Please remember not to interfere with the animals that you encounter during your excursion.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Shrink before amphitheater-sized bays of deep water and folded valleys clad with dense green jungle, on arrival in Hatiheu. You’ll be warmly welcomed to this raw and ravishing island of natural beauty, legend, and awe-inspiring views. Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands, which are strung across a blissfully blue Indian Ocean. Remote and wonderful, you can find waterfalls tumbling from cliffs, volleyball-sized breadfruit clustering in trees, and incredible sacrificial sites and petroglyphs. Explore to see cinematic views of sprawling bays unraveling while on breathtaking mountain hikes and drives. Or take it easy, strolling by the water and watching yachts mingling in the turquoise seas as sharks circle for offcuts tossed by fishermen. Wild horses trot tight streets, and pigs shuffle through the undergrowth, clambering up and down dense mountainsides. Journey south to see the Tiki Tuhiva carving, watching out over rich-blue waves. The gigantic statue is a proud example of the island’s resurgent culture, which was almost extinguished by European colonists. Take the chance to duck out of the afternoon sun into the stone-walled shelter of Notre Dame Cathedral, which is decorated with carved sculptures and soaring wooden eaves. The church’s crooked towers rise incongruously from the rainforest’s tangle - follow the ethereal sounds of choral singing to find it. Nuku Hiva’s ceremonial sites, crafts, and stone statues add further layers of intrigue to this magical Pacific Island.

Ridges and cliffs form the beautiful, rocky Fatu Hiva, the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. The half-moon-shaped Omoa Bay encircles the village of Omoa, where about 250 people reside near the island’s main church. They make tapa cloth in a traditional way with beaten bark decorated in inked traditional Polynesian designs. The island is covered in lush jungle vegetation that is divided in some places by narrow ravines marked by sharply dropping cliffs. The ruggedly beautiful Bay of the Virgins appears as if its palm tree-lined, jutting rocky ridges were carved by some great hand into stone sculptures

1 Included Shore Excursion
Hiking with the Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Moderate
• Please note: Activity level and duration of this activity are approximate. More specific information and logistics are communicated by the Expedition Leader on board. This activity is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests who use a wheelchair. Guests with balance limitations (even slight) are advised to bring along walking poles to assist on slippery and uneven surfaces while hiking. Hikes are offered in various degrees of difficulty, and in order to avoid injury, guests are advised to be honest with themselves regarding their abilities when deciding which hikes to participate in. Hikes go through different types of terrains that may be wet, muddy, rocky, sandy, or icy. Hikes take place in different types of weather conditions and therefore guests must be ready with appropriate clothing and footwear. Bringing a filled Silversea drinking bottle is recommended to stay hydrated during the outing, along with a Silversea backpack for carrying essential items. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray.

Situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Fatu Hiva is the most isolated island of the most isolated archipelago on the planet. Sometimes called the ‘island at the edge of the world’, Fatu Hiva is also the greenest, wildest, and most mountainous island of the Marquesas. And what mountains! The island’s dramatic cliffs and lush valleys illuminate the extraordinary Polynesian countryside and give you the impression of being in a Paul Gauguin painting. On your arriving in this tropical paradise, you’ll be welcomed with the traditional welcome to the Marquesas Islands, ‘Mave Mai', involving ancestral dances. Let yourself be carried away by the Haka rhythm before discovering the charming village of Hanavave. After strolling among the village’s picturesque fare houses, the authentic Marquesan constructions, uncover the island’s hidden gems and secrets. Stunning waterfalls hurling down from impressive peaks, forming magnificent lagoons and rushing fresh rivers. Nothing better than a hike to properly appreciate and admire the fabulous scenery that surrounds you. A real highlight of the island, the spectacular Baie des Vierges is said to be one of the most beautiful bays on Earth. These crystal-clear waters are home to myriad marine life species like manta rays or sea turtles, swimming into a ballet of multicolored fish. What more do you need to believe that  Fatu Hiva is a true paradise?

1 Included Shore Excursion
Hiking with the Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Moderate
• Please note: Activity level and duration of this activity are approximate. More specific information and logistics are communicated by the Expedition Leader on board. This activity is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests who use a wheelchair. Guests with balance limitations (even slight) are advised to bring along walking poles to assist on slippery and uneven surfaces while hiking. Hikes are offered in various degrees of difficulty and in order to avoid injury, guests are advised to be honest with themselves regarding their abilities when deciding which hikes to participate in. Hike goes through different types of terrains that may be wet, muddy, rocky, sandy, or icy. Hikes take place in different types of weather conditions, and therefore guests must be ready with appropriate clothing and footwear. Bringing a filled Silversea drinking bottle is recommended to stay hydrated during the outing, along with a Silversea backpack for carrying essential items. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Hiking with the Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Extensive
• Please note: Activity level and duration of this activity are approximate. More specific information and logistics are communicated by the Expedition Leader on board. This activity is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests who use a wheelchair. Guests with balance limitations (even slight) are advised to bring along walking poles to assist on slippery and uneven surfaces while hiking. Hikes are offered in various degrees of difficulty and in order to avoid injury, guests are advised to carefully evaluate their abilities when deciding which hikes to participate in. Hikes go through different types of terrains that may be wet, muddy, rocky, sandy, or icy. Hikes take place in different types of weather conditions, and therefore, guests must be ready with appropriate clothing and footwear. Bringing a filled Silversea drinking bottle is recommended to stay hydrated during the outing, along with a Silversea backpack for carrying essential items. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray.

If you’re looking for a perfect incarnation of Polynesia’s unparalleled beauty, you just found it. Discover mesmerizing Tahuata and unveil all its secrets. Part of the Marquesas, this is the tiniest inhabited island of the archipelago, with only 700 inhabitants. This croissant-shaped piece of land was discovered in 1595 by Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendana de Neira and has been a dreamy destination for many travelers since. Indeed, its spectacular and idyllic scenery, made of contrasts between impressive mountains and sandy beaches, would inspire every poet - and not only! How can’t you be impressed, admiring Meae Ufa, a 3,181-foot volcano, and the stunning twin bays Ivaiva Nui and Ivaiva Iti? The island is also nicknamed Monoi Island - thanks to the great quality of its tiaré oil, heritage of traditions, and secrets orally transmitted from generation to generation. Tahuata has a huge reputation across French Polynesia for another savoir-faire, its rich craftsmanship. The craftsmen excel at carving beautiful pieces, spears, puzzles, and dishes they produce on bone or rosewood. These unique creations are exhibited in the craft center of the pretty village of Hapatoni and in the Vaitahu Town Hall Museum. Very close to one another (a 15-minute boat ride or a 30-minute walk), these two tiny villages are absolutely worth a visit with their charming mix of Polynesian and European atmosphere. And don’t forget to have a swim at Hana Moenoa Beach, the island’s most beautiful one. Maybe you’ll come across sea turtles in its crystal-clear waters.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Villages of Hapatoni and Vaitahu

• Activity Level - Moderate
• Enjoy a local welcome at the village of Hapatoni and take part in local art demonstrations and workshops. Take a scenic, approximately 90-minute drive to the village of Vaitahu and visit its small museum.

The largest of the southern islands, Hiva Oa, the master pillar or final post of the “Great House,” - which represents the Marquesan archipelago in the local mythology, has always been the rival of Nuku Hiva. The island is shaped like a seahorse and has a mountain range running southwest to northeast, and the main peaks, Mt. Temetiu and Mt. Feani, form a real wall around Atuona. Atuona, a peaceful little port at the head of the Taaoa Bay, also known as Traitors Bay, has emerged from obscurity due to having had the privilege of being the final resting place of Paul Gauguin and of the singer Jacques Brel. The tombs of these famous personalities are on the side of the Calvary Cemetery, looking out across the bay and are places of great pilgrimage. In the village, the Gauguin Museum displays items related to the painter's stay there at the beginning of the century and has copies of his works.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Sights of Atuona

• Activity Level - Moderate
• Please note: This activity requires a moderate amount of walking. Walking in the village is at the discretion of each guest. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes is recommended. Guests are advised to bring bottled water, a hat, sun protection, and local currency from the ship. Entrance fees to the Gauguin Museum and Espace Brel are included. Please note that all explanations in the museum are in French and not in English.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Home to the original mutineers of the Bounty, Adamstown is today the capital of all four Pitcairn Islands. The islands - the last British Overseas Territory in the Pacific - include the namesake Pitcairn Island itself, plus the uninhabited Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie. Pitcairn is the archipelago’s only inhabited island, with a population of just 50 centered in Adamstown. It is no surprise that the nine mutineers along with six Tahitian men, 12 Tahitian women, and one child stopped on Pitcairn in 1790; with its sloped and varied landscape, lush tropical promise, and equidistant location between Peru and New Zealand, Pitcairn would have seemed an ideal hiding spot for the mutineers to settle. The ship was burnt to avoid detection (the ballast stone remains of the wreck in Bounty Bay). However, the ideal bucolic life that mutineer leader Fletcher Christian had envisaged was not to be. Poor treatment of the Tahitian men led to alcoholism, chaos, and carnage, and by 1800, only John Adams, who had recently discovered Christianity, remained. Adams taught the women and children to read and write from the bible. The capital is named after him. Not only had the island been misplaced on early maps of the region, but it can also be very difficult to come ashore, as large breakers tend to build up just in front of the small harbor of Bounty Bay. The local museum houses the HMS Bounty Bible, the same bible that Adams taught the women and children to read and write from in the early 19th century.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Expedition Activities with Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Moderate

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Easter Island, the easternmost settled island of Polynesia, received its European name in 1722 when the island was spotted by a Dutch expedition under Roggeveen on Easter Sunday. The triangular-shaped island of 163 square kilometers is famous for the hundreds of statues known locally as moai. Rolling hills covered in grasslands, eucalyptus forests, and a rocky shore surround Hangaroa, the island's only village on the southwestern coast. This is where Captain Cook landed in 1774, where missionaries built the first church, and where ships find the best protection from winds and swells. Small beaches and transparent waters invite swimmers and snorkelers, but it is the cultural aspect that attracts visitors. Since 1935, the island has been a National Historic Monument, and today, 43.5% of the island is a national park administered by the Chilean National Forest Corporation and Mau Henua, a local community group. The island's national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Found slightly more than 3,500 kilometers west of Chile, the island was annexed in 1888. Used as a sheep ranch for many decades, the island was opened in 1965, and an airstrip was built. The U.S. Air Force set up a base to monitor the behavior of the Earth's outer atmosphere, and by 1987, NASA had the runway extended as an emergency runway for the space shuttle. This never happened, but tourism benefited from this improvement, and today the island receives more than 100,000 visitors a year.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Exploring Rapa Nui

• Activity Level - Extensive
• Please note: A moderate amount of walking for approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) over unpaved and uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and Anakena and Rano Raraku, making this excursion not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Local infrastructure is basic, and local road conditions are unpredictable and may be challenging:  Driving over bumpy and uneven natural surfaces and inclines can be uncomfortable for guests with back and neck issues. Coaches, guides, equipment, and services are the best available on the island but may not match the standards of other excursions; flexibility and understanding are appreciated when visiting these unique and remote destinations.. Due to the limited number of vehicles, every seat on the tour vehicle is utilized. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection is recommended. The order of sites visited may vary from the description.

3 Included Shore Excursions
Hike to Rano Kau visiting Orongo

• Activity Level - Extensive
• Please note: A moderate to strenuous amount of walking for 3.5 km (2.2 miles) and ascends 249 meters over muddy and uneven, steep terrain. This tour is not recommended for guests without hiking/trekking experience, nor those with limited mobility. Local infrastructure is basic, and local road conditions are unpredictable and may be challenging:  Driving over bumpy and uneven natural surfaces and inclines can be uncomfortable for guests with back and neck issues. Coaches, guides, equipment, and services are the best available on the island but may not match the standards of other excursions; flexibility and understanding are appreciated when visiting these unique and remote destinations. Due to the limited number of vehicles, every seat on the tour vehicle is utilized. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection is recommended. There is no shade, so guests are advised to bring additional drinking water as it gets hot.

Terevaka Hiking

• Activity Level - Physically Fit
• Please note: This excursion is for experienced hikers only, and guests must be in excellent physical condition to participate on this tour that includes extensive walking for 10km (6 miles) with a steep climb and three hours of activity. Local infrastructure is basic, and local road conditions are unpredictable and may be challenging:  Driving over bumpy and uneven natural surfaces and inclines can be uncomfortable for guests with back and neck issues. Coaches, guides, equipment, and services are the best available on the island but may not match the standards of other excursions; flexibility and understanding are appreciated when visiting these unique and remote destinations.. Due to the limited number of vehicles, every seat on the tour vehicle is utilized. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection is recommended. There is no shade, so guests are advised to bring additional drinking water as it gets hot.

Village of Orongo & Ahu Akivi

• Activity Level - Moderate
• Please note: A moderate amount of walking for approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and to access Orongo, which makes this excursion not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Local infrastructure is basic, and local road conditions are unpredictable and may be challenging:  Driving over bumpy and uneven natural surfaces and inclines can be uncomfortable for guests with back and neck issues. Coaches, guides, equipment, and services are the best available on the island but may not match the standards of other excursions; flexibility and understanding are appreciated when visiting these unique and remote destinations.. Due to the limited number of vehicles, every seat on the tour vehicle is utilized. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection is recommended. Order of sites visited may vary from the description.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Think of Daniel Defoe’s classic novel Robinson Crusoe, and you are picturing an intrepid castaway, marooned on a paradisiacal island. That image might be ideal for movie lovers, but the actual inspiration for Robinson Crusoe was a salty Scottish seadog who went by the name of Alexander Selkirk. Selkirk was marooned in Chile’s Juan Fernandez archipelago for four years and four months, rescued by a British private warship. Despite Selkirk’s slightly checkered past, he was greeted as a celebrity upon his return to England. His adventures were given a gloss and immortalized in the much-loved 18th-century classic. Alejandro Selkirk Island is located 165 kilometers west of the other islands in the archipelago, with a surface area of just under 50 meters squared. The island was renamed from its Spanish name, Isla Más Afuera in 1966 by the Chilean government in homage to the sailor. The topography is very different from the Caribbean dream that Defoe writes about, think dense woodland, rugged coast, and peaks, shrouded (more often than not) in cloud. Sandy beaches can be found to the north of the island. Throughout much of its history, the island has been uninhabited, although there is a former penal settlement on the middle of the east coast, which operated from 1909 to 1930. During the summer months, Selkirk welcomes a small community of lobster fishermen and their families who come from Robinson Crusoe. As part of the Chilean National Park, it also holds the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve title.

1 Included Shore Excursion
Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Moderate
• Please note: Activity level and duration of this activity are approximate. More specific information and logistics are communicated by the Expedition Leader on board. This activity is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, back/neck/hip problems, those who are pregnant or guests who use a wheelchair. Although no walking is required, guests must be able to manoeuvre in and out of the Zodiac. Participants must be a minimum of 6 years of age. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Lifejackets are provided. Child lifejackets are available. Guests must be able to speak conversational English in order to understand safety instructions. Dress according to the climate, and please ensure you wear shoes that are either waterproof or that may get wet, such as Tevas, Wet Shoes (no flip-flops or similar). You may be splashed. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray. Please also ensure that you apply ample sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburn.

Robinson Crusoe Island is located 600 kilometers off the coast of Chile. The island is a rugged volcanic speck where 70 percent of its plant species are endemic, and is the largest of the Juan Fernandez Islands, a small archipelago that since 1935 has been a Chilean National Park, which in 1977 was declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. This island has witnessed and played an important role in Chilean and world history. In 1704, the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned on the island and stayed for more than 4 years, eventually inspiring Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe - hence the name of the island. 1750, the village of San Juan Bautista was founded at Cumberland Bay, and by 177,9, there were already 7 small fortresses bristling with guns. The island’s isolation offered Spain a splendid place for setting up a penal colony, to which high-ranking Chilean patriots were deported in the early 19th century. In 1915, during the First World War, three British ships and a German one, the Dresden, engaged in a sea battle which ended with the scuttling of the German cruiser. Today, there are currently around one thousand people living in the archipelago, most of them in the village of San Juan Bautista, engaged in fishing for the spiny lobster, a delicacy exported to the mainland.

2 Included Shore Excursions
Welcome to Robinson Crusoe

• Activity Level - Minimal
• Please note: There is moderate walking on this tour that requires walking on uneven surfaces, making this tour not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Local infrastructure is basic, and local road conditions are unpredictable and may be challenging. Guides, equipment, and services represent the best available on the island, though they may differ from the standards of other excursions; flexibility and understanding are encouraged when exploring these unique and remote destinations. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection is recommended.

Hiking with the Silversea Expedition team

• Activity Level - Extensive
• Please note: Activity level and duration of this activity are approximate. More specific information and logistics are communicated by the Expedition Leader on board. This activity is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests who use a wheelchair. Guests with balance limitations (even slight) are advised to bring along walking poles to assist on slippery and uneven surfaces while hiking. Hikes are offered in various degrees of difficulty, and in order to avoid injury, guests are advised to carefully evaluate their abilities when deciding which hikes to participate in. Hikes go through different types of terrains that may be wet, muddy, rocky, sandy, or icy. Hikes take place in different types of weather condition,s and therefore guests must be ready with appropriate clothing and footwear. Bringing a filled Silversea drinking bottle is recommended to stay hydrated during the outing, along with a Silversea backpack for carrying essential items. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray. 

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Since time immemorial, Valparaiso has inspired writers, poets, musicians, and artists alike. If the city is still a little rough around the edges, this only adds to its bohemian ambience; the architecture, style, street art, nightlife, and live music scenes of Valparaiso are some of the best in the world. Add colorful clifftop homes to the mix, and you'll soon see why Valparaiso is many people's favorite Chilean city. The city was founded in 1536 by Spanish conquistador Juan de Saavedra, who named the city after his birthplace. Many of the colonial buildings he implemented are still standing today, despite the rain, wind, fire, and several earthquakes (one of which almost leveled the city in 1906). Quirky architecture also abounds; poetry lovers and amateur architects no doubt want to make the 45 km trip south to Chilean poet laureate (and Nobel Prize winner) Pablo Neruda’s ship-shaped house and museum for a taste of the extraordinary. The city and region are also extremely well known for their love of good food and wine. The vineyards of the nearby Casablanca Valley - first planted in the early 1980s - have earned worldwide recognition in a relatively short space of time. However, Chile’s viticulture history dates back much farther than that. De Saavedra brought grape vines on his voyage to South America in order to make his own wine, and this led to a new grape brandy being created, Pisco. Today, give any Chilean a Pisco and wherever they are in the world, they are home.