Easter & Pitcairn Islands: Marooned, Moai & Mutineers

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and the largest city on the island of Tahiti, with a population of over 136,000. French is the primary language, followed by Tahitian. As the region’s commercial center, Papeete includes markets, parks, shops, and a waterfront promenade with food vendors and live music. Local goods such as fish, sarongs, vanilla, and pearls are commonly sold. The name "Papeete" means "water basket," referring to its past as a freshwater source. Museums and cultural centers explore Polynesian culture and local history, including the HMS Bounty mutiny and French nuclear testing. Most residents live along the coast, while the island’s interior is mountainous with waterfalls, caves, and dense vegetation.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS AVAILABLE

Anaa is a small atoll in the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia. It has a lagoon and coral reef that support a variety of marine life. The waters inside the atoll are calm and suitable for swimming. The main settlement, Tuuhora, has a population of approximately 350 people. The local economy is primarily based on copra production. Recent efforts have focused on developing sustainable tourism to support marine conservation and provide additional employment for residents.

INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS:
-​Visit to the village of Tuuhora.
-Music and dance performance, and then time to explore and walk around.
-​Snorkeling

Toau is a medium-sized atoll in the Tuamotu Group of French Polynesia, with a large lagoon that is nearly 22 miles in length. Like all of the atolls in the Tuamotus, this was once a volcanic island, which over time formed its own fringing reef. Many, many years later, the central volcanic island sank below the waters of the sea and the fringing reef is all that remains, forming an atoll with a large lagoon. ​Although the main village on Toau is abandoned, there are several people who have come over from Fakaraka to make a living on the atoll, both in simple pearl farming and in growing coconuts for the copra industry. ​The lagoon is healthy, with thriving fish populations around its coral bommies and in the passages into and out of the lagoon.

The 77 Tuamotus, (the name means “Distant Islands” in Polynesian) comprise the largest chain of coral atolls on earth. They sprawl across the vast blue South Pacific Ocean encompassing an area the size of Western Europe. Atolls are literally the skeletal remains of coral reefs, forming rings of crushed coral sand surrounding a shallow central lagoon. The natural flora and fauna of the Oceanic realm is adapted to this environment, and Fakarava’s large lagoon is designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The people of Fakarava farm coconuts for copra on shore and pearls in the lagoons. They also host the travelers who flock here to bask on the beaches and snorkel or dive in the luxuriant coral gardens along the shore. At the long spit of Les Sables Roses, the pink blush of the sand reveals its coral origin. The sleepy towns of Rotoava and Tetamanu offer scant attractions for visitors, except for their distinctive rock lighthouses shaped like stepped pyramids. Tetamanu does boast a 19th Century church built of coral rock by missionaries, and an adjoining cemetery with coral rock headstones. Aside from snorkeling or beach-basking, some visitors enjoy a visit to a lagoon pearl farm, to see how the large, flat bivalves are coaxed into creating the treasured gems formed by the lustrous nacre inside their shells.

Relax and spend the days at sea.

This captivating destination holds a special place in history as the final home of the mutineers from the HMS Bounty in 1790. Immerse yourself in the intriguing tales of their journey as you explore the island's rich cultural heritage. A truly remote island with rugged steep cliffs, the island is only 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. The population of the island is only around 50 people, descended from the mutineers and Tahitians. A unique location with a remarkable history, this destination is one not easily reached, or easily forgotten.

Henderson Island is unique in the Pitcairn Island group because it is an elevated coral atoll. With high vertical sides and a flat plateau on top, Henderson can support a lush forest of trees. This tree cover makes it perfect habitat for several species of endemic fauna, such as the Henderson crake, the Henderson fruit dove, the Henderson reed warbler, and the Henderson lorikeet.​There are also numerous coconut crabs to be found under the leaf litter of the coconut palms. The world's largest crustacean, these giants can weigh up to 9lbs. and it's estimated that they can live up to 60 years of age. In addition, Henderson has a lovely coral reef fringing its boundaries and offers incredible views of birds soaring overhead, from the deck of the ship.

INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS:
-​Zodiac Cruise
-Snorkeling
-​Landing Ashore (if conditions permit)

This uninhabited atoll is a hidden gem in the South Pacific Ocean. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life, Ducie Island offers an unparalleled paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Due to its remote location and lack of predators, it boasts a population of nesting seabirds, which lay their eggs right onto the branches of the low shrubs ashore. Snorkel the nearly intact coral reef surrounding the island. If conditions permit, make a landing at this remote destination to look for tropicbirds, white terns, frigatebirds, noddies, and boobies.​

INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS:
​-Zodiac Cruise
-Snorkeling​
-Landing Ashore (only if conditions permit)

Relax and spend the days at sea.

Located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is a remote Polynesian paradise that offers a truly unique and awe-inspiring experience. Famous for its enigmatic Moai statues, this Chilean territory boasts a rich history and cultural significance. Explore the mysterious archaeological sites, marvel at the colossal stone sculptures, and delve into the stories and legends that surround this extraordinary destination.

Relax and spend the days at sea.

The Juan Fernandez (Robinson Crusoe) archipelago is a Chilean island group consisting of 3 main islands (Selkirk, Santa Clara, and Juan Fernandez/Robinson Crusoe, as well as several smaller islets. Juan Fernandez/Robinson Crusoe Island is the only island to have permanent residents. The primary focus of this experience is the main island and the small village of San Juan Bautista. Expedition experiences there include guided walks through the township, including the natural history center, to learn about the archipelago's unique ecosystems. Other walks/hikes venture into the hilly and lush forests to search for the endemic hummingbirds. Climb aboard one of Seabourn's submarines to dive upon the German warship Dresden which was sunk by British forces in 1915 while seeking repairs in the harbor. This experience also focus on wilderness exploration and the fauna-rich marine environment thriving in the area. The expedition team chooses the island based upon winds and sea state at the time, seeking ideal conditions for Zodiac cruises, kayaking, and submarine experiences to see, among other things, the large, gregarious rookeries of endemic Juan Fernandez fur seals.

Relax and spend the day at sea.

This large, modern port serves Chile’s capital, Santiago, a city with Spanish colonial charm and a vivacious spirit. Encircled by the Andes and the Coastal Range, Santiago is centered around the Plaza de Armas, with several of the city’s landmarks: the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral the Palacio de la Real Audencia from 1808, the City Hall and the National Museum of History. North of San Antonio lie the picturesque old port and university town of Valparaíso and the colorful seaside resort of Viña del Mar. In between the coast and the capital are valleys filled with some of Chile’s most famous wineries, all inviting you to come and taste.