Day 1 Papeete, Tahiti | Embark
Embark the Panorama II in Papeete Port between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm. After a welcome briefing and safety drill set sail for Bora Bora. Overnight at sea
Day 2 Bora Bora
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early morning arrival in Bora Bora, possibly the most photographed place on earth. Sail into Bora Bora lagoon with Mount Otemanu rising proudly at the center. Over the following two days, have a variety of optional activities to choose from, such as:
a) A Bora Bora Cultural Tour by 4x4;
b) An excursion to snorkel with stingrays and sharks;
c) An open-air Lagoon Aquarium experience;
d) The Bora Bora tour by "Le Truck" and more.
Overnight at anchor.
Day 3 Bora Bora | Taha'a
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Continue your Bora Bora activities. After lunch, cruise the Bora Bora lagoon and sail to nearby Taha'a, a true botanical paradise. The fertile island is covered with banana, watermelon and coconut groves. The island also acts as a vast natural greenhouse for the treasured Tahitian vanilla orchid. Your optional half-day excursion will allow you to explore the beautiful interior of the island by 4x4 vehicles. Taste the local fruit and admire breathtaking views of the magnificent turquoise waters of Ha'amene Bay. This excursion also includes a visit to a pearl farm and a traditional vanilla plantation. In the afternoon, have plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling from a “motu”, or atoll. Overnight at ancho
Day 4 Raiatea
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail across the lagoon to reach nearby Raiatea, which translates to “faraway heaven” and “sky with soft light”. Originally known as Havai’i, Raiatea is considered the homeland of the ancient Polynesians. Your optional excursion starts with an exploration by kayak of the Faaroa River, French Polynesia's only navigable river, with an expert guide leading the way through Raiatea's verdant interior. Then, visit the ancient marae (temple) at Taputapuatea, a recent UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, learn about its Polynesian origins and historical relevance, before sitting down to a locally inspired picnic lunch. Overnight in the lagoon.
Day 5 Raiatea | Huahine
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Morning sailing to Huahine. Once home to Tahitian royalty, Huahine is considered the cradle of Polynesian culture. The two islands maintain the largest concentration of ancient marae (temples) in French Polynesia, some of which are believed to date back to around 700 AD. Huahine is a colossal tropical jungle burgeoning with coconut plantations, vanilla orchids, banana groves, breadfruit trees, and watermelon fields. Our optional half-day tour takes us by 4x4 vehicles around the island to visit the small villages of Fare and Maeva, an archaeological site, and a vanilla plantation. There will also be an opportunity to see and feed the sacred blue-eyed eels of Faie Bay. An optional full-day excursion is also available, including a land tour via a 4x4 vehicle, a boat excursion to a pearl farm, and a picnic. Overnight at sea to Tetiaroa.
Day 6 Makatea
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The island of Makatea is like no other found in French Polynesia. It is not a coral atoll but rather a raised island of coral. The limestone cliffs tower over the coast and the island’s interior shows significant vegetation, complete with a few species of endemic birds and a peculiar expanse of limestone holes. Today, this sleepy but spectacular island is home to three species of threatened endemic birds: the beautiful Makatea fruit dove, the impressive imperial pigeon, and the comely appearing singer extraordinaire, the reed warbler. Your half-day optional tour will take you across this unique island to a magnificent beach with rock pools to explore before you visit an incredible grotto. Swimming deeper inside the grotto, this underwater cave system will slowly open out to reveal a spectacular watery cathedral, full of weird and wonderful stalagmites and stalactites. Late afternoon departure to Rangiroa. Overnight at sea.
Day 7-8 Rangiroa
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Morning arrival in Rangiroa, the largest atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago and one of the largest in the world. One of the best destinations for scuba diving, Rangiroa is composed of 240 islets, more than 110 miles, encompassing a deep lagoon. A full-day optional excursion will take you to the Blue Lagoon, a natural pool formed by islets and reefs within the central lagoon. At only 16 feet deep, the Blue Lagoon is an ideal location for swimming, snorkeling, and observing the vast assortment of marine life. Enjoy a traditional Polynesian picnic before returning to the ship. Overnight at anchor.
The next morning enjoy a Rangiroa Black Pearl Farm tour. Transfer by bus to the Black Pearl Farm. Learn about the chronology and evolution of the industry, how oysters are selected, grown and then grafted for production, as grafting is the key element it requires a skilled craftsman to perform precise surgery on each oyster. The real highlight of the excursion is the opportunity to view a selection of unset black pearls that are also available for purchase. In the afternoon you will have the chance to get acquainted with the coral gardens and tropical fish of Rangiroa during a scenic glass-bottom boat tour to float over the huge coral heads that cluster in shallow areas inside the Tiputa Channel and see a colorful world full of parrot fish, butterfly fish, and surgeon fish, black-tipped sharks, and the majestic Napoleon fish through the large windows. During the tour, your boat crew will attract the fish directly under the glass panels to make it easy for you to observe and photograph them. Overnight at anchor.
Day 9 Rangiroa | Tikehau
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early morning sailing and arrival at Tikehau, also called the Pink Sand Island. This small atoll consists of countless tiny white and pink sand islets engulfed in coconut groves and hidden alcoves. In Tikehau, which actually means "peaceful landing," you will find nothing but absolute serenity on her calm and graceful shores. The lagoon, formed by an almost unbroken ring of continuous coral, resembles an immense natural swimming pool. This underwater aquarium is teeming with marine life. According to the legendary marine researcher Jacques Cousteau, it has a higher concentration of fish than any other lagoon in French Polynesia. The optional walking tour will take you to one of the family-owned fish farm where they trap different species of fish in a maze of underwater fencing. Much of their catch is then shipped to Papeete and sold at the local markets. Visit Tuherahera at the southern side where most locals live, leaving the remainder of the atoll virtually untouched. In fact, the northeastern quarter is mostly uninhabited. Naturally adorned with colorful flowers such as hibiscus and bougainvillea, Tuherahera is one of the most attractive villages in the Tuamotu Atolls. Afternoon sailing to Tetiaroa.
Day 10 Tetiaroa | Mo'rea
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A haven for birds, sea turtles and all kinds of marine life, Tetiaroa is treasured among Tahitians who know it as a sacred place. So sacred, that at one time the coconut-dotted white sand beaches and crystalline lagoon of this uninhabited atoll was an exclusive getaway for Tahitian royalty. It’s not surprising that actor Marlon Brando fell under its spell during the filming of “Mutiny on the Bounty” in 1960 and later went on to become its owner. Under his direction a luxury eco-resort was designed and it operates in 100 % sustainable manner. Spend the morning in this charming island, exploring the lagoon and snorkeling in its crystal clear waters. Enjoy an optional guided walking tour to the islet of Tahuna Iti, the Birds’ Island. The islet shelters one of the largest colony of birds in Tahiti and is a national reserve
for seabirds, frigates, sterns, phaetons (straw tails), brown gannets and other petrels. Afternoon sailing and evening arrival at Mo'orea.
Day 11 Mo'orea
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At mid-day, reach Mo'orea, believed to be the inspiration for the mythical Bali Hai from James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific. Eight gargantuan mountain peaks rise from its magnificent lagoon, creating a distinctive silhouette visible from the western coast of Tahiti. Pick from 2 optional excursions, a snorkeling and ray feeding tour or the 3 Coconuts Hiking tour. Tonight, enjoy your Farewell Dinner. Overnight at anchor.
Day 12 Papeete, Tahiti | Disembark
Early morning sailing to Tahiti. Morning arrival in Papeete. Disembarkation 9 am to 10 am.