Have questions? We're here.
Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific

Pitcairn & Gambier - in the Footsteps of the Bounty Mutineers

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Aranui 5
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal South Pacific trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
This unique South Pacific cruise travels south to Pitcairn Island, passing through the Gambier Islands. The Aranui 5 follows in the footsteps of the famed Bounty Mutineers, taking you to the region's most stunning and pristine islands via three Polynesian archipelagos. Visit a portion of Britain's smallest territory, which is home to only 50 people - descendants of Pitcairn's first European inhabitants, the HMS Bounty mutineers, and their accompanying band of Polynesians. Explore the island, interact with local families, and acquire a unique perspective on Pitcairn's culture and history.
Idyllic South PacificEnjoy a tropical escapeSnorkel the vibrant reef system in the pristine atollsWelcome to Tahiti!Sail the crystal waters of the South Pacific reef systemColorful coral reef and fishPitcairn Island in the South Pacific
Highlights
  • Visit the cradle of Catholicism in Polynesia
  • Learn about an earlier Polynesian civilization
  • Visit the grave of the last surviving mutineer John Adams
  • Explore archaeological sites on an island circle tour
Places Visited
  • South Pacific
  • Tahiti
  • Adamstown
  • French Polynesia
  • Gambier Islands
  • Oceania
  • Papeete
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Polynesia
  • Society Islands
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.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Papeete, Tahiti | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Depart this morning from Papeete, Tahiti for an exciting and memorable adventure!

Day 2: Anaa, Tuamotu

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A small atoll with less than 500 inhabitants, Anaa wrote its way into the history books as the birthplace of Tahiti’s royal family — the Pomare Dynasty. These days it’s best known for its luminous jade lagoon with green clouds above from the sun rays reflecting off the water and picturesque motus with no less than eleven little islands scattered around the atoll. Most of the population is involved in copra or fishing, leading to the island’s landmark sustainable fishing program. Guests can explore the village of Tukuhora and try traditional javelin throwing and handicrafts. Look out for ‘feo’, giant fossilized blocks of coral which are characteristic of the atoll. The shallow clear lagoon is ideal for fly fishing, an optional activity offered in Anaa.

Day 3: Amanu, Tuamotu

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located 900km east of Tahiti, Amanu is an idyllic atoll with palm-fringed crystal-clear lagoons and a charming island village. During a visit to Ikitake, guests can see local handicrafts and explore the village’s old lighthouse, church and the 19th century building with walls made of coral stones that doubles as the town hall and a shelter during cyclones. Under a century-old tree known as “tau”, a buffet of local specialties will be served and a group of local singers and musicians will perform.

Day 4: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take advantage of this day at sea to relax by the boat’s pool, to participate in one of the conferences or activities organized by the guides.

Day 5: Mangareva, Gambier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Mangareva is the largest island in the Gambier and its main village, Rikitea, is the chief town of the archipelago. The island has a large lagoon with striking blue and green hues and is also famous for its Tahitian black pearls, which are cultivated in the pristine waters around the island. Once the cradle of Catholicism in Polynesia, a visit to the renovated St Michael’s Catholic Church, where the altar is inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl shell, is a must.

Day 6-7: Pitcairn, Pitcairn Islands

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
More than 200 years after the Bounty arrived, Aranui 5 will call at Pitcairn. The tale of the mutiny of His Majesty’s Armed Vessel Bounty is one of the best known in history. After the master’s Mate Fletcher Christian cast adrift Commander Lieutenant William Bligh in the ship’s boat, the mutineers sailed the Bounty back to Tahiti then onwards to the Austral Islands, eventually seeking refuge on an uninhabited island, secure from the outside world. Pitcairn. As part of their crew, they took with them six Polynesian men and twelve women, the beginnings of the current Pitcairn community. Upon their arrival on January 17, 1790, the crew found Pitcairn to be an inaccessible and uninhabited place with fertile and warm conditions. After removing their possessions and lugging everything up the aptly named Hill Of Difficulty, the Bounty was run ashore and set alight so that no trace of her would remain visible from the sea. A village was established on the lower plateau, situated above Bounty Bay, where the village of Adamstown still stands. Although he lived in this isolated sanctuary only a few years, Fletcher Christian is fondly remembered as the founder and first leader of modern-day Pitcairn.

Home to just 50 people, Pitcairn is one of the most isolated islands in the world. During the visit, guests can immerse themselves in the living history and culture of the island, walking in the footsteps of the Bounty settlers from the landing at Bounty Bay to Adamstown; meeting the descendants of the mutineers at the curio market; visiting the grave of the last surviving mutineer John Adams; learning about an earlier Polynesian civilisation and viewing artefacts from the Bounty at the Museum.

Day 8: Aukena, Gambier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Aukena is home to pristine lagoons perfect for black pearl farming, idyllic beaches and the first church constructed out of stone in all of French Polynesia – Saint-Raphaël Church was built in 1839. Guests can visit a pearl farm, do some sightseeing and enjoy a barbeque on a white sand beach.

Day 9: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take advantage of this day at sea to relax by the boat’s pool, to participate in one of the conferences or activities organized by the guides.

Day 10: Hikueru, Tuamotu

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located in the Central Tuamotu Archipelago, Hikueru was once a large natural pearl oyster reserve. A cyclone in 1903 caused considerable damage to the atoll, which Jack London described in great detail in his South Sea Tales. The first pearl farm to produce high quality Tahitian pearls was established here in the 1960s. Today, the population relies on the production of copra. Following a tasting of local fruits, guests will visit the village and a church built of coral, including an explanation of the island’s legends by its inhabitants. A beach barbecue will be served for lunch with time to swim and snorkel.

Day 11: Papeete, Tahiti | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark at Papeete, Tahiti for your continued journey home.

Ship/Hotel

Aranui 5

The Aranui 5
Aranui 5 Reception
Aranui 5 Veranda Bar

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,237
Select a Date
Single Stateroom
100 sq. ft. (9 sq.m) of interior space with a porthole, a single bed, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer.
Select a Date
Class C
Approx. 135 sq. ft. and 285 sq. ft. Dormitory style accommodations, with two lower and two upper berths or four lower and four upper berths, porthole, one or two private bathroom with shower, wardrobe, sitting area.
Regular Stateroom aboard the Aranui 5
Select a Date
Double Stateroom
Approx. 120 sq. ft. Exterior cabin with one double bed or two twin beds, one bathroom with a shower, desk, one flat screen TV, and safe.
Select a Date
Double Stateroom - Obstructed
120 sq. ft. (11 sq.m) of interior space and a picture window with an obstructed view, this exterior cabin offers either, a king size or two single beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer.
Select a Date
Deluxe
Approx. 140 sq. ft. + 45 sq. ft. balcony. Exterior cabin with one double bed or two twin beds, one bathroom with a shower, make up table, desk, wardrobe, one flat screen TV, safe, under counter refrigerator, hair dryer.
Select a Date
Superior Deluxe
Approx. 160 sq. ft. + 45 sq. ft. balcony. Exterior cabin with one double bed or two twin beds, one bathroom with a shower, make up table, desk, wardrobe, one flat screen TV, safe, under counter refrigerator, hair dryer.
Junior Suite aboard the Aranui 5
Select a Date
Junior Suite
Approx. 200 sq. ft. Exterior cabin with a double bed or two twin beds, two windows that cannot be opened, one bathroom with a shower, make up table, desk, wardrobe, one flat screen TV, sofa bed, safe, under counter refrigerator, hair dryer.
Select a Date
Premium Suite
Approx. 200 sq. ft. + 45 sq. ft. balcony. Exterior cabin with double bed or two twin beds, semi private day room with decorative screen and sofa bed, one bathroom with a shower, make up table, desk, wardrobe, flat screen TV, safe, under counter refrigerator, hair dryer.
Select a Date
Royal Suite
Approx. 240 sq. ft + 100 sq. ft. balcony. Exterior cabin with a double bed or two twin beds, living room with sofa bed, semi-private bedroom with decorative screen, wardrobe, one bathroom with a shower, make up table, one flat screen TV, safe, under counter refrigerator, hair dryer.
Select a Date
Royal Suite - Obstructed
240 sq. ft. (22 sq.m) of interior space and a 100 sq. ft. (9 sq.m) private corner balcony, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king size bed or twin beds and a sitting room with a sofa bed, divided by a decorative filigree screen, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. In this category, the view of the windows is obstructed.
Select a Date
Presidential Suite
Approx. 440 sq. ft + 130 sq. ft. balcony. Exterior cabin with a double bed or two twin beds, living room with sofa bed, mini bar, walk-in closet, two bathrooms with a shower, make up table, desk, two flat screen TV, safe, under counter refrigerator, hair dryer.

Notes

- Fares for children traveling with parents is 50% of base fare
- Single Supplement: Not available in Single Stateroom and Class “C” Dorm
- Cruise fare does not include tourism, cruise, or port taxes, which vary by cabin type
- Triple/Quadruple occupancy - third & fourth adult sharing cabin less 25% from full tariff (Quad available in regular stateroom only)
- No one under 15 years old will be accepted in the Class “C”
- Children (14 years old and under) will be limited to no more than 15 per sailing
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Cruise transportation and related taxes (tourist tax, port tax, TDC)
  • A bottle of wine to share among 4 passengers for scheduled onboard meals
  • Lunches in local restaurants
  • Lecturers onsite and onboard
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf

South Pacific Travel Guide

Favorite South Pacific All Trips

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By