Experience the ultimate South Pacific adventure on a 15-day luxury cruise through French Polynesia aboard M/S Paul Gauguin. Start in Tahiti to explore its vibrant markets and local food stalls. Sail to Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to see its unspoiled nature. In the Marquesas, visit Fatu Hiva’s cliffs, Hiva Oa’s ancient sites, and Nuku Hiva’s waterfalls. See Tahuata’s hand-carved tikis and Atuona, where Paul Gauguin lived. Cruise through the Tuamotus, stopping at Rangiroa’s vineyard and Huahine’s rich Polynesian history. Visit Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private islet, before experiencing Bora Bora’s iconic Mount Otemanu and Moorea’s lush peaks. End your trip in Tahiti with true Polynesian hospitality. This voyage blends cultural discovery, adventure, and relaxation.
Highlights
Explore the Marquesas, from Fatu Hiva’s cliffs to Hiva Oa’s ancient sites
Visit Tahuata for hand-carved tikis and Atuona, Gauguin’s artistic retreat
Lounge on Motu Mahana, a private tropical paradise
Experience Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoon and Moorea’s lush peaks
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Begin your South Pacific journey in Tahiti, the largest of French Polynesia's 118 islands. Papeete, its capital city, offers a lively start with a bustling market and tempting local food trucks. As the Gauguin ship awaits in the harbor, the excitement of exploration fills the air.
Discover the untouched beauty of Fakarava, a paradise rich in biodiversity and history. Explore rare wildlife in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, alongside charming villages, ancient temples, and stunning coral churches.
Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? Your onboard hosts are ready to share their Polynesian culture with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages. The day is yours to make what you will of it. Perhaps take in a lecture by one of the special guests or take part in cooking lessons with the executive chef. Or maybe unwind poolside or treat yourself to a visit to the Algotherm Spa, or why not both? A day at sea offers ample time to relax and plan your next adventure.
The southernmost island in the Marquesas, Fatu Hiva, is wild, remote, and spectacularly beautiful. Don’t forget your camera and be treated to jungle greenery that begins right at the water’s edge, sheer cliffs, and deep, indigo waters. With only 500 residents and only one road, this island is almost completely yours.
Grandiose, striking, and powerful, the Marquesas are more rugged than their Polynesian sisters. The archipelago’s charm lies in its extraordinary wild beauty: waterfalls flowing down vertiginous peaks, jagged cliffs sinking into the indigo sea, and lush vegetation. On the island of Fatu Hiva, discover the famous Hanavave Bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Make the most of your free time to stroll among the houses and gardens of the village. Its inhabitants, specializing in the manufacture of tapa (bark cloth), welcomes you with ukulele music and traditional songs. Have the pleasure of tasting the soft and juicy citrus fruits that grow on the island.
Take an excursion to explore the deep valleys, rugged peaks, and dense velvet rainforests of Hiva Oa, which offer up ancient, massive stone tiki carvings and petroglyphs. Or visit Paul Gauguin's grave on the way into the village of Atuona, where you can see Belgian singer Jacques Brel's plane, Jojo, and learn about why these famous artists fell in love with this particular island.
The leaf-shaped volcanic island of Tahuata may be small, at only 19 square miles, but it’s full of surprises—in fact, its name means “sunrise” in Marquesan. With only 600 residents, you can immediately feel welcomed by the friendly locals as you make your way along an ancient royal walkway into the quaint village of Hapatoni. If you're looking to take home a hand-carved tiki from the South Pacific, this is where you can find the perfect treasure.
Water or land? When you arrive in Taiohae, choices abound. Hike with a guide to discover massive banyan trees and hidden valleys, or embark on an optional 4x4 excursion through the Taipivai Valley.
Have you met Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines yet? Your onboard hosts are ready to share their Polynesian culture with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages. The day is yours to make what you will of it. Perhaps take in a lecture by one of the special guests or take part in cooking lessons with the executive chef. Or maybe unwind poolside or treat yourself to a visit to the Algotherm Spa.
Life is beautifully simple in Rangiroa, the largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local culture. Tour a local black pearl farm, wander the village of Avatoru, or visit Dominique Auroy Winery, which produces French Polynesia’s only wine label.
Don’t be fooled by the vibe of this laid-back, secluded island. Many treasures are hidden among the lush rainforest and dramatic terrain. With a bit of exploration, uncover some of the best-preserved archeological sites in French Polynesia. Underwater treasures await as well, with a snorkel excursion in the lagoon.
Shore excursions await, but so does Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ own private islet. Choose from swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or simply lounging on the beach with a cold drink from the floating bar. Les Gauguines are also on hand to share musical entertainment and Polynesian crafts.
Explore lush peaks, wander white-sand beaches, and marvel at the iconic views of Mount Otemanu. Take the plunge with a SCUBA excursion to see the island’s colorful coral reefs, enjoy a sunset jetboat ride, or spend a lazy afternoon on Paul Gauguin's private beach. Like a priceless Paul Gauguin painting come to life, the storied Bora Bora is colorful and unforgettable. The landscape alone has you searching for adequate adjectives, especially once you see the lagoon—“turquoise” just doesn’t do it justice.
*Subject to availability as conditions allow. When unable to call there, we will be offering a tender to the pier and a free shuttle to Matira Beach, the island’s award-winning public beach that features restaurants, public facilities and shopping. Voted #1 in the best things to do in Bora Bora by U.S. News & World Report, Matira Beach boasts powdery white sand, waters in a thousand shades of blue, and is wonderfully uncrowded.
Step into a vibrant, colorful world in bright and beautiful Moorea, which welcomes you with azure lagoons, impossibly fresh tropical fruits, stunning mountain peaks, and palm-fringed beaches. Commune with nature on an optional dolphin-watching excursion with an expert marine biologist. Afterwards, spend some time getting to know the local residents while shopping for handmade crafts.
Day 15: Disembark in Papeete, Tahiti
1 Breakfast
The largest of French Polynesia's 118 islands, Tahiti and its capital city of Papeete are the perfect place to begin (and/or end) your South Pacific sojourn. The Gauguin waits patiently in the harbor, a vibrant and bustling market across the street, and in the evenings, roulottes (food trucks) line the nearby square, offering tasty local fare.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,7602-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Porthole Stateroom (F)
14 staterooms, 200 sq feet, two portholes
Window Stateroom (E)
37 staterooms, 200 sq feet, picture window. Wheelchair-accessible staterooms. Some have a loveseat convertible for third guest accommodations.
Balcony Stateroom (D)
26 staterooms, 202 sq feet with 37 sq feet veranda. Some have a loveseat convertible for third guest accommodations.
Balcony Stateroom (C)
63 staterooms, 202 sq feet with 37 sq feet veranda. Some have a loveseat convertible for third guest accommodations.
Veranda Stateroom (B)
17 staterooms, 249 sq feet with 56 sq feet veranda. B Veranda Staterooms can accommodate a third guest by adding a sofa bed.
Veranda Suite (A)
5 suites, 300 sq feet with 58 sq feet veranda. Butler service, can accommodate 4 guests by adding two rollaways.
Grand Suite
2 suites, 332 sq feet with 197 sq feet veranda. Butler service, can accommodate 4 guests by adding two rollaways.
Owners Suite
2 suites with 437-531 sq feet and a 57-77 sq feet veranda. Butler service, separate dressing area, can accommodate 4 guests by adding two rollaways.
Notes
- Port, security, and handling fees of $140 to $320 are included.
- Cruise fare does not include optional shore excursions, available to purchase, and additional fees.
- Cruise fuel surcharges may apply.
- Rates are posted as double occupancy. Subject to availability, may not be combinable with other offers, are capacity controlled, and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice.
- PGC reserves the right to limit the number of single-occupancy cabins on any sailing. Single supplements are available at 100% for categories OG, OS, A, and B. Categories C, D, E, and F have a much smaller or different single supplement. Single supplements are in addition to listed cruise fare and vary by voyage. Contact us for exact rates.
- Optional hotel stays, Land programs, and Air programs are available, please contact us for details.
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Our agent Jessica was very helpful with the whole process and always responded in a timely way to all of our questions.
K Van
1 day ago
Chern was very patient snd helpful.
CaBaba
2 days ago
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
3 days ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
