Arts Festival - Discover The Marquesas

Depart from Papeete in the afternoon and meet the friendly crew as the ship sets sail toward the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Fakarava, the second-largest atoll in French Polynesia, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for protecting rare species. After a buffet lunch on board, the Aranui docks at Rotoava. Passengers can explore the small village, visit a coral-built church, browse local crafts, and watch a coconut demonstration. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, swimming, or snorkeling among colorful tropical fish.

A day to relax at the Pool Deck or in the comfort of your air-conditioned lounge. Or why not just enjoy the view of the South Pacific Ocean during the crossing to the fascinating Marquesas Islands? Lectures on the Culture and History of the Marquesas Islands make you go back in time and give you a complete overview of this ancient civilization. During the cruise, you also have the opportunity to learn how to move your hips like a true Tahitian! The fiery Polynesian crew proudly presents their way of life and entertains you with Polynesian songs and rhythms on their ukulele, guitar, and drums. Before going to bed, set your watch 30 minutes in advance, you switch to Marquesas time.

During the stopover in Ua Huka for the Festival of the Marquesas, passengers experience a unique immersion in Marquesan culture. The morning is filled with traditional dances performed by young people, a new feature of the festival, as well as the discovery of craft stalls with live demonstrations and visits to the island’s museums. At midday, the Kaikai Katahi bring everyone together for a grand feast showcasing culinary specialties from different islands. In the evening, the festivities continue with traditional dances performed by adults, offering an even deeper dive into the Marquesan spirit before the Aranui’s late-night departure.

While the Aranui is unloading, you can explore Taiohae, the small administrative capital of the Marquesas. Taiohae Bay is where writer Herman Melville, then a 23-year-old sailor and buddy, jumped off a whaler in 1842. After breakfast, passengers disembark and take the 4×4 that is waiting for them for the day's excursion. The first stop is a visit to Taiohae Cathedral. You can visit the Cathedral or go to the market to buy handicrafts. Then, you visit the archaeological site of "Tohua Kamuihei" with its giant banyan trees and petroglyphs. Your first introduction to traditional Marquesan cuisine is served for lunch. Local music during the meal provides a great atmosphere. Your excursion continues south to Taiohae with its spectacular bay, a giant volcanic amphitheater dominated by towering cliffs dotted with waterfalls. Back to Taiohae village, you also find banks and shops. You can return to the ship from the village on foot or by car.
7 pm: Polynesian evening with plancha buffet around the pool (Deck 7) or at the Restaurant (Deck 4,) depending on weather conditions.

From the bridges, you see the mountain spits unique to Ua Pou. As the crew unloads supplies, cement, sugar, and loads bags of copra (dried coconuts) and fruit, explore the picturesque village of Hakahau and its church with a hand-carved wooden platform. Meet the island's talented sculptors and artists, climb to the Croix for stunning views of the mountains, lush valleys, and the main village.  Another delicious Marquesan lunch is served: breadfruit, a staple of the Marquesan with goat curry (a specialty of the Marquesas Islands), raw fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk, taro, and red bananas. Enjoy an excellent dance performance, including the traditional "bird dance", at UA POU. 

Fatu Hiva, the most lush and remote of the Marquesas Islands, is also a Marquesan craft center. In the village of Omoa, the women show you how to make tapas by crushing the bark of paper mulberry, banyan or bread tree, but also the making of ‘Umuhei, an island herbal blend used to perfume their hair. After visiting the village, the most sporty passengers can opt for a 15km hike that takes them from Omoa to Hanavave, offering breathtaking views of the high cliffs. Lunch is served at the top. Non-hikers sail aboard the Aranui, from Omoa to Hanavave to Virgin Bay, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Visityou land for a visit to the village and to welcome hikers.

The Aranui anchors in the small bay of Tahuata. The only access is by sea, as there is no airport on Tahuata. On this leaf-shaped island, the air is thick with the scent of Tahitian tiare, frangipani,i and history. In 1595, Spanish explorers landed in the village of Vaitahu and opened fire on a crowd of curious islanders, killing about 200 people. Tahuata is also the site of the first French colony in the Marquesas in 1842. The large church built by the Vatican is decorated with beautiful Marquesan sculptures and stained-glass windows representing the Virgin Mary. Tahuata is famous for its exquisite bone and helmet shell carvings. There is much to choose from in the village.

The Aranui arrives in Hiva Oa after lunch on board, where you have plenty of time to explore Atuona, the second largest village in the Marquesas. This is where Paul Gauguin lived and created some of his works. You can also visit the colonial store where he bought his bread, as well as a replica of his infamous “house of pleasure,” and the museum. By 4X4, you visit the largest archaeological site in the Marquesas Islands, “Tohua Taa’oa”. Walking up the hill to the cemetery, you have a breathtaking view of the motu Hanakee. Under a huge frangipani tree is a tombstone with the simple words: Paul Gauguin 1903. Nearby is the grave of another famous European who also fell in love with Hiva Oa: the Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, who died in 1978.

A day to recover from his emotions lived in the Marquesas archipelago. During the crossing to the beautiful islands of Tuamotu, conferences and activities are offered throughout the day.

Before going to bed, back your watch 30 minutes, back to Tahiti time.

The Aranui offers this opportunity to visit the remains of Makatea, phosphate mining and caves, cross the island on foot or by car, picnic under the cliffs or on the beach. A raised atoll or exogenous atoll, Makatea is a type of atoll or coral island whose whole or part of the earth is composed of an ancient coral reef that has emerged. The term Makatea refers to a type of raised atoll with, in its center, the remains of the ancient volcanic island. This term is also used to refer specifically to escarpments of coral origin encountered in all types of raised atolls. Makatea is also the name of a coral island located in the Tuamotu archipelago (French Polynesia), where a phosphate deposit was mined from 1917.

After a picnic on land, the Aranui sails along the coast of Makatea before continuing its journey to the islands of the Society.

Arriving in the world-famous lagoon of Bora Bora of blue and opalescent greens, you are welcomed by the majestic «Mount Otemanu», the highest peak of the island. In this island paradise and perfect, you can enjoy a day at the beach and a barbecue on a private Motu surrounded by crystal clear waters, the «Motu Tapu». You can also choose from optional activities, a variety of excursions at an additional cost: scuba diving, lagoon tour by boat and canoe, swimming with sharks and rays! Bora Bora was an American military outpost during World War II, and remnants of the war, such as cannons and bunkers, can be seen on the circuit. Departure in the evening for Papeete.

This is the end of the journey. It is time to say Nānā! (goodbye) to your fellow travellers, the Polynesian staff, and the Aranui guides.