11- or 12-day sailing cruise to Tahiti, the Society Islands, and the Tuamotu Islands

We recommend that you arrive at least one day before departure to allow for any flight irregularities and possible baggage loss. 

Day 2: Mo'orea

Moorea, often referred to as the “magical island,” is said to have inspired the mythical Bali Hai in James Michener’s *Tales of the South Pacific* and is one of the most breathtaking gems in French Polynesia. While anchored in Moorea, you can swim, snorkel, and enjoy water sports in the beautiful sapphire-blue waters from our swim platform. A delicious lunch will recharge your energy for exploring the island in the afternoon! An enchanting 3.5-hour island tour, included in the tour price, takes you through Moorea’s rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse ecology, accompanied by captivating stories from your knowledgeable guide. Travel through the lush Opunohu Valley, climb the slopes of Mt. Tohi’e’a, and wind your way past the picturesque Cook’s and Opunohu Bays. After this delightful tour, you’ll have time to explore Moorea at your leisure before we set sail for our next destination, Huahine.

Day 4: Huahine

A single day is hardly enough to do justice to the wonders of Huahine! Today, you’re free to explore Huahine on your own or opt for our optional tour, which takes you to the island’s many temples and small villages. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to see and feed the sacred blue-eyed eels in Faie Bay and visit a vanilla plantation. If you enjoy cooking, we recommend buying vanilla beans; you won’t find tastier—or cheaper!—ones anywhere else. Overnight on the boat to Bora Bora.

Day 6: Bora Bora

A single day on Bora Bora just isn’t enough! As you step off the plane with your camera in hand, get ready for the breathtaking moment when the iconic Mount Otemanu comes into view. Once Bora Bora has cast its spell on you, it’s a memory that will be etched in your heart forever. So make sure your second day on Bora Bora is filled with unforgettable moments that will stay with you for years to come. Whether you explore the island at your own pace or join one of our carefully curated optional shore excursions, take the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. Overnight at sea in Taha’a.

Day 8: Raiatea

The name Raiatea translates to “distant sky” and was once the most important cultural and religious center of the Society Islands. Today, Raiatea is considered a sacred resting place for the spirits of these ancestors and attracts pilgrims seeking a spiritual connection. Join us on our enriching shore excursion to the Faaroa River, featuring a Motu Beach Break, where you’ll ride aboard a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe. When you arrive at a quiet motu or islet, dive into the warm embrace of the ocean and soak up the sun—a perfect interlude during your exploration of Raiatea. Overnight in Raiatea.

Day 10: Mo'orea

You’re returning to Mo’orea. It’s no wonder that Mo’orea keeps drawing you back. It’s a true natural wonder. You’re free to explore the island at your own pace or take part in one of the optional shore excursions. Overnight at sea off Papeete.

Day 11: Papeete, Tahiti

If you’ve booked a 12-day cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the capital of Tahiti. Start the day with a half-day excursion to the west coast, where you can visit Venus Point, the Faarumai Waterfalls (a 20-minute hike, very easy), and the Arahoho Blowhole. Tahiti’s east coast is known as the “wild side,” where you’ll find black-sand beaches without a lagoon. After returning to the ship and having lunch, you’ll have some free time to stroll through the Le Marché city market or explore the LA Centre Vaima shopping mall. For an authentic local experience, be sure to visit Vai’ete Square after sunset. Dinner will be served on board.

Day 12: Papeete, Tahiti

Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.

Mo'orea:

Dolphin-watching expedition by Dr. Poole's team of biologists

Join American marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole or his assistant on this combined eco- and research expedition focused on wild dolphins. Dr. Poole has been working as a dolphin and whale specialist in French Polynesia since 1987.

Experience a picturesque cruise to the Mo’orea reef aboard a covered boat, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot spinner dolphins and rough-toothed dolphins—especially spinner dolphins, which are regularly seen swimming in the lagoon. Enjoy the acrobatic displays of these fascinating animals and listen to informative commentary about their remarkable lives in the ocean. Dolphins are spotted on 95% of the tours, and the captivating stories, combined with Mo’orea’s breathtaking coastline, make every tour a rewarding experience. Take the opportunity to admire the dramatic beauty of Mo’orea from the sea, and enjoy an optional swim or snorkeling session before returning to the pier.

Although swimming with dolphins is not part of this tour, there is occasionally an opportunity to snorkel near them. Please bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera equipment, snorkeling gear, and a towel from the ship. This activity is subject to the guide’s availability, and dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed.

• Duration of the excursion: approx. 3 hours.
• Price per person: $110
• Min. 10 to max. 11 people (small boat) or min. 16 to max. 26 people (larger boat) – Advance reservation required.
• Option for Closed Groups

Mo'orea:

4×4 Safari

Your guide will take you to pineapple fields, bamboo groves, and orange, grapefruit, papaya, and vanilla plantations. Enjoy the breathtaking view from the Belvedere lookout point and learn more along the way about the archaeological sites and temples of pre-colonial Polynesia. Climb Magic Mountain; an optional hike takes you the final 91 meters to the summit, where you’ll have a breathtaking view of Mo’orea’s north coast. During a stop at the fruit juice factory and distillery, you’ll have the opportunity to sample local liqueurs and fruit juices.

Note: This off-road tour may be bumpy, muddy, and wet. Please wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. This tour is not recommended for elderly guests, pregnant women, or guests with back or neck problems. The short hike to the summit of Magic Mountain is roughly paved and quite steep.

Photo Opportunities:
Marae: During your 4×4 safari, you’ll also visit an ancient Polynesian marae, an open-air stone temple
Le Belvedere: From the summit of Mt. Tohi’e’a, you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the mountains of Mo’orea as well as Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay.
Magic Mountain: The summit offers a breathtaking view of Mo’orea’s north coast.

• Duration of the excursion: approx. 4 hours.
• Price per person: €77
• Min. 6 and max. 8 people per vehicle (advance registration required). Additional vehicles, if available, should have at least 6 guests per vehicle

Mo'orea:

Island Tour and Belvedere
Included

Hop aboard your air-conditioned tour bus and enjoy an entertaining tour around the island of Mo’orea while your tour guide shares stories about the island’s history, culture, and ecology. Travel through the lush Opunohu Valley, past Polynesian marae and Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay. You’ll stop at the Mo’orea Fruit Juice Factory, where you can buy fresh juices made from locally grown fruit. The factory also produces an assortment of fruit brandies and liqueurs in various flavors, including star fruit, ginger, papaya, mango, orange, grapefruit, coconut, and pineapple.

Photo opportunities:
Marae: Visit the massive ancient Polynesian marae, an open-air stone temple in the Opunohu Valley.
Le Belvedere: From the summit of Mt. Tohi’e’a, enjoy a magnificent view of the mountains of Mo’orea as well as Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay.

Shopping: We'll make a quick stop at a local pearl shop.

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 3.5 hours.
• Min. 6 people and max. 8 people per vehicle, with a total of 8 to 9 vehicles (advance registration required).

Huahine:

Private Motu Picnic and Snorkeling Adventure

Board a comfortable, traditional outrigger canoe and take a trip to Huahine. Along the way, your tour guide will share the island’s history, sacred legends, and insights into island life. Afterward, you’ll stop at the coral gardens and snorkel among the many species of tropical fish. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a delicious picnic on a white, sandy motu. Lunch includes chicken, fish, a selection of salads, fruit, and local beverages. On the way back, you’ll stop at the aquarium to see the fish and reef sharks.

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 4.5 hours.
• Min. 8 / Max. 12 people (advance registration required).
• Price per person: €125

Huahine:

Sacred Sites and Legendary Places

Embark on an educational exploration of the island and learn all about Polynesian geology, botany, anthropology, archaeology, sociology, economics, history, and traditions. Your driver and tour guide will share his knowledge, experience, and passion for this beautiful island and its rich culture with you. Huahine is known for its village of Maeva, where all the district chiefs once lived side by side and honored their ancestors in their respective marae. Marae are sites featuring stone structures designed for religious rites and ceremonies. Over 200 archaeological stone structures have survived centuries of natural erosion. These structures are located just a few meters apart on the shores of Lake Fauna Nui and on the sacred and picturesque Matairea Hill. Visit the museum with your guide and learn more about the arrival of the first seafarers in Polynesia. The village of Maeva is also home to the remains of stone fish traps, which are unique in French Polynesia. Fishermen in the village still use these stone traps today. The return trip takes you through the village of Faie, where you can see the giant blue-eyed eels, and then up the mountain to the Belvedere lookout, offering a magnificent view of the beautiful Maroe Bay.

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 2.5 hours.
• Min. 6 / Max. 50 people (advance registration required).
• Price per person: €87

Bora Bora:

Bora Bora Snorkeling Tour “Stingray Ballet”

Enjoy the boat ride through the Bora Bora lagoon. This tour includes 4 stops, though these are subject to change at the last minute due to weather, safety precautions, or other circumstances. The first stop is just outside the reef for observing and snorkeling with majestic blacktip reef sharks and stingrays. After swimming with them for 30 minutes, you’ll head to Bora Bora’s best coral garden. On the way there, your captain will point out various points of interest and show you the most famous hotels in the Pearl of the Pacific. Once you arrive at the snorkeling spot, follow your captain as you snorkel and discover colorful corals, shells, and a variety of tropical fish in this wonderful underwater world for about 40 minutes at one of the best snorkeling spots on the French Polynesia tour. You’ll circle the entire island, but first you’ll stop for about 20 minutes at the manta ray cleaning station. Sometimes, when there are too many people here, they become shy, so we have to look for them elsewhere. In that case, we’ll make another stop to swim with the eagle rays as they head toward the beach, and enjoy some water, fruit juice, soft drinks, and seasonal fruit. After a 20-minute break on Bora Bora’s largest motu, we’ll sail back to the ship.

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 3.5 hours.
• Min. 4 / max. depending on the boat's availability. (Advance registration required).
• Price per person: €114

Bora Bora:

Bora Bora with LE TRUCK
Included

Their colorful Fun Truck will take you on a scenic tour of Bora Bora. Enjoy the sights as you drive past coconut groves and tiny villages nestled along the coastline. Learn more about the fascinating history, traditions, and culture of the Tahitians on this drive along the 22-mile-long road that circles this legendary island. Discover the villages of FAREPITI, FAANUI, and ANAU with their mysterious “marae.” As you continue, you’ll discover the MATIRA viewpoint with its spectacular views. The road takes you further past coconut groves and small villages along the coast

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 2.5 hours.
• Min. 10 / Max. 40

Bora Bora:

4WD Cultural Safari

Get ready for one of the best off-road 4×4 sightseeing tours on the most romantic island in the world: Bora Bora. Immerse yourself in the island’s culture, history, flora, and fauna, and discover many interesting facts about Bora Bora. Learn more about the ancient temples of the great Tahitian seafaring society, built around 1,000 AD, as well as the island’s many legends. Explore several World War II sites left behind by the Americans during their friendly takeover of the island in 1942.

Take a tour of the island and enjoy some of the most breathtaking viewpoints, accessible only by 4×4 vehicle. Drive to the Faanui Valley, where you can visit small fruit orchards and stop at a pareu workshop. At this family-run workshop, you’ll gain insight into how these beautiful sarongs are made, learn more about coconut oil production, and sample some local fruits.

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 3.5 hours.
• Price per person: 97 €
• Min. 4 / max. 8 per Jeep (advance registration required)

Taha'a:

4WD Taha'a Safari

Begin our land tour of Taha’a Island and visit a pearl farm, a vanilla plantation, and a rum distillery. Discover black pearls and vanilla cultivation, two of Taha’a’s most prized treasures. Along the way, your tour guide will show you the various fruit and flower plants that grow on this beautiful, bountiful island. From cultivation to harvesting, you’ll learn how the precious black pearl is produced. Discover how vanilla grows and how the beans—with their sweet fragrance—are harvested. You’ll stop at a scenic overlook and learn about the traditional uses of local plants and trees.

• Duration of the field trip: approx. 2.5 hours.
• Min. 8 / max. 24 (advance registration required).
• Price per person: €97

Half-Day Excursion to the Taha’a Vanilla Plantation & Rum Distillery

Discover Taha’a. Taha’a is known for its vanilla production—hence its nickname, “Vanilla Island”—as well as for its majestic coral garden. Hop aboard a traditional motorized canoe with an outrigger and a sunshade to explore Taha’a in a unique and comfortable way: – Visit a vanilla plantation – Visit a pearl farm – Visit a rum distillery and go snorkeling.

• Duration of the excursion: approx. 4 hours.
• Min. 10 / max. 50 (Advance registration required).
• Price per person: €98

Raiatea:

Faaroa River & Motu Beach Stop
Included

Climb aboard a traditional Polynesian motorized outrigger canoe and glide across the deep-blue waters toward the island’s east coast. You’ll travel upstream on the only navigable river in the Society Islands—the Faaroa River. Along the way, the steep riverbanks are covered with lush jungle vegetation and are home to a variety of bird species. Wild hibiscus trees (purau) grow along the steep cliffs at the edge of the rainforest. On the way, you’ll pass through several villages—an opportunity to observe the daily lives of the locals. After leaving the river, you’ll be taken to a small motu (islet), where you’ll have time to enjoy the warm ocean water and relax in the sun. Visit to the Faaroa River (the only navigable river in French Polynesia, the cradle of the first civilization and the first Polynesian settlers). Visit to the Marae of Taputapuatea (a sacred temple where human sacrifices were offered to the gods, a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Notes: Bring a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and a hat. At the beach, you'll need to climb out of the canoe using a ladder on the side and wade a few meters through shallow water to reach the shore.

• Duration of the excursion: approx. 4 hours.
• Min. 10 / Max. 40

Raiatea:

Anapa Pearl Farm – Half-Day or Afternoon Tour*

Coral Garden Join our pearl divers and explore the breathtaking reef where the mysterious black pearl is born. A shuttle boat will take you to the pearl farm, where you’ll experience an unforgettable pearl harvest and learn more about the history and legends of pearl farming. Wide selection of Tahitian pearls and jewelry.

• Duration of the excursion: approx. 3 hours.
• Min. 6 / max. 18 (advance registration required).
• Price per person: €96
• Snorkeling equipment is provided

*The last guided tour starts at 1:30 p.m.