7 Nights in Paradise: Tahiti & French Polynesia Cruise

Welcome to Papeete, the capital of Tahiti and French Polynesia. You’ll be met by private transfer to the port where the Panorama II waits to bring you on your tropical adventure. Embarkation is from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., so if you arrive early, you might want to shop one of the markets, with black pearls and handcrafted local items some of the most popular to look for. Once aboard the vessel, settle into your cabin, get introductions to the captain, crew, and fellow passengers, a welcome and safety briefing. We’ll set sail for Bora Bora, enjoy dinner and a night at sea. 

Arriving early this morning at Bora Bora, known as the “pearl of the Pacific,” the ship will sail into the Bora Bora lagoon, where Mount Otemanu rises from the stunning blue waters at its center. You’ll spend two days among the jagged emerald peaks, lagoons, and idyllic beaches, with several optional excursions available. You might join a 4X4 tour which visits Mount Popoti for stunning panoramic vistas and a historic landmark where you’ll learn about French Polynesian history. Snorkeling with sharks and stingrays, embarking on the open-air Lagoon Aquarium experience, or touring Bora Bora by Le Truck are all possible too.

• Optional Excursions Snorkeling, Island Tour, 4x4 Tour

You’ll have another opportunity to take part in the optional activities in Bora Bora. If you didn’t take the Le Truck tour, it’s a great way to see World War II relics, find out how the popular pareo is made, sample locally grown fruit, and learn about Tupa crabs. There’s much to admire on this island, so you’ll want to have your camera ready to capture the beauty, including tropical and dense greenery along the mountainside. After lunch, return to the ship and we’ll cruise the Bora Bora lagoon with its ever-changing colors before sailing to Huahine. We’ll arrive late, anchoring overnight in the lagoon.

• Optional Excursions Snorkeling, Island Tour, 4x4 Tour

We’ll spend the day and another night at the “Garden Island.” Huahine is like the Garden of Eden with its vast tropical jungle with vanilla orchids, banana groves, coconut plantations, and breadfruit trees. Once the home of Tahitian royalty, it’s widely regarded as the cradle of Polynesian culture. Made up of two islands, it boasts the region’s largest concentration of ancient temples, estimated to be more than 1,300 years old. An optional full-day tour includes a 4X4 excursion, a boat trip to a pearl farm, and a picnic. Or join the optional half-day excursion via 4X4 to visit a vanilla plantation, archaeological site, and two small villages. 

• Optional Excursions 4x4 Tours

Cruising on to Taha’a, a lush, fertile island with coconut, banana, and watermelon groves, it’s also renowned as the perfect natural greenhouse for growing the Tahitian vanilla orchid. An optional half-day tour is available if you want to explore this tranquil isle by 4X4. It delivers spectacular views, including Ha’amene Bay and its dazzling aquamarine waters, brings you to a pearl farm, traditional vanilla plantation, and to sample local fruit. This afternoon, you’ll have time to snorkel or swim from a reef islet known here as a motu. We’ll anchor at Taha’a overnight, sailing on tomorrow.

• Optional Excursion 4x4 Tour of Taha'a

Cruising across the lagoon to nearby Raiatea, it lives up to its name which translates to “faraway heaven.” The homeland of ancient Polynesians as what’s believed to be the original birthplace of Polynesia, it’s rich with historical and cultural significance. An optional excursion today will bring you to paddle the only navigable river in French Polynesia by kayak. You’ll follow an expert guide through the Faaroa River enjoying views of the lush interior before visiting a UNESCO-listed ancient temple. Its historical relevance and Polynesian origins will be revealed before you enjoy a picnic lunch. Back on this ship this evening, we’ll continue toward Mo’orea.

• Optional Excursion Tour of Raitea

This morning we’ll arrive at the island of Mo’orea, known for its jagged volcanic mountains and sandy beaches. It’s also believed to have inspired the mythical Bali Hai from the Tales of the South Pacific. Eight massive mountain peaks soar up from its breath-taking lagoon, creating its famous silhouette. You’ll have two optional excursions to choose from, the 3 Coconuts Hiking Tour, which follows part of the crater to the volcanic funnel edge and then climbs to an incredible panoramic view of the volcano. Or enjoy a guided ray feeding and snorkeling tour, interacting with stingrays while encountering all sorts of marine life.

• Optional Excursions Hiking Tour or Ray Feeding & Snorkeling Tour

An early morning sail brings us back to Papeete. You’ll enjoy one last breakfast onboard, with time to exchange photos and contact information with fellow passengers that have become friends. You’ll disembark between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., with our private driver meeting you for the transfer to the airport. If you aren’t ready to make the journey home just yet, contact our expert staff who can create a bespoke itinerary.