Itineraries
Day 1 Embark Paul Gauguin in Papeete, Tahiti
Embark Paul Gauguin in the afternoon and have time to settle into your cabin before dinner onboard later in the evening. The ship will set sail later that night.
Day 2 Huahine
Your first port of call is Huahine, known as “The Garden Island” for its lush rainforests and dramatic terrain. While here, you can cruise the expansive lagoon, explore the island's culture, or picnic on the beach.
Day 3 Raiatea
Raiatea is the second largest island in French Polynesia, after Tahiti. The island is home to lush green valleys, numerous waterfalls, and pineapple and vanilla plantations. Go pearl hunting or hike to one of the island's gorgeous waterfalls. Discover Raiatea's colorful underwater life while snorkeling. The day is yours to explore this paradise.
Day 4 Rangiroa, Tuamotus
Cruise to the Tuamotus, known in the days before modern navigation as the “Dangerous Archipelago” for its shallow passages. Today, you'll sail serenely through the atoll's warm, crystal clear waters. Rangiroa is noted for some of the world's best diving: its lagoon teems with life, including rays, sharks, dolphin and brilliantly colored reef fish. Many visit just to swim in the waters, while others come for the island's second most popular pursuit: doing nothing at all.
Day 5 Rangiroa
Rangiroa is the largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago, which comprises 78 coral atolls scattered over several hundred miles of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Life on these remote atolls is simple, quiet and peaceful. In the small villages, the visitor can discover the true flavor of the Tuamotu, often participating in the daily activities of the Paumotu people. The interior lagoons are a haven for black pearl farms, fish breeding farms, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Day 6 Bora Bora
Pulitzer Prize - winning author James Michener described Bora Bora as “the most beautiful island in the world,” and you'll explore this magical isle on your own, or on a choice of optional onshore excursions. Choose from several expeditions, like a jitney tour on “Le Truck” or a glass bottom boat ride.
Day 7 Bora Bora
Bora Bora's lagoon is constantly replenished with ocean water from the swells that crash between sandy motus and over the lagoon's fringing reef. Perhaps today you will discover its charms while swimming, snorkeling, or via an outrigger canoe.
Day 8 Taha'a (Motu Mahana)
Motu Mahana, an islet adjacent to Taha'a, is our very own South Seas paradise featuring white sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters and gentle breezes. As an exclusive Paul Gauguin event, guests will spend a full day exploring this idyllic, isolated island, and relaxing with a delicious barbecue lunch and Polynesian entertainment featuring strolling musicians and singers.
Day 9 Moorea
Covered in an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, spectacular mountain peaks, peaceful multi-hued lagoons and palm-fringed beaches, Moorea's awesome beauty is unsurpassed. White sand beaches lapped by the translucent shimmering lagoon water and shaded by palm, coconut, and ironwood groves stretch for miles. During your visit, you might wish to take an optional air-conditioned coach ride around the island to admire the stunning views.
Day 10 Moorea/ Papeete, Tahiti
Perhaps today you will try an optional scuba diving excursion among the sea turtles and staggering amount of fish species that call Moorea's waters home. Or simply relax and revel in Moorea's natural splendor.
Day 11 Papeete
The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Papeete, the modern capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, hospitals, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the islands as well as tourists who come to these islands for a life-enriching experience.