Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands

Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, enchants with its lush landscapes and vibrant culture. Explore the bustling capital, Papeete, where the colorful market offers local crafts and exotic produce. Relax at the stunning black-sand beaches of Pointe Venus or dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Don’t miss the Arahoho Blowhole, where ocean waves force air and water through a natural rock formation, creating spectacular sprays. For a touch of history, visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands to learn about the island's rich heritage.

The Papeete Cruise Port is located right in the city center so attractions such as the vibrant Papeete Market are just a short walk away. To visit more distant attractions like the stunning Fautaua Waterfall, consider a taxi or a guided excursion. Don’t miss out on trying local Tahitian cuisine or visiting the Black Pearl Museum.

The world’s second largest atoll, Rangiroa is a place where land and sea form an unexpected truce. 240 islets string together for more than 177km, completely encircling a deep lagoon, which is known for its breathtaking underwater scenery. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to shore.

Top Things to Do on Rangiroa:

• visit a black pearl farm
• take a glass-bottom boat over the Tiputa Channel
• snorkel the lagoon
• sample some Polynesian wine and rum

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Atuona is the port of call for Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands. The island’s rugged landscapes blend sharp ridges, peaks and valleys scattered with archaeological sites and ruins. Hiva Oa is lined with black sand beaches and sharp cliffs diving into the Pacific Ocean.

This is also the place where two famous artists chose to live their lives: the french painter Paul Gaugin and the french singer-poet Jacques Brel. Their graves and a cultural centre devoted to the famous french painter are highlights of any visit to Hiva Oa. Ships will anchor in Taaoa Bay and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Ridges and cliffs form the beautiful, rocky Fatu Hiva, the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands. The island is covered in lush jungle vegetation that is divided in some places by narrow ravines marked by sharply dropping cliffs.

The half-moon-shaped Omoa Bay encircles the village of Omoa, where about 250 people reside near the island’s main church. This peaceful fishing village is known for its tapa cloth. They make the cloth in a traditional way with beaten bark decorated in inked traditional Polynesian designs.

Located in the Marquesas Islands, Hakahau is the main village and port of Ua Pou (meaning 'pillars'). Nestling in the curve of a sheltered bay, Hakahau will charm you with its tranquillity and the wild splendour of its scenery. Lined with a black-sand beach, the village offers an unsettling landscape with volcanic rock peaks that rise up like imposing statues.

Inhabited since 150 B.C., Hakahau is home to several churches and the Motu Haka cultural federation. The 2,000 or so inhabitants of the island live primarily off fishing, farming and crafts. Their wooden and stone sculptures are renowned.

The largest of the Marquesas Islands, Nuku Hiva is a stunning volcanic island with mountains topping 3,700 feet and jagged walls that suddenly plunge into the immense ocean below. This untouched island will enchant you with its wild and beautiful landscape. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Top Things to Do on Nuku Hiva:

• explore the lush and remote Taipivai Valley
• view Vaipo Falls
• take a boat or hike to Anaho Bay
• see the giant tiki at Piki Vehini

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

The Tuamotu Archipelago is a sprawling chain of coral atolls in French Polynesia. Known for some of the world's best diving spots, these islands offer crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life, ideal for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

The archipelago's pearls, particularly from the atoll of Manihi, are celebrated for their quality and beauty, drawing visitors interested in the local pearling industry. Ships navigating through the Tuamotus typically stop at key islands, allowing visitors to tender ashore for easy access to explore.

Fakarava is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is oblong shaped and has an almost continuous string of reef stretching for 40 km on its eastern edge.

Pure, pristine and dreamlike, the ecosystem of this gorgeous island is home to extremely rare birds, plants and crustaceans. Quaint villages, old coral churches and welcoming people are intertwined with a spectacular lagoon creating a paradise like none other in the world.

Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the pier in Fakarava’s main village, Rotoava.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

The dramatic Mount Otemanu stands watch over the sparkling turquoise waters and sugary sands of Bora Bora, known as the most romantic island in the world. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be proved to the pier.

Top Things to Do in Bora Bora:

• sail Bora Bora by catamaran
• take a scenic flight over the island in a helicopter
• snorkel the reef ringed lagoon
• watch sharks and rays in a glass-bottomed boat
• relax on a privately owned island known as a motu

Feet in the sand, on the islet of Motu Mahana (Ponant's sumptuous little private paradise), you will share a very special experience around an authentic traditional Polynesian barbecue. A veritable jewel in the Taha’a lagoon, pristine atoll of the Society Islands, Motu Mahana offers an infinite palette of shades of turquoise, an idyllic backdrop for observing the majestic ballet of the tropical fish.

The volcanic island of Taha’a, dominated by Mount Ohiri and Mount Puurauti, will reveal its fertile and luxuriant nature, ideal for cultivating the magnificent black pearls of French Polynesia, as well as vanilla. This rare spice, greatly in demand by gourmets, is the main economic resource of what is also known as Vanilla Island.

Huahine, part of French Polynesia's Society Islands, is often regarded as one of the most picturesque and culturally rich islands in the region. Known as the "Garden Island" due to its lush forests and untamed landscape, Huahine maintains a low-key, less commercial vibe compared to its more famous neighbors like Tahiti or Bora Bora. This tranquil island is encircled by a crystal-clear lagoon teeming with marine life, making it ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Visitors can explore ancient marae (sacred temples) and archaeological sites that reflect the island's deep Polynesian roots, providing a glimpse into its rich history and traditions. The laid-back atmosphere extends to the local villages, where crafts like vanilla farming and fishing are still part of daily life.

The island's unique geography makes Moorea one of French Polynesia's most breathtaking islands. Eight mountain peaks carpeted in lush vegetation rise from a translucent lagoon and two tranquil bays. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Top Things to Do in Moorea:

• encounter dolphins at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort marine sanctuary
• hike through Opunohu Valley
• enjoy an off-road adventure through Moorea's deep valleys and mountains
• cruise Moorea's waters on a Catamaran

Tahiti offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences. Begin your day in Papeete, visiting the bustling Marché de Papeete for souvenirs and local treats. Journey to the island's interior to hike the scenic trails of Mount Aorai, providing panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and islands. Relax at Tahiti's famous black-sand beaches or take a boat trip to explore the turquoise lagoons. A visit to the Paul Gauguin Museum gives insight into the artist’s life and works inspired by Tahiti's beauty.

The Papeete Cruise Port is located right in the city center so attractions such as the vibrant Papeete Market are just a short walk away. To visit more distant attractions like the stunning Fautaua Waterfall, consider a taxi or a guided excursion. Don’t miss out on trying local Tahitian cuisine or visiting the Black Pearl Museum.