Only a few hours by air beyond Hawaii’s familiar beaches, remote Pacific isles stretch across pristine seas, offering travelers illuminating perspectives on the South Pacific. Here, vibrant modern-day cultures mingle with ancient Polynesian and Melanesian traditions, and thousands of endemic plant and animal species can be found under water, on land, and in the sky.
Go beyond the bungalows to experience all this tropical paradise has to offer, traveling by expedition ship to secluded lagoons and uninhabited islands. Snorkel coral gardens teeming with turtles and tropical fish, hike through rainforests in search of rare wildlife, and share enriching moments with the people who live in these remote places. Each evening holds the promise of a dazzling Pacific sunset and the dawn of surprising adventures on a stunning, yet unfamiliar, isle.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Duration
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$12,363
Prices are per person
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
Duration
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$15,920
Prices are per person
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
New and Noteworthy
Special Offers
Duration
From
$34,640
Prices are per person
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
New and Noteworthy
Special Offers
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
Duration
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$12,727
Prices are per person
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
Duration
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 8, 2024, onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$6,373
Prices are per person
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
Duration
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$13,790
Prices are per person
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
Australia and New Zealand
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
Duration
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$15,610
Prices are per person
Australia and New Zealand
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Special Offers
The exploration lore and legend of the South Pacific is among the world’s most romantic. As we venture from west to east, we follow the routes of the bold people who populated these islands. Sail in their wake, and learn their stories. You’ll enter a world of visual wonder. Discover a profusion of wildlife—fairy terns, Tahitian petrels, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and red-footed boobies—plus rare endemic species like the brilliantly hued, white-capped fruit dove in the Marquesas. The islands’ flora, lush and luxurious as a dream, is equally intriguing. Discover enchanting colors and sweet aromas of tropical flowers. Under the sea a kaleidoscopic world unfurls among pristine, colorful coral reefs.
See more Highlights
It is a privilege to visit the far-flung and pristine islands of French Polynesia and the South Pacific, a richly diverse and culturally fascinating geography. And to the privilege of cruising the South Pacific, National Geographic Orion adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.
Christina Thompson, editor of the Harvard Review and author of Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia, shares the incredible story of ancient Polynesian exploration–who they were, how they settled across the vast Pacific ocean, and their rich history in this spectacular region.
Hiding among the azure lagoons, white-sand beaches, and tropical forests of places like the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu, the scars of World War II are still very much present. As we call in on these remote sites on our Rites and Relics voyage, we’ll be joined by Ian W. Toll, author of a highly regarded, three-volume history of the Pacific War, who will help resurrect these stories from the past.
Cultural Specialist and Ethnomusicologist Jacob Edgar shares the importance of music to the identity, culture, and traditions of the South Pacific.
The musical traditions of Polynesia are as varied as the islands themselves, with vocal stylings and instrumentations that often incorporate dance and the reciting of oral traditions. Enjoy this piece by Yoyo Tuki, an international musician and cultural ambassador for the indigenous people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Often called Rapa Nui’s most prominent international solo artist, Yoyo’s music has broken new ground in contemporary Polynesian music, successfully blending his indigenous roots with modern influences.
Interested in hearing more? Check out additional artists from Polynesia and beyond at our Spotify playlist.
On Makatea, coconut crabs have become a cornerstone of the local economy, but hunting these enormous, oddly-hued creatures can be dangerous. Our Field Correspondent Jennifer Kingsley, together with photographer Eric Guth, chronicled the hunt for The New York Times's "The World Through a Lens" column.
Although this region is known for its vitreous aqua water, lilting palms, and white sand beaches, the islands also hold many only-here discoveries to make beyond the sand and sun--from hidden underwater caves to vibrant coral churches.
On the sacred isle of Ra'iatea, Marae Taputapuatea is the center of Polynesian spirituality and culture for the entire region, reaching from Hawaii to New Zealand.
It’s possible to both unwind in an overwater bungalow and actively experience French Polynesia’s diverse stunning landscapes, ancient cultures, and dazzling wildlife by combining a land stay with an inspiring expedition at sea.
Being able to experience the ceremonies of the welcome—the dances, singing, leis—in an authentic Polynesian cultural context was not just artful, beautiful, and fragrant, it was also sincere and meaningful—pure bliss for both audience and performers.
Christine B.
Sven-Olof Lindblad
2022-25 Voyages
2023-2025 Voyages
