French Polynesia: Beyond the Postcard

Depart on an overnight flight to Tahiti.

Arrive in Papeete, Tahiti early this morning. Connect with your fellow travelers for lunch and take a brief tour of the island before embarking National Geographic Orion. (B,L,D)

Spend two days exploring some of the nearly 80 islands and atolls in the “Dangerous Archipelago.” Get to know the locals on the palm-fringed island of Anaa and swim in its turquoise waters. Then explore Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Snorkel its protected reefs or ride the current into the lagoon on a world-famous drift dive. (B,L,D)

The atoll of Rangiroa is a ring of slender islands known for some of the best diving and snorkeling in French Polynesia. The turquoise lagoon at its center is the second-largest in the world. Visit the village, and kayak, snorkel, and scuba dive in the rich waters here, home to large schools of pelagic fish, manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles. (B,L,D)

An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. Spend the day exploring limestone caves and grottos with your expedition team and local guides, or search for endemic fruit doves and myriad seabirds. (B,L,D)

Encircled by a single fringing reef, and sharing a common lagoon, Ra’iatea and Taha’a are islands well worth exploring. One of the most important cultural sites in the Polynesian world, Marae Taputapuatea was a center for Polynesian seafarers and the location from which they set out for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Hawai’i and New Zealand. Watch from on deck as we navigate lagoon channels en route to Taha’a, then go ashore for a visit to a small, family-run vanilla plantation. (B,L,D)

One of Polynesia’s best-kept secrets, Huahine is well off the beaten path. Once the home of Tahitian royalty, Huahine maintains the highest density of ancient marae in French Polynesia. Visit these sites with cultural experts and archaeologists who bring them to life. Explore the verdant shoreline by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or Zodiac. Finish the day with a swim in the island’s crystal-clear lagoon. (B,L,D)

Disembark this morning amidst one of the South Pacific’s most iconic images: the angular crags of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu. Take a short flight back to Papeete, where you’ll connect to your international overnight flight home. (Day 9: B,L)

Depart on an overnight flight to Papeete. 

Arrive in Papeete, Tahiti early this morning and take a short, very scenic flight to the nearby island of Bora Bora. After a brief tour, embark National Geographic Orion. (B,L,D)

Encircled by a single fringing reef, and sharing a common lagoon, Ra’iatea and Taha’a are islands well worth exploring. One of the most important cultural sites in the Polynesian world, Marae Taputapuatea was a center for Polynesian seafarers and the location from which they set out for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Hawai’i and New Zealand. Watch from on deck as we navigate lagoon channels en route to Taha’a, then go ashore for a visit to a small, family-run vanilla plantation. (B,L,D)

One of Polynesia’s best-kept secrets, Huahine is well off the beaten path. Once the home of Tahitian royalty, Huahine maintains the highest density of ancient marae in French Polynesia. Visit these sites with cultural experts and archaeologists who bring them to life. Explore the verdant shoreline by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or Zodiac. Finish the day with a swim in the island’s crystal-clear lagoon. (B,L,D)

An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. Spend the day exploring limestone caves and grottos with your expedition team and local guides, or search for endemic fruit doves and myriad seabirds. (B,L,D)

The atoll of Rangiroa is a ring of slender islands known for some of the best diving and snorkeling in French Polynesia. The turquoise lagoon at its center is the second-largest in the world. Visit the village, and kayak, snorkel, and scuba dive in the rich waters here, home to large schools of pelagic fish, manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles. (B,L,D)

Spend two days exploring some of the nearly 80 islands and atolls in the “Dangerous Archipelago.” Explore Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Snorkel its protected reefs or ride the current into the lagoon on a world-famous drift dive. Continue to the palm-fringed island of Anaa where you’ll have a chance to meet the locals and enjoy a swim in its refreshing, turquoise waters. (B,L,D)

Disembark in Papeete this morning and tour Tahiti before your overnight flight home. (Day 9: B,L)