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- French Polynesia
- Tahiti and the pearls of French Polynesia
Experience the vivid natural landscapes and relaxing rhythms of French Polynesia.
It may sound like a cliché, but the crystal clear waters, colorful coral and lush green islands of French Polynesia are anything but boring. Divers and swimmers will be in their element, with abundant marine life, stunning lagoons and pristine coral reefs just crying out for exploration. On land, learning about the fascinating ancient culture of the people of French Polynesia is an experience, with many temples and archaeological sites. From your base on the Panaroma II, a comfortable little boat and an experienced crew to show you the way, you'll be embracing island life in no time.
- They start
- Papeete, French Polynesia
- Finalize
- Papeete, French Polynesia
- DESTINY
- French Polynesia
- Style
- Comfort
- He
- adventure cruise
- Code
- LYKP
- physical classification
- Centuries
- 7 minutes
- group size
- Min. 1, Max. 47
Because you will love this trip
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Snorkel with rays and sharks in beautiful Bora Bora.
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Take a tour of a local pearl farm on the lush island of Taha'a.
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Enjoy a canoe ride on the Faaroa River in Raiatea.
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Visit an ancient marae (temple) at Taputapuatea, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip is operated by our partners at Variety Cruises and is best for independent travelers who want flexibility in their itinerary. On Variety cruises, all shore excursions are optional, so you don't have to pay for an activity you're not interested in. Voyages operated by Variety depart from the port, do not include gratuities and require individual travelers to pay a mandatory single supplement. .
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This is a small ship adventure cruise, meaning you will be sailing on a motor yacht with 30 to 50 other people. The ship is spacious and comfortable, but this cruise focuses more on the destination than the onboard activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we have board games and a good book. There's also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available for a small fee.
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Our ship is powered by engine and not by sail, so all cabins will have a slight engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). Probably worth wearing earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
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The boat will experience some rolling and pitching in rough conditions, however all our boats are fitted with fenders to minimize movement. There will be motion sickness tablets on board and your crew will do their best to minimize any discomfort.
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This trip is heavily focused on water activities, so confidence in the water will allow you to make the most of the snorkeling opportunities. Flotation aids will be available on board, as well as kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.
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There are no lifts (elevators) on our ships, so you will have to climb some steep stairs (equipped with handrails) to access all decks.
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French Polynesia has a tropical climate, so while the weather is usually quite warm in some parts of the year, you can experience heavy rain that lasts for about 30 minutes or so.
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None of the trip activities are included, they are all optional extras.
Gallery
Boats
Panorama II
For all our cruises in Asia and select sailings in Greece, your home at sea is the M/S Panorama II.
- type of vessel
- motorized sailboat
- passengers
- 48
Panorama II
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Itinerary
Day 1: Papeete
Ia Orana, welcome to Tahiti! This afternoon, you will head to your houseboat for the next eight days: Panorama II, which is docked in Papeete harbor. Meet your fellow passengers, crew and leaders between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. M. and, after a welcome briefing and safety drill, you will set sail for Moorea. On this trip, all meals are included onboard, so you'll enjoy your dinner at sea before drifting off to sleep in the gentle waves.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
meals included
- Cena
special information
Variety Cruises' itineraries are subject to weather and sea conditions, as well as local port authorities. In cases where the wind speed reaches 6/7 Beaufort or there are strong swells, it may be necessary to change the itinerary. It is at the Captain's discretion to alter the itinerary or skip port calls due to adverse weather or sea conditions to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers and crew.
Day 2: Moorea
You will arrive in Moorea early in the morning, which is easily spotted thanks to the eight huge mountain peaks that rise from its lagoon. This place is believed to have inspired the mythical Bali Hai from James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific. Today optional activities are a dolphin watching expedition and an eco-cultural tour.Late afternoon you will depart for Huahine.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Moorea - Cultural Eco Tour - 75 EUR
- Moorea - Dolphin Watching Expedition - 108 EUR
meals included
- breakfast
- Lunch
- Cena
Day 3: Huahine
Today you will explore the two main islands of Huahine, a jungle paradise filled with tropical plantations including coconuts, vanilla orchids, banana, breadfruit and watermelon. In addition to flourishing with nature, Huahine is also known for its cultural significance: it was once the home of the Tahitian royal family and has many ancient temples known as marae in French Polynesian culture. Some of them date back to 700 AD. Today you can join a tour where you will be driven in 4x4 vehicles to visit the small villages of Fare, which is an archaeological site and Maeva, a vanilla plantation. There will also be the opportunity to see and feed Faie Bay's sacred bluegills. If you choose this option, you will return to the ship for lunch. Or if you prefer, you can spend the day at your leisure, either relaxing on the boat or exploring the area around the lagoon. Tonight, after dinner on board, you will sail to Bora Bora.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Huahine - Tour of Sacred Sites and Legendary Sites - 87 EUR
meals included
- breakfast
- Lunch
- Cena
Day 4: Bora Bora
Arrival in Bora Bora early in the morning. After enjoying your breakfast overlooking the Bora Bora lagoon and the famous Mount Otemanu as a backdrop, you can choose from a number of optional activities to enjoy your day. These include a cultural tour with a local guide in a 4x4 or a snorkelling trip where you can watch sharks and rays. There may be more optional activities on your trip, so talk to your Cruise Director about the different options. Tonight you will leave for Taha'a, overnight at sea.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Bora Bora - Tour by Le Truck - 58 EUR
- Bora Bora - Snorkeling Tour - 99 EUR
- Bora Bora - Culture Safari in 4x4 - 1 EUR
meals included
- breakfast
- Lunch
- Cena
Day 5: Taha'a
Early morning arrival in Taha'a, which shares a lovely lagoon with the neighboring island of Raiatea. This verdant island is extremely fertile and covered in banana trees, watermelons, vanilla orchids and coconut palms. Today you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful island by 4x4 vehicle on an optional tour. You will visit a pearl farm and a traditional vanilla plantation. It is also the perfect opportunity to taste some of the local fruits grown in the area and enjoy the incredible view of Ha'amene Bay. The afternoon is free to swim and snorkel at the 'motu', or reef islet, or explore the area around the reef on your own. Tonight, night at the port.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Taha'a - Safari en 4x4 Taha'a - 97 EUR
meals included
- breakfast
- Lunch
- Cena
6th day: Relaxation
First thing in the morning you will cross the lagoon to reach Raiatea, considered the home of the ancient Polynesians. While formerly known as Havai'i, Raiatea translates to "distant sky" and "sky of soft light." Today you will have the opportunity to participate in an optional excursion that will introduce you to the highlights of Raiatea. Meet your guide for an informative and intimate minibus tour. Enjoy a scenic drive through the main town of Uturoa, the cultural and administrative center of Raiatea. Shortly after leaving the city, you will see Mount Temehani, home of the endemic Tiare Apetahi. Next stop is at the main ancient Marae (outdoor temple) of Taputapuatea, recently made a UNESCO protected site. Your guide will cover the origins and history of this famous landmark. Here, you will learn about its Polynesian origins and historical significance. In the afternoon, you can join an optional Pearl Bed Snorkeling Tour, exploring the spectacular reef where the mysterious black pearl is born. Learn all about the history and legends of pear growing. Tonight enjoy a captains dinner on board. Night at the port.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Raiatea - Anapa Pearl Farm (Half day) - 92 EUR
- Raiatea - Tour by local truck Marae Taputapuatea - 66 EUR
meals included
- breakfast
- Lunch
- Cena
special information
Day 7: Drive to Papeete
In the morning, you can discover the local market or join an optional canoe tour on the Faaroa River, the only navigable river in French Polynesia, with an expert guide taking you through the lush interior of Raiatea. After lunch on board, you will sail to Papeete. Night at sea.
Accommodation
- M/Y Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Raiatea - Rio Faaroa & Motu Beach Break - 88 EUR
meals included
- breakfast
- Lunch
- Cena
Day 8: Papeete
This morning I arrived in Papeete at 9am. From here, you'll say goodbye to your fellow passengers and crew before disembarking on Panorama II.
meals included
- breakfast
inclusions
food
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
short cruise
Accommodation
Short cruise 7 nights
food
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
short cruise
Accommodation
Short cruise 7 nights
Dates and availability
Trip departures are not available.
There are currently no scheduled departures for our trip to Tahiti and the pearls of French Polynesia. If you are interested in other trips in the area, visit one of the links below.
- French Polynesia
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Important notes
Your trip is operated by our sister company, Variety Cruises.
SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS
A non-refundable deposit of AUD 600, USD 600, EUR 450, NZD 600, GBP 300, CAD 600, CHF 450 or ZAR 6000 per person per trip is required to confirm your booking. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure.
Please see the 'Bookings and Conditions' section of our website, including the special conditions applicable to travel on Adventure Cruises (Variety) for more information.
EXCURSIONS TO THE BEACH
On this itinerary, shore excursions are optional and paid on board in Euros. The approximate price and description of these tours can be found in the daily itinerary. Please note that all activities are subject to availability and require a minimum number of customers to operate.
SOLO TRAVELERS
Sharing with a stranger on a Variety Cruises voyage is not possible and single travelers must pay the single occupancy rate.
PARTNERS
Your group will be a mix of intrepid committed passengers and other like-minded international travelers from Variety Cruises.
HEALTH CHECK
Variety Cruises has implemented pre-boarding and in-cruise health screening measures for all guests and crew. This includes:
Mandatory pre-boarding assessment questionnaire and health report.
Basic travel information
Want an in-depth look at this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa information, how to get to your hotel, what's included, pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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What changes with Peregrine?
Peregrine Adventures is nearing the end of its journey. But it's the start of an exciting new chapter with Intrepid Travel, and this tour is getting an Intrepid Premium refresh.
Peregrine has been an important part of Intrepid since 2012 and with over 30 years of experience and hundreds of voyages on seven continents, you can trust that you will be traveling with the experts.
WHAT IS CHANGING?
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ALL OUR TRAVELS ARE
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- Sustainable and rich in experience
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ALL OUR TRAVELS ARE
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