take in views of Bora Bora’s lush green peaks and then onto my stomach to watch through my mask the way the aqua hues beautifully rippled with the light underneath the surface. I also snorkeled while spending the day on Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private island located off the coast of Taha’a. Just as I had done in Bora Bora, I disembarked with my snorkel gear in hand and found a place to store it (a shaded lounge chair where I did some blissful reading later in the day). After grabbing a bite to eat, I was ready to don my snorkel equipment and head into the water to swim around, which I did off and on throughout the day at my leisure. Easy as could be. As fun as snorkeling was, my
favorite activity I did while on the tiny islet was kayaking. At
Yellow Boxfish
BY ALEXANDRA MATTIA Six-Line Wrass
Dive the South Seas
Motu Mahana, the marina staff helped me get the kayak situated on the water and then gave me tips on where to go. I immediately headed to the rocks I could see in the not too far distance. Stretching across the water near one end of Motu Mahana is a long brown rock wall jutting up a couple of feet from the surface that is adorned by tiny waterfalls cascading over the edge. Beyond the rock wall, a break occurs and I could hear small waves crashing
as I paddled
alongside it, luxuriating in the
sun on my shoulders, the peacefulness of the sounds of
nature, and the views of the sea. Though my journey held many gems, it is the translucent blue ocean and the watersports that the cruise line enabled that fill my daydreams and keep me lusting for another trip to French Polynesia.
Surge Damselfish
Snorkeling is never permitted from the watersports marina. All watersports are weather permitting in select ports
Paul Gauguin Cruises |
www.pgcruises.com 61
Kayak and paddleboard off the back of the Te Gauguin's
watersports marina.
I traded the cold, crowded New York City streets for a 10-night adventure to the Society Islands & Tuamotus aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin. As an avid SCUBA diver with experience diving some of the best spots in the world, I was eager to get in the water and see what the South Pacific had to offer—and it did not disappoint. Our Rangiroa dive was spectacular! I was impressed by the biodiversity of wildlife and health of the coral reef. There were dozens of fish species, giant clams, moray eels, and… SHARKS! More than I have ever seen. As we knelt quietly on the sea floor, a school of blacktips approached us and began digging in the sand with their snouts in search of their next meal. It was an experience I will never forget. The Tuamotus have been added to the list of my favorite dive destinations worldwide.
Yellowtail Dascyllus
Whether you’re a novice or experienced diver, a Paul Gauguin Cruises dive excursion is like no other. The vibrant marine life you see will stay embedded in your mind forever, but it’s the enthusiastic marine staff and passionate crew members that help elevate a Paul Gauguin Cruises dive over others and make it truly memorable.
Learn
more about The Gauguin’s SCUBA diving programs at:
pgcruises.com/scuba
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