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t’s not enough to call this a vacation; for it’s so much more than that. Part bucket-list adventure, part transformational experience, these 14 unforgettable nights aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin explore some of the most majestic islands in all of the storied South Pacific.
Tis journey is an exercise in juxtaposition: Te relaxed luxury of shipboard life contrasts beautifully with the wilds of the Marquesas Islands. Te picture-perfect Society Islands beg for photos to be taken and postcards to be sent back home, while the Tuamotu Archipelago gives you the perfect reason to unplug and immerse yourself in all Mother Nature has to offer.
Two weeks is the perfect amount of time to decide: which island will be your favorite? Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands
TAHITI Tere’s a buzzy energy to Tahiti’s capital city of Papeete that is unmistakably Polynesian. Vibrant, friendly, and unpretentious, the city is the flip side of the island’s majestic peaks, lush jungles, tumbling waterfalls, and stellar blue lagoon. Before you sail, you might want to take in some of the history, culture, and art found in the many museums and galleries throughout the city.
FAKARAVA It’s called the “Island of Dreams,” and you’ll be dreaming of Fakarava long after your visit. Te second largest of the Tuamotu atolls (second only to Rangiroa), Fakarava’s rectangular reef is home to a rich ecosystem, one of seven in a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Above and below the water, it’s as if Mother Nature put on her best dress for you to admire and exclaim, “My, aren’t you fetching!”
Fakarava lures divers from all over the world, inviting them to take a peek below the surface in search of barracudas, manta and eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and turtles— all playing amidst the dramatic coral landscape. On land, let the sea breeze guide you to the southern end of the lagoon, where you’ll find a church made entirely of coral, built by missionaries in 1874.
AT SEA Tere is something innately glamorous about lounging on the deck of a ship as the horizon drifts past. Whether in a deck- side chaise with a tropical libation in hand and
a novel at the ready, or relaxing poolside simply soaking up the sun, Te Gauguin is designed for your idle and indulgent pleasure. Consider a visit to the fitness center, capped with a rejuvenating interlude at the spa.
Your onboard hosts, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, are happy to lead Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on crafting projects, and an array of activities for all ages and interests. As the Golden Hour approaches, prepare for a spectacular Polynesian sunset enjoyed on deck. Te colors really do defy description.
FATU HIVA Te Marquesas: Wild. Dramatic. Bold. Here, the Pacific Ocean pounds against jagged cliffs—sharply sculpted mountains reaching so high that a fine mist of clouds often comes down to meet them. In contrast to the aquamarine waters and lagoons of the Society Islands, the water here is a deep indigo; no coral reef barriers, but a world of wonder still.
Te southernmost island in the Marquesas, Fatu Hiva may also be the most beautiful. Tis isolated paradise really is “off the radar.” No airstrip, only one road, and just 500 residents. Explorer and archaeologist Tor Heyerdahl immortalized Fatu Hiva in a book of the same name published in 1974, detailing his one- and-a half-year quest to escape civilization in the 1930s. Little has changed since then.
Nestled within the shores of Fatu Hiva, Hanavave Bay, famously known as the
Bay of Virgins, captivates visitors with its breathtaking beauty and intriguing history. Surrounded by steep, verdant cliffs, the bay is often shrouded in mist, creating a mystical atmosphere that enchants all who visit. Its name originates from a local legend about the virgins who once lived here, offering a glimpse into the island’s rich cultural heritage.
HIVA OA With its deep valleys, rugged peaks, and dense velvet rain forests, Hiva Oa’s jungles hold many secrets, including ancient, massive stone tiki carvings and petroglyphs whose true meanings have never been definitively explained. If you enjoy exploring, this is the place.
Te city of Atuona is a favorite of the yacht set, with just enough of an islandy-cosmopolitan vibe to make things interesting. It’s easy to understand how artist Paul Gauguin and Belgian-born songwriter Jacques Brel came to call this island home. (Tey’re still here; you can visit both at the Calvaire Cemetery.)
TAHUATA Te smallest of the Marquesas’ inhabited islands with only 600 residents, you’ll immediately feel welcome by the locals here, and quite possibly by the pod of dolphins who regularly ply the waters. Te island is rich with archaeological sites— and the ancient royal walkway, with its floral- scented air, is an enchanting setting for a stroll.
Arrival is at the quaint village of Hapatoni, where an open-air market presents a wealth
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