the elusive kakerori flycatcher found only here. No matter what, it will be a Raro treat.
AT SEA Waking up to a fresh day at sea, feel how the amazing sights, sounds, and tastes you’ve experienced so far are fueling your sense of wellbeing. Daydream or dive into a novel on the Sun Deck as the South Pacific landscape drifts by. Channel your inner artist by sketching or painting. Ask your onboard cultural hosts, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, for tips and techniques on mastering Polynesian craft-making. Tackle making a basket from coconut fronds, learn the ancient art of tapa barkcloth, create your own jewelry from natural materials found on the islands. And celebrate your mastery with a Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée.
Bora Bora (OVERNIGHT) Tis morning finds you back in the warm embrace of French Polynesia, anchored for a pair of play days on the South Pacific’s supermodel island, Bora Bora. It looks every bit as glamorous as all those magazine covers it’s starred on. But this is better; this is in- real-life.
With so much to do and see, your time here will require some decisioning. First and foremost, there’s the water. Dazzling, warm, and inviting, Bora Bora’s lagoon offers positively cinematic beauty for snorkelers and divers. And exotic up-close encounters with gentle stingrays and shy sharks. Te scene’s also jaw-dropping above the surface where catamaran sails, kayaking, jet boating, aquabiking, and waverunner tours are among the options. As we said, tough call.
Ten there’s the land to consider. Guided hikes, ATV adventures, ancient temples to explore. Te half-day Bora Bora Off-Road Adventure leaves the pavement in the rearview on a rollicking exploration of the island’s considerable natural beauty and interesting WWII history.
Should you prefer to do little more than float in bathtub-glorious ocean water and sip cool refreshments along an exquisite beach framed by iconic Mount Otemanu views, Te Gauguin’s private Bora Bora beach retreat is waiting.
By the way: brace yourself for ravishing sunsets. Tey’re a Bora Bora trademark.
Taha’a [Motu Mahana] Its deliciously fragrant botanical secret will excite your senses even before you arrive. Tis is the Vanilla Island, where 80% of French Polynesia’s gourmet-prized crop is grown. Graced by lush beaches and crowned by volcanic slopes clad in pineapple and banana fields, this flower-shaped paradise is as dreamy as Bora Bora, yet exquisitely undeveloped.
Seasoned snorkelers love the Coral Garden Drift Snorkel, where the current carries divers and their guides single file through a lagoon brimming with brilliant fish and graceful corals (or is it the other way round?). Te Exploration of Taha’a excursion keeps dry, traversing high mountains by off-road vehicle and visiting a local vanillerie and Tahitian black pearl farm.
Tat said, a freeform day on Te Gauguin’s private beach haven, Motu Mahana, might be just what floats your boat. Tis tiny islet features swaying palms, kayaking and
other watersports, beach volleyball, and an overwater massage situation. Oh, and a floating bar serving up your favorite beverages plus a sumptuous daily barbeque. Hard to resist.
Moorea (OVERNIGHT) No two ways about it (though there are two bays about it), Moorea is as stunning as French Polynesia gets—its signature heart shape created by Cook’s and Opunohu Bays with dramatic Mt. Rotui parked between them. In addition to its undeniably great looks, Moorea brims with stunning opportunities for adventure during your two-day sojourn.
One popular example is the Dolphin Watching Expedition, led by a marine biologist and focused on the wild, free- ranging Spinner and rough-toothed dolphins that frequent Moorea’s lagoon. For an even loftier vantage point on what’s in the water, there’s a scenic island flyover excursion by small plane. And for photography enthusiasts, a pro-guided Capture Moorea outing scouring the island from beach to peak in quest of the perfect image.
For a fully human-powered thrill, the trail to the Magic Mountain Overlook takes under an hour and rewards hikers with views of a lifetime.
PAPEETE, TAHITI (OVERNIGHT) Back to the harbor where the voyage began, already? Where did the time go? In your journal, perhaps. And certainly, it’s been logged in your best-of-the-best memory banks for regular recall. After a final evening aboard, you’ll bid farewell to the South Seas. Until the next trip, anyway.
Cook Islands & Society Islands Roundtrip Papeete, Tahiti
11 NIGHTS rom $5,920 per person Includes 30% Early Bonus Savings*
2025 SAILING DATES: May 24; September 27;
November 15; December 27, 2025
*See page 79 for Terms & Conditions
Paul Gauguin Cruises |
www.pgcruises.com 51
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