G
et ready for the delightful confusion of cruising across the International Dateline–“If it’s
Tuesday, it must be Tonga. (Or is it Wednesday?)”–as you embark on this unhurried two- week odyssey through the South Pacific’s most enthralling archipelagos. Depending on
which direction you start from, Tahiti or Lautoka, you’ll gain or lose a calendar day as you cross the 180th meridian. But you’ll never lose your sense of wonder at where you’ve been and what you’ve seen.
Among the high points: a string of days immersed in the picture-book beauty of the Society Islands, including legendary Moorea and Bora Bora; a sojourn in the unspoiled Cook Islands, recognized as a Top Country by Lonely Planet in its Best in Travel 2022; a visit to the welcoming Kingdom of Tonga, aka “Te Friendly Isles;” and adventurous explorations of three different islands of Fiji, where the Melanesian and Polynesian cultures meld in an exotic mélange.
Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands (Tis itinerary also operates in reverse.)
Tahiti Its name conjures images of relaxed tropical allure, yet the island of Tahiti Nui boasts a distinctly energetic vibe this evening. Te m/s Paul Gauguin looks radiant, berthed under the backdrop of three volcanos in Papeete harbor, where a sprawling marché offers lively grazing for produce, flowers and colorful handcrafts.
Moorea Second only to Bora Bora for fantasy honeymooning, heart-shaped Moorea beams with eternal beauty— looking as young and unabashed as when James Cook first sailed by 250 years ago. Often described as Earth’s most captivating setting, this eight-peaked island wraps its lush mountainous arms around gorgeous twin bays—Opunohu and Cook’s— the whole lot surrounded by a sapphire lagoon that rivals any paradise your imagination can picture.
It’s practically impossible to avoid feeling content around here. Even the marine mammals that frequent these waters seem especially happy—which you can opt to observe for yourself on an expert-led Dolphin Watching Expedition. Prefer to seek your joy landside this day? Consider the Aito Off-Road Safari or ATV Guided Tour, each transporting you inland to spectacular terrain and uphill to views that will definitely put a big smile on your face.
Taha’a [MOTU MAHANA] Tis botanically rich island is actually shaped like a giant flower and perfumed by the scent of luscious Tahitian vanilla that proliferates here. Encircling its shoreline is a stunning necklace of coral reefs dotted with tiny motus (beach islets), including one knockout known asMotu Mahana— expressly for the private enjoyment of Te Gauguin's guests.
Welcomed ashore by your journey’s cultural hosts, Les Gauguines, you’ll find everything from luxurious sun lounging and overwater spa sessions to pick-up beach volleyball, kayaking, snorkeling, and refreshing potables served from a floating bar. A Tahitian barbeque feast rounds out the comforts.
Bora Bora (OVERNIGHT) Rising skyward from its preposterously photogenic lagoon and crowned by iconic Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora has been the world’s favorite fantasy romance destination for generations. Waking up here after a midnight arrival, you’ll have a very full day to soak up the glamour of it all.
Myriad excursions are on the roster, from guided volcano hikes to 4x4 tours, ATV adventures, and waterborne explorations by waverunner, aquabike, glass-bottom boat, and catamaran.
Prefer a firsthand look at what’s going on below the waterline? Sign on for a mellow Lagoonarium outing, a multi-stop snorkeling tour, or the always-thrilling Sharks & Stingrays Encounter.
Feeling lazier than that? Don’t fight it; enjoy a deliciously tranquil escape at Te Gauguin’s private Bora Bora beach retreat.
AT Sea Sea days on Te Gauguin are for mastering the art of relaxation. Setting the tone with breakfast in bed. Spending a while reviewing and posting some of the incredible photos you’ve already accumulated. Getting your cardio in gear at the fitness center and your skin glowing at the Algotherm Spa. Sampling the smoothie of the day, lunching al fresco with newfound friends at La Veranda, nibbling crustless sandwiches and petit fours at Afternoon Tea. Napping poolside or up on the Sun Deck, dreaming of how you might continue this daily rhythm indefinitely.
Aitutaki Get ready for drums, grass skirts, tikis, storytelling… and giant clams. You’ve arrived in Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, settled a thousand years ago by the legendary Polynesian explorer Ru and still deeply connected to its ancient ways.
Now, about those clams: Te island’s coral barrier reef encloses a vast triangular
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