lagoon many in the know consider top-tier for fish and mollusk diversity. Several hundred lucky species make a home here—damselfish, butterflyfish, Picasso triggers, and lots of vibrant Tridacna maxima, aka giant clams. Ponder their considerable size for yourself during the snorkeling portion of the Lagoon Cruise & Beach Break excursion, which also involves a barbeque lunch on the sand at ultra-scenic One Foot Island and tropical birdwatching at Honeymoon Island.
Craving a dry-land adventure today? Try the hike up to the summit of Mount Maunga Pu; at 407 feet, it’s the highest spot on this low- slung atoll.
At Sea (2 DAYS) With the Cook Islands astern and Tonga ahead, enjoy the superb unplugged beauty of a two-day sail through the South Pacific—and across the International Date Line, a waypoint few travelers can say they’ve visited.Te Gauguin's onboard troupe of Tahitian cultural gurus will be on hand, retelling Polynesian legends through dance and song, providing hands-on craft and fashion demonstrations, and radiating the irresistible warmth of the region.
Vava’u Te Kingdom of Tonga, Polynesia’s sole modern-day monarchy, has never been colonized by a foreign power. Among the proud archipelago’s 170 atolls, the Vava’u island group is a favored haven for pleasure yachts and unique culture/cuisine seekers. Tanks to the exceptional water clarity, an undersea wonderland thrives here too. Visiting snorkelers are liable to see spinner dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, giant clams, and countless tropical fish species enjoying these lush coral gardens.
Tose curious to witness a far different Tongan landscape should consider a Swallow Cave and Island Getaway, whisking you by boat to Kapa Island and a remarkable cave that is not, as its name implies, inhabited by swallows.
Instead, hundreds of tiny, acrobatic swiftlets flit about in the dim light, nesting in the darkness of the grotto’s upper reaches. Your outing settles back down to Earth for some R&R along exquisite Falevai Mui Houma Beach.
Rather climb a mountain? Head for Mount Talau National Park and an easy hike to the summit. Elevation may only be 331 feet, but the views go on forever.
AT Sea Another leisurely day at sea, another chance to learn more about the culture of the islands with onboard lectures and presentations. For instance: the classic Polynesian dress for women, the pareo (or sarong), originated in Tahiti and the Cook Islands. Often brilliantly decorated with hibiscus flowers, indigenous designs, or traditional tapa patterns, pareos are today sported by both men and women. Master some of the many ways to tie and wear them with guidance from Les Gauguines.
Savusavu Meet the island of Vanua Levu, home to the spectacular Hibiscus Highway, Nakawaqa waterfall, edible bêche-de-mer sea cucumbers, and enough soft corals to impress even Jean-Michel Cousteau. Unassuming and unspoiled, this second largest of Fiji’s 300 isles is anchored by Savusavu, a town once known only to coconut oil traders. Today, it’s your port of entry to adventure.
Trek among exotic palms, virgin hardwoods, and colorful parrots on aWaisali Rain Forest & Reserve excursion. Witness the elders of an authentic Fijian parish as they practice their unforgettable kava ceremony during the Nukubalavu Village Tour. Take a Snorkeling Tour into crystal clear Savusavu Bay, brimming with plate and soft corals, sea turtles, friendly reef sharks, and fish, fish, fish.
Suva Arrayed on a hilly peninsula between twin harbors on Viti Levu island, Fiji’s capital city sports an eclectic mix of modern and colonial
architecture, showcasing all the touchpoints of Fijian culture from historical museums to handicraft markets. An inviting place to explore on foot freestyle, Suva and its surrounds will also satisfy your most diverse excursion cravings— whether they run to volcano hikes, WWII heritage sites, high canopy ziplining, waterfall swims, botanical garden tours, or playdays along a resort beach.
Beqa Island First of all: it’s pronounced “BENG-uh” despite the spelling. Second, it’s a tiny Eden—less than six square miles—with a huge heart and a friendly disposition. No paved roads and just a sprinkling of villages. Te barrier reef within its startlingly turquoise lagoon, once the crater of an ancient volcano, is now a world-class draw for divers, snorkelers, and fishing enthusiasts.
Waterfalls tumble, golden beaches sparkle, forests of papaya and coconut ripen, and gentle breezes whisper the secrets of a paradise steeped in traditions, where the 500-year-old ritual of Fijian firewalking was born—and is still practiced. Witness one on an excursion during your visit, and you might never want to go barefoot again.
Lautoka Set on the opposite coast of Viti Levu from Suva, Lautoka is an ex-British enclave with one foot in Polynesia and the other squarely in Melanesia. Vast fields of golden-green sugarcane surround the city on three sides; the fourth side is all deep-blue Pacific.
Stroll the shops along palm-lined Vitigo Parade or the sugar-fine white sand of beaches shaded by coconut palms. Further afield, hike the rainforest trails in Koroyanitu National Heritage Park or catch the scent of over 2,000 rare orchids growing among manicured lawns and lily ponds in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. A fitting end (or beginning) for this idyllic voyage.
Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands Lautoka, Fiji to Papeete, Tahiti (or reverse)
14 NIGHTS rom $8,590 per person Includes 20% Early Bonus Savings* *See page 79 for Terms & Conditions Paul Gauguin Cruises |
www.pgcruises.com 67
2025 SAILING DATES: January 4; May 1, 2025
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