A South Seas Idyll aboard the Paul Gauguin
Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Waived single supplement on select 2026 departures.
Valid on new bookings only. Subject to availability.
Overview
Natural beauty is on display everywhere you look on this two-week voyage through the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and the Society Islands, a dreamy realm of majestic mountains, blue lagoons, and vibrant cultures. During your journey, explore captivating Fakarava, an atoll known for its pristine beaches and exceptional snorkeling, and the utterly remote Marquesas Islands, home to ancient cultural traditions. Your adventure circles back by way of the Society Islands, including Bora Bora, legendary for its immense turquoise lagoon and barrier reef, and spectacular Moorea, with its jagged mountains.
Arrive: Papeete, Tahiti
Depart: Papeete, Tahiti
Highlights
- View manta rays gliding effortlessly through the underwater world when you take a diving excursion during your cruise—it's the best time of year to see them
- Explore Fakarava, a nature lover's paradise, with its rare birds, plants, and crustaceans, many of which are easily spotted during a stroll on the island's pink-sand beaches
- Step back in history on the island of Hiva Oa, the burial place of artist Paul Gauguin, as well as home of the largest stone sculptures in the Marquesas, considered to be linked to the famous tikis of Easter Island
- Spend a relaxing day on Motu Mahana, a private islet, complete with white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, a barbecue lunch, drinks served in coconuts, and a floating lagoon bar
- In Bora Bora, spend time at an exclusive white-sand beach on a motu enjoying snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, volleyball, and stunning views of Mount Otemanu
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Begin your journey through paradise in the capital of Tahiti, the largest and most populated of the French Polynesian islands, as you embark on the Paul Gauguin.
Spend the day enjoying the m/s Paul Gauguin's Polynesian ambiance: casual, leisurely, and graceful. Perhaps take in a lecture on local wildlife or history, then dine in the evening over classic French cuisine at L'Etoile, one of the ship's two elegant restaurants.
Explore the clear waters of Fakarava, a sanctuary for rare birds, plants and crustaceans in the remote and pristine Tuamotus. You can stroll the pink-sand beaches and perhaps visit the island's black pearl farm or the ruins of the first church in French Polynesia built entirely of coral.
Take another day to enjoy shipboard life: relax poolside, watch the South Pacific slip by, play some table tennis, or take advantage of the ship's Reading Library.
The southernmost island in the Marquesas, Fatu Hiva is wild and spectacularly beautiful. The jungle greenery begins at the water's edge, with narrow ravines, deep gorges, and luxuriant valleys briefly open to view as the boat glides past, close to the sheer cliffs that plunge straight down into the splashing surf.
Above the steady rumble of the Pacific surge, the sharply sculpted mountains of Hiva Oa hide their summits in the mists of rain-filled clouds. The largest and most fertile island in the southern group of the Marquesas, Hiva Oa has deep valleys, lush plateaus, and thickly wooded forests. The main town of Atuona is a favorite port of call for yachters, who dock within Traitors Bay. And, Paul Gauguin himself called the town home and is buried on the island.Your explorations today may include the archaeological ruins of the Tiu, ancestors of most of the Hivaoan tribes.
The smallest of the Marquesas archipelago, at only 19 square miles, Tahuata is a leaf-shaped volcanic island with sheer cliffs, white-sand beaches, lush vegetation, twin bays—and a turbulent colonial history. Call at Hapatoni, a charming, seafront village with an ancient paved royal walkway shaded by tamanu trees, visit the huge Catholic church, built by the Vatican and decorated with stunning stained-glass windows and beautiful local carvings, admire traditional carvings at the crafts center, and enjoy fine swimming and snorkeling in the only Marquesas island edged by coral reef.
A charming seafront village, Taiohae is the administrative, economic, educational, and health center of the Marquesas Islands and the gateway to the island of Nuku Hiva's natural beauty. You'll be enchanted by lush valleys, impossibly blue bays, sky-high waterfalls, and ancient ruins—it's no wonder Nuku Hiva is called “Mystic Island.”
You'll be at sea for the next two days, with time to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ship. You may elect to visit the award-winning spa, or listen to a lecture by onboard experts.
Known as the “Garden Island” for its untamed, verdant forests, Huahine remains relatively untouched by modern development. Explore some of its abundant archaeological treasures—ancient homes, buildings, and marae (stone platforms that served as places of worship)—excavated and preserved throughout the island, or dive in Huahine's crystalline lagoon, which teems with over 450 species of fish.
Bora Bora's lagoon is a must-see—your chance for a swim, snorkel, or outrigger cruise. The lagoon is constantly replenished with ocean water from the swells that crash between sandy motus (small islets) and over the fringing reef.
Arrive at our South Seas paradise featuring white-sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters, and gentle breezes. Spend a full day exploring this idyllic, isolated island, and relax with a delicious barbecue lunch and Polynesian entertainment featuring strolling musicians.
Moorea's scenery is like a dream. You can try your hand at some exciting optional watersports like scuba diving among a host of interesting sea creatures, including sea turtles, a staggering number of fish species such as barracuda, tuna, jackfish, red snapper, moray eels, trigger fish, rays, and more. At the end of the afternoon, cruise to the home port in Papeete, docking there for the night.
Disembark in Papeete and fly home.
Extend your journey to enjoy the delights of Bora Bora, Moorea, Taha'a, or Tahiti. Call us for details and prices.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Zodiac landing crafts are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to wildlife sanctuaries, scenic nature areas, and local towns and villages. There are also ample opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts.
Client Testimonials
"Everything about the ship was superb!"
Bill G.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
"The lectures were not to be missed...they were always informative, interesting, and humorous."
Judy and Jan N.
Santa Fe, NM
"Relaxing, fun, educational, royal treatment, very accommodating staff. Thank you!"
Marilyn G.
Ponte Vedra Bch, FL
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.