Papeete, French Polynesia to Papeete, French Polynesia

Papeete, the vibrant capital of French Polynesia, is a must-visit for anyone. With its bustling market, charming waterfront, and delicious French-Polynesian cuisine, Papeete offers a taste of authentic Tahitian life. Don't miss the chance to explore the island's lush interior, relax on its black sand beaches, and soak up the laid-back island vibes.

Enclosed in a common lagoon with Raiatea and accessible only by boat, Taha’a is an ideal island for a relaxing getaway. A sleepy island that boasts only a handful of guesthouses and small hotels, Taha’a maintains an authentic Polynesian flavor. And speaking of flavors, it produces about 80% of French Polynesia’s world-renowned vanilla, a must-buy during a visit to the island.

Raiatea is one of the largest islands in French Polynesia -- second only to Tahiti; however, don't let its size fool you into thinking it's busy or overrun with tourists. While Bora Bora offers celebrity chic and Moorea is simply exquisite, Raiatea is a secret find. Outside of the main port town, Uturoa, the 105 square-mile island is quiet and lightly populated, yet there's much to do and see along the coast and within its untamed, rugged interior. Natural beauty aside, Raiatea is known as 'The Sacred Isle' because it was the centre of religion and culture dating back to about 1000AD, and there's also an enticing mystique about it. Members of various Polynesian kingdoms once journeyed here by canoe for tribal meetings, ceremonies and even human sacrifices at Marae Taputapuatea in Opoa to the southeast. Today, visitors can visit the outdoor ancient worship temple and glimpse petroglyphs carved in basaltic stones found along the coast. One thing that sets Raiatea apart from other islands in French Polynesia is there are no real sandy beaches. However, those who want to get their feet wet can take a trip to one of the motus or islets that dot the lagoon (you have to rent or hire a boat to get to them). Among those are Motu Nao Nao, a stretch of gorgeous white sand, and Opeha Point, known for good snorkeling.

Apart from cruise ship visits, Raiatea is the yachting hub of French Polynesia and there'll always been plenty of sailboats and yachts at the island's marinas on the north coast. Situated in the same lagoon as Raiatea and only about 10 km to the north is Tahaa, a tiny island, even quieter than Raiatea; you can only get there by boat via ship-sponsored excursions or private tours. Upon arrival you might see women fishing for their day's lunch and you'll certainly have a chance to buy vanilla and pearls and these are the two main industries. If it isn't a school day, kids will pause from chasing each other to wave hello. It feels a world away, even in the already far reaches of the South Pacific.

Raiatea is one of the largest islands in French Polynesia -- second only to Tahiti; however, don't let its size fool you into thinking it's busy or overrun with tourists. While Bora Bora offers celebrity chic and Moorea is simply exquisite, Raiatea is a secret find. Outside of the main port town, Uturoa, the 105 square-mile island is quiet and lightly populated, yet there's much to do and see along the coast and within its untamed, rugged interior. Natural beauty aside, Raiatea is known as 'The Sacred Isle' because it was the centre of religion and culture dating back to about 1000AD, and there's also an enticing mystique about it. Members of various Polynesian kingdoms once journeyed here by canoe for tribal meetings, ceremonies and even human sacrifices at Marae Taputapuatea in Opoa to the southeast. Today, visitors can visit the outdoor ancient worship temple and glimpse petroglyphs carved in basaltic stones found along the coast. One thing that sets Raiatea apart from other islands in French Polynesia is there are no real sandy beaches. However, those who want to get their feet wet can take a trip to one of the motus or islets that dot the lagoon (you have to rent or hire a boat to get to them). Among those are Motu Nao Nao, a stretch of gorgeous white sand, and Opeha Point, known for good snorkeling.

Apart from cruise ship visits, Raiatea is the yachting hub of French Polynesia and there'll always been plenty of sailboats and yachts at the island's marinas on the north coast. Situated in the same lagoon as Raiatea and only about 10 km to the north is Tahaa, a tiny island, even quieter than Raiatea; you can only get there by boat via ship-sponsored excursions or private tours. Upon arrival you might see women fishing for their day's lunch and you'll certainly have a chance to buy vanilla and pearls and these are the two main industries. If it isn't a school day, kids will pause from chasing each other to wave hello. It feels a world away, even in the already far reaches of the South Pacific.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Rectangular-shaped Fakarava is the second largest atoll in the Tuamotu Islands after Rangiroa, 37 miles long by 15 miles wide. Land at charming Rotoava village home to most of the atoll's inhabitants which consists of a long avenue bordered by a post office, two shops, a restaurant and a bakery. Fakarava's immense lagoon has several black pearl farms, idyllic white sand beaches and encloses more than 80 motu (islets), home to many breeds of nesting birds oblivious to visitors. Snorkeling here is excellent with many tropical fishes including huge napoleon wrasses, white-tip, black-tip and (harmless) grey sharks, and sometimes manta rays.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

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. Visitors are enchanted by lush valleys, impossibly blue bays, sky-high waterfalls, and ancient ruins.

The southernmost island in the Marquesas, Fatu Hiva may also be the most beautiful. This remote paradise has no airstrip, only one road, and just 500 residents. A century ago, the island was known as a haven for sailors looking to avoid the attention of the authorities. Today, it's known for the production and sale of tapa, beaten bark cloth decorated in ink with traditional Polynesian artwork.

The smallest of the inhabited Marquesas Islands, the volcanic outpost of Tahuata is a remote, breathtaking haven steeped in ancient Polynesian culture. Inaccessible by conventional airstrips, this peaceful island can only be reached by sea, opening up a landscape of steep, jungle-clad cliffs and hidden, white-sand bays. The local inhabitants are celebrated across the Pacific as exceptionally talented master carvers, working meticulously with bone and rosewood. Breathe in the rich scent of wild frangipani and vanilla that fills the air as you explore the historic, stone-paved valleys.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Rangiroa, located 219 miles northeast of Tahiti, is a stunning atoll, especially when seen from the air. (Check it out on Google Earth.) It's the largest atoll in the Tuamotu Islands and, in fact, one of the largest in the world. More than 415 *motus* (tiny coral islands) surround this atoll. These *motu*, with gaps of various distances between them, form a misshapen circle that completely surrounds a huge interior lagoon -- a lagoon so vast that the entire island of Tahiti could comfortably fit within it. Only two of the *motus* are inhabited and only one, known as Avatoru, has a decent road. As with other atolls around the world, Rangiroa was once a volcanic island that eroded over millions of years and eventually sunk into the ocean leaving behind a fringing coral reef (which are now the motus). With fewer than 3,600 citizens, sleepy Rangiroa is perhaps what you've always imagined as a tropical island hideaway, complete with a pink-sand beach and a spectacular 'blue lagoon', which is a separate body of water located within the main lagoon. Ships entering Rangiroa's huge lagoon, sail through one of two main passes connecting the ocean to the lagoon. The passes are named after the only two villages on the atoll -- Tiputa Pass and Avatoru Pass. Avatoru, the little capital, is the larger of the two towns and boasts a post office, grocery store, a few banks and ATMs, two churches and several casual restaurants. Tiputa is smaller and is located on an adjacent motu to the east. Rangiroa is a paradise for divers and snorkelers who thrill at the sight of sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, hammerhead sharks, manta rays and stingrays as they "shoot the pass" or drift snorkel through either of the two passes, from the ocean to the lagoon.

Papeete, the vibrant capital of French Polynesia, is a must-visit for anyone. With its bustling market, charming waterfront, and delicious French-Polynesian cuisine, Papeete offers a taste of authentic Tahitian life. Don't miss the chance to explore the island's lush interior, relax on its black sand beaches, and soak up the laid-back island vibes.