French Polynesia

Land of lagoons

FRENCH POLYNESIA

8 day itinerary

Made up of 100+ islands scattered through five archipelagos (the Tuamotu, Marquesas, Gambier, Austral and Society Islands), French Polynesia is a South Pacific fantasy brought to life. From surfing tropical atolls to snorkelling shalow waters, this is the ultimate island hopping destination.

Snorkel with turtles and swim with sharks. Explore colourful coral reefs alive with thousands of tropical fish. Surf over warm clear waters. Luxuriate in oceanfront spas.

F’a’a’a International Airport

Papeete

6km

day 1

Fa’a’a Intl Airport - Papeete

TAHITIAN FEAST

Step onboard your charter yacht to a welcome greeting by local dancers. After a refreshing cocktail, take a tour of the island for your first taste of the French Polynesian culture. Visit the Manua gallery and pick up some beautiful Tahitian artworks. Learn about black pearls at the Robert Wan Pearl museum. Experience a Tama’ara’a or Tahitian Feast, made using an oven in the ground lined with hot volcanic stones ('ahima’a') that heats food wrapped in banana leaves.

Papeete

Moorea

15nm

day 2

Papeete – Moorea

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

Set sail for the scenic island of Moorea. Take Instagram-worthy shots of views so perfect that they look photoshopped. Head to the Lagoonarium – a wild but protected environment for sharks, rays, turtles and thousands of fish. Snorkel among them equipped with your GoPro. The island's north coast offers great reef breaks for surfers. Later, explore the island by jeep, hike its the volcanic mountains and follow the path through the rainforest. Choose a pretty white sand beach for a lunchtime picnic set up by the crew. Enjoy dinner onboard.

Moorea

Tetiaroa

34nm

day 3

Moorea - Tetiaroa

MARLON BRANDO ISLAND

Tetiaroa is a string of islets circling a gorgeous turquoise lagoon. Once a favourite of Tahitian royalty, Marlon Brando discovered this atoll whilst filming Mutiny on the Bounty in 1962. He bought it a few years later and the Brando Resort opened in 2014. Enjoy a massage in the Varua Spa or play a few sets of tennis. Explore the lagoon or play the castaway on a deserted beach. Enjoy a cocktail at Bob’s Bar before dinner at Les Mutinés, whose kitchen is overseen by 2 Michelin* chef Guy Martin.

Tetiaroa

Huahine

82nm

day 4

Tetiaroa – Huahine

garden of eden

Huahine, often compared to the Garden of Eden with its tropical jungle and bright flowers, is considered very important in Polynesian culture. Step back in time for a different kind of experience visiting ancient temples dating back to 700AD. See the sacred stone fish traps at Lake Fauna Nui. Watch the feeding of the sacred blue-eyed eels in the lake at Faie Village. Climb Mount Maiterea to see remnants of countless religious monuments. See the vibrant works of a local artist at Galerie Umatatea in Maeva.

Huahine

Raiatea

23nm

day 5

Huahine – Raiatea

ocean PEARL

Enjoy breakfast on deck as the yacht cruises to Raiatea. Visit a pearl farm inside the lagoon, which harvests black pearls from the Tahitian black lipped oyster. Take a trip on an outrigger canoe up Faaroa, the only navigable river in Polynesia. Kayak around the lagoon or dive down to explore its depths. Hike up Mount Temehani and try to spot the rare, endemic Tiare Apetahi flower. Visit a vanilla plantation or a sugar cane rum distillery, and return to your yacht to relax in the Jacuzzi with a cocktail.

Raiatea

Taha’a

11nm

day 6

Raiatea – Taha’a

Orchid island

Cruise across to the neighbouring island of Taha’a, enclosed in the same coral reef as Raiatea. Breathe in the intoxicating scent of the Tahitian vanilla orchids which grow in abundance here. Visit a vanilla plantation or explore the hills and valleys of the island. Go snorkelling in the shallow coral garden between Mahare and Tautau amid hundreds of brightly coloured fish or simply take some downtime on the beach.

Taha’a

Bora Bora

15nm

day 7

Taha’a – Bora Bora

Leading lady

Known as the leading lady of Polynesia for good reason, Bora Bora is the epitomy of the perfect South Seas island. Go diving or snorkelling in the lagoon. Paddleboard in the crystal-clear waters or try kitesurfing. Watch the feeding of the sharks and rays or go fishing. Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment at one of the luxury resorts. Watch the sun set on your last evening over cocktails on the sundeck. Enjoy a final meal onboard prepared to your preference by the yacht chef.

Bora Bora

Papeete

145nm

day 8

Bora Bora – Papeete

Disembarkation

Wake up underway and enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the yacht arrives back in Papeete. Take your last photos before transfer to the airport for onward travel.