Tahiti Island French Polynesia Cruise from Papeete to Valparaíso — 16 Days

Papeete

Papeete is French Polynesia’s lively capital, set on Tahiti’s northwest coast beneath green volcanic peaks. Its waterfront, central market and shaded streets offer a vivid introduction to island life. Browse the Marché de Papeete for vanilla, pareos and tropical fruit, then pause over poisson cru, Tahiti’s lime-and-coconut-marinated fish. Beyond town, black-sand beaches and waterfalls await, while ferry links make Moorea an easy day trip. Papeete rewards a few hours on foot—and a longer look at Tahiti.

Makatea Island Tuamotus

Makatea rises sharply from the Pacific, an unusual limestone island in the low-lying Tuamotu Archipelago. Its sheer cliffs and forested plateau set it apart from the palm-fringed atolls nearby. Phosphate mining, which ended in 1966, left machinery and rail remnants among the vegetation. Today, Makatea rewards curious visitors with dramatic coastal scenery and quiet village life. It offers a rare glimpse of French Polynesia beyond the lagoon.

Fakarava Atoll Tuamotus

Fakarava is a vast coral atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago, where a narrow ribbon of land encloses a luminous lagoon. It is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its reefs, lagoons and fragile island ecosystems. At Garuae and Tumakohua passes, strong currents draw divers to schools of fish and gray reef sharks. On land, Rotoava offers a quiet glimpse of Tuamotu life, far from resort crowds.

Tuamotus Islands

Across French Polynesia, the Tuamotus form a vast chain of low coral atolls. Their lagoons shift from turquoise to deep blue. Rangiroa, one of the world’s largest atolls, draws divers into passes frequented by sharks and rays. Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, pairs reef-rich passes with quiet villages and pearl farms. Come for the water; stay for its extraordinary clarity.

At Sea (At Sea)

Gambier Islands

At the southeastern edge of French Polynesia, the Gambier Islands reward travelers willing to venture beyond the familiar Society Islands. Mangareva, the largest island, rises above a broad lagoon edged by smaller islands and coral reefs. In Rikitea, 19th-century St. Michael’s Cathedral recalls the archipelago’s Catholic history. Black pearls are still cultivated in these remote waters. Allow time for quiet beaches, clear shallows, and the archipelago’s unhurried pace.

Pitcairn Island

Few ports feel as remote as Pitcairn, a volcanic island in the South Pacific with no airport. Most visitors arrive by ship, and landing depends on sea conditions. Adamstown, the island’s only settlement, is home to descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Walk its steep lanes, visit the small museum, and experience island life shaped by isolation, self-reliance, and the ocean.

Henderson Island UK (Scenic Stop)

At Sea (At Sea)

Easter Island Chile, Chile

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, rises from the Pacific nearly 3,700 kilometres west of mainland Chile. The island’s history commands attention: hundreds of monumental moai stand across a volcanic landscape shaped by Polynesian culture. At Rano Raraku, the quarry where many figures were carved, unfinished statues remain in the hillside. Ahu Tongariki gathers 15 restored moai beneath open skies. Rano Kau’s crater and Orongo’s ceremonial village reveal another chapter in Rapa Nui history.

Valparaiso-Santiago, Chile

Valparaíso is Chile’s most characterful port, a steep-sided city rising above the Pacific in a mosaic of color. Ride a historic funicular into the hills, where murals, stairways and bright houses reward unhurried exploration. In the UNESCO-listed historic quarter, grand 19th-century architecture recalls the era when ships rounded Cape Horn. Visit La Sebastiana, poet Pablo Neruda’s house, then return to the waterfront for fresh seafood and broad Pacific views.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• Flight (Flight)