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z -Island Sanctuaries

Tahitian Culture and Wildlife. From the romantic and spectacularly beautiful Society Islands we sail through pristine cobalt blue waters to the remote Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands. Here we'll explore the great variety of dramatic volcanic and coral islands, fjord-like bays, and atolls that make these islands a naturalist's paradise, and meet many of the locals whose rich cultural heritage is evident in the fascinating archaeological ruins dotting the countryside.

Immortalized by Gauguin's paintings and James Michener's words, Papeete is a place of romance and seduction. You may be charmed by the Tahitian aita pea pea (no problem) attitude. Or fall in love with the colorful 150-year-old municipal market with its mosaic of colors, profusion of scents, and symphony of sounds.

Cruise aboard the 118-passenger, all-suite, Spirit of Oceanus. Highlights include: Paul Gauguin Museum; Bora Bora, said to be the most beautiful island in the world; South Sea Island handicrafts; Hibiscus Foundation Turtle Reserve; View amazing underwater world via snorkeling, diving or glass-bottom boat; Great bird watching opportunities.

Day 1 - U.S. / Tahiti, Society Islands

Transfer to your luxurious hotel and spend the remainder of your evening at your leisure.

Accommodations: InterContinental Resort Tahiti
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Tahiti, Society Islands

Aita pea pea – no problem! That’s the attitude in Papeete, a place once immortalized by Gaughin and Michener. Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, the Paul Gauguin Museum and the former home of James Norman Hall, author of Mutiny on the Bounty. Visit the 150-year-old municipal market, a cacophony of colors, smells and sounds, before boarding the Spirit of Oceanus and sailing out at sunset.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 3 - Bora Bora, Society Islands

Emerald mountains, white sand beaches and sheltered turquoise lagoons define perfection on Bora Bora. Take a tour of the island’s colorful villages, archeological sites and World War II relics, or glide over colorful reef in a glass bottom boat, swim with gentle stingrays and watch a wild shark feeding. Stroll the quaint streets of Vaitape, Bora Bora’s main village.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Rangiora, Tuamotu Islands

You won’t believe how many fish abide in the clean, fresh waters of the Tuamotus! The second largest atoll in the world, Rangiroa offers some of the best swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving in the South Pacific. When you’re not exploring the underwater world, stroll through a local village, soaking up the slow, tropical pace of life.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Takapoto, Tuamotu Islands

Have you ever wondered how the rare black pearl is cultivated? Takapoto is the island where the “gem of the South Seas” was first farmed. Visit a local pearl farm, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of the industry. Keep an eye out for the endemic atoll fruitdove, and spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling Takapoto’s crystal-clear, turquoise lagoon.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - At Sea

Bask in the amenities of the Spirit of Oceanus as she cruises between islands. Exploration Leaders and Guest Speakers will whet your appetite for the natural history and cultures you are about to experience.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Ua Huka, The Marquesas

Thousands of seabirds inhabit Ua Huka’s surrounding islets. As you approach, breathe in the smell of fresh herbs and wild cotton that blanket the hills of the southern coast. Bounce along dirt roads on a four-wheel-drive tour of the island’s lush interior, the Museum of Vaipee and the villages of Hane and Hokato, where traditional woodcarving is still a fine art. Ancient petroglyphs and red rock tikis, or carved talisman, reveal life on Ua Huka tracking back to 300 AD.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Hiva Oa, The Marquesas

The largest and most fertile island in the southern Marquesas, Hiva Oa is chiseled with deep valleys, fertile plateaus and lush forests. In Paumau, visit the Oipona me’ae temple, home of Takaii, an eight-foot-tall stone tiki, the largest in French Polynesia. Enjoy a special performance by the villagers and tour the Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel Cultural Centers. Hiva Oa was where Gauguin spent the last years of his life (many of his descendents still live on the island), and you’ll have the chance to visit his grave.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Fatu Hiva, The Marquesas

Fita Huva is wildly beautiful. Jungle greenery plunges straight down into splashing surf and rock curtains (veiled virgins, according to Catholic missionaries) enclose Hanavave Bay. Learn about Marquesian culture here, on an island where artists are reviving traditional crafts including intricately carved wood bowls and war clubs. This is the only place in French Polynesia where they still make tapa, beaten bark cloth. Villagers perform their traditional dances, demonstrate their handicrafts and explain their traditional tattoos. Tattooing reached its zenith in the Marquesas, where it was used to express personality, social status, and to protect against evil spirits.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - At Sea

Embrace the warm, salty air of the vast, blue Pacific. Let it fill your lungs and soothe your skin.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Fakarava, Tuamotu Islands

This protected atoll and its six neighboring islands make up a UNESCO-classified nature reserve. Fakarava is home to the rare hunting kingfisher and Tuamotu palm and is the haunt of countless dolphins, rays, squills and sea cicadas. Snorkel the Tumakohua Pass and enjoy local village cultural and handicraft demonstrations.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Tahiti, Society Islands

Disembark and check into individual day rooms at your hotel, then spend the afternoon at leisure until it's time to transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.

Accommodations: InterContinental Resort
Included Meals: breakfast

Ports and Places

Tahiti, Society Islands
Immortalized by Gauguin’s paintings and James Michener’s words, Papeete is a place of romance and seduction. You may be charmed by the Tahitian aita pea pea (no problem) attitude. Or fall in love with the colorful 150-year-old municipal market.

Bora Bora, Society Islands
Emerald green mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the turquoise, lapis and aquamarine of the sheltered lagoon. An almost unbroken expanse of warm, white sand provides the island with a white collar of perfection for sun worshippers.

Taha’a, Society Islands
Marine turtles have found a refuge on Taha’a, where the Hibiscus Turtle Preserve works to save the endangered reptiles. We’ll meet with founder Leo Morou and find out why marine turtles are endangered and how they are rehabilitated and released.

Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands
White coral beaches surround the turquoise lagoons of the second largest atoll in the world. World famous for outstanding scuba diving, Rangiroa’s waters are home to thousands of brilliantly colored fish.

Takapoto, Tuamotu Islands
It is here that the South Seas “gem,” the rare black pearl, was first farmed. Still the center of black pearl farming, a visit to one of many black pearl farms sprinkled around the lagoon is a must. Bird watchers will be entranced by the feathered residents.

Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands
Wild cotton and fragrant herbs cover the hills of the southern coast, and offshore islets are home to thousands of seabirds. Archaeological sites reveal life in 300 AD, and ancient petroglyphs and red rock tikis rest in fern-covered valleys.

Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands
The largest and most fertile island in the southern group of the Marquesas, Hiva Oa has deep valleys, fertile plateaus, and thickly wooded forests. This was the last home of French painter Gauguin, whose descendents still live on this island.

Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands
White patches of goats and sheep look down from their precarious perches above the quiet harbor. Fatu Hiva is wildly beautiful. The jungle greenery plunges straight down into the splashing surf, and rock curtains, which Catholic missionaries said were formed as veiled virgins, enclose Hanavave Bay.

Fakarava, Tuamotu Islands
This protected atoll, along with its six neighboring islands, make up a UNESCO-classified nature reserve. The delicate ecosystem on Fakarava supports some rare flora and fauna, including the hunting kingfisher, the Tuamotu palm, and sea life such as squills and sea cicadas.


Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will guarantee double occupancy rates for boat cabins Premium, Majestic or Classic even if we are unable to match you with a roommate.

Land Cost Includes: Two nights hotel accommodations with breakfast included, $475 per person which covers all taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected; all airport/ hotel transfers; South Pacific cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced naturalist guides.

Not Included: Airfare from US to South Pacific; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of US$1000 per person is required to confirm a reservation, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations received prior to departure are subject to cancellation penalties per person. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

We highly recommend our travelers
protect their investment with comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Insurance

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout the South Pacific is aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This all-suite vessel accommodates 114 guests. Each suites feature view windows, ample closet space, large marble vanity and sink, a lounge area, bathrobes, spa bath amenities, in-room safe, a chilled refreshment center, and satellite telephone access. Several suites also feature sliding glass doors and private teak balconies. The Oceanus has a dining room, two lounges, sun deck, sports deck, hot tub, library and game room. There is elevator access to all passenger decks. Open dining features continental and regional cuisine.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in zodiacs. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com