Tahiti & the Society Islands Cruise, Papeete Round Trip, June 2027

The islands of French Polynesia have drawn travellers for generations, and this eight-day voyage aboard the intimate m/s Paul Gauguin is built around five of the Society Islands’ most celebrated stops, sailing round trip from Papeete through the winter of 2027.

The voyage

Carrying just 330 guests, m/s Paul Gauguin is small enough to reach shallow lagoons and quiet anchorages that larger ships cannot follow, while the onboard atmosphere stays relaxed, personal and unmistakably Polynesian. The ship’s retractable watersports marina folds straight out from the stern, so stepping from the ship into the lagoon for kayaking or paddleboarding is a matter of minutes.

In the evenings, Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, a troupe of local Tahitians, bring music, dance and storytelling onboard, lending the voyage a genuine sense of place that larger, more generic ships rarely manage.

Journey highlights

• Huahine, a quieter, less discovered island with wild coastline, hidden coves and traces of its Polynesian archaeological past
• A full day on the private islet of Motu Mahana, in the Taha’a lagoon, for a traditional Polynesian barbecue
• An overnight stay in Bora Bora, beneath the volcanic silhouette of Mount Otemanu
• An overnight stay in Moorea, with sweeping views over Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay
• A final overnight in Papeete before disembarking
• An experienced instructor runs dives among Polynesia’s marine life at additional cost for guests wishing to explore the coral gardens below the surface, Level 1 or CMAS 1 star certification or equivalent required

Itinerary

Day 1, Papeete. Board m/s Paul Gauguin in the relaxed capital of French Polynesia, where colonial architecture sits comfortably alongside a laid back Polynesian pace.

Day 2, Huahine. A quieter island that rewards exploration, with wild coastline, hidden coves and archaeological remains from the Polynesian past.

Day 3, Motu Mahana, Taha’a. Spend the day on this private islet in the Taha’a lagoon, feet in the sand, for a traditional Polynesian barbecue against a backdrop of turquoise water.

Days 4 to 5, Bora Bora. Two days to take in one of the world’s most photographed lagoons, with an overnight stay giving time ashore as well.

Days 6 to 7, Moorea. Dramatic peaks and a lush interior, best appreciated from the Belvedere lookout, with an overnight stay to properly settle in.

Day 8, Papeete. Return to Papeete for a final overnight before disembarking, with time to explore the municipal market or the Vaipahi gardens.

Why this journey

This selected departure suits travellers who want to experience French Polynesia at a slower, more considered pace. The itinerary leaves room to linger, with overnight stays in Bora Bora and Moorea and a full day on Motu Mahana, rather than rushing from island to island.

Together with the bonus onboard credit, gratuities and booking saving available through Emma Whiting Travel, this is a particularly rewarding way to spend eight days in the Society Islands.