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Tahiti and the Society Islands Small Ship Luxury Cruise

Tahiti and the Society Islands Small Ship Luxury Cruise

From AUD $3,760

Description

Fall under the spell of the Society Islands, the lively heart of French Polynesia, where spectacular scenery and cultural heritage come together. Huahine charms with its preserved atmosphere and its ancestral sites, while the motu Mahana invites you to an intimate interlude, between clear sand and the scent of vanilla. Bora Bora stands out with the dazzling beauty of its lagoon and its emblematic volcanic silhouette, and Moorea’s appeal lies in its lush landscapes and breathtaking panoramas. With white sand beaches, turquoise waters and local traditions, these islands offer a unique immersion into the beauty and soul of French Polynesia.

Trip Name
Tahiti and the Society Islands Small Ship Luxury Cruise
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 504 feet / 153.6 meters Passenger Capacity: 330 Paul Gauguin operates as a dedicated South Pacific specialist, built around warm ambience, relaxed sophistication and immersion in Polynesian culture. Its shallow draft allows close access to lagoons, reefs and sheltered anchorages that larger ships cannot reach, anchoring the experience in the region’s landscapes and traditions. Interiors emphasise openness to the horizon, with lounges, promenades and a marina platform creating steady contact with the outdoors. Daily life centres on gastronomy influenced by both French culinary tradition and local flavours, unhurried social spaces, and a calm, international atmosphere that supports easy movement between relaxation and exploration. The ship carries a maximum of 330 guests across 165 staterooms and suites, balancing intimacy with facilities suited to tropical cruising. Accommodation ranges from porthole staterooms to large owner’s suites, all designed for comfort during long days in the islands. A marina at the stern supports water-based activities, and the Moana Explorer programme adds structured discovery for younger travellers. Combined with attentive crew and region-specific expertise, Paul Gauguin provides a focused, quietly refined platform for exploring the Pacific with consistent proximity to its lagoons, culture and natural rhythms.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Papeete, Tahiti Island
Capital of French Polynesia, the city of Papeete is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here,where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Culture is not lacking. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Huahine, Society Islands
Located less than 200 kilometres north-west of Tahiti, Huahine Island is a secret gem in French Polynesia. You’ll love the mysterious atmosphere emanating from its voluptuous contours, its wild vegetation and stunning remote creeks.   If you explore both parts of the island, la Grande Huahine to the north, and la Petite Huahine to the south, will reveal some of its hidden treasures, as well as some archaeological remains from the Polynesian past. You can meet the local population in the main town of Fare, or in the string of villages along the coast.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Motu Mahana, Taha'a Island, Society Islands
Feet in the sand, on the islet of Motu Mahana, our sumptuous little private paradise, you will share a very special experience around an authentic traditional Polynesian barbecue. A veritable jewel in the Taha’a lagoon, pristine atoll of the Society Islands, Motu Mahana offers an infinite palette of shades of turquoise, an idyllic backdrop for observing the majestic ballet of the tropical fish. The volcanic island of Taha’a, dominated by Mount Ohiri and Mount Puurauti, will reveal its fertile and luxuriant nature, ideal for cultivating the magnificent black pearls of French Polynesia, as well as vanilla. This rare spice, greatly in demand by gourmets, is the main economic resource of what is also known as Vanilla Island.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Bora Bora, Society Islands
Paradisiacal atoll of the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, west of French Polynesia, mythical Bora Bora offers a natural spectacle of captivating beauty. You’ll be won over as much by the white sandy beaches as by its famous lagoon, one of the most beautiful in the world, where colourful fish frolic in waters of incomparable turquoise. The island is covered with tropical vegetation, and dominated by the majestic outline of Mount Otemanu. A promenade through this volcanic landscape will enable you to discover a number of villages and meet local communities.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Bora Bora, Society Islands
Paradisiacal atoll of the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, west of French Polynesia, mythical Bora Bora offers a natural spectacle of captivating beauty. You’ll be won over as much by the white sandy beaches as by its famous lagoon, one of the most beautiful in the world, where colourful fish frolic in waters of incomparable turquoise. The island is covered with tropical vegetation, and dominated by the majestic outline of Mount Otemanu. A promenade through this volcanic landscape will enable you to discover a number of villages and meet local communities.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Moorea Island
A part of the Windward Island archipelago just to the west of Tahiti, famous Mo'orea will leave you with a series of unforgettable images and memories. Bask on its heavenly beaches, enjoy a dip in the turquoise waters of its lagoon, and soak up its luscious vegetation and the heady flowers that carpet the inland areas. Get the most out of this natural gem with a trip to the Mo'orea Belvedere. Exceptional views of Mount Rotui unfurl before your eyes, with the Opunohu Bay and its valley to the left, and the famous Cook's Bay, surrounded by notched, cathedral-style peaks, to the right.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Moorea Island
A part of the Windward Island archipelago just to the west of Tahiti, famous Mo'orea will leave you with a series of unforgettable images and memories. Bask on its heavenly beaches, enjoy a dip in the turquoise waters of its lagoon, and soak up its luscious vegetation and the heady flowers that carpet the inland areas. Get the most out of this natural gem with a trip to the Mo'orea Belvedere. Exceptional views of Mount Rotui unfurl before your eyes, with the Opunohu Bay and its valley to the left, and the famous Cook's Bay, surrounded by notched, cathedral-style peaks, to the right.
Day 8 - Day 7 - Papeete, Tahiti Island
Capital of French Polynesia, the city of Papeete is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here,where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Culture is not lacking. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.
Day 9 - Day 8 - Papeete, Tahiti Island
Capital of French Polynesia, the city of Papeete is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here,where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Culture is not lacking. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
06-05-202813-05-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
24-06-202801-07-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
01-07-202808-07-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
19-08-202826-08-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
28-10-202804-11-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Porthole Stateroom
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Window Stateroom
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom C
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Balcony Stateroom CS
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Veranda Stateroom
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Veranda Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Grand Suite
02-12-202809-12-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • Immersion in the heart of the Society archipelago with discovery of its emblematic islands: Bora Bora, Moorea, Aitutaki and other paradisical sites.
    • Discovery of ancestral Polynesian culture and its island craftmanship, and a timeless moment on the motu Mahana for an intimate barbecue on this exclusive islet.
    • Possibility of diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor to admire Polynesian marine species.

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