Land & Sea: Tahiti to French Polynesia
Immerse yourself in the natural charms of French Polynesia on a trip of a lifetime to one of the world’s most beautiful regions. You will never forget the warm hospitality and spectacular sight of idyllic turquoise lagoons set against the lush greens, white sands and smoky mountains of remote desert islands. Explore the Tahitian capital, Papeete, before taking an 11-night luxury cruise calling at Polynesia’s most romantic islands, ending with a stay on Marlon Brando’s exclusive private island.
Journey highlights
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Sail the path less travelled on a luxury small ship cruise discovering French Polynesia’s Society and Cook Islands, enjoying fabulous food, entertainment and enrichment activities, along with superb onboard accommodation and facilities.
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Discover the distinct rhythm and personality of the individual islands from the authentic beauty of Huahine to the stunning Aitutaki lagoon and the cultural delights of Rarotonga.
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Visit the villages and communities of fabled Bora Bora, savour a traditional barbeque on Motu Mahona and learn about the famous pearl industry on Moorea Island.
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Experience one of the world’s most exclusive travel destinations with a 6-night stay at The Brando on Marlon Brando’s private island, enjoying luxurious barefoot living in a sustainable environment.
Why book a Journey by Land & Sea
- Our cruise experts will combine the best of ‘On Land’ and ‘At Sea’ to create a bespoke itinerary just for you
- On Land: Enjoy the best in Scott Dunn tailor-made travel, designed completely unique to you, before and/or after your cruise
- At Sea: Our all-inclusive* small-ship cruise partners are handpicked for their exceptional service, space, and design
- Our suggested itineraries are ideal for ‘cruise curious’ travellers who are traditionally land-based but are interested in giving luxury cruising a try
- Check with your consultant for a full list of the inclusions onboard
When to visit
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Although there is a wet and a dry season in Tahiti the weather is tropical and generally sunny and warm, with just enough rain to keep the lush landscapes alive and green. If you're looking for emptier beaches, try travelling during the wet or "off" season, which generally runs from November to April. During this time, you can expect very high humidity with brief and frequent storms. January is the rainiest of the months. During this time, tropical storms may occur, but the Tahitian Islands have not experienced a cyclone since the early 90s. If you're travelling to the islands of Tahitit to scuba, you'll probably want to go in the dry or "high" season, when visibility is the best. The dry season runs from May to October and you can expect less rain, although occasional night time downpours are not uncommon. Due to trade winds, July and August are the coolest times of the year and also tend to be the most crowded.
Itinerary
On Land: Tahiti
Days 1-3: Papeete Tahiti, French Polynesia
This amazing journey begins in the capital of French Polynesia, Papeete, on Tahiti’s northwest coast. For two nights your base will be the beachfront Hilton Tahiti, close to both downtown Papeete and the airport. Enjoy attentive service, contemporary interiors, choice of bars and restaurants and sweeping panoramic views across the South Pacific Ocean. To help you unwind, there’s a dreamy spa with Polynesian-inspired treatments, 24-hr fitness centre or head to the large outdoor pool, with upscale loungers, private cabanas and swim-up bar.
At Sea: Cruising French Polynesia
Today, you’ll board Ponant’s luxury small ship, Le Paul Gauguin for a 12-day voyage exploring the tropical beauty, idyllic islands and atolls of the Society and Cook Islands. Purpose built to access the shallow lagoons, smaller atolls and ports, the ship is a luxurious haven from which to explore the enchanted landscapes of French Polynesia, with their welcoming spirit and fascinating culture.
The first port of call is the tropical haven of Huahine Island. Less developed than other islands, Huahine offers a rustic and authentic Polynesian experience. The stunning beaches are ringed by a coral reef creating a lagoon filled with colourful fish, ray and turtles, making it ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Today is spent at sea giving you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the ship’s onboard facilities. Take a dip in the pool, grab a book and a sunbed and enjoy a leisurely day soaking up the scenery.
With a reputation as one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful islands, Aitutaki Lagoon is a highlight of the cruise. Explore the warm turquoise waters dotted with dreamy desert islands, complete with powder white sands and swaying palms.
The largest of the Cook Islands, the volcanic island of Rarotonga is dominated by the majestic silhouette of Te Manga peak, known as the Needle. With a cosmopolitan culture, glorious beaches and electric blue lagoons brimming with marine life and coral gardens, there’s plenty to enjoy.
With no ports of call, today is a chance to laze by the pool, enjoy the enrichment programme, take some time out with a spa treatment or keep in shape with a workout in the fitness centre.
Our next port of call is mythical Bora Bora, known as the Pearl of the Pacific. An overnight stop means there’s ample time to explore this romantic island, discovering small villages and meeting local communities.
Savour the experience of an authentic Polynesian barbeque at our next stop, Motu Mahana, off the coast of Taha’a Island. Enjoy water sports, snorkelling in the lagoon, a traditional barbeque and memorable Polynesian hospitality.
Your next stop is Moorea, one of the Windward Islands, whose fertile peaks are covered in pineapple plantations. With an overnight stop, you’ll have plenty of time for relaxing on the beaches, swimming and snorkelling in the lagoon. You can also head up to the Belvedere Lookout, for spectacular views of Mount Rotui and Cook’s Bay.
Today you’ll cruise back to Papette, arriving in the early evening for your final night. Head into town to grab some street food from the fabulous Roulotte food trucks and enjoy the street theatre of Place Vaiete, set against spectacular sunset skies.
On Land: Tetiaroa, French Polynesia
This morning you disembark Le Paul Gauguin for the final leg of your Polynesian odyssey. You will be driven to Papeete’s Faa’a Airport for a 20-minute scenic flight to the Tetiaroa Atoll, for six nights at The Brando, to enjoy an exclusive travel experience on Marlon Brando’s private island. Once a gathering site for Polynesian tribes to meet and share their customs, Tetiaroa was also a retreat for Tahitian royalty, before Marlon Brando had a vision to build the world’s most sustainable and luxurious resort there.
On your final morning of this unforgettable Polynesian travel adventure, you’ll be flown back over the magnificent seascape to Papeete International Airport, for your flight home.
Call us on 020 8682 5020 to start planning your holiday.
Why Book a Cruise with Scott Dunn?
Unique to You
- We listen to you, and tailor your cruise to your travel style, pairing you with the right ship and the right destinations.
- We can make your itinerary as relaxing, active or cultural as you like. There is no one size fits all when it comes to cruising with Scott Dunn – it’s all about you.
Seamless Service
- We take care of all the logistics, including your cruise, flights, transfers, and luxury hotels, ensuring a smooth journey from start to finish.
- You are always in safe hands with us and our trusted worldwide partners. As with any Scott Dunn trip, we are just a phone call away 24/7.
Carefully Curated Collection
- Whether before, after or during your luxury cruise, we curate the best experiences on land to compliment your journey by sea, accompanied by our expert local guides.
- We only partner with small-ship luxury cruise lines with high staff to guest ratios – designed to never feel crowded.
Luxury in Every Sense
- Our cruises are carefully chosen for their five-star offering: fine dining, luxe facilities, attentive staff, and personal in-cabin butler service.
- We have personally experienced these ships and will only suggest those that meet the level of service and luxury that our guests expect.