PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises is offering an exceptional 8-day voyage leaving from Tahiti to discover the gems of the Society Islands, including extraordinary landscapes and enchanting historical and cultural treasures.
You will be captivated by the resolutely Polynesian ambiance that prevails aboard the Paul Gauguin: a ship with a relaxed and international atmosphere, especially designed for sailing in these shallow turquoise waters. This marvellous cruise will take you towards destinations that have inspired many artists, such as the novelist Herman Melville, the painters Henri Matisse and Paul Gauguin, the singer-songwriter Jacques Brel and many others.
You will be dazzled by the incomparable beauty of Huahine, by the turquoise waters of the motuMahana, our private vanilla-scented paradise, by the sumptuous lagoon of BoraBora, with its distinctly recognisable volcanic silhouette, and by Moorea, with its hillside pineapple plantations and its verdant peaks overlooking the island.
Between pearl farms and white sandy beaches, French Polynesia will reveal its many mysteries to you. Surrounded by superb lagoons of translucent waters edged by exceptional coral reefs, the islands of Polynesia are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in the world and home to an astonishing and rich wildlife.
Immersion in the heart of the Society archipelago with discovery of its emblematic islands: Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and other paradisical sites.
Discovery of ancestral Polynesian culture and its island...
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Boarding conditions and passenger travel abilities
We invite you to read our boarding conditions and passenger travel abilities by clicking here.
Any new reservation implies the acceptance of these conditions.
To guarantee your entry into one or several countries, you must ensure that you comply with the formalities and health requirements specific to each destination. In just a few clicks on our online search engine, find all the formalities you must complete prior to your departure (visas, entry authorisations for each country, vaccinations, etc.).
The international situation can change rapidly, so be sure to check this information regularly prior to your departure. However, please note that we always recommend our guests contact the relevant national immigration and customs and border control authorities directly to find out what rules apply to their specific situation. PONANT is not responsible for any decisions made by guests based on the information provided by the online search engine.
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
USA: Should your flight transit via the USA, a visa or ESTA may be required. Please contact USA consulate website for details. Kindly print out a copy of your ESTA and keep it with your passport.
Please note, if you have travelled or lived in countries such as: Cuba (on or after 12 January 2021), Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Syria or North Korea, then this constitutes a valid reason for the US Department of Homeland Security to deny your ESTA. In this event, you must apply to an ambassy for a category B1/B2 visa to travel to the United States. The visa processing time is several months.
If you already have an ESTA (valid for 2 years), we ask you to check its status up until the day of departure by clicking on “CHECK ESTA STATUS” on the website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. We also ask that you print it out and keep it with your passport throughout your trip.
A “FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS” page is available on the same website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq to help you with your procedures.
List of items prohibited on board
To guarantee the safety and well-being of our guests, certain items are strictly prohibited on board. Should you have one of these products or objects in your possession, they will be confiscated immediately and will not be transported on the ship. When an item transported aboard is considered illegal, the relevant authorities will be notified systematically.
Click here for the full list of items prohibited on board.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Packing Checklist
CLOTHING ABOARD SHIP
Country Club Casual, or elegant resort wear, is appropriate dress for all evenings aboard The Paul Gauguin. Country Club Casual consists of a dress, or skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater for ladies, and slacks and collared shirts for gentleman. No ties are required at any time, although gentlemen may opt to wear a jacket to the Captain’s Welcome Reception. Please note that casual wear such as shorts, t-shirts, casual jeans (frayed and/or with holes), baseball caps, flip-flops, and Crocs are not considered appropriate after 6:00 pm in all restaurants and lounges. Bathrobes and bathing suits are not appropriate in the ship’s restaurants and lounges, and shirts and shoes are required in all public areas at all times.
Captain’s Welcome Reception :
During the cruise, a gala evening will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring formal outfits.
For women:
Cocktail attire
Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
Dark suit
Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
Polynesian evening:
Shirt, floral dress
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 10 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Advice
PACK LIST
Complimentary snorkeling equipment is available on board, but don’t forget to pack these essentials:
Comfortable walking shoes/ Water shoes*
Comfortable active wear for daytime activities
Country Club resort wear for evenings
Sun hat, sunglasses, sun block–strongly recommended
Swimsuits and beach cover-ups
Swimming rash guard (swim shirt)
Insect repellent
Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
Camera/Underwater camera. For safety and security reasons, drones are not permitted
Medication—If you require prescription medication, be sure to bring enough to last for your entire vacation and pack it in your carry-on luggage
*Shoes suitable for wearing in the water—whether they are reef shoes, sneakers, or old sandals—are imperative for water-based activities. There are corals, urchins, and other marine life that can cause painful cuts and injuries that can be prevented by bringing footwear from home. There is limited opportunity for purchase in the South Pacific. Note that flip-flops are not suitable for this function.
PONANT activities
Highlights
Immersion in the heart of the Society archipelago with discovery of its emblematic islands: Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine 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 (Level 1 or CMAS 1-star diver or equivalent required) with an experienced instructor to admire Polynesian marine species.
Embarkation 27/11/2027 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 27/11/2027 at 6:30 pm
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.
Arrival 28/11/2027 early morning
Departure 28/11/2027 late afternoon
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.
Arrival 29/11/2027 early morning
Departure 29/11/2027 late afternoon
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.
Arrival 30/11/2027 early morning
Departure 1/12/2027 late afternoon
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.
Arrival 2/12/2027 early morning
Departure 3/12/2027 late afternoon
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.
Arrival 3/12/2027 early evening
Disembarkation 4/12/2027 at 8:00 am
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.
Le Paul Gauguin
In September 2019, PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises joined the PONANT family, while retaining its personality: its relaxed, international atmosphere and destination expertise; an atmosphere that is decidedly different from the company's other ships. Le Paul Gauguin has been specially designed to sail in Polynesian waters. Her shallow draft allows for close access to shallow lagoons and isolated islands for optimal docking time. The ship's new interior designed by Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel and its recent fittings evoke South Seas elegance. All 165 cabins and suites have a view of the outside world.
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Timeless
With one included excursion per day and per guest*, and the presence of expert lecturers on board, Timeless Explorations blend cultural curiosity, immersive experiences, and serene relaxation. A refined way to journey far from the everyday, both in mind and in spirit.
Activities: One included excursion per day and per guest. Optional paid excursions are also available depending on the port of call.
Landings (depending on the destination): By dock, tender boat, or aboard local vessels.
Your experts on board: The dedicated excursion team and one or more guest lecturers.
Children: Children from one year of age are welcome on board (from 8 years old on board Le Commandant Charcot).
*Excluding Paul Gauguin
The full program of all excursions, both included and optional, is available eight months prior to departure. Reservations open approximately two months before departure.