A Tahitian Adventure Cruise
A Tahitian Adventure Cruise
This two-week cruise aboard Aranui is one of the most unusual and interesting ways to island hop in French Polynesia. Aranui is a dual-purpose freighter: it is a passenger cruise carrying 200 guests to the remote Marquesas Islands, and popular islands of Bora Bora and Rangiroa. Aranui also serves as a working cargo ship with crew on board carrying vital suppliers to the islands it visits.
The cruise features a choice of cabin categories, from standard cabins to suites, a restaurant, several bars, swimming pool, sun deck, lounge, and spa.
On Aranui, there are plenty of opportunities to go hiking amongst beautiful mountain scenery, or snorkeling and swimming in the turquoise lagoons. As you sail from Tahiti to these remote islands, you’ll discover the fascinating, rich Marquesan culture.
Snorkel at Takapoto to see a wealth of tropical lagoon fish, before sailing on to the mountain spires of Ua Pou and the volcanic amphitheatre of Taiohae Bay, where a 23-year-old Herman Melville found literary inspiration after jumping a whaling ship in 1842. Visit the valley of Taipivai, an area dotted with stone tiki gods and sacred me’ae. Visit Atuona, the former village home of artist Paul Gauguin. See the exquisite crafts of remote Fatu Hiva and the famed archaeological sites of Hiva oa.
The island of Tahuata will enrich your senses and your mind with its sweet scents and sometimes tragic, sometimes humourous, but always dynamic history. Wild horses, brought from Chile in 1856 thrive on Ua Huka, outnumbering the island’s 476 residents. Time for one snorkeling adventure in Bora Bora before returning to Tahiti.
You will visit the following 5 places:
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the South Pacific archipelago. This overseas collectivity of the French Republic is sometimes referred to as an overseas country. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. Tahiti was originally settled by Polynesians between 300 and 800 CE. They represent about 70% of the island's population with the rest made up of Europeans, Chinese and those of mixed heritage. The island was part of the Kingdom of Tahiti until its annexation by France in 1880, when it was proclaimed a colony of France. It was not until 1946 that the indigenous Tahitians were legally authorised to be French citizens. French is the only official language although the Tahitian language (Reo Tahiti) is widely spoken.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France, comprises more than 100 islands in the South Pacific, stretching for more than 2,000km. Tahiti, which is located within the Society Islands, is the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the collectivity, Pape'ete. It has more than 68% of the population of the islands in 2012. Although not an integral part of its territory, Clipperton Island was administered from French Polynesia until 2007. Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The original name of the island in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning "First Born"; an early transcription found in 18th- and 19th-century accounts, is Bolabolla or Bollabolla. The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft). Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. The island is served by Bora Bora Airport on Motu Mete in the north, with Air Tahiti providing daily flights to and from Papeete on Tahiti. The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon.
Rangiroa
