Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- Air Credit on Select 2023 & 2024 Expedition Cruise Departures
Book by April 30, 2023 and receive a $1,500 air credit per person on select departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability. Call for details.
Available Departures- Jun 13-29, 2023
- Special Offer for Solo Travelers
Book by April 30, 2023 and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins on select departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability. Call for details.
- Snorkel and dive colorful reefs in five different Pacific island groups—French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Wallis and Futuna, and Fiji.
- Wander through the ceremonial site of Marae Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Ra’iatea, and learn about the ancient Polynesian civilization that built it.
- Marvel at elaborate cathedrals in tiny Wallis and Futuna, a difficult-to-reach French territory.
- See firsthand how the village of Waitabu created one of Fiji’s healthiest marine parks as you snorkel or dive the reef.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Discover the gem-like isles of Polynesia on an epic voyage from Tahiti’s emerald peaks to the vibrant reefs of Fiji, exploring tropical islands and atolls that few have visited. Hop from one island paradise to the next, snorkeling or diving reefs, swimming in exquisite lagoons, and kayaking or paddleboarding among tiny islets. Experience the rustic island nation of Wallis and Futuna, and experience genuine Polynesian hospitality in Samoa and at a traditional kava ceremony in Fiji.
This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions.
Depart on an overnight flight to Tahiti and arrive in the early morning. Check into a day room at our hotel, and take an afternoon tour of the island before settling into your cabin aboard the National Geographic Orion.
InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa and the National Geographic Orion for the entire voyage
Get acclimated to Polynesia’s slower pace of life with a leisurely day on the beautiful island of Taha’a. Snorkel or swim among coral gardens in the aquamarine lagoon; kayak to the motus, or islets, surrounding Taha’a; or stretch out under the palms on a white sand beach. Then head to adjacent Ra’iatea to visit Marae Taputapuatea, an important ceremonial site that served as the starting point for Polynesian seafarers heading for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Hawai’i, and New Zealand. Spend the morning exploring this site, then enjoy a swim in the warm waters of the lagoon. As we chart a course for the Cook Islands, relax on board during a day at sea, hearing talks by our expedition team and watching for marine mammals and seabirds.
Aitutaki’s spectacular inner lagoon ringed with white sand is often described as the most beautiful lagoon in the world. Board Zodiacs to enter the lagoon via the pass on the western side of this volcanic “almost-atoll.” Once ashore, you’ll step over welcome stones to be greeted with a traditional Polynesian welcome dance. Swim and snorkel the lagoon and its surrounding reef, and explore the island and its palm-fringed white beaches. Or meet the island’s friendly residents on a drive to some of the villages and sacred sites throughout the island’s interior. Then enjoy life aboard the National Geographic Orion as we spend two days sailing west toward Western Samoa.
With its spectacular beaches and dense green foliage, hidden waterfalls and lava-sculpted landscapes, Western Samoa captures the essence of the South Pacific. During our time on these islands, hike through rainforests vibrant with flowers and birds, take a dip in a swimming hole, go snorkeling or diving, and soak up the languid rhythms of island life that drew Robert Louis Stevenson to these shores.
Another of France’s South Pacific territories, the tiny island nation of Wallis and Futuna lies between Samoa and Fiji. In Wallis, we are greeted with local dancing and singing. Visit the beautiful crater lake Lalolalo and the stunning Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, built out of blue volcanic stone that was chiseled by hand. In Futuna, stop at a historic “cannibal oven” and learn the history of these fascinating people, before a warrior dance performance in front of the Cathedral of Poi.
Arrive in the archipelago of Fiji, made up of more than 300 islands and home to the third-largest barrier reef system in the world. Our first stop is Taveuni, known as the “garden island” for its rich vegetation, which includes several species found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy a warm Fijian welcome at the village of Waitabu, and snorkel in one of the Pacific’s most successful community marine parks. Explore the waterfalls of nearby Bouma National Heritage Park, and dive nearby reefs.
After breakfast, disembark in Lautoka on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu. Tour the western part of the island before transferring to the airport for your flight home, or choose to extend your stay.