South Pacific Islands And French Polynesia Cruise

Where else can you find warm water, natural beauty and private islands galore?

A French Polynesia cruise is something that many of us dream about, but few are ever brave enough to make. Yes, the islands are far, and yes, they are worth it. The South Pacific Islands have held travellers in thrall since time immemorial. However, dismiss all ideas that French Polynesia is just about the beach. These islands offer a rarely seen insight to authentic villages, traditions held in the highest awe and an unimaginable wealth of culture. Add to that kaleidoscopic marine life, abundant coral reefs, a mindboggling plethora of wildlife above land and verdant jungles that beg discovery and you have one of the world’s best destinations.

Welcome to our version of the South Pacific. Cruise aboard our expedition ships Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer and experience what is truly the voyage of a lifetime. These specially designed cruise ships are the perfect answer for channeling your Magellan, in ultra-luxury, of course. Our small ship sizes allow for access to some of the lesser-visited islands of French Polynesia, while on onboard luxury offers cruisers of the region a taste of paradise. Cruise to French Polynesia aboard on of our South Pacific Islands cruises and you too could soon be exploring some of the best island paradises in the world.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

BORA BORA

If you have ever dreamed up your ideal island holiday, we suspect it goes something like this: Crystal clear lagoons? Check. White sand beach? Check. Thatched wooden huts, gently sloping palm trees and kaleidoscopic marine life? Check, check and check. And yet, even by ticking every box, first time viewing of Bora Bora still beggars belief. This tropical hideaway less than 12 m2 in the heart of the South Pacific has been toping travel wish lists for years. Long considered the realm of honeymooners – spectacularly romantic sunsets are a speciality – Bora Bora is not just for wandering with your love. If the prismatic shades of blue of the world’s most beautiful lagoon do not fill you up, then perhaps underwater scooters and aqua Safaris will charge your batteries. If exploring Bora Bora’s lush hinterland is more your glass of tequila sunrise, then trips around the island (often stopping off at the celebrity haunt Bloody Mary Restaurant & Bar) are a must.

MARQUESAS ISLANDS

Fatu Hiva is the southernmost and most remote island in the Marquesas Group. First seen by Europeans in 1595 when Mendaña went to colonize the Solomon Islands, the island again gained some fame through the visit of Thor Heyerdahl in the mid-1930s. Steep cliffs, sharp mountain peaks and many narrow valleys form an impressive obstacle when exploring this volcanic island. The two villages of Omoa and Hana Vave have combined some 650 inhabitants and are both located on the more protected western side of the island. They are connected by a 17-kilometer long road that climbs up to the central plateau. Omoa has a protected little harbor for local boats, but Hana Vave has the Bay of Virgins, one of the most photographed bays in the Marquesas Islands, if not French Polynesia. Islanders are known for their tapa (bark cloth) paintings and wood carvings –which are highly sought after in Tahiti.

FAKARAVA, TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO

Fakarava is oblong shaped and has an almost continuous string of reef and motu stretching for 40 km (25 milea) on its eastern edge. It's the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls, located 450 km (280 mi) northeast of Tahiti, and 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Rangiroa. It's renowned for the drift diving in its two passes—Garuae (also spelled Ngarue) in the north near the main town of Rotoava (and the airport) and Tamakohua Pass, 48 km (30 mi) across the lagoon in the south. The tiny village of Tetamanu, situated by the southern pass, was once the capital of the Tuamotus and houses the first church built in the archipelago in 1874. In 2006 the entire atoll was deemed an UNESCO biosphere reserve; to preserve the lagoon no overwater bungalows have been built in it. Fakarava was "discovered" by Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb Von Bellingshausen in 1820; some 20 years later missionaries arrived, in the guise of fanatical Catholic priest Honore Laval, and began building churches.

MOOREA ISLAND

Moorea is a high mountainous island with two nearly symmetrical bays found on the north coast. The island’s triangular shape has been likened to a heart or a bat. Eight mountain peaks reaching a height of up to 1,207 meters give Moorea a very rugged silhouette. The reef surrounding the island encloses a narrow lagoon –a RAMSAR Wetland- and has barely any motu (reef islets). Sharks and rays are some of the lagoon’s attractions. The island is only one eighth the size of neighboring Tahiti and has a more relaxed life-style. A road leads around Moorea, passing small villages with their churches and the resorts and smaller hotels mainly found on the north coast. A detour into the interior will show large pineapple plantations, French Polynesia’s only agricultural school, ancient marae (stone platforms) and splendid views of the island from Belvedere above Cook’s Bay.

1 of 4

Why Silversea?

Intimate Ships

Silversea’s small ships (some of the smallest in the industry) are the perfect choice when it comes to your luxury French Polynesia cruise. Our cruise ships have been sailing the crystalline waters for years, so we certainly know how give you a great holiday. Our cruises offer guests the most comfortable way of sailing the warm waters of the region, as we set sail searching some of the greatest wildlife on Earth.

Luxury Oceanview Suites

Picture yourself on your private veranda (almost all of our suites have them) as the greens and blues of the Pacific Ocean dance before your eyes. Add a glass of ice-cold champagne, (or a traditional fruity rum!), add a loved one, and you have a memory making moment worth writing home about. All of Silversea’s suites are elegantly furnished so you can relax in the luxury of what are surely the most comfortable suites at sea.

Personalised Service

When you are on a Silversea Expeditions ship, get ready to experience personal service like never before! As other cruise lines streamline their service, we buck the trend and make sure that every single suite has its own butler and 24/7 suite attendants. From atoll to atoll our amazing team caters to your every need, and makes the difference between a good cruise and an amazing one.

All-Inclusive Cruises

All excursions, gourmet cuisine, premium drinks, curated wine list, , lectures, butler service, wi-fi, exercise classes, gratuities, flights, transfers, yes, it’s all-included! Because when we say all-inclusive, we really mean it!

Gourmet Cuisine

French Polynesian food fabled the world over for its freshness and taste. Enjoy local specialities that offers a wide variety of foods and flavours. While you can expect to take part in at least one amara’a (banquet) during your time here, back on board it’s just as good. Our award-winning La Terrazza will tempt Italian-food lovers, revel in the fine French fare in La Dame for a sophisticating evening, or simply enjoy expertly crafted international options in The Restaurant.

French Polynesia & Pacific BROCHURE

Request a complimentary brochure

Download our brochure to explore our immersive options. It’s your doorway to a world of authentic beauty and moments you’ll always remember.

Sign up for offers and updates

Be the first to know about our itineraries, and receive exclusive offers, destination articles and more.

Don’t worry, we won’t clutter your inbox and you can unsubscribe at anytime.