French Polynesia - South Pacific
3 WEEKS
DATES
19 Sept to 9 October 2027
Welcome to Polynesia, this land at the end of the world, a string of small islands spread across 2,000 km of ocean. French Polynesia is a magnificent world with five distinct areas located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We will explore three of them: the Marquises Islands to the North, the Austral Islands to the South, and the Society Islands, where Tahiti is.
As expected, we will begin our journey in Tahiti, where we'll head to the “Petit Tahiti” peninsula for our first walk along the shore of the Ronui volcano. It's a fairly well-known spot, as it's here that the famous Teahupo'o Olympic wave hits a few times a year, attracting the best surfers in the world.
Then, a four hour flight will take us next to the equator, where the magnificent Marquesas Islands are nestled. We will spend half of our trip on the fascinating Marquesas Islands.
We will land on the island of Hiva Oa. The kindness of the Marquesan will operate at the landing, where we will be welcomed with flowers and necklaces. In the following days, we will search for the Tikis (ancient stone statues nestled in the heart of the rainforest), swim on black-sand beaches, savour French and Polynesian cuisine, explore the islands' history, and, of course, enjoy the natural beauty of the landscapes. Hiva Oa is also the final resting place of Jacques Brel, one of the greatest French-speaking singers, and that of the painter Paul Gauguin, whose paintings hang in the greatest museums in the world.
We will discover the rich culture of the Marquesas at Puamau and Tohua Upeke, search for a Tiki at Hanapaaoa and petroglyphs at Tehueto.
After 5 or 6 days on Hiva Oa, we'll take a short flight to Nuku Hiva, the largest island in the Marquesas. Then, we will return to the Society Islands near Tahiti, at Raiatea and Bora Bora.
I would also like to explore the island of Moorea, which can be reached by ferry from Tahiti.
By planning this trip from late November to early December 2026, we'll have a pleasant time visiting the islands while avoiding school holidays.