Cruises have always played an important role in the tourist development of French Polynesia because of many tourists it brings to the neighbouring hotels, shops and restaurants while the ships are staying on shore.

As mentioned in the Government’s website (www.presidence.pf) we can consider 2 different types of cruises : the ships transiting through our waters and the ships based in French Polynesia all year through.

In the first category, we have ships like the Queen Elisabeth II that we had the pleasure to welcome last year after over a decade of absence. These cruises are usually managed by large international companies.

In the second category, we can consider the following products :

M/S Paul Gauguin

Currently the most luxurious regular cruise. Apart from 3 special cruises (see below), all trips last for 7 days leaving every Saturday nights from Papeete (Tahiti) and returning Friday evenings for your last night on-board after a gastronomic dinner. Disembarking is at 9:00 am Saturday morning. The M/S Paul Gauguin features 3 different itineraries to a maximum of 320 passengers mostly from the United States:

• the regular cruises (7 days) in the Leeward Islands
• the Marquesas cruise (14 days) in the Marquesas islands. Only once a year during the last term
• the Holiday cruise (7 days) in the Leeward Islands. Twice a year for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

M/S Paul Gauguin official website

Archipels Cruises

Open since 1992, Archipels features several cruises in the Leeward islands and in the atoll of Rangiroa aboard their catamarans. A well-established company that carries over one thousand passenger per year and 5 times more in its Fetia Ura schooner for romantic sunset cruises. (see Moorea Activities section)

Leeward Islands Cruise (8 days / 7 nights) : Boarding at lunch time on Saturday in Bora Bora. Visit the islands of Bora Bora, Tahaa, Raiatea and Huahine

Robinson Crusoe Cruise - Rangiroa (4 days / 3 nights) : Held within the lagoon of Rangiroa (80 km long).

Adventure Cruise in the Tuamotus’ islands (8 days / 7 nights) : Boarding at lunch time on Saturday in Fakarava. Visit of Toau and Rangiroa. Disembarkment on Saturday in Rangiroa.

Relaxing and submarine exploration Cruise in the Tuamotus’ islands (8 days / 7 nights) : Boarding at lunch time on Saturday in Rangiroa. Visit of Tikehau days 5 and 6. Disembarkment on Saturday morning Rangiroa.

Gaugin Dream Cruise (8 days / 7 nights) : Boarding at lunch time on Saturday at theTaina Marina of Tahiti. Visit of Tahiti’s Peninsula and Moorea island.
Visit of the same islands is also possible with shorter cruises : 5 days / 4 nights or 4 days / 3 nights.

Polynesian Dream Cruise in the Society islands (11 days / 10 nights) : According to the itinerary choosen, boarding or disembarkment in Tahiti. Visit Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora islands.

Tikehau Dream Cruise (5 days / 4 nights) : This cruise allows you to discover the green lagoon of Rangiroa as well as the “Sables Roses” (pink sand) of Tikehau.

Archipels Cruises official website

Tahiti Yacht Charter

Plan your own itinerary, enjoy secluded white sand beaches, stop at remote "motus"and swim in translucent blue lagoons.

Sailing adventure for a dream vacation, in complete freedom, at your own pace.

Private cruise, from 2 passengers :

- The Tahiti Twosome, 6 night / 7days in the leeward islands, with a skipper /guide /cook, includes a polynesian massage and an afternoon at the spa of the Intercontinental Resort Thalasso in Bora-Bora.

- The Iti Iti Pearl, 3 night / 4 days in the leeward islands, with a skipper /guide /cook, includes a dinner at le Taha’a Island Resort, Relais & Châteaux.

Tahiti Yacht Charter official website

Haumana cruise in the Tuamotu islands

This small 17-cabin cruise ship has been specially designed for cruising the shallow lagoons of French Polynesia.
The ship runs every week 3, 4 or 7 nights cruises from Rangiroa.
A lot of activities are offered onboard.

Haumana official website