Tahiti | Tour Code: 15270
The beginning of a new adventure: discover the secrets of the Austral Islands with Aranoa, launching its first voyages in 2027.
Highlights
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Explore remote islands rarely visited by tourists – Rapa, Tubuai, Rimatara, Raivavae & Rurutu, each rich in Polynesian heritage and natural beauty.
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Experience authentic cultural immersion – from purification ceremonies and traditional crafts to vibrant music and dance.
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Cruise in comfort aboard Aranoa – a new eco-conscious vessel blending modern amenities with Polynesian hospitality.
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Enjoy enriching onboard experiences – cultural lectures, stargazing, and creative workshops.
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Relax pre- and post-cruise at Reva Tahiti Hotel – ideally located near Papeete’s markets and waterfront.
Entire Bonus
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Peace of Mind, Every Step of the Way
This holiday package is carefully designed by our team to give you complete Peace of Mind, with access to trusted local partners and expert support at your destination. -
Australia’s Only Industry‑Accredited Tahiti Specialists
Tahiti Travel is Australia’s only industry‑accredited Tahiti specialist, combining genuine destination expertise with the strength and stability of an established travel group - so you can book with total confidence.
Overview
Embark on a rare and immersive journey to the Austral Islands aboard Aranoa, a new eco-friendly passenger-freighter launching in 2027. Set off on a 12-night voyage that blends cultural discovery with scenic ocean cruising, taking you through some of French Polynesia’s most secluded and enchanting islands. From volcanic cliffs and pristine lagoons to vibrant villages and enduring ancestral traditions, each stop reveals a unique facet of Polynesian heritage.
Your adventure begins and ends with a relaxing 5-night stay at Reva Tahiti Hotel, ideally located for exploring Papeete’s culture, cuisine, and waterfront charm. With all-inclusive cruising, guided shore excursions, and warm Polynesian hospitality throughout, this experience goes far beyond the ordinary—offering an intimate connection to one of the Pacific’s most untouched regions.
Inclusions
- Return economy airfares from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne with Air Tahiti Nui
- 12-night cruise aboard Aranoa in a Standard Cabin (Obstructed View)
- 5 nights at Reva Tahiti Hotel in a City Room - ★★
- Airport meet & greet with traditional flower lei
- All transfers between airport, hotel, and cruise terminal
- All onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Daily Tropical breakfast at Reva Tahiti
- Wine included during onboard lunches and dinners
- All shore excursions with English-speaking guides
- Port charges and government taxes
Itinerary
Arrive at Tahiti International Airport, where our representative will welcome and escort you to your transfer to Reva Tahiti, a short 15-minute drive from the airport.
Overnight stay in Tahiti at Reva Tahiti in a City Room.
Take time to discover the rich culture and natural beauty of Tahiti and its surroundings. Wander through scenic coastal spots, admire local architecture, and explore open-air viewpoints and historic sites that capture the island’s charm. Enjoy casual walks, sample local cuisine, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the capital at your own pace.
Overnight stay in Tahiti at Reva Tahiti in a City Room.
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the Reva Tahiti. After checking out of the hotel, depart from Papeete in the morning, where you’ll be warmly welcomed on board by the crew. Set sail at midday, leaving behind the bustle of Papeete as the emerald peaks of Moorea greet you across the lagoon.
Spend the afternoon getting to know the crew and your fellow guests while exploring the vessel that will be your home for the next 13 days.
Settle into ship life with panoramic ocean views, leisure time by the pool deck, and cultural workshops that bring Polynesian traditions to life.
The Aranoa disembarks at Taanini Dock, gateway to the remote volcanic island of Rimatara — the last island of the Austral archipelago to be discovered in the 19th century by Captain Samuel Pinder Henry. Rimatara has preserved its rich traditions, including its unique dialect, and is home to the rare and vibrant Kuhl’s Lori, known locally as the “Ura,” which can also be spotted in the Cook Islands.
Upon arrival, you’ll pass through a traditional purification smoke ceremony, a centuries-old gesture of welcome, before exploring the island’s charming villages — Amaru, Anapoto, and Motuaura — by minibus or truck. In Amaru, visit the seaside royal cemetery where generations of kings and queens of Rimatara are laid to rest. Legend has it, never make faces near the royal tomb, or risk staying that way forever!
A beach barbecue awaits in Motuaura, where you can relax on the sand or snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Covered in taro fields and fruit trees, Rimatara is truly a lush island garden. For bird lovers, an optional excursion offers the chance to spot the colourful red parakeet, the Ura — registration required at reception.
Rurutu, one of French Polynesia’s largest raised atolls, is a striking contrast to the typical South Pacific landscape. Towering basalt and limestone cliffs, ancient caves once used as dwellings, a volcanic interior, lush jungles, pristine beaches, and picturesque bays combine to create a truly breathtaking setting. The island is also celebrated across Polynesia for its remarkable basketry — beautifully handwoven hats, bags, baskets, and mats crafted from pandanus leaves and other natural fibres.
The Aranoa will anchor off Rurutu, with passengers taken ashore by tender at Moerai dock following lunch on board. On arrival, you’ll be greeted with a warm island welcome complete with traditional songs before having time to wander the peaceful village of Moerai at your own pace.
Tubuai, the most populated island of the Australs, welcomes you with flower garlands and lively local music as you arrive by tender at the historic Bloody Bay landing stage. At the town hall, enjoy demonstrations of traditional crafts, including pandanus leaf weaving and shell necklace making, for which the island is renowned. Thanks to its fertile soil and cooler climate, Tubuai is known for cultivating fresh produce such as cabbage, lettuce, and potatoes.
Your day includes a guided tour of the island’s key cultural sites by truck, including the sacred marae of Po Tui Tui, Fort George — the short-lived refuge of the Bounty mutineers in 1789 — and Bloody Bay, the site of historic battles between the islanders and mutineers.
After lunch onboard, enjoy swimming or snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Bloody Bay. For certified divers, an optional diving excursion is available — sign up at reception.
Often called the “Bora Bora of yesteryear,” Raivavae boasts one of the most beautiful lagoons in Tahiti and her islands—a true garden of Eden cherished by its inhabitants. When the Aranoa anchors, passengers disembark by tender onto Mahanatoa Beach, greeted with flower wreaths and traditional Raivavae songs and rhythms.
A bus tour follows, including visits to the iconic “Smiling Tiki” and the island’s scattered marae. Enjoy a delicious, authentic Raivavae buffet on Mahanatoa Beach, then take time to explore the village or snorkel in the crystal-clear lagoon. For the adventurous, an optional hike to Mount Hiro is available (registration at reception).
Enjoy a leisurely morning to soak in the magic of Raivavae before the Aranoa sets sail at noon. Watch the island fade into the horizon as you venture deeper into Polynesia. Onboard, enriching lectures on the history and culture of the Austral Islands provide fascinating insights into this remarkable region. Throughout the voyage, the vibrant Polynesian crew will proudly share their traditions, delighting you with the joyful rhythms of songs, ukuleles, guitars, and drums.
As you approach remote Rapa — accessible only by sea — the Captain may greet you with a smile: “Welcome to Rapa. Next stop, Antarctica.” The southernmost inhabited island of French Polynesia, Rapa is a rugged, crescent-shaped landmass renowned for its fjord-like coastline, carved with 12 deep bays. Often called the little sister of Easter Island, Rapa boasts a temperate climate and unique scenery, where coconut palms give way to orchards of apples, peaches, and nectarines.
The Aranoa will dock in Ahurei, where you’ll be welcomed with flower garlands and the vibrant sounds of local music. Trucks will transport you to the cultural centre to meet the island’s skilled mamas, famed for weaving delicate reed hats, baskets, and bamboo crafts. A traditional local meal will be served on land. For those keen to explore further, a guided two-and-a-half-hour hike to Fort Morango Uta offers breathtaking views of the island.
Return for another chance to experience the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. Perhaps take a lagoon excursion, meet local artisans, or relax along Tubuai’s expansive shores.
Spend a relaxing day on the Pool Deck or unwind in the air-conditioned Lounge while enjoying stunning views of the South Pacific Ocean as we sail back to the Society Islands. Stay immersed in authentic Polynesian culture with traditional entertainment, including Polynesian song lessons, Tahitian dance initiations, and captivating evening shows under the stars.
Raiatea, once called Havai’i, is the cradle of Polynesian civilization and the starting point for voyages to New Zealand, Hawaii, and Easter Island. The Aranoa docks here, where passengers are warmly welcomed with tiare flowers and the rhythmic sounds of the to’ere.
Buses await to take you to Taputapuatea, a spectacular 1,000-year-old marae and UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered as the spiritual heart of Polynesia. After a traditional lunch, spend your afternoon exploring Uturoa, browsing local shops and crafts along the waterfront.
Arriving in Bora Bora’s world-famous lagoon of opalescent blues and greens, you will be greeted by majestic Mount Otemanu, the island’s highest peak. In this picture-perfect island paradise, you will enjoy a day at the beach and another delicious picnic, on a private “motu” islet surrounded by crystalline waters.
You may also choose from a variety of excursions at an additional cost: circle island tour by boat or bus, helicopter flight, 4WD off-road tour and one of the most popular for the bravest: shark and ray feeding!
Bora Bora was a US military outpost during World War II and remnants from the war such as cannons and bunkers can be seen on the 4WD tour. Evening departure for Papeete.
This is the end of our journey. It’s time to say Nānā! (Goodbye) to your travel companions, to the Polynesian staff and Aranui guides.
Morning arrival into Papeete by around 7:00 AM and guests disembark. Our representative will be waiting for you as you disembark to transfer you to the Reva Tahiti. Spend a relaxing afternoon, wander through scenic coastal spots, admire local architecture, and explore open-air viewpoints and historic sites that capture the island’s charm.
Overnight stay in Tahiti at Reva Tahiti in a City Room.
Today is your day to spend as you please. Consider exploring the charming city of Papeete, where you'll find a wealth of shops and attractions to discover. You might want to start at the famous public market, Le Marché de Papeete, where you can peruse a variety of locally made goods or marvel at the exquisite black pearls at the Tahiti Pearl Market. Whatever you choose, there's no shortage of things to see and do in this vibrant city.
Overnight stay in Tahiti at Reva Tahiti in a City Room.
It's time to wrap up our journey. Please check out and take the transfer to Tahiti International Airport for your international flight back home.
Additional Information
FROM price reflects the lowest available price within the advertised travel period (e.g. April to October). Pricing varies depending on travel dates, availability and demand, and may not be available on all departures. Higher pricing applies during peak and shoulder periods. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of enquiry or booking. Please refer to Pricing & Price Conditions for full details, including inclusions, exclusions and other conditions.
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