Capital of French Polynesia, the city of Papeete is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here,where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Culture is not lacking. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.

A part of the Windward Island archipelago just to the west of Tahiti, famous Mo'orea will leave you with a series of unforgettable images and memories. Bask on its heavenly beaches, enjoy a dip in the turquoise waters of its lagoon, and soak up its luscious vegetation and the heady flowers that carpet the inland areas. Get the most out of this natural gem with a trip to the Mo'orea Belvedere. Exceptional views of Mount Rotui unfurl before your eyes, with the Opunohu Bay and its valley to the left, and the famous Cook's Bay, surrounded by notched, cathedral-style peaks, to the right.

Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Fakarava’s coral ellipsis is a narrow stretch of land sitting on a crystal-clear sea. Travellers here are surprised by the immensity of the lagoon, whose colours evoke an infinite palette. On land, beyond the white-sand beaches, Fakarava is home to pearl farms that are open to visitors. Here you will find the most stunning examples of the famous Tahitian pearls – black pearls with glints of colour, also called tears of the gods.

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Your ship will take you to the discreet peaceful fishing village of Omoa, far from all civilisation and nestling in a magnificent bay. In the valley, you will be able to spot some tohua, former sacred sites, including those of Pouau and Tonoeve, as well as the many burial caves lost in the island’s abundant tropical forest. The inhabitants here are specialised in the manufacture of tapa, a bark cloth obtained through the technique of beating layers of wood; they also make perfumed monoï oil and sculpt coconuts and other precious woods.

Grandiose, striking and powerful, the Marquesas are more rugged than their Polynesian sisters. Here, you will find neither lagoons nor reefs; the archipelago’s charm lies in its extraordinary wild beauty: waterfalls flowing down vertiginous peaks, jagged cliffs sinking into the indigo sea, and lush vegetation. When the ship stops on the island of Fatu Hiva, the inhabitants of what is considered to be one of the beautiful bays in the world, Hanavave Bay, will welcome you with ukulele music and traditional songs. Do not miss your chance to discover these exotic dances and customs as the trade winds gently blow through the palm trees, infusing the island with the scent of frangipane and Tahitian flowers.

You’ll immediately understand why this remote and unusual chain of islands bathing in the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean inspired Jacques Brel’s final album. During your cruise, we will stop at Hiva Oa, considered to be the “garden of the Marquesas Islands.” A special kind of power and charm emanate from its craggy skyline and black sand beaches. You’ll want to explore its lush, green valleys, home to impressive archaeological sites and a wide array of plants and wildlife. Visit the small village of Atuona, considered to be the island’s capital, and discover the tombs of Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, as well as two small museums dedicated to their life and work.Located on Tahuata, the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas Islands, the village of Hapatoni will open its doors to you. A road built in old stones will lead you from the seashore to the village cathedral. You will also find a craft centre presenting various sculptures and engravings in bone or wood. Marquesan art is, in fact, recognised all over French Polynesia. Further on, vegetation takes over, inviting you to walk among its beautiful green valleys. Here, the population will give you a proper welcome, with traditional singing and dancing. A moment of conviviality you’ll remember!

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Crossing the equator is a baptism, a maritime tradition that PONANT perpetuates with humour. The Captain and officers of your ship will choose some neophyte passengers and crew members, who will be submitted to the good-natured “trials’ of the passing of the line. As we change hemispheres, you will attend a ceremony organised in a fun and festive atmosphere: with white togas, Neptune’s trident and fancy dress on the agenda. An unforgettable moment of conviviality between passengers and crew, under the aegis of Neptune, God of the Seas!

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The little coastal town of Hilo welcomes you in the midst of the Pacific Ocean. With its 47,000 inhabitants, it is more populated than the island of Hawaii itself. Marked by tsunamis, it houses a strange museum, the museum of the Tsunamis of the Pacific, which is an emotional experience. The traditional market is one of the most famous, and an opportunity to taste delicious local specialities. In the surrounding areas, an enchanting natural landscape unrolls its gifts of caves, waterfalls and paradisiacal creeks. Higher up, in the heart of the island, there are several observatories open to visitors on the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

Located on the island of Oahu, capital of Hawaii, Honolulu, offers its visitors a different image of the American dream: young women wrapped in sarongs, colourful cocktails and coconut trees. Here, the sun is divine, the waves a surfers’ dream, and its volcano, Diamond Head, are all features that will win your heart. The view from Diamond Head is simply incredible. But Honolulu is also about art museums, cycling tracks, the famous Waikiki beach and a tourist district with festive night-time animation. As for amateurs of history, the Iolani and Ali-iolani Hale palaces provide insight into the singular destiny of this State.

Itineraries are subject to change.