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Peregrine Travel Centre

Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands

Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands

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Description

From snorkeling with sea turtles and sharks to swimming into a hidden grotto and dining on a privatemotu, this South Pacific expedition is an adventure in paradise. Begin with bucket-list underwater explorations in the Tuamotu Archipelago and Fakarava, whose flora and fauna are so diverse that its breathtaking reefs and other habitats are protected by UNESCO. Makatea’s sheer volcanic cliffs, Bora Bora’s jagged Mount Otemanu, and the tall green peaks of Mo’orea create indelible memories and complement the underwater Gardens of Eden that surround these remarkable remote tropical islands.

Trip Name
Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring the Society and Tuamotu Islands
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 103 metres Passenger Capacity: 102 (in 53 cabins) Built: 2003 / Refurbished 2014 Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion is equipped with the latest technology including large retractable stabilizers, sonar, radar, and an ice-strengthened hull. A shallow draft plus bow and stern thrusters provide the convenience of being able to maneuver close to shore. 14 Zodiacs ensure quick disembarkation and offer the ideal transport for up-close exploration. National Geographic Orion meets strict specifications for environmental protection and the on board waste management systems meet the stringent Antarctic operational standards enabling us to travel to the most pristine environments. A host of advanced design features and technology ensures sustainable marine environmental practices. National Geographic Orion accommodates 102 guests in 53 cabins, including several with balconies. She is spacious and modern, with a variety of public rooms that offer panoramic views of the passing landscape. Friendly and informal, Orion fosters a welcoming atmosphere where like-minded guests share in exceptional experiences and enrichment. Her public rooms include a dramatic window-lined main lounge, as well as an observation lounge and library perched at the very top of the ship, with plentiful observation decks. The spacious lounge is the heart of our expedition community, and is suited for spirited cocktail hours, informative presentations and our nightly tradition of Recap. In addition, a dedicated theater provides a unique setting for specialist presentations or films and slideshows. Both the main dining room and outside buffet easily accommodate all guests at once for open seating dining. On selected nights, weather permitting, our dining room menu is also available on the outside deck. While Orion interiors are elegant, life aboard is always casual, with no need for formal clothing. And you’ll find shipboard services like laundry, in-room cabled internet, and public-area wifi.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Arrive in Tahiti and proceed directly to National Geographic Orion for embarkation. While in port this morning, take some time to freshen up and settle into your cabin as we prepare to depart. Alternatively, choose to walk around downtown Papeete and visit the central market where vendors sell fresh fruit, pareos, artwork, and coveted black pearls. Join us for lunch aboard and be on deck as we set sail from Tahiti toward the Tuamotu Archipelago. This afternoon meet the expedition team and your fellow travelers and settle into island time. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - DAY 2-3: Tuamotu Archipelago
Spend two days exploring some of the nearly 80 islands and atolls in the “Dangerous Archipelago,” a corner of Polynesia that is as rich with marine life as it is vast. With crystalline lagoons fringed by white beaches and lush coconut groves, the Tuamotus are a tropical dream, both in the water and ashore. Meet the locals on sparsely inhabited Anaa and learn of their unique traditions. Discover the abundant marine life on a snorkel or dive or learn to stand up paddleboard in the calm lagoon of one of the many pristine atolls in the archipelago. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 4-5: Fakarava
Today we arrive at Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This coral atoll is home to many rare species of birds, plants, and crustaceans, and we have the opportunity to snorkel its protected reefs and ride the current into the lagoon on a world-famous drift dive. Spend time exploring Rotoava, the main village on Fakarava. Take a leisurely bike ride, visit a pearl shop or stroll along the turquoise waterfront with a fresh coconut. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 6: Makatea
An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. A makatea is a raised coral atoll that is tilted due to plate tectonics and appears much different than the other islands in the region, containing spectacular, vertical cliffs. This specific island of Makatea gives its name to all other uplifted coral atolls worldwide. Spend the day exploring the island’s limestone caves and grottos with your expedition team and local guides, or search for endemic fruit doves and myriad seabirds. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - DAY 7: Taha’a / Bora Bora
Arrive in picture-postcard Taha’a and spend the morning snorkeling alongside black-tipped reef sharks. Or, choose to go ashore and visit a family run vanilla farm. Enjoy lunch aboard as we sail to nearby Bora Bora and be on deck as the iconic crags of Mount Otemanu come into focus. This afternoon, explore Bora Bora either on land or in the water and join us for a barbecue dinner and music on a private motu this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - DAY 8: Bora Bora / Ra'iatea
Take in the sunrise on deck as we sail to Ra'iatea in the early morning light. This morning we visit one of the most important cultural sites in the Polynesian world, Marae Taputapuatea. A center for Polynesian seafarers and the location from which they set out for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Hawai’i and New Zealand, we visit the marae and learn of its significance in Polynesian history. Join us for a scenic lagoon cruise around the island as we sail toward the village of Uturoa. Taste local Polynesian specialties over lunch at a local beachside restaurant, and spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling or stand up paddle boarding from the beach in Ra'iatea’s calm lagoon waters. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - DAY 9: Mo'orea
Wake up to views of Moorea’s tall, green cliffs as we anchor in stunning Opunohu Bay. Spend the morning discovering all that the island has to offer: hike through a pineapple plantation, explore the island’s interior on horseback, or choose to snorkel in the island’s crystalline lagoon. Have lunch on deck and take in views of the island as we cruise toward Cook’s Bay, where we’ll spend the rest of the day. Join us on an afternoon excursion to Moorea’s newest museum and enjoy the golden light of the late afternoon from ashore. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - DAY 10: Mo'orea/Papeete/Disembark/Home
This morning, choose to stretch your legs with an early walk into Mo'orea’s caldera interior or opt to discover marine life beneath the surface of the lagoon on a leisurely snorkel excursion. Join us onboard for lunch as we cast off for Tahiti. In the afternoon, disembark in Papeete and check into a hotel room for the afternoon. In the late evening, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array13,500Category 1
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array13,910Category 2
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array16,600Category 3
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array21,600Category 1 Solo
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array22,180Category 5
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array25,900Category 6
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array26,550Category 3 Solo
29-01-202507-02-2025Array Array0Category 4
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array26,513Category 3
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array29,136Category 4
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array34,440Category 3 Solo
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array34,793Category 5
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array40,580Category 6
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array0Category 1 Solo
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array15,910Category 1
28-02-202509-03-2025Array Array19,460Category 2

Inclusions

    • In clear, warm waters, experience an extraordinary undersea world of whales and dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles, sharks and vast schools of colorful fish
    • Swim into an otherworldly grotto on Makatea and float in a hidden cave surrounded by stalagmites and
    • stalactites
    • Learn about Polynesian history and culture at Ra'iatea’s Marae Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Spend a day on the small island of Anaa and in its biodiverse lagoon, meeting fishermen and skilled local artisans who craft jewelry from stones mined on the island, string elaborate shell necklaces, and weave cloth with island motifs
    • Be on the lookout for endemic birds like the blue lorikeet, chattering kingfisher, and Makatea fruit dove
    • Enjoy special dining experiences including a barbecue with live music on a private motu in Bora Bora and a lunch of Polynesian specialties at a beachside restaurant in Ra'iatea
    • See iconic and awe-inspiring landscapes like Bora Bora’s verdant Mount Otemanu, jutting 2,400 feet above turquoise waters, and Makatea’s steep cliffs that drop straight to deserted beaches

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