South Pacific

A UNESCO-classified biosphere reserve, Toau is a stunning coral atoll with a 35-kilometre-long lagoon, perfect for peaceful anchorages, swimming, snorkelling and diving.
Captain James Cook was the first recorded European to sight the atoll, back in April 1774.

One of the largest of the Tuamotu Islands, Apataki hosts the largest grey reef shark population in the archipelago.  It’s a low-lying coral atoll and at its maximum is just 4m above sea level. It hosts dense stretches of coconut palms separated by open beaches, as well as many shallow channels allowing water to move between the lagoon and the open ocean.

One of the world’s greatest dive destinations, the atoll of Rangiroa is a string of coral encircling a vast lagoon. Enjoy snorkelling and diving amidst the stingrays and manta rays. Around the Avatoru Pass you will find silver tip sharks, whilst in the waters of the Tiputa Pass you can dive with bottlenose dolphins.
Experience local cuisine and ask your chef to prepare a traditional feast of fish fresh from the lagoon, accompanied by taro root and breadfruit baked slowly in an ahimoa – a traditional Polynesian cooking pit dug into the ground.

Cruise from the Tuamotus to the Society Islands in a 24-hour crossing.
Dine on the open deck as you navigate open water and through the Te Ava Nui Pass into the lagoon of Bora Bora. The island itself is as close to the tropical ideal as it gets and the reef around the lagoon is clustered with desert islands, known locally as motus. Join fellow yachties to swap stories at the Bora Bora Yacht Club, founded in 1972.

From Bora Bora it is a short hop back through the Te Ava Nui Pass and the Pai Pai Pass to the lagoon that surrounds the island of Taha’a. Float amid a rainbow of fish, including vibrant parrotfish, striped snapper, emperor angelfish and butterfly fish.

Lying in the same lagoon as Taha’a, neighbouring Raiatea’s rugged interior is as impressive as its surrounding beaches. Discover French Polynesia’s most sacred temple, Marae Taputapuatea - a political, ceremonial and funerary centre, or take a hike up the Tapoi Mountain for spectacular views.

Cruise through the lagoon and through the Iriru Pass to Huahine. Huahine is known as the garden island and much of it is covered by immense tropical jungle, thriving with coconut plantations, vanilla orchids, banana groves, breadfruit trees and watermelon fields.
Once the home of Tahitian royalty, Huahine is considered the cradle of Polynesian culture. The island maintains the largest concentration of ancient marae (temples) in French Polynesia, some of which are believed to date back to the original ancestors of the Tahitians - the Lapita people - around 700 AD.
Step ashore and visit the island’s pearl farm, or take a horseback ride along one of the many beaches.