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

Tahitian Princess

Recently renamed, this former Renaissance vessel (capacity 600 passengers) offers 3 different 10 nights itineraries from Papeete :

Polynesia / Cook islands : Papeete, Huahine, Rarotonga, Tahaa, Raiatea, Moorea, Bora Bora, Papeete.

Polynesia / Samoa islands : Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Apia, Pago Pago, Bora Bora, Papeete.

Polynesia / Marquesas islands : Papeete, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Rangiroa, Tahaa, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Papeete

Princess cruises official website

Aranui

Managed by a local company, this cargo boat cruises to the Tuamotu and the Marquesas islands twice per month. It features 34 cabins and 22 berth that can accommodate up to 92 passengers. Everyone who has experienced this cruise will confirm that it is a very enjoyable alternate solution to discover our islands among a mix of local and tourists.

Aranui cruise official website

Archipels Cruises

Open since 1992, Archipels features several cruises in the Leeward islands and in the atoll of Rangiroa aboard one of their 5 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 (7 days / 6 nights). Boarding every Saturdays at 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). Boarding at Rangiroa.

Archipels Cruises official website

"Nomade Yachting by Bora Bora Cruises" - 7 days / 6 nights

Monday through Sunday - Departing every Monday from Bora Bora airport

Experience “Nomade Yachting by Bora Bora Cruises”, an intimate and sophisticated way to discover hidden paradises. Discover a new style of cruising, outside of the usual tourist clichés, where the senses are indulged with color, emotion and pleasure…

Bora Bora Cruises 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 including Fly Fishing with the services of a resident guide

Haumana official website