Cruising Aboard the Paul Gauguin - Tours & Excursions

There are quite a few adventures from which to choose while cruising the South Pacific islands aboard the Paul Gauguin. Here are some of my top favorite adventures:

Aito Off Road Safari - Travel in a four-wheel drive vehicle for a journey inside the volcanic crater that created Moorea.
Catamaran Sail with Snorkel - Explore Moorea’s beauty aboard a catamaran. Ride to Moorea’s northern coast, then on to Cook’s and Opunohu Bays. Upon reaching Opunohu Bay, the captain will drop anchor in the clear blue waters of a coral garden.
Dolphin Watching Expedition - Join Marine Biologist Dr. Michael Poole or his assistant for this eco-tour. With luck, you’ll see schools of spinner dolphins while listening to informative commentary about their remarkable society. Dolphins are found on 95% of the tours, but the engaging narrative and magnificence of Moorea’s coastline ensure a rewarding time. Guests visiting between July and early November may also view humpback whales in their annual mating and calfing rituals.
Coral Gardens Drift Snorkeling - After a short ride by motorboat, walk across an uninhabited motu off the coast, where your guide will lead you as the current carries you through the shallow lagoon on the way back to the boat. You will be delighted to find that this area abounds with a spectacular variety of tropical fish and amazing coral. This shore excursion is available from both Raiatea and Taha’a.
Exploration of Taha’a - You’ll drive via a safari off-road vehicle across one of Taha’a highest mountains. Visit a scenic viewpoint, learn the traditional use of local plants and trees, and learn the tamure, a Tahitian dance. Then tour a local vanilla plantation and a black pearl farm to learn how these treasures are cultured and harvested.
Golf in Paradise at the Moorea Green Pearl -Enjoy magnificent mountain and ocean views while playing this 18-hole championship course. The Nicklaus Design team created the course around the natural beauty of the island. Amateurs and professionals alike will find the Moorea Green Pearl Golf Course to be both challenging and inspirational.
In Paul Gauguin’s Footsteps - Take a walk in the footsteps of Paul Gauguin and explore the museum that bears his name during this scenic tour of Tahiti.
Raiatea Highlights Island Tour - Explore the interior of this picturesque island, climbing the hillside through untouched forests of bamboo, balsa and rosewood. Then pass pearl farms, local agriculture and conclude at the Botanical Garden with a guided nature walk.
Snorkel and Black Pearl Farm - Discover the Motu Pearl Farm, where you’ll learn all about the magnificent black pearl. Continue to a small motu for some snorkeling in the crystal clear lagoon of Taha’a and get acquainted with the myriad of tropical fish there. You’ll also find a small lagoonarium where you can swim with turtles, rays, and fish enclosed in different pools.
Tahiti - Off the Beaten Path - Explore a side of Tahiti not commonly seen by visitors during a scenic off-road journey through this idyllic island. Depart the pier with your guide in an off-road vehicle for the scenic drive through Tahiti’s pristine interior.

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Thank you for all of your assistance with our Maui weddingmoon!

Aloha Teresa -

I was just thinking of you yesterday. You really came through for us last Friday when we were turned around due to the fire on the road while trying to make it to our return flight after the wedding on Maui. We missed getting through to the airport by about 10 cars and the fire was right there by us.

It saved us a tremendous amount of time and stress to fly directly from the small Kapalua Airport to Kahului Airport. Some people on our flight did the long drive and said it was tedious and one lane in parts. We really appreciate your extra effort in putting that all together and changing our flights within an hour. Great job! It really helps to have a “Travel Agent friend on Maui”! [Read more]

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Maui - I love where I live!

Maui - I realize this island is a dream destination for many people and I am blessed to live here for the last 20 years…I love the tropical warm island breezes that make it possible to have my door open year around, I love waking to the sound of melodic birds singing (all a different tune).

I love the slower pace of life, where people stop for each other in traffic and greet each other with a smile and a “shaka bra” hand signal (whether they know them or not). I love the different cultures co-existing harmoniously - just experience a school pot luck dinner and you will find dishes from at least a dozen different cultures.

I love the idea that weekends are for beach barbeques and the parks are always full of families enjoying the ocean and each other. I love that our favorite annual visitors, the Humpback whales bless us yearly with their presence to birth their calves in our warm, calm, safe waters and we get to watch the Mothers teach them how to breach, slap their tales and mingle with the other whales and dolphins.

Maui No Ka Oi - Maui is the best!

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