Fakarava

Embarkation (3:00 to 5:00 PM). The 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin sails at 6:30 PM toward the Tuamotus.

• Papeete Municipal Market (Easy): Flowers, vanilla, pareos and black pearls under one roof.
• Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands (Easy): Polynesian history and voyaging, a short drive from town.
• Fautaua waterfall hike (Demanding): A long valley hike to one of Tahiti's tallest falls. Needs a permit and a guide.

An afternoon arrival at this UNESCO biosphere atoll, with an overnight on board.

• E-bike Rotoava and the north shore (Moderate): About 15 km on flat roads past the lighthouse and coconut groves. The cruise line calls it easy to moderate.
• Pinnacle snorkel (Demanding): Coral heads teeming with reef fish. Boat entry and open water.
• Village stroll and coral church (Easy): Wander Rotoava's single street and lagoon-side snack bars.

A full day in Fakarava before sailing to Rangiroa.

• Half day at Teahatea beach (Moderate): A remote beach by boat for swimming and shelling.
• Drift-dive the Garuae pass (Demanding): Famous wall of sharks for certified divers only.
• Pearl farm visit (Easy): See how Tuamotu black pearls are grown.

One of the largest atolls in the world, with a lagoon big enough to hold Tahiti.

• Glass-bottom boat over the Tiputa pass (Easy): Coral heads, reef fish and maybe dolphins, without getting wet.
• Snorkel Rangiroa's 'aquarium' (Moderate): A natural reef pool near the pass, with lots of fish. Water entry from a boat.
• Discover the green lagoon (Moderate): A longer boat trip across the lagoon to a remote motu.

A lush, laid-back island with the best-preserved marae in French Polynesia.

• Sacred sites and legendary places (Easy): Maeva's marae and Lake Fauna Nui at an easy pace.
• Lagoon cruise and snorkeling (Moderate): Calm water and coral gardens. Water entry by ladder.
• 4x4 safari of Huahine Nui (Demanding): Blue-eyed eels, vanilla and lookouts on rough roads. Not for back or neck problems.

An overnight in Bora Bora, with time at the line's private beach. Arrival time is not published; the ship arrives overnight.

• Sharks and stingrays encounter (Moderate): Stand in shallow lagoon water while reef sharks and rays pass by.
• Bora Bora island tour by 'Le truck' (Easy): A gentle loop of the coast road with photo stops.
• Off-road adventure to WWII sites (Demanding): Bumpy 4x4 tracks to cannons and lookouts over the lagoon.

A second day in Bora Bora before an evening departure.

• Private beach day (Easy): The line's own beach on a motu, with swimming and lunch.
• Catamaran sail (Easy): A relaxed sail across the lagoon.
• Aquasafari underwater walk (Moderate): Walk the seabed in a helmet. Ladder entry.

The sacred island at the heart of Polynesian voyaging.

• Raiatea highlights tour (Easy): Taputapuatea marae (UNESCO) and lagoon views by van.
• Kayak the Faaroa River (Moderate): The only navigable river in French Polynesia.
• Coral garden drift snorkel (Demanding): Float with the current through a coral channel.

A beach day at Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin's private islet in the Taha'a lagoon.

• Motu Mahana beach day (Easy): Swimming, kayaks and a beach barbecue on the line's islet.
• Catamaran sail in Taha'a (Easy): A lagoon sail past vanilla plantations.
• Waverunner and snorkel (Demanding): Speed around the lagoon, then snorkel a coral garden.

Dramatic green peaks above Cook's and Opunohu bays. The ship returns to Papeete at 7:30 PM for a last night on board.

• Island drive and Belvedere (Easy): The classic view over both bays, by car.
• Polynesian cooking class (Easy): Learn to make poisson cru and other local dishes.
• The three pinus hike (Demanding): A steep rainforest ridge hike.

Disembarkation by 8:00 AM in Papeete.

• Late flight? Point Venus (Easy): Captain Cook's landing point and the lighthouse, 20 minutes from town.
• Extend on Tahiti or Mo'orea (Easy): Ask us about resorts and overwater bungalows.