Discover iconic tropical landscapes, ancient cultural sites, and an extraordinary undersea world!!
The Journey with Erika Team invites you to sail along this breathtaking adventure through the Islands of Tahiti. Join us, sailing roundtrip from Tahiti on August 4, 2022, or reach out to plan a future cruise!
Between the storied islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora lies the coveted diving destination of Rangiroa, the steep volcanic cliffs and remarkable grottoes of Makatea, and the ancient Polynesian cultural site of Marae Taputapuatea on Ra’iatea. On a five-night expedition to one of the last places on Earth to be settled by humans, dive and snorkel in clear, warm water with rays, sea turtles, sharks, and whales; see paradise come to life in the iconic landscapes of jagged green peaks, pristine beaches, and the bluest of blue waters; and connect with local culture with visits to Polynesia’s most significant ancestral site and a family-run vanilla plantation.
DAY 1-2: Depart U.S./Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Depart the US on an overnight flight to Tahiti. Arrive in the early morning on Day 2 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, art 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 staff and fellow travelers and settle into island time.
DAY 3: Rangiroa
The atoll of Rangiroa is a ring of slender islands known for some of the best diving and snorkeling in French Polynesia. The turquoise lagoon at its center is the second-largest in the world. Kayak,
snorkel, and scuba dive in the rich waters here, home to large schools of pelagic fish, manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles.
DAY 4: 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.
DAY 5: Ra’iatea/Taha’a
Encircled by a single fringing reef, and sharing a common lagoon, Ra’iatea and Taha’a are islands well worth exploring. One of the most important cultural sites in the Polynesian world, Marae Taputapuatea was a center for Polynesian seafarers and the location from which they set out for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Hawai’i and New Zealand. Our afternoon is spent at Taha’a where we’ll visit a family-run vanilla plantation and spend time snorkeling in the crystalline lagoons where we’ll encounter black-tipped reef sharks.
DAY 6-7: Bora Bora/Disembark/Papeete/Home
Be on deck at sunrise this morning to take in one of the South Pacific’s most iconic images: the angular crags of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu. Spend the morning exploring Bora Bora and then
join us for lunch aboard. In the afternoon, take a short flight back to Papeete where a hotel room will be available for you to rest and refresh before your international overnight flight home.
