Remote Polynesian islands: beaches & culture trip

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Tahiti
• 3 nights Hiva Oa
• 3 nights Nuku Hiva
• 3 nights Ahe
• 3 nights Moorea

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights   

Day 2: Arrive French Polynesia

On arrival in Tahiti, you will be met at the airport and taken to your first guesthouse, where you will check in for two nights.

Included: Transfers, Tahitian guesthouse

Day 3: Tahiti

Enjoy your first day in French Polynesia in Tahiti - spend your day wandering along a black sand beach, hiking one of the several volcanoes that offer amazing views and jumping into the clear waterfalls to cool off. If you want to explore further, why not book a helicopter tour over the island - it's a fantastic way to see the lush interior from a unique perspective. If you want to add this, just ask.

Included: Breakfast, Tahitian guesthouse           

Day 4: Fly to Hiva Oa

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for the flight up to the Marquesas Islands, where you’ll be staying on the island of Hiva Oa. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your guesthouse, where you’ll check in for three nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, Tahitian guesthouse       

Days 5 & 6: Hiva Oa

You’ve got two full days to explore this unique island, starting from Atuona, the second largest village in Marquesas. The impressionist Paul Gauguin lived here and created some of his best work. You can visit the colonial store where he shopped, see a replica of his infamous “Maison du Jouir” and explore the adjoining museum.

As you walk uphill, you’ll have sweeping views of the harbour. In the cemetery at the top of the hill, beneath a large frangipani tree, you’ll find a tombstone with these simple words: Paul Gauguin 1903. Nearby, you’ll also see the grave of Belgian singer-composer Jacques Brel, another famous European who also was seduced by Hiva Oa and died in 1978.

Included: Tahitian guesthouse 

Day 7: Fly to Nuku Hiva

This morning, you’ll be taken to the airport for the short flight to Nuku Hiva, another of the Marquesas Islands. On arrival, you’ll be driven to your guesthouse and check in for three nights.

Included: Transfers, internal flights, Tahitian guesthouse           

Days 8 & 9: Nuku Hiva        

The small population of Nuku Hiva in the far northern Marquesas Islands are said to be the best craftsmen in the Pacific. They create beautiful art, carvings and tattoos that tell stories of their island. The archaeological history of Nuku Hiva is fascinating, and the culture here has a distinctive difference to the rest of French Polynesia. The Marquesas have their very own language and local cuisine as well as a rich history of myths retold in songs and dances.

You have 3 days of free time here here – you could book some excursions with the guesthouse on arrival or even hire a car to do some exploration yourself. Why not head out to visit the villages of Taiohae and Koueva, exploring the nearby archaeological sites and the Artisan’s Fare, where the locals sell their products. On another day you could explore the north shore and learning about the history of the islands, taking in the vast views over the rugged bays and enjoying a fresh Marquesan lunch.  

Included: Breakfast, Tahitian guesthouse           

Day 10: Fly to Ahe, via Tahiti

This morning, you’ll be driven back to the airport for your flight back to Tahiti, before flying on to Ahe in the Tuamotu archipelago*. On arrival in Ahe, you’ll be taken by boat to your little guesthouse on the coral shores of this remote and beautiful atoll.

* Depending on flight times, you might need a night in Tahiti between these two flights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, Tahitian guesthouse      

Days 11 & 12: Ahe  

Ahe is a tiny atoll in the middle of the Tuamotu islands, one of the quieter and more remote islands in an already little-visited area. It’s a charming spot with unspoilt nature and perfect clear water, ideal for a real off grid island experience. Spend your days picnicking on the tiny motus, snorkelling amongst the clouds of pink and orange fish and visiting the local black pearl farms. You can visit one of the last Tuamotu forests, look for rare birds on Bird Island and drinking fresh coconut water on the beach. With sand in your hair and salt on your skin, this is a true tropical paradise.

Included: Breakfast, Tahitian guesthouse                           

Day 13: Fly to Tahiti, ferry to Moorea

This morning, you’ll be taken by boat back to the airport for the flight back to Tahiti. On arrival, you’ll be driven to the port for the short ferry journey to Moorea, where you will check into your final guesthouse for three nights, ready to enjoy this lush, mountainous island with its glorious beaches.     

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, ferry, Tahitian guesthouse          

Days 14 & 15: Moorea

With three nights to enjoy lush Moorea, you’ll have plenty of time to kick off your shoes and relax. Alternatively, if you're feeling energetic, you can get out and discover this beautiful island. Moorea is a green wonderland waiting to be explored. Take hikes along steep cliffs, swim in the bright blue lagoon where colourful fish and rays dance through the water and stretch out on unspoilt beaches that will blow you away.

Included: Breakfast, Tahitian guesthouse           

Day 16: Depart French Polynesia

After breakfast, you’ll be taken back to the pier for the short ferry over to Tahiti, and taken back to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, international flights            

Day 17: Arrive UK