12 Night Cruise sailing from Papeete roundtrip aboard Aranui 5.

Board the Ship in Papeete and cruise around the Tahitian Islands calling into spectacular and remote Islands of Marquesas onboard Aranui 5.

Highlights of this cruise:

Papeete
Tahiti is the largest of the Polynesian islands with its population most concentrated in Papeete which is a major shipping crossroad located on Tahiti's northwest corner.

Shopping-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, busy municipal market, waterfront area and lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Its suburbs sprawl up the mountains overlooking the city for miles along the coast in both directions.

The interior of the island offers splendid and unforgettable opportunities for hiking or safari 4x4 excursions, with impressive waterfalls, archeological sites, grottos and more.

Nuku Hiva
Nuku Hiva is the largest island in the French Polynesian Marquises archipelago. It is best known for its 550 metre Ahuii waterfall in the Hakaui Valley and was also the site for Survivor: Marquesas, the fourth installment of the popular CBS reality television show in the US.

Its beauty from the sea or high above the island is truly breathtaking. The surrounding coastline differs from the steep, but regular coastline of the west, to the indented deep bays of the north, which lead to deep valleys of the interior. There are fewer bays on the south side of the island.

The island’s inhabitants live in Taiohae, Taipivai, Hatiheu, Aakapa, Pua Houmi, Anaho and Hakaui. Taiohae is the administrative, economic, educational and health center of the Marquises Islands. Taiohae bay is a vast amphitheatre, the remains of a vocanic crater. The valley is rich in stone Tiki gods, ritual sites and carvings. The island offers great diving.

Fatu Hiva
Fatu Hiva is the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. With Motu Nao as its closest neighbor, it is also the most isolated of the inhabited islands. The island’s inhabitants live in the villages of Omoa and Hanavave, which are separated by 5 kilometres of sea.

Fatu Hiva is a spectacularly beautiful island with green jungle, soaring volcanic spires, narrow ravines and deep gorges. The village of Hanavave is located on the Bay of Virgins, claimed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Other attractions include the narrow path which winds over the mountains between the Omoa and Hanavave, offering a challenging hike and panoramic views. The Catholic church in Omoa is a picturesque scene.

Ua Pou
Ua Pou is the third largest of the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 50 km south of Nuku Hiva, in the northern Marquesas.

It has imposing jagged cliffs rising from the sea. Four basalt pillars shaped like sugarloaves overlook the sheltered bay where Hakahau its main village is to be found. Hakahau boasts the first Marquesan church, built in 1859, and in Haakuti and Hakahetau villages there are small Catholic churches built on top of paepae platforms.

The island has a number of archaeological sites and is well-known for its wood carvings,tattoos, its musicians and dance artists.

Discover the fascinating history, culture and scenic beauty of French Polynesia’s remote Marquesas Islands with Aranui 5. This ruggedly beautiful archipelago has inspired many artists and writers including Paul Gauguin, Jacques Brel and Herman Melville. They remain uncommercialised and naturally stunning.

With just 260 passengers, the Aranui 5 offers a unique cruising experience. Spend your days enjoying fresh local produce, watching the freighters crew in action as they unload essential supplies to these remote locations, exploring and discovering the islands with the shore excursions (all included in the price) and join in the evening fun as the Aranui team bring out the ukuleles and guitars and sing
and dance the night away.

Let the magic of the Marquesas captivate you - this truly is a journey of a lifetime!

The French polynesia cruise adventures aboard the Aranui freighter cruise lines take you to the remote Marquesas Islands, far from the routes of typical Tahiti cruise tours. Aranui adventure cruise vacations in the Marquesas Islands are unlike any other south pacific cruise vacations, Tahiti tours, or Tahiti cruise. The excitement of Aranui adventure cruise vacations is beyond compare among south pacific cruises or French Polynesia cruise; even when compared to Tahiti cruise tours. Beat Tahiti tour traffic jams, let Aranui adventure cruise vacations carry you away to the peaceful Marquesas islands!