Expedition
FRENCH POLYNESIA & MARQUESAS
Your Diving Paradise Getaway
With its amazing 118 tropical islands, French Polynesia is truly a paradise in the South Pacific.
Just 67 of these idyllic islands are inhabited, offering unique living spaces. The islands are spread across five different archipelagos and cover an area the size of Europe.
Join us on an unforgettable and diverse dream trip through one of the most breathtaking regions our world has to offer... French Polynesia.
Underwater paradise
Big fish
unique flora & fauna
French Polynesia Dates: September 7 – September 27, 2024
Marquesas Dates: September 27 – October 4, 2024 (optional)
Feel free to check out our latest offer with all the detailed info via the download link below:
FRENCH POLYNESIA
An unforgettable dream trip through one of the most breathtaking regions in the world
On our 3-week journey through the unparalleled island world of French Polynesia, we'll visit the most beautiful and even the most hidden spots you could ever dream of. Make that dream come true – the one on every diver's wish list – and join us on our incredible dream trip to the islands of Tahiti, Rurutu, Bora Bora, Rangiroa & Fakarava.
For those who feel 3 weeks on this incredibly beautiful piece of earth just isn't enough, you're more than welcome to join us further on to the
Marquesas – a land full of stories & legends.
TAHITI
The Heart of French Polynesia
The largest island in French Polynesia is, for good reason, considered the epitome of paradise worldwide. With its unmatched blend of impressive mountain landscapes, deep valleys, breathtaking coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and majestic waterfalls, the island truly presents itself as an idyllic paradise.
Tahiti is also home to the bustling & colorful capital city, Papeete. Besides the famous city market, historic government buildings, and the Pearl Museum, it's also the perfect place to experience the true Polynesian nightlife.
This is also where our dream trip through French Polynesia begins, and where we'll spend our first night.
- Accommodation: Intercontinental Tahiti Resort **** in a double room with Garden View
- Meals: Breakfast included
We'll also return to Tahiti after the first leg of our journey, where a fantastic scenic tour awaits us. We'll visit the larger western part, 'Tahiti Nui,' and 'Tahiti Iti' – the smaller eastern peninsula.
The next day, we'll head to one of the most exciting destinations in the South Pacific – Rurutu.
RURUTU
The Island of Whales
Rurutu is the northernmost island of French Polynesia, located about 550km from Tahiti, and is also known as the Island of Whales.
Between July and October, humpback whales flock to Rurutu's warm waters for mating and calving. Mother whales swim around the island with their calves, nursing them until they're big enough to journey to Antarctica. Encountering these majestic marine mammals in 28°C warm water with visibility up to 80 meters is definitely a unique highlight that no diver or snorkeler will ever forget.
Yves Lefèvre, one of the most renowned marine biologists, whale researchers, and a former cameraman for Jacques Cousteau, has settled in French Polynesia, and he and his team will join us in Rurutu and also guide our dives in Rangiroa.
Rurutu is our second stop, and we'll be spending 5 nights there.
- Accommodation: Vaitumu Village *** in a Garden Bungalow
- Meals: Half board included
BORA BORA
The Pearl of the Pacific
Bora Bora is undoubtedly the most famous of all the islands, the epitome of the South Pacific, and it enchants with its breathtaking lagoons in every shade of blue.
At the heart of this exotic island, fringed with tropical vegetation, lies Mount Otemanu, a 727m high dormant volcano.
In the crystal-clear lagoon, with its fascinating and untouched underwater world, you can really experience the amazing variety of life and the magic of the South Pacific up close. Even near the beach, you'll spot colorful schools of fish, while sharks, barracudas, and rays call the deeper waters home. What's super cool is the many manta rays and leopard rays hanging out in the lagoon's "Ray Street."
Visiting the exclusive island of Bora Bora is an absolute MUST, which is why it's included in our program as the third destination we'll check out with our Atoll Pass.
- Accommodation: Hotel Maitai Polynesia *** in a double room with Ocean View
- Meals: Breakfast included
RANGIROA
The Atoll of "Endless Sky"
Rangiroa, with its 240 islands, is the world's second-largest atoll, charmingly named "Endless Sky." It's super famous globally for its breathtaking dive sites and totally grabs the attention of all dive lovers. Rangiroa is an idyllic spot that goes way beyond what you can imagine, whisking its visitors away to another world, far from any hustle and bustle.
Rangiroa's North Pass is one of Polynesia's most famous dive spots. We'll do drift dives in both the North and South Passes, and Yves Lefèvre will be joining us again! Here, you'll encounter countless grey sharks, hammerheads, oceanic blacktips, mantas, dolphins, and colorful schools of fish.
Rangiroa is the fourth stop on our trip.
- Accommodation: Kia Ora Resort **** in a Beach Bungalow with Jacuzzi
- Meals: Breakfast included
FAKARAVA
The Sharks of Polynesia
Fakarava is kind of like a mini Maldives atoll. It's been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve along with its neighboring atolls and really stands out with its super rare animal and plant life.
No diver has ever seen as many sharks as in Fakarava's South Pass – it's world-famous for that! Besides sharks, you'll find colorful corals of all kinds, even in the shallow waters. You can also encounter huge schools of tuna and giant barracudas, reef sharks, nurse sharks, and Napoleon wrasse while diving here.
Fakarava is our fifth destination before we head back to Tahiti and, optionally, on to the Marquesas.
- Accommodation: Pension Raimiti *** in a Robinson Bungalow
- Meals: Full board included
The simple but super cozy Pension Raimiti is a really special Polynesian family guesthouse, away from all the tourist crowds. It's very romantic and perfectly suited for divers, especially since it's right by the South Pass.
MARQUESAS
A Land Full of Stories & Legends
The Marquesas are a land full of stories and legends, geographically part of the East Polynesian islands, south of the equator. Legend has it that God created a 'great house' at the top of all the islands, represented by the largest one – Nuku Hiva.
This archipelago, with its 12 islands and many small islets, is split into a northern group (with the main islands of Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, and Ua Huka) and a southern group (with Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva). When it comes to diving, the Marquesas are still pretty much unexplored!
NUKU HIVA
The House of God
The underwater world here is packed with exciting treasures and amazing biodiversity. Along the coast, you can spot manta rays, eagle rays, sharks, mackerel, tuna, swordfish, and tons of other marine creatures. If you're lucky, you might even run into some of the hundreds of dolphins that hang out on Nuku Hiva's southeast coast!
We're visiting Nuku Hiva as our seventh stop, not just for the diving, but also to explore the gorgeous landscape. The local program includes 4 dives and 3 land excursions.
- Accommodation: Nuku Hiva by Pearl Resort *** in a Bungalow with Bay View
- Meals: Half board included
HIVA OA
The Garden of the Marquesas
Thanks to its fertile and lush land, Hiva Oa Island is known today as the 'Garden of the Marquesas'. The island features a rugged landscape, and if you're lucky, you might stumble upon one of its many archaeological sites, most of which are still hidden even after hundreds of years. The island is also home to the largest Tiki statues in the Tahiti islands.
Before our amazing trip ends with Hiva Oa as our eighth stop, we'll get to know the island even better with 2 dives and 2 land excursions.
Then, after our 4-week adventure, we'll head back to Tahiti and catch our flight home that very same evening.
- Accommodation: Hiva Oa Hanakee Lodge *** in an Ocean Bungalow
- Meals: Half board included
Tour & Details
| Tour | 20 or 27 nights |
| Accommodation | as per itinerary |
| Underwater world | Mantas, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales, dolphins, grey reef sharks, reef fish, white & blacktip reef sharks, lemon sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and more! |
| Things to Do | Dives & excursions as per itinerary |
| Dive depth | 20 - 40 meters |
| Water temperature | 27 – 29° Celsius |
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What's included:
- Airport transfers
- 20 or 27 nights accommodation in a double room
-
Atoll Pass including 5 domestic flights as per itinerary
(8 domestic flights including Marquesas) - 16 or 24 dives
- 5 trips to see the humpback whales
- Tanks, weights & guides
What's not included:
- International flights
- Extra meals, alcoholic drinks
- Rental equipment
- Dive & travel insurance
- Tips
Price per person
EUR 7.395,-
Price per person
including Marquesas
EUR 11.240,-
We'd also be happy to book your flights to Papeete once the September 2024 flight schedule is released.
Flight prices vary based on the airline and where you're flying from.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Prices might change, especially due to currency fluctuations and adjustments from our service providers.
- If your booking includes flights, please know that taxes can change right up until your departure day.
- Just so you know, cancellation rules for regular flights are different – you'll need to pay the full flight price when your ticket is issued.
We'd absolutely love to welcome you on our unforgettable dream trip through the stunning islands of French Polynesia!
We're always here for any questions you have or travel wishes!
Your Maldives and More Team
Why Maldives and More?
Maldives and More is your trusted travel partner with over 30 years of experience in tourism, making sure your stay in the Maldives is absolutely unforgettable. With our passion for diving and our own liveaboard right there, we can confidently say we know the area like the back of our hand!
We'll take care of all the details for your trip. Just tell us your travel dreams, and let's make them come true together!
Passionate Divers
Certified Dive Guides
Top Dive Sites
>30 Years of Experience