Tahiti gets all the name recognition, but French Polynesia is really five separate archipelagos scattered across a huge stretch of the South Pacific — and most visitors barely see one of them. That's changing. New air services between Australia and Tahiti kick off in September, joining existing direct flights from New Zealand, and PONANT EXPLORATIONS is putting two very different ships into the region to cover ground that conventional cruises skip.
The first is a familiar face: the m/s Paul Gauguin, purpose-built for shallow South Pacific lagoons and sailing year-round from Papeete for more than 25 years. It carries up to 330 guests on seven- to 14-night itineraries, from Society Islands classics like Bora Bora and Moorea to longer runs out to the coral atolls of the Tuamotus and the rugged Marquesas. An 11-day Society Islands and Tuamotus voyage, for instance, spends two full days at Bora Bora and calls at Rangiroa — one of the world's largest atolls, famous for its diving and its black pearl industry.
What sets the Paul Gauguin apart is its onboard Polynesian crew, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, who live aboard and run cultural workshops and performances throughout the sailing. Add French-leaning menus with regional flavours and a marina for direct water access, and it's a relaxed, culturally grounded way to cruise the classics.
The second ship is the newer Le Jacques Cartier, arriving in October 2026 for a season of expedition-style 14-night voyages aimed squarely at islands you won't find on standard itineraries. Its Secret Polynesia route links the Tuamotus with the Gambier Islands — including Aukena and Rikitea — before pushing into the remote Australs at Rapa and Raivavae, where some communities count only a few dozen residents. Shore activities are developed with local communities, and the ship's small size and shallow draught let it slip into lagoons larger vessels can't touch. Snorkelling, kayaking from the marina and guided scuba diving are all part of the package.
There's a booking incentive worth knowing about: reserve select 2026 or 2027 French Polynesian voyages by 31 October 2026 and you'll get a €1,000 or US$1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom, plus early-booking savings of up to 30 per cent. The credit can go towards excursions, spa treatments, premium drinks or — a nice touch — genuine Tahitian pearls from the Paul Gauguin's boutique.
For travellers who've already done the Bora Bora resort thing, the Marquesas, Gambiers and Australs offer a genuinely different side of Polynesia: wilder, emptier and far less geared to tourism. And with the new Australia flights landing in September, a deep-dive South Pacific trip no longer requires a convoluted routing. Whether you want the polished, culture-rich comfort of the Paul Gauguin or the expedition reach of Le Jacques Cartier, there's now a ship for both — and a reason to look well beyond Tahiti itself.
Story via Cruise Passenger.
