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4 Night Polynesia Cruise from Papeete

Ship: National Geographic Orion

Cruise Line: Lindblad Expeditions

Sailed: Friday, Mar 29, 2024 from Papeete, French Polynesia

Ended: Tuesday, Apr 2, 2024

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Friday, Mar 29, 2024 departure of the National Geographic Orion. If Lindblad Expeditions modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Friday - Mar 29, 2024

Papeete, French Polynesia

Arrive in Papeete and transfer 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. Enjoy a 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. (B,L,D)

Day 2 - Saturday - Mar 30, 2024

Rangiroa, French Polynesia

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. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Sunday - Mar 31, 2024

Makatea, French Polynesia

An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. It 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. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Monday - Apr 1, 2024

Raiatea, French Polynesia

Tahaa, French Polynesia

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. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Tuesday - Apr 2, 2024

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Cruise Ends

Air Travel

Papeete, French Polynesia

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 on a nearby motu for a relaxing beach day and BBQ lunch. In the afternoon, take a short charter flight back to Papeete where a hotel room will be available for you to rest and refresh before your international overnight flight home. (B,L)