01 · Paisagens costeiras
Bora Bora
Uma paisagem de lagoa e ilha vulcânica alta, com atividades em terra que variam consoante o operador.
Verifica o acesso, o nível de atividade e as inclusões no teu itinerário confirmado.
Lagoas do Pacífico e altas ilhas vulcânicas
The destination is the experience
As viagens na Polinésia Francesa ligam lagoas de coral, picos vulcânicos e comunidades espalhadas por grandes distâncias oceânicas. Os cruzeiros nas Ilhas da Sociedade diferem das jornadas em Tuamotu e nas Marquesas, por isso escolhe o grupo de ilhas antes do navio.
Uma jornada por Bora Bora e pela região circundante coloca a paisagem em destaque. O teu navio liga os locais costeiros, enquanto as excursões guiadas revelam os detalhes que facilmente passam despercebidos a partir do convés.
Escolhe as paragens reais do programa, não apenas o nome do destino. As rotas que incluem Moorea podem oferecer um equilíbrio diferente entre natureza e cultura em comparação com as centradas em locais culturais polinésios. As atividades, as licenças e as exigências das caminhadas variam consoante a viagem.
When to go
Best time to travel: seasons & weather
Match your Polynesia route to the season, the shore experiences you want and local conditions. Coastal regions can differ considerably within the same destination.
Shore-excursion season in Polynesia at a glance
ExcellentGoodOff-season
Excellent, peak season (May – Oct)
Cooler dry season: lagoon outings, valley hikes and Marquesas cultural visits in pleasant conditions.
Good, shoulder season (Nov – Apr)
Warm wet season with short showers; lush islands and calm lagoons.
Typical patterns for planning shore excursions; weather varies year to year and is never guaranteed.
Peak season · May – Oct
Cooler dry season: lagoon outings, valley hikes and Marquesas cultural visits in pleasant conditions.
Shoulder season · Nov – Apr
Warm wet season with short showers; lush islands and calm lagoons.
Season & shore-walk conditions
Jan
Variable
322 mm
Seasonal
Feb
Variable
290 mm
Seasonal
Mar
Variable
170 mm
Seasonal
Apr
Variable
168 mm
Seasonal
May
Peak
102 mm
Seasonal
Jun
Peak
111 mm
Seasonal
Jul
Peak
105 mm
Seasonal
Aug
Peak
84 mm
Seasonal
Sep
Peak
96 mm
Seasonal
Oct
Peak
140 mm
Seasonal
Nov
Variable
216 mm
Seasonal
Dec
Variable
260 mm
Seasonal
| Typical pattern | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore conditions | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Variable | Variable |
| Rain / snow · mm | 322 | 290 | 170 | 168 | 102 | 111 | 105 | 84 | 96 | 140 | 216 | 260 |
| Cruises | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal |
Local conditions differ between coastlines and islands. The chart represents Papeete, not every stop on a voyage. Cruise operation depends on the published itinerary, not the weather rating.
Air temperatures through the year
Average daily highAverage daily low
Temperatures in Papeete barely change through the year: daytime highs stay close to 27°C in every month, and even the coolest month (August) averages around 25°C. Nights typically fall about 2°C below the daytime high, so evenings stay mild. Pack for consistent warmth rather than seasons.
Papeete · 2015–2024. Monthly averages, rounded for planning; not a forecast or a local station measurement. Rainfall includes water-equivalent snowfall where relevant.
Wildlife on land & along the coast
Meet the locals
The most memorable encounters often happen at walking pace. Animals live in specific habitats, so the places on your route matter as much as the month. Follow local wildlife distances and your guide.
No set season
Morcego-de-cauda-embainhada-do-pacífico
Áreas costeiras perto de abrigos em grutas
Um morcego raro perto de alguns abrigos em grutas sobreviventes, verifica primeiro as recomendações de conservação atuais.
Varies by island
Tartaruga-verde
Margens de lagoas tropicais
Procura ao longo das margens das lagoas e ilhas arenosas, tendo em mente a vasta geografia da Polinésia.
Varies by island
Tartaruga-de-pente
Ilhas rodeadas de recifes
Observa as margens rodeadas de recifes, embora a abundância varie muito entre as ilhas.
Evenings, varies by island
Gecko oceânico
Jardins costeiros e arredores das aldeias
Verifica as paredes exteriores e as árvores dos jardins depois de escurecer nas ilhas onde ocorre.
Varies by island
Gaivina-branca
Costas arborizadas das ilhas
Procura entre as árvores maduras das aldeias nas costas arborizadas das ilhas em várias partes da Polinésia.
Varies by island
Rabo-de-palha-de-cauda-vermelha
Encostas insulares viradas para o oceano
Observa as falésias costeiras e os terrenos de coral à procura desta ave marinha oceânica nidificante.
Wildlife is wild: sightings, courtship displays and nesting activity cannot be guaranteed. Species occur in different parts of the region, not at every landing.
Show all other animalsEvery shore tells a different story
Shore excursions worth planning around
These are examples of places and experiences, not a promised itinerary. Look for the actual landing names and included transfers in your ship’s day-by-day program.
02 · Herança local
Moorea
Baías rodeadas de montanhas e aldeias insulares ao alcance das rotas com partida do Tahiti.
Verifica o acesso, o nível de atividade e as inclusões no teu itinerário confirmado.
03 · Exploração guiada
Atóis de Tuamotu
As ilhas baixas de coral e as passagens nos recifes criam um ambiente diferente do das ilhas altas.
Verifica o acesso, o nível de atividade e as inclusões no teu itinerário confirmado.
04 · Natureza em terra
Vales das Marquesas
Ilhas altas remotas com património cultural e paisagens de vales íngremes em viagens mais longas.
Verifica o acesso, o nível de atividade e as inclusões no teu itinerário confirmado.
05 · Experiências insulares
Locais culturais polinésios
As visitas a marae ou a locais comunitários exigem uma orientação local respeitosa e autorização para fotografar.
Verifica o acesso, o nível de atividade e as inclusões no teu itinerário confirmado.
06 · Destaques da rota
Trilhos florestais do Tahiti
Encostas húmidas e caminhadas em vales oferecem uma perspetiva do interior se organizadas durante uma escala no porto.
Verifica o acesso, o nível de atividade e as inclusões no teu itinerário confirmado.
Picos vulcânicos & atóis
As ilhas vulcânicas altas e os atóis de coral baixos mostram diferentes fases e processos de formação insular.
Vegetação de ilha tropical
As palmeiras costeiras contrastam com a floresta húmida de altitude e os vales cultivados.
Cultura & preservação das lagoas
Respeita os locais culturais, os convites locais e as regras dos recifes. Evita tocar nos corais ou recolher objetos naturais.
Choose places before cabins
Which Polynesia route is right for you?
Route labels vary between operators. Compare the actual ports, landings and shore programs, not just the regional name.
Ilhas da Sociedade
Tahiti, Moorea e outras ilhas altas combinam lagoas e visitas a aldeias.
Atóis de Tuamotu
As rotas focadas em atóis destacam as ilhas baixas, as passagens nos recifes e as comunidades locais.
Viagens às Marquesas
As travessias mais longas chegam a paisagens culturais distintas e a ilhas altas remotas.
Your base between shore days
Polynesia cruise ships
Explore the cruise ships already in our collection. Compare cabins, guest numbers and day-by-day routes; daily prices appear only when current pricing is available.
1 published cruise ships. Ships remain listed even when departure dates are not yet available.
Ready to compare ships and dates?
Open the adventure cruise search to filter every published expedition ship by destination and travel month.
Flights & arrival
How to get to Polynesia
Fly into Papeete, Tahiti (PPT), via Los Angeles, Auckland, Paris or Tokyo.
PPT
Flight gateway
Tahiti · Faa’a International
Ships embark in Papeete or after a short inter-island flight. Confirm the onward flight or harbour transfer from Tahiti with your operator before booking.
Connections & onward transfers
Onward journey
Ships embark in Papeete or after a short inter-island flight.
Before departure
Plan an overnight in Tahiti before departure.
Arrive early, protect your departure
We recommend reaching the embarkation town at least one day before departure. Allow more time for remote destinations, separate flights, ferries or long transfers, and follow any earlier arrival or briefing required by your operator.
- Confirm the embarkation town, harbour meeting point and check-in time before buying flights.
- Ask which airport transfer, ferry or domestic connection is included in the cruise.
- Book flexible connections where possible and allow extra time for remote routes.
- The airports listed are alternatives for different routes, not confirmed flights for this ship. Check the port, meeting time and transfers in your final travel documents.
Flight schedules and entry requirements change. Confirm current arrangements with your operator before booking.
Before you set sail
A little preparation makes a big difference
Pack for the landings
- Grippy walking shoes and suitable footwear for wet landings
- Sun hat, high-protection sunscreen and refillable water bottle
- Light rain jacket and a wind layer for boat transfers
- Binoculars and a camera, with no flash around wildlife
- Personal medication and motion-sickness advice before departure
Respect the destination
- Follow local guides, landing permissions and protected-area rules
- Keep the required distance from wildlife and avoid nesting or resting areas
- Never feed or touch animals; do not collect natural objects
- Clean footwear and equipment before sensitive island landings
- Respect local dress, community invitations and photography permission
Discuss health, mobility and dietary needs before choosing a route. Remote areas may have limited medical facilities; travel insurance should cover your activities and any necessary evacuation.
Good to know
Polynesia cruise questions
When is the best time for a Polynesia cruise?
Cooler dry season: lagoon outings, valley hikes and Marquesas cultural visits in pleasant conditions. Warm wet season with short showers; lush islands and calm lagoons. The climate chart describes Papeete; conditions elsewhere on the route can differ.
Which Polynesia route should I choose?
Ilhas da Sociedade: Tahiti, Moorea e outras ilhas altas combinam lagoas e visitas a aldeias. Atóis de Tuamotu: As rotas focadas em atóis destacam as ilhas baixas, as passagens nos recifes e as comunidades locais. Viagens às Marquesas: As travessias mais longas chegam a paisagens culturais distintas e a ilhas altas remotas.
Are shore excursions included?
Check the inclusions and actual day-by-day program. Visits such as Bora Bora or Moorea require the right route; park entry, transfers and optional activities may cost extra.
What wildlife can I see in Polynesia?
The region supports species such as Morcego-de-cauda-embainhada-do-pacífico, Tartaruga-verde, Tartaruga-de-pente. Different species use different habitats; not every animal occurs at every port. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Do I need to be an experienced hiker?
Not necessarily, but uneven paths, steps and wet transfers can be demanding. Ask about the exact walking distances, terrain and assistance before choosing your voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Weather, sea state, tides, ice, permits and wildlife protection can change landings. Your captain and expedition team determine safe alternatives.
What entry documents do I need for Polynesia?
Your cruise visits French Polynesia, if included in your itinerary. Visa requirements, electronic travel authorisations and passport-validity rules depend on your nationality and travel documents. Check the current official guidance linked below, including transit-country rules, before travelling.Official entry guidance
When should I arrive before the cruise?
Reach the confirmed embarkation town at least one day early, or earlier if your operator requires briefing nights. Allow extra time for domestic flights, ferries and remote gateways.