2025 Polynesia Voyages: In-Depth Island Explorations, Natural Wonders & More

Incredible nature, rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted cultural traditions – it all combines in Polynesia to make this one of the world’s most memorable travel destinations. You can set sail to paradise on board our small, luxurious ships and discover new horizons with our unique itineraries and expertly curated excursions in this carefree bucket list destination in 2025.

Natural Wonders & Must-See Sights
Wildlife-loving guests can look out for the abundance of spectacular marine life that frequent the sparkling turquoise waters around the islands, including spinner dolphins, whales and stingrays. The region plays host to a spectacular number of ancient archaeological sites, rugged mountains adorned with wild hibiscus and colorful ginger flowers. After a day exploring the untouched natural wonders of Polynesia, what better way to relax than to sit and watch some of the most stunning sunsets in the world from the deck.

The diverse selection of itineraries includes the must-sees in French Polynesia such as vibrant Papeete, the paradise island of Nuku Hiva, and a number of overnight stays in Bora Bora, the most romantic island in the world.

These voyages are perfect for travelers wishing to soak up the laid-back island atmosphere, where they’ll take in iconic views of the mountains and stunning beaches and enjoy only-in-Polynesia adventures such as tours of vanilla and black pearl farms, picturesque lagoon cruises and motu island picnics. Oceania Cruises’ extensive range of highly curated shore excursions allows guests to discover the islands for themselves, absorbing the unspoilt natural beauty that these islands radiate alongside the region’s unique cultural traditions.

Curated Shore Excursions in Polynesia

We have partnered with luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler to bring globetrotters an exclusive collection of itineraries handpicked by the magazine’s dedicated editors. Four of our Polynesia itineraries are included among the selection of Condé Nast Traveler-branded itineraries, featuring editorial insights and unique tips in featured ports of call, sharing insider knowledge on what to discover, savor and experience in each destination.

An example of exclusive editor's tips in French Polynesia includes skipping the restaurants and heading to the food trucks, or roulettes as they’re called in Papeete, for a cheap and cheerful al fresco dinner featuring local bites; strolling through downtown Papeete getting to know its storied history via its colorful colonial architecture while visiting landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral, town hall and the bustling 155-year-old Papeete Market; and swimming with reef sharks during an intimate boat tour aboard a small sailing catamaran with family-run tour operator Voila Moorea.

Additional shore excursion highlights include:

Aito Off-Road Safari: Traveling off-road in a four-wheel drive, soak up the exquisite beauty of Moorea, exploring the verdant mountains, deep valleys and white-sand beaches, stopping at a sacred ancient marae and learning about the pineapple crop on the way.

Vanilla Flavor & Taha’a Motu Picnic: Cruise to the island of Taha’a from Raiatea – source of 70% of the vanilla grown in French Polynesia – to explore an intoxicatingly fragrant vanilla plantation and visit a tiny islet for a Polynesian picnic lunch and some beach time.

Sail Bora Bora by Catamaran: Discover Bora Bora’s famously gorgeous lagoon by catamaran, comfortably watching the views of the magnificent extinct volcanoes and spotting colorful tropical fish above the crystalline reef.

Discover Tahiti’s West Coast: From the Robert Wan Pearl Museum and Marche de Papeete to the tranquil Jardins Paofai, observe the surfers on their longboards alongside natural treasures like the thundering Faarumai Waterfalls, Arahoho Blowhole, and the Maraa Fern Grottos, home to the largest underwater cave in Tahiti.

Visit to Taipivai Valley: Set off on a guided adventure in a four-wheel-drive vehicle into the lush valley described in Herman Melville’s 1846 novel Typee. A famously rugged paradise, Taipivai Valley is spectacularly beautiful, rich in archaeological sites, and yours to discover during this fascinating excursion.

Shark and Stingray Snorkel Safari in Bora Bora: Explore Bora Bora’s turquoise, unspoilt lagoon via boat before slipping into the gin-clear waters to discover the ancient crater rim of Moti To’opua, gliding alongside the island’s graceful stingrays and parrotfish.

Unique Polynesia Itineraries
The 2025 season in the South Pacific will be our most expansive to date, with Nautica and Regatta traversing the remote region during both the winter and summer seasons. Both seasons’ unique itineraries have been specifically designed to create unforgettable and immersive experiences across Hawaii and French Polynesia. Offering an ultra-premium experience, Nautica and Regatta are ideally suited to explorations in the region, featuring more veranda staterooms and more free specialty dining options than any other ship regularly based in Tahiti.

At the heart of this extensive, diverse season are ten-day round-trip Papeete sailings, perfect for exploring the remote, nature-rich islands that characterize this region. Below are a few of our favorite 2025 Polynesia cruises:

• Tahitian & Hawaiian Hues: 18 days from Los Angeles to Papeete aboard Nautica, overnighting in Bora Bora and Papeete and visiting Kailua-Kona, Honolulu, Hilo, Raiatea and Moorea. Departs January 8, 2025.
• Polynesia Dreams: 15 Days from Papeete to Honolulu aboard Regatta, overnighting in Bora Bora and visiting Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Lahaina, Nawiliwili and Honolulu. Departs September 15, 2025.
• Tahitian Legends: 10 days roundtrip from Papeete (Tahiti) aboard Regatta, a Condé Nast Traveler branded itinerary, guests will overnight in Papeete and Bora Bora and visit Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa and Raiatea. Departs August 16, 2025.

Additionally, Oceania Cruises offers a variety of longer voyages, giving guests the chance to explore Polynesia after visiting the spectacular topography of Hawaii or New Zealand, as well as World Voyages of up to 111 days long, ending in Singapore, Cape Town or Barcelona.

What are you waiting for? Join us in Polynesia in 2025!