South Pacific from Papeete with Stay, 13 May 2027 (16 nights)

If you’re looking for a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of Papeete’s city centre, then heading to the Gardens of Paofai is far from a bad idea. Beautifully landscaped gardens in the heart of this vibrant city, this wooded area is the ideal destination to take a stroll in the shade or sit and relax. You’ll find a few ornamental fish ponds to admire here too, with the walking trails taking you to several spaces that offer a tranquil serenity. This is the ideal place to sit and enjoy the laid-back coastal ambiance here.

The Papeete Market is a vibrant marketplace in the heart of the capital, and the perfect place to spend some time if you want to soak up some of the culture and cuisine that make this region so unique; here, among the busy stalls, you’ll find a variety of local foods and produce alongside hand-crafted artwork from all the archipelagos that make up French Polynesia – not just Papeete and Tahiti. If you’d rather admire from a distance, you’ll find somewhere to sit and sip on a coffee here, too.

Offering visitors a comprehensive look at pearls, including the process of collecting them and the legends associated with these unique cultured gems, the Robert Wan Pearl Museum is a truly fascinating place to visit when in Papeete. Immersing you in the intriguing world of pearls, with an exploration of historic individuals who held an affinity for pearls, how pearls are farmed around the world, and what it takes to spot the perfect pearl yourself, you’ll leave the Robert Wan Pearl Museum with a new appreciation for these interesting gemstones.

A small park in central Papeete, Bougainville Park is a beautiful spot to stroll when exploring this interesting city. Here, you’ll find tree-covered walkways and picturesque plant-life to admire. Once somewhere where important festivities and celebrations took place, perhaps most notably when King Pomare V ceded the islands to France in 1880, this park is now positioned as a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of this port city’s busier streets.

Just off the coast of Moorea, in the clear shallow waters around Papetoai, you’ll find an interesting collection of tiki sculptures – each of which stands between 1.5 metres and 2 metres tall. Created and placed by a local artist in 1998, as a tribute to the Polynesians who were obliged by missionaries to cast their religious symbols into the sea, this is a fascinating sight and one that highlights an important part of Polynesian culture and history. You can venture out and find these yourself, as they’re not far from the coast, but embarking on a guided tour will make that feat a lot easier.

Just one of the numerous beaches you’ll find in Moorea, Plage de Ta’ahiamanu is the perfect place to unwind when visiting this idyllic paradise. While here, you’ll never be too far from refreshments, and you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere here. With dramatic rainforest-covered mountain peaks in the background, and sparkling clear waters before you, there are certainly worse places to spend some time soaking up the sunshine.

If you’re looking for breathtaking views of Moorea’s inspiring landscapes, you’ll find plenty along the Three Pines Pass – which will take you to the Three Pines Lookout. A relatively easy, but wholly rewarding, hiking trail, this route will take you into the luscious heart of Moorea along the foot of an ancient caldera. When you arrive at the lookout point, you’ll be met with unrivalled views of Opunohu Valley and the pineapple fields that litter the island. Along the way, you’ll also spot several unique plants and some interesting wildlife – with eagle-eyed hikers even able to spot archeological ruins among the trees.

When in Bora Bora, scuba diving is a must. With a thriving marine life, filled with tropical fish and impressive colourful coral reefs, scuba diving in Bora Bora will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Surrounded by palm trees and other local vegetation, Matira Beach boasts white sand and beautiful water. The ultimate place to unwind whilst stopping off in Bora Bora, the beach is popular for its calm waters and the abundance of watersports that are available nearby, from scuba diving to jet skiing.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for an opportunity to hike during your time in Bora Bora, there are plenty of hiking trails available throughout the island. One in particular that is popular with tourists is the Mount Pahia summit trail. Standing at an elevation of 661 metres above sea level, the views you’ll get from the summit will take your breath away.

This scenic park is famous for two major natural attractions- the Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls. The Boiling Pots are a series of hot pools flowing like bubbling water, while Rainbow Falls is an 80ft waterfall casting spectrums of light as the spray catches the sun.

Created by lava flows in 1881, the Kaumana Caves are within easy reach of Hilo town. Free to explore, it’s a fascinating area within the state park that comprises picturesque cave areas, alongside lush wildlife.

If you’re looking to learn more about Hawaii, head to the Lyman House Memorial Museum. Founded in 1931 and housed in an early 19th century house, there’s plenty of fascinating exhibits to explore within it.

Located at the Wailua River, Fern Grotto is a beautiful lava rock grotto. Visitors can take river boat tours to explore this destination, known as the most romantic spot on Kauai, and hear songs and tales surrounding Hawaii.

A breathtakingly beautiful crescent of sandy beach with a protected cove perfect for swimming and watersports, Kalapaki Beach is idyllic – and the ideal spot to soak up the sunshine when visiting Nawiliwili in Kauai. Just a stone’s throw from the cruise port, and a short distance from a variety of bars and restaurants, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy this particular beach – or everything else Nawiliwili has to offer.

If you’re a fan of classic movies, or dinosaurs, then this is a must-visit location while visiting Nawiliwili; located in the Waikoko Forest, near the mysterious ‘Blue Hole’, the Jurassic Park Gate is the site where the iconic gates to Jurassic Park were constructed for filming. It’s not the easiest place to get to, so it’s worth trying to arrange a guide if you can – or planning ahead if you’re opting to venture to this site yourself. You can find detailed instructions online, thankfully. When you get here, you’ll be met with an impressive view – the same view – of the stunning jungle landscape. What remains of the gate itself, though, are two concrete support structures.

Preserving the history of Maui’s sugar industry, this museum offers indoor and outdoor exhibits and artefacts. Visitors will get up close to real equipment used in the 1920’s, and study countless photographs retelling the history of plantation life in Hawaii.

Through cultivating and researching the native flora and fauna of Maui, the Maui Nui Botanical Garden is able to protect the stunning natural beauty of the island. Visitors will discover Hawaii’s heritage, and through workshops and tours learn more about its environment.

This luscious state park is the perfect place to get in touch with the great outdoors while visiting Kahului on Maui; vibrant and jaw-droppingly beautiful, this region offers everyone the chance to hike through the Hawaiian countryside, marvel at the magnificent landscapes here, and enjoy a fantastic view of the Iao Needle – a 1,200-foot tall rock formation often shrouded in mist. You’ll need to pick up tickets to enter the state park, and reservations can be made up to 30 days before your arrival; it might seem like a hassle, but it’s oh-so worthwhile.

Also known as the USS Arizona Memorial, this floating shrine is only accessible by boat and sits directly over the sunken warship. The resting place of 1077 crewmembers whose names are enshrined on the memorial, here you can see parts of the craft still jutting out of the water.

This breath-taking vantage point offers unrivalled views of the Koolau Cliffs and Windward Coast. Nestled among mountain peaks at over a thousand feet high, visitors can take in the scenery of the lookout for free before carrying on to the town or coast.

This beautifully restored palace is a key part of Hawaii’s identity. Built in 1882, this restored landmark features original artefacts including furniture, accessories and photographs. Visitors can tour the palace, gallery and grounds self guided or with a guide.