Today will also be spent in Tahiti as there is so much to explore. Take a guided tour of the island to get an overview of all it has to offer. Walk around the blacksand beaches of Matavai Bay at Venus Point and the Arahoho blowhole.

Visit the Wan Pearl Museum and adjoining shop to learn about this superb gem of the ocean and pick up some of the stunning locally-made jewellery. The traditional colour of the Tahitian pearl is a dark green, called “poerava”.

Discover the ancient Polynesian temples of the west coast, wander tree-lined paths past ponds and waterfalls at the botanical Vaipahi Garden, visit the Taharaa lookout known as One Tree Hill.

If time permits visit the popular La plage du Maui in the south, and explore the small but interesting Island Museum for a great introduction to the islands. During your tour you can also try the local specialties at one of the many restaurants in the area.

Recommended dive sites: White Valley

Spend another day on the beautiful island of Mo’orea, enjoying further dives and water activities in the morning, with the option of another land excursion with an english-speaking guide in the afternoon.

Visit the local craft markets in Cook’s Bay, which are only open when a cruise ship is near by, or take in more breath-taking views from one of the other island view points. The lagoon and ocean surrounding Mo’orea is warm and clear, making it one of the best places in the world to swim with and observe humpback whales in the mating and nursery areas.

French Polynesia declared itself a Marine Mammal Sanctuary in 2002 offering protection to all of the 16 species of Whales and Dolphins found here.

Recommended dive sites: Vaiarae Pass, Opunohu Canyons, Tiki

Spend the morning exploring Raiatea , which is rich with cultural and historical significance. Believed to be the original birthplace of Polynesia, this legendary island is a secret garden of ancient myths and hidden temples.

Many cultures believe that this is where the great Polynesian migration began, from which large double-hulled sailing canoes set out to colonise Hawaii and New Zealand.

Popular activitiy options are hiking, jeep safari, discovering the Apetahi endangered flowers (which cannot be found anywhere else in the world), visiting Anapa pearl farm, and visiting the largest outdoor Marae (temple) in French Polynesia, Marae Taputapuatea.

Travel to the nearby island of Taha’a, with its soft mountains and bright sand beaches. There are several beautiful anchorages to choose from and the lagoon is wide enough to circumnavigate the island, by tender at least, within its confines.

Taha’a’s fertile valleys and sloping hillsides are covered with banana, watermelon and coconut groves, and the island grows nearly 80% of all vanilla produced in French Polynesia. It is recommend to visit one of the many plantations to purchase vanilla beans or extract so you can take a taste of Taha’a home with you.

A string of sandy Motu in the north of the island offer stunning views of nearby Bora Bora in a more isolated and laid-back surrounding. However, the main activity recommended here is the diving, with Taha’a sharing its expansive lagoon and surrounding coral reef with sister island Raiatea.

The lagoon holds a variety of dive landscapes including sea mounts, caverns, and drop-offs, and offers a great varitey of sea life including grey sharks, barracudas, trevallies, tuna, Napolean wrass, as well as the usual fine cast of reef fish and pelagics.

Finish the day with drinks or dinner at the stunning and award-winning hotel, Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa, on motu Ilot Tautau.

Recommended dive sites: Roses, Mounts of Ceran, Tiva Pass, Octopus Hole