A Captain’s Love Letter to French Polynesia

In our exclusive interview with Captain Michel Quioc, we dive deeper into the heart of The Gauguin Experience through the eyes of the man who knows it best. From his first encounter with Polynesian waters to his cherished moments with guests aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, the Captain shares intimate insights into what makes these voyages truly extraordinary. His candid reflections reveal not just the technical mastery required to navigate these paradise-like waters, but also the profound emotional connection that has made this corner of the world his second home.

Captain Quioc poses with guests and the Gauguines while ashore.

Nearly two decades after his first voyage to Polynesia, the captain returned in 2022 to these waters that hold so much emotion for him—and that he knows by heart; a love affair he willingly shares with the guests of the m/s Paul Gauguin. 

Like many of his fellow sailors who navigate the most impressive ships on the planet, Michel Quioc grew up reading Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of a young boy who goes to sea in search of adventure (and buried treasure). A keen interest in life at sea was further fueled by real-life accounts of the extraordinary feats achieved by legendary explorers and writers who abandoned their homelands, even if only temporarily, for the allure of Tahiti and her islands.

Captain Quioc explaining basic navigation concepts to Junior Explorers, participants of the onboard  Moana Explorer Program.

Michel joined a renowned Merchant Navy School in France and his nautical career took off with his initial crossings close to his family home. From his first voyages at just 20 years old, he recalls the intensity and demands of navigating complex passages with hectic currents, huge tides, abundant rocks, occasional fog, and formidable storms.

The experiences that followed range from a ferry in the English Channel to an oceanographic research vessel in the Mediterranean, and just about any and everything in between. Coastal navigation in New Caledonia and Vanuatu led to discovering Polynesia in the early 2000s, and he remembers it "very well. It may sound very strange, but it's a place where I immediately felt I belonged."

The Gauguin sailing the waters of French Polynesia.

Without realizing it, the captain was crafting the first lines of a story that he is still writing, 20 years after he first fell in love with this land of sharing and carefree living. It is a never-ending pleasure that he obviously links to "his" ship, The Gauguin, but also to the anthology of emotions he experiences on every voyage to these waters—and islands—at the edge of the world: "the sailing is smooth, the scenery is like no other, and the welcome is incomparable. A bit like Ulysses with the siren song, there's something really special here, the charm and purity of the islands bewitch you...".

We invite you to join Captain Quioc and our shipboard family aboard The Gauguin soon to discover why Tahiti and her islands are cherished by locals and visitors alike.

The Gauguin offers an all-inclusive, luxury voyage that celebrates the vibrant flavors, rich traditions, and stunning landscapes of French Polynesia. Savor exquisite dishes crafted by culinary masters, embark on thrilling adventures led by local experts, dive into crystal-clear waters brimming with marine life, and let the enchanting spirit of the islands fuel your soul. Book your voyage now and start exploring paradise with Paul Gauguin Cruises.