Shore Excursions
Shore Excursions
From snorkeling adventures in a traditional outrigger canoe to discovering lush rainforests on a thrilling ATV excursion, our rich collection of shore excursions allows you to explore French Polynesia and the South Pacific in the manner that appeals to you most—both above and below the waterline as well as on shore.
Long-standing partnerships in every island ensures your discovery is led by the most experienced and knowledgeable experts. Here we invite you to explore your options either by port of call or type of activity. Shore excursions are available to pre-book approximately 60 days prior to sailing; diving tours must be booked on board. Guests and their travel advisors can pre-book their excursions by calling our Reservations Department at 1 (800) 848-6172. We look forward to revealing Polynesia to you soon!
Please note that not all shore excursions are available on all sailings. Descriptions and pricing may vary. Shore excursions will not be available for pre-booking until approximately 60 days prior to sailing (except for the Romantic Escapades excursions). Seven days or less prior to embarkation, shore excursions can only be booked onboard. New tours, not previously listed for online sales, may be available onboard without prior notice. If you have questions or would like to pre-book your shore excursions, please contact our Reservation Department at 1 (800) 848-6172 for assistance.
Once onboard, please refer to the tour descriptions for full details or consult with the Travel Concierge Team for further information.
Lagoon cruise & Polynesian feast
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 5h00 Price range: More
$$$$: the excursion price is more than $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Lagoon tour of Bora Bora in a traditional outrigger canoe (motorized), with ukulele animation and narration on culture, history and nature of Bora Bora.
The lagoon tour includes three stops. The first one is for snorkeling in a coral garden, where visitors can discover many different colorful fish, corals, and many other inhabitants of a wonderful natural ecosystem. The guide accompanies the visitors in the water. The second stop is the visit of the stingrays in shallow water. These rays are tamed since more than 20 years. The approach is gentle and respectful, keeping in mind preservation of nature. The last stop is on the ocean side, for the observation of black tip reef sharks.
After the morning of snorkeling, Polynesian feast is served on a private island (motu). Lunch is cooked in a traditional earth oven made with volcanic rocks, and covered by banana leaves. The guests watch the opening of the oven, and listen to the explanations of the guide. The table is set in the lagoon, with an umbrella to protect guests from the sun. On the menu: suckling pig, chicken with local spinach, manioc, plantain bananas, bread fruit, raw fish salad with coconut milk, and finally a traditional dessert made with bananas and vanilla, as well as fresh tropical fruits. Alternatively the Polynesian lunch can be replaced by a BBQ: fish, chicken, spiny lobster (subject to availability), Polynesian vegetables, raw fish salad with coconut milk, tropical fruits. The lunch comes with a good bottle of Moët and Chandon champagne, or red/white wine depending on the guests' preference.
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For great memories, the underwater camera is recommended. Please wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with reef shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring a towel and your snorkel equipment from the ship.
Excursion Code: PFBOB52
Lagoon excursion with Maohi Nui
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 3h00 Price range: More
$$$: the excursion price is between $100 and $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Lagoon tour of Bora Bora in a traditional outrigger canoe (motorized), with ukulele animation and narration on culture, history and nature of Bora Bora. Leaves and flowers decorate the canoe and protect the visitors from the sun. In case of rain, raincoats are also at one's disposal. To enhance comfort, cushions cover the wooden seats. The guides have a long and rich experience as boat captains, guides and musicians.
The lagoon tour includes three stops. The first one is for snorkeling in a coral garden, where visitors can discover many different colorful fish, corals, and many other inhabitants of a wonderful natural ecosystem. The guide accompanies the visitors in the water. The second stop is the visit of the stingrays in shallow water. These rays are tamed since more than 20 years. The approach is gentle and respectful, keeping in mind preservation of nature. The last stop is on the ocean side, for the observation of black tip reef sharks.
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For great memories, the underwater camera is recommended. Please wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with reef shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring a towel and your snorkel equipment from the ship.
Excursion Code: PFBOB53
Circle island by waverunner*
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 2h30 Price range: More
$$$$: the excursion price is more than $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Experience the unparalleled beauty of Bora Bora's lagoon in a fun-filled new way during this scenic and exciting waverunner excursion around the island.
Depart the pier for the brief transfer via Le Truck to the waverunner launching point. Upon arrival, your guide will provide you with your safety and waverunner instructions, then lead you on a one-hour journey to the lagoon's most remote and idyllic spots. En route, your guide will select the best location to stop for a swim or explore a motu. (Stops may vary due to the wind and water conditions.)
Upon returning to the wave runner launching point, you will re-board for the return ride to the pier.
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Operation of this tour is dependent upon weather and water conditions. Participants must wear the life-jacket provided, remain in line, and follow thirty yards behind the waverunner in front of them. The minimum age to participate in this tour is 16 years to drive, 14 years riding with an adult. Guests are encouraged to wear a swimsuit under a cover-up, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, shoes you do not mind getting wet, and a towel from the ship. Each waverunner has a small storage compartment. Maximum weight per 500 lbs. per wave runner. *This tour is priced per waverunner, which can accommodate two average-sized adults.
Excursion Code: PFBOB54
Relaxing time at the Lagoonarium
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 4h00 Price range: More
$$: the excursion price is between $50 and $100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Depart the pier in Vaitape (or Anau) aboard an outrigger canoe for a scenic ride in the Bora Bora lagoon (weather permitting). You will then continue to the Lagoonarium, with its white sandy beach and open-air aquarium. From the beach you will have a magnificent view of the island of Bora Bora. Upon arrival, enjoy an opportunity to swim in separate enclosed areas. During your visit, you will also participate in up-close encounters with marine life, including sharks, rays, jack fish, turtles, parrot fish, and more. Snorkeling begins from the beach in shallow water ranging in depth from 3-10 feet and is suitable for beginners and experienced snorkelers. Your local guides will show you how to carefully approach the marine life, will present you the motu and you will invite to participate in weaving coconut palm, sheathing coconut and pareo demonstrations.
After your visit, you will be served fresh fruit and spend some time relaxing on the beach before heading back to the pier.
Because the outrigger canoes are not always uncovered, the ride can be extremely sunny or wet from spray or rain. At times transfer is by car and boat. Guests exiting the canoe must use the ladder on the south side and walk in shallow water back to the beach. A small souvenir shop is available on the island, and all purchases are cash only; U.S. dollars or Pacific Francs are accepted here. Changing facilities, a sitting area and basic rest room are also available. Wear reef shoes and a swimsuit under a cover-up, and bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel from the ship. This tour is recommended for guests in good physical condition. Despite the fact the marine life is widely represented, it is not guaranteed to spot an animal presence when going out. If this is the case, the excursion will not be reimbursed.
Excursion Code: PFBOB55
Bora Bora island tour by "Le truck"
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 2h30 Price range: More
$$: the excursion price is between $50 and $100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Explore the island paradise of Bora Bora during this scenic orientation tour via Le truck. For a long time, this picturesque mode of transport has been the emblematic means of transport in Polynesia, especially on the Society Islands.
Depart the pier aboard a Le truck. First, you will drive through the district of Fa'anui. Along the way, you will pass by small villages and fields that offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the people of Bora Bora. A brief stop will be made at Fa'anui Bay for photographs of Mounts Otemanu and Pahia.
Your drive will continue on to the ancient ceremonial site of Fa'anui Marae, followed by a look at the bunkers constructed by American GIs during WWII. Next, a stop will be made at Mama Edna's to sample such local delicacies as breadfruit, poe mixed with coconut milk (not marinated), taro and tropical fruit. You will also have an opportunity to buy some local, hand-painted pareos. From a lookout point, you will see Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora's highest peak, which stands as a silent sentinel over the Pearl of the Pacific.
You will then pass by Bora Bora's Club Med Village before reaching sandy Matira Beach. A stop will be made here to take in splendid vistas and photo opportunities before driving back to Vaitape.
Finally, you will get back to the pier.
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Le truck is an open-air vehicle resembling a windowless bus. Be prepared for a bumpy ride during part of this island tour.
Excursion Code: PFBOB58
Bora Bora off-road adventure
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 3h30 Price range: More
$$$: the excursion price is between $100 and $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Immerse yourself in the pristine beauty of Bora Bora on this thrilling adventure off the beaten track.
You'll leave the pier in a chauffeured 4x4 vehicle for an off-road excursion along the island's least-traveled road. Your driver will take you through steep terrain to discover the flora and lifestyle of Bora-Bora. You'll pass through the small village of Vaitape on the shores of Pofai Bay of Pofai Bay, before starting the ascent to MONT POPOTI, from where you can enjoy of Bora-Bora's natural harbor and Matira beach. You will then follow the north coast of Bora-Bora for a visit to the lush Fa'anui Valley.
Your journey ends with spectacular panoramas and photos of Fa'anui Bay from a traditional plantation high in the mountains. At the end of the tour, you return to your ship from the pier.
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As this tour involves rough off-road driving and steep ascents and descents, guests with back and/or neck problems and guests with limited mobility are discouraged from participating. The order of stops may vary.
Excursion Code: PFBOB59
Pure snorkelling with reef discovery
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 3h30 Price range: More
$$$: the excursion price is between $100 and $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
The excursion will stop at least three times (depending on the sea conditions, visibility and timing), at different points of the island to snorkel in the most preserved coral gardens of the lagoon. You will have an opportunity to see a rich variety of fishes and beautiful coral formations as well as the amazing Manta and Eagle rays.
Please note that, sighting of the wild life is not guaranteed. The expert team of naturalist guides snorkel with the guests to show them the fauna and help those who are not confident in the water, explaining during the tour the reef and island’s formation and interesting facts about Bora Bora.
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Life vests and snorkeling equipment, mineral water, soft drinks, local juices and beach towels are provided by the operator.
Excursion Code: PFBOB61
Glass-bottom boat (Bora Bora)
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 1h30 Price range: More
$$: the excursion price is between $50 and $100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Discover Bora Bora's remarkable undersea beauty without getting wet during this glass-bottom boat adventure on Bora Bora's famous lagoon.
Depart the pier in Vaitape aboard a glass-bottom boat to explore Bora Bora's world-famous marine life. Along the way, you will look through large glass windows that open onto a colorful world of parrotfish, butterfly fish, and an abundance of other inhabitants that thrive in the waters of this tropical paradise. A roof will provide you with protection from the sun and eliminate glare, enabling you to take home great photos of your visit.
As you journey out across this fabulous lagoon, your guide will inform you about the teeming marine life beneath your feet, as well as the visually-stunning ecosystem that exists above the waterline. These interesting facts will make each discovery all the more interesting and enhance your appreciation of Bora Bora's natural beauty.
Before heading back to the pier, a crew member will dive under the boat to attract schools of fish for your viewing by feeding them right under the glass.
Excursion Code: PFBOB62
Aquasafari – Underwater walk
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 2h00 Price range: More
$$$: the excursion price is between $100 and $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Discover why Bora Bora’s spectacular lagoon is considered to be among the most beautiful in the world during this unique underwater adventure.
Depart the pier for the brief water-taxi ride to your comfortable motorized dive boat. After embarking the dive boat, your certified diving instructor will explain your safety and diving instructions and help you put on your helmet. Your head will remain dry inside the helmet; you can even wear your glasses as you freely maneuverer about in total security just a few feet below the surface. You will then descend the ladder into the crystal-clear water and commence your 30-minute underwater adventure. As you walk along the sandy bottom past exotic coral formations, you will see an abundance of iridescently colored tropical fish that are gentle enough to feed by hand.
Plastic shoes, wet suits, masks, and snorkels will also be available, as there will be time for snorkeling while the other guests take their underwater walk.
No swimming or diving experience is required. At the conclusion of your tour, you will return directly to the pier via water taxi.
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No swimming or diving experience is required. The helmet, while heavy, is placed on your head as you enter the water and taken off as you exit. You will remain connected to the boat’s air supply via an air hose. This tour is not recommended for guests with back and/or neck problems; guests with asthma, heart, and respiratory problems; or guests with limited mobility. Guests will be required to sign a waiver in order to participate on this tour. Minimum age requirement to participate in this excursion is 6 years.
Excursion Code: PFBOB63
Blue lagoon escapade*
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 4h00 Price range: More
$$$$: the excursion price is more than $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Experience the very best of Bora Bora’s lagoon during this scenic and memorable private boat tour. Depart the pier on board the sporty 23-foot Jeanneu, 715WA motorized boat. Ride around the island and stop to observe a stingray ballet. Snorkel in the majestic coral gardens. Visit the reef sharks, manta rays and much more. At the conclusion of your cruise, you will be transferred back to the pier.
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Wear your swimsuit under a cover up with aqua socks or similar, and bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a towel plus your snorkel gear from the ship. The boat has a sun top. This tour is recommended for guests in good physical condition. Alcoholic beverages will be served only after water activities are completed. This is not catamaran sail. *This tour is priced per boat, which could accommodate up to four guests.
Excursion Code: PFBOB64
Sharks & stingrays encounter
Bora Bora, Society Islands
Duration: 3h00 Price range: More
$$$: the excursion price is between $100 and $150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The official currency on board Paul Gauguin is the US dollar.
Explore the exquisite beauty and undersea denizens of Bora Bora’s lagoon during this stingray ballet and snorkeling safari aboard a covered snorkeling boat. Depart the pier aboard the snorkeling boat for a cruise by the ancient crater rim of Motu Toopua, then past Motu Tapu. You will then drop anchor on a shallow sandbank to discover the elegant, yet harmless stingrays. Watch in amazement as the rays glide effortlessly around you. If you wish, your guide will even help you get closer. Next, you will continue on for a visit to a pristine coral garden. Upon arrival, you will receive your safety and diving instructions, then have an opportunity to snorkel in depths ranging from 4 to 5 feet. Along the way, admire an abundance of tropical and multi-colored fish, including parrotfish and butterfly fish. At the conclusion of your snorkeling session, you will be transferred back to the pier.
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Guests should be comfortable in deep water and wearing snorkeling equipment. Although marine life sightings are frequent, they cannot be guaranteed. This tour is recommended for guests in good physical condition. Guests are encouraged to wear a swimsuit under a cover up, aqua socks or similar, and sunscreen, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and a towel from the ship. Masks, snorkels, and personal buoyancy aid (P.B.A./snorkeling vests) must be brought from the ship.
Excursion Code: PFBOB65