This expedition will discover these pearls of the Tuamotu: Makatea, unique with its immense cliffs, Mataiva and its colorful lagoon and Anaa's intense blue will be forever etched into our memories.


Highlights


• Makatea: Explore the historical remains of the phosphate mining era, visit sacred caves, and enjoy a scenic picnic under the cliffs or on the beach.

• Mataiva: Experience the unique lagoon and pristine white sand beaches, visit local landmarks, and partake in a beach picnic with optional excursions to Turtle Rock and the Paure marae.

• Anaa: Discover the sparkling green jade lagoon, engage in fly fishing, and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach with optional activities like swimming at the pito "Ogoogo".

 

Departure from Papeete in the afternoon, welcome of our crew and navigation to the Tuamotu archipelago.

 

Surrounded by sheer cliffs rising nearly 240 feet above sea level, Makatea is the only atoll in the Tuamotu Islands with potable water, which comes from its underground caves. Once a prosperous atoll due to the exploitation of phosphates from 1917 until 1964, it has become almost completely deserted, with only a few families left. Today, the inhabitants live from copra cultivation, fishing and the trade of the coconut crab, the "Kaveu".Aranui offers the opportunity to visit the remains of Makatea's past and its phosphate mining.
Passengers will disembark by tender at the Temao wharf and begin the journey across the island on foot or by car. Visit the sacred caves of Makatea and picnic under the cliffs or on the beach.

 

Mataiva has everything to dazzle travelers. Its unique lagoon and white sand beaches make it one of the most sumptuous atolls in French Polynesia. Mataiva, which is easily accessible from Tahiti, has preserved its authenticity and tranquility. Here, there is little tourism, and the inhabitants are welcoming, kind and warm.
Passengers will disembark by tender at the Pahua wharf and will be greeted by a performance of "Orero". The village is a 5-minute walk from the dock, and you can visit it at your own leisure.
Optional excursions will be offered such as the visit of the "Turtle Rock", the "Paure" marae, the phosphate pond, the bird motu and the "pito" of Mataiva (sign-up at the reception). 4x4 vehicles will take you to a private beach for a picnic and to enjoy the lagoon.

 

Anaa, the birthplace of Tahiti's royal family, the Pomare dynasty, has entered the history books.
Today, Anaa is best known for its sparkling green jade lagoon and the picturesque white sand motus surrounding it. Most of the population is engaged in copra oil production or fishing, which has led to the development of the island's sustainable fishing program. Look out for the "feo", the gigantic, fossilized coral blocks that are characteristic of the atoll.
Passengers will disembark by tender at the Tukuhora pier. By bus or on foot, they will be able to visit the village and its specificities. The shallow, translucent lagoon is ideal for fly fishing, an activity offered at Anaa. A picnic lunch is offered on the beach in Tukuhora village.
Optional activities: discovery and swimming at the pito "Ogoogo".

 

Tautira means "the mast of a double hull canoe laid on the ground". Commune located on the isthmus of the island of Tahiti. It is part of the Commune of East Taiarapu, which includes Tautira, Faaone, Afaahiti (Taravao) and Pueu. It was for a long time one of the most important districts of Tahiti with Vehiatua as its chief, who proclaimed the independence of East Taiarapu in 1768 and who led his commune to gain supremacy over the whole island in 1773.
Passengers will disembark by tender at the Vereiti site where the band Pepena will perform for a local atmosphere. They will be able to snorkel at the beach, visit a taro factory located at a 5-minute walking distance and enjoy going to the river. Departure of the excursions to the "Te Pari" at the Vereiti pontoon (sign-up at the reception). The "maa Tahiti" will be served following the return of the
excursions.

This is the end of our journey. It’s time to say Nānā! (Goodbye) to your travel companions, to the Polynesian staff and Aranui guides.

Itineraries are subject to change.

DORMITORY - CLASS C - 4 BEDS

$2,655 NZD
$2,390 NZD pp
DORMITORY - CLASS C - 4 BEDS
Area : 140 sq.ft (13 sq.m) Capacity : 4 persons Dormitory style accommodation, this category offers 140 sq. ft. (13 sq.m) of shared interior space with two lower and two upper berths, one bathroom with shower and hair dryer. This category may be co-ed. PLAN Cabin located on Upper Deck - 4.

DOUBLE STATEROOM WITH OBSTRUCTED VIEW

$3,878 NZD
$3,491 NZD pp
DOUBLE STATEROOM WITH OBSTRUCTED VIEW
Area : 120 sq.ft (11 sq.m) Capacity : 2 adults With 120 sq. ft. (11 sq.m) of interior space and a picture window with an obstructed view, this exterior cabin offers either, a king size or two single beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer. PLAN Cabin located on Boat Deck - 5.

DOUBLE STATEROOM

$4,048 NZD
$3,644 NZD pp
DOUBLE STATEROOM
Area : 11 m² Capacity : 2 people With 120 sq. ft. (11 sq.m) of interior space and a porthole or a picture window, this exterior cabin offers, either, a king size or two single beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer. PLAN Cabin located on Boat Deck - 5, Main Deck - 3, Lower Deck - 2.

DELUXE

$4,812 NZD
$4,331 NZD pp
DELUXE
Area : 140 sq.ft (13 sq.m) Capacity : 2 persons With approximately 140 sq. ft. (13 m²) of interior space and a 45 sq. ft. (4 m²) private balcony, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king size bed or twin beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. PLAN Cabin located on Sky Deck - 9, Sun Deck - 8, Pool Deck - 7.

SUPERIOR DELUXE

$5,159 NZD
$4,644 NZD pp
SUPERIOR DELUXE
Area : 160 sq.ft (15 sq.m) Capacity : 2 persons With 160 sq. ft. (15 sq.m) of interior space and a 45 sq. ft. (4 sq.m) private balcony, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king size bed or twin beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. PLAN Cabin located on Sky Deck - 9, Sun Deck - 8.

JUNIOR SUITE WITH OR WITHOUT BALCONY

$5,240 NZD
$4,716 NZD pp
JUNIOR SUITE WITH OR WITHOUT BALCONY
WITHOUT BALCONY Area : 200 sq.ft (19 sq.m) With 200 sq. ft. (19 sq.m) of interior space, without balcony but with picture windows, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king bed or twin beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. PLAN Cabin located on Veranda Deck - 6. WITH BALCONY: With 160 sq. ft. (15 sq.m) of interior space and a balcony of 45 sq. ft. (4 sq.m), this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king bed or twin beds, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. Cabin located on Pool Deck 7

SINGLE STATEROOM

$5,417 NZD
$4,876 NZD pp
SINGLE STATEROOM
Area : 100 sq.ft (9 sq.m) Capacity : 1 person The Single Stateroom has 100 sq. ft. (9 sq.m) of interior space with a porthole, a single bed, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer. PLAN Cabin located on Lower Deck - 2.

PREMIUM SUITE

$5,525 NZD
$4,973 NZD pp
PREMIUM SUITE
Area : 200 sq.ft (19 sq.m) Capacity : 2 to 3 adults With approximately 200 sq. ft. (19 sq.m) of interior space and a 45 sq. ft. (4 sq.m) private balcony, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king size bed or twin beds and a sitting room with a sofa bed, divided by a decorative filigree screen, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. PLAN Cabin located on Pool Deck - 7, Veranda Deck - 6.

ROYAL SUITE WITH OBSTRUCTED VIEW

$5,567 NZD
$5,011 NZD pp
ROYAL SUITE WITH OBSTRUCTED VIEW
Area : 240 sq. ft. (22 sq.m) Capacity : 2 to 3 adults With 240 sq. ft. (22 sq.m) of interior space and a 100 sq. ft. (9 sq.m) private corner balcony, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king size bed or twin beds and a sitting room with a sofa bed, divided by a decorative filigree screen, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. In this category, the view of the windows is obstructed. PLAN Cabin located on Boat Deck - 5.

ROYAL SUITE

$5,791 NZD
$5,212 NZD pp
ROYAL SUITE
Area : 240 sq. ft. (22 sq.m) Capacity : 2 to 3 adults With 240 sq. ft. (22 sq.m) of interior space and a 100 sq. ft. (9 sq.m) private corner balcony, this exterior cabin offers a bedroom with a king size bed or twin beds and a sitting room with a sofa bed, divided by a decorative filigree screen, a bathroom with shower and hair dryer, refrigerator and safe. PLAN Cabin located on Sun Deck - 8, Pool Deck - 7, Veranda Deck - 6.

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

$7,206 NZD
$6,486 NZD pp
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Area : 440 sq.ft (41 sq.m) Capacity : 2 to 3 adults Consisting of 3 individual rooms, approximately 440 sq. ft. (41 sq.m) of interior space and a 130 sq. ft. (12 sq.m) private balcony, this exterior cabin offers a separate bedroom with a king size bed, a sitting room with a sofa bed, a lounge with a built-in bar, two bathrooms with shower and hair dryer, a walk-in closet, refrigerator and safe. PLAN Cabin located on Sky Deck - 9.

Vessel Type: Passenger ship

Length: 126 m

Passenger Capacity: 260

Speed: 15 knots

The Aranui is a mixed passenger/cargo vessel that operates between Tahiti and the Marquesas.

It offers comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations for about two hundred passengers. Passengers will be able to sunbathe on deck, swim in the pool, or enjoy exotic tropical drinks while the Aranui wends her way among the islands of the Marquesas.

Accommodations classes are Suites, Deluxe, Standard and C Class.

The vessel operates under the French flag, and her crew are all Polynesian, primarily Marquesans.

The name “Aranui” means “The Great Highway” in Maori, another great Polynesian culture. The first Aranui was purchased from a New Zealand ship owner in 1959. CPTM kept her original name, because it suited her. Serving as a link between the remote Marquesas and the rest of the world, she truly was a “Great Highway” on which cargo and passengers traveled. The original Aranui was too small to meet the needs of the islands as trade increased. CPTM therefore retired her, and purchased a new vessel, which was also named the Aranui.

The second Aranui was originally built as a freighter for the Baltic trades, with unusually thick hull plates because of floating ice often found in that area. She was modified in Germany in 1990. After only a few years in service, it too was getting too small again to meet the islands growing trade needs as well as the increase in passenger travel. CPTM decided this time to built a new vessel in 2000, which was named the Aranui III.

The Aranui III was built in Romania as a freighter and passenger vessel. Because of the number of passengers the vessel can carry, she was reclassifed as a passenger vessel. Thus, meeting the strict requirements of international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations and many safety features including life boats and lifte rafts and fire safety systems.

The vessel is French registry, and crewed primarily by Marquesans. They are extremely skillfull and very hospitable. It is often their custom to give an impromptu concert in the evenings, both for their own and our passengers pleasure.

The ship features a small boutique where various sundries, clothing and souvenirs are available. There are washing machines and dryers aboard, but dry cleaning is not available. There is also 2 bars and video room, which has a television, VCR and a small collection of videotapes. She also has a swimming pool and sunbathing space.

The electrical current in the cabins is 220 volt 50 cycle AC, using French-style plugs. If you have any small appliances, please make sure you have voltage converters and plug adapters needed to use the ship’s standard power. The vessel accepts traveler’s checks and credit cards for on-board purchases. We regret that we cannot honor personal checks. Lock boxes are available on board for passenger convenience. However, we do not accept custody or responsibility for passenger valuables or money.

Facilities:

* 1 dining room

* 2 spacious lounges & 2 conference rooms

* 4 bars including 1 panoramic bar (Skybar)

* 1 fitness room

* 1 outside swimming pool

* 1 shop

* 1 massage room

* 2 lifts

Cabin layout for Aranui 5

EARLY BIRDS 10% OFF

Take 10% of all 2026 Marquesas Islands voyages booked before December 31, 2024. Terms and Conditions apply, special offer is subject to availability, please contact us for more details.

Inclusions


• Cruise transportation and related taxes (tourist tax, port tax, fuel, TDC)
• Shipboard accommodation
• 3 meals per day
• A bottle of wine to share among 4 passengers for scheduled onboard meals
• Lunches in local restaurants
• Planned guided shore excursions to remote villages and archaeological sites
• Cultural dance shows
• Lecturers onsite and onboard

Exclusions


• Shipboard purchases
• Liquor
• Gratuities
• Port taxes other than those specifically provided for
• Other personal items
Aranui 5
French Polynesia Small Ship CruiseSmall Ship Cruise
5 Days from
$478 NZD per day

or call us on

NZ Freephone
0800 945 3327

AUS Freephone
1800 107 715

to help you make your reservation

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