Shore Excursions - m/s Paul Gauguin

Shore Excursion Terms & Conditions

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 30 days prior to sailing (with the exception of the Romantic Escapades excursions) and can be added to your booking via the "Manage your trip" online tool. New tours, not previously listed for online sales, may be available onboard without prior notice. If you have questions 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.

Ports

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Beqa Island, Fiji

Bora Bora, Society Islands

Dili, Timor-Leste

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Fakarava, Tuamotus

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Hapatoni, Tahuata, Marquesas Islands

Huahine, Society Islands

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji

Moorea, Society Islands

Omoa, Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Rangiroa, Tuamotus

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji

Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji

Taha'a, Society Islands

Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands

Thursday Island, Australia

Vava’u, Tonga

Aitutaki Discovery Safari

Duration:

3.5 Hours - $103

Visit ancient sacred grounds, or marae, such as Are Mango, where ancient rituals and sacrifices were performed, and learn how ancient Polynesian warriors defended their island with the help of supernatural beings.

Depart from the pier and head toward the coastal village of Nikaupara. Stop briefly at Vainamu, a freshwater pond once used as a gathering place by the young people of the island. Continue along to the inland village of Tautu, stopping at the ancient temple grounds of Are Mango and the Poatu o Rae - the ancient throne of Rae, reputed to have been the strongest man on Aitutaki. Your guide will tell of his legends, such as tales of how how warriors of old voyaged long distances to experience the music and drums of the Are Karioi - the House of Entertainment where the "Yuppies" of Polynesia gathered for what was reported a marathon of dancing and courtship.

After a short ride through plantations, your tour will head toward the top of Mount Piraki where you will see some of the best views of the coastal village of Amuri and Arutanga. There, you will also view the remains of a World War II bunker built by the Americans during their time on the island.

From Piraki, you will head to the highest peak on the island, Maunga Pu. The ride to the very top is exhilarating, and the view that awaits you there is breathtaking: a panoramic view of the island and its magnificent lagoon.

This tour is more than just a means of reaching the top of Aitutaki's highest mountain without hard work, however. It is an opportunity to get to some of Aitutaki's best kept secret spots. Even for locals living on Aitutaki, places like the Poatu o Rae (the rock of Rae) and the Marae Are Mango (the house of Sharks) are places they hear about but never actually visit. Yet, they are the places that molded what Aitutaki is today.

Following your tour, you will be transferred back to the pier.

Please note: Some sites are difficult to get to but well worth the effort. Guests are requested to wear comfortable walking shoes, protection from the sun and to bring insect repellent.

Excursion Code:

AIT-001

Circle Island Tour

Duration:

2.5 Hours - $93

Your around-the-island drive will take you past several of the island's villages. You'll visit a marae (sacred Polynesian temple grounds) site. Pass through plantations of various crops grown here on Aitutaki. Learn about the island's myths and legends while taking in its beautiful scenery. Aitutaki has a unique geographical makeup - the island is a volcanic atoll with the typical volcanic peaks in the center of the island with the encircling coral reef ringed by the off shore islands (motus) and the lagoon in the center.

The Circle Island Tour is a great way to see the island and meet the locals. Visit the inland villages of Tautu Vaipae and Vaipeka, drive along the coast and see the remnants of the Copra Production Facility, and see how the people of this tiny idyllic island live. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet the locals and take photographs along the way.

Excursion Code:

AIT-2477

Lagoon Cruise with Beach Break

Duration:

6 Hours - $166

Aitutaki's deep-blue lagoon is considered to be one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Part volcanic and part atoll, the island's geographical structure makes this lagoon unique. This tour gives you the opportunity to experience the best Aitutaki has to offer in the short time available during your visit.

Board your boat (types and sizes vary) and cruise through the lagoon, visiting offshore motus. At One Foot Island, you'll stop for a lunch of barbequed fish, salads, and fresh fruit. After lunch, enjoy approximately 2 hours to relax or snorkel.

Please note: Wear your swimsuit under a cover up and reef shoes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring snorkeling equipment and a towel from the ship. This boat tour involves a wet landing. There is a cash bar on the island for those who wish to purchase beverages. Guests wishing to obtain a One Foot Island stamp should bring their passports with them. There is a fee of USD $2 for the stamp.

Excursion Code:

AIT-6772

SCUBA 2 Tanks Atua Tane - Certified Divers with Outside Operator

Duration:

4 Hours - $215

For this 2-tank dive, you will be tendering to shore to meet the dive master of Aitutaki diving. You will board the dive boat and sail to your first dive spot where you will dive along the barrier reef and enjoy the nice visibility and architecture of Aitutaki. There, you may spot some hump head wrasses, spotted eagle rays and barracudas.

Before the dive you, will receive your safety briefing. The depth of the dives is about 100 feet.

In between the two dives, you will be able to enjoy some local fresh fruit, coconut water, and regular water. You will sail to your second dive location where you can expect to spot some giant sea turtles (green or hawksbill). After the two dives, you will sail back to the pier.

Available for onboard booking only, cannot pre-reserve, please visit the Dive Desk once onboard, capacity is limited. For more information about our dive programs, visit www.pgcruises.com/scuba.

Excursion Code:

AIT-033

SCUBA Arutanga Passage - Certified Divers - with Outside Operator

Duration:

2 Hours - $135

You will meet at the ship`s marina to pick-up your fins and wetsuits before taking the tender to shore. Once there, you will suit up and gear check before boarding the local dive boat and get ready to head to the dive site that is only five minutes away from the pier. There, you will be helped with the equipment and do a back roll entry before heading down towards the canyons where you can observe huge green sea turtle resting on the bottom, occasional passage of spotted eagle rays, napoleon wrasse, and emperor angel fish. At about 90 feet a small family of resident white tips are hiding under an outcropping rock. This site only features hard corals.

Available for onboard booking only, cannot pre-reserve, please visit the Dive Desk once onboard, capacity is limited. For more information about our dive program, visit www.pgcruises.com/scuba

Excursion Code:

AIT-002

SCUBA Discover Diving Theory & Pool (Part 1 & 2) - Aitutaki

Duration:

2 Hours - $99

Learn the basics of one of the most rewarding activities in French Polynesia - SCUBA diving - during this session with The Gauguin's own onboard experts. Meet your PADI-certified dive master, who will introduce you to the equipment, discuss some basic SCUBA diving principles, and provide you with a practice session in the safety of the ship's pool. Even if you have never been SCUBA diving, you can learn the basics in just 2 hours. Completion of this course qualifies you forone of two dives in the Society Islands: SCUBA Toopua - Beginner Divers (in Bora Bora, BRB-1995) and SCUBA Shark Gallery - Beginner Divers (in Moorea, MOO-1999).

For more information about our dive program, visit www.pgcruises.com/scuba

Available for advance booking 60 days prior to sailing; capacity is limited.

Excursion Code:

AIT-6739

SCUBA Refresh

Duration:

2 Hours - $50

Brush up on your SCUBA diving techniques in preparation for the divingopportunities that lie ahead during two informative sessions. Meet your PADI-certified dive instructor by the ship's pool on deck 8 for a complete briefing on the use of the SCUBA gear, the laws of SCUBA, and a description of some important underwater skills. Your instructor will demonstrate these skills during the second session in the ship's pool.Each of the two sessions is approximately an hour long.

Available for advance booking 60 days prior to sailing; capacity is limited.

Excursion Code:

AIT-1000

Snorkeling Tour

Duration:

2 Hours - $93

You will board small boats each seating 10 guests and travel to Motu Maina where you can snorkel and those that wish have the option of visiting the motu. It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel each way, as the boats are very quick. This area has beautiful giant clams and is a marine reserve and is a nesting area of the red tailed tropic birds.

Please note: Wear your swimsuit under a cover up, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring fins, snorkels, and towels from the ship. You should also wear reef shoes for swimming. This tour involves a wet landing. There are no restroom stops on this tour.

Excursion Code:

AIT-6773

See all sailings