12 Nights - Hawaii & Tahiti Cruise

Honolulu, Hawaii

Capital of all the islands, Oahu is for beachcombers, honeymooners and adventurers of all ages. It has clear blue waters and pristine valleys, rainbows and waterfalls, quiet sandy beaches, fiery sunsets and lovely flowers which perfume the air. It is truly a jewel.

Honolulu, the capital, is set over five hills and surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches, attracting some seven million visitors each year.

It offers plazas, parks with cascading waterfalls, five star restaurants, nightclubs, world-class shopping, great art and architecture, exquisite hotels and friendly people with old fashioned aloha spirit.

A walking tour of the city must include the Aloha Tower and the fascinating Hawai'i Maritime Centre, the Kawaiahao Church, the Mission Houses Museum, the stately Iolani Palace and across the street, the striking statue of King Kamehameha the Great.

A gourmet's paradise, the cuisine in Honolulu is a blend of the spices of Asia and the Pacific with European styles and sauces.
Make a special visit to Chinatown where several buildings erected at the turn of the century still remain intact. The architecture is reminiscent of a bygone era. The Chinatown Historical Society offers walking tours which include a stroll through the colorful arcades, past the exotic herb shops, the famous open market and historical buildings.

There's so much to see and do on Oahu, from a family hike to Diamond Head, a 760 foot peak, to a swim with 150 varieties of tropical fish in Hanauma Bay.

Where else can you snorkel a crystal lagoon, climb a dormant volcano, surf huge waves, kayak along a pristine tropical coastline, picnic on a sandbar, soar in a glider over tidepools, scuba dive over sunken airplanes, play golf at a championship course and sail into a magnificent sunset?

A change of pace is to visit Dole Plantation three miles past Wahiawa. Walk around the Pineapple Garden tasting the varieties of pineapple grown there, or surf the waves on Ka'a'awa Beach on the windward side of the island.

You can also enjoy a stroll through the Polynesian Cultural Centre and enjoy Sea Life Park with its killer whales, dolphins and penguins.

Then there's the chance to take a nostalgic trip to Pearl Harbor where you can step aboard the 'USS Bowfin', a real WW2 submarine.

Learn more about this compelling wartime saga by visiting the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Centre displaying WW2 naval history and see a film about the sneak attack.

A visit to Hawai'i would be incomplete without a swim at famous Waikiki beach with its inviting tropical ocean waters, or you can experience the thrill of windsurfing at Kailua Beach where experienced windsurfers offer lessons.

Maui, Hawaii

Maui, affectionately known as "The Valley Isle," is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is celebrated for its stunning beaches, the sacred lao Valley, and breathtaking views of migrating humpback whales in the winter. Whether savoring farm-to-table cuisine or witnessing the awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset from Haleakala, Maui offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Explore Maui’s different regions with thoughtful trip ideas. As you visit, please carry the spirit of aloha—showing compassion, respect, and gratitude. By supporting local businesses, you help sustain the vibrant communities that are the heart of Maui. To deepen your connection, consider engaging in a volunteer experience, contributing to the island’s ongoing resurgence and resilience. Visit Maui and be a part of its continuing journey.

Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is Hawai'i's fourth largest island, sometimes called the "Garden Island," which is an entirely accurate description. The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires, and jagged cliffs aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers, and cascading waterfalls! Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, revealing views beyond your imagination. More than just dramatic beauty, the island is home to a variety of outdoor activities. You can kayak the Wailea River, snorkel on Poipu Beach, hike the trails of Koke State Park, or go ziplining above Kauai's lush valleys. But, it is the island's laid-back atmosphere and rich culture found in its small towns that make it truly timeless. Explore the regions of Kauai and make your escape to discover the undeniable allure of the island.

Kona, Hawaii

Kailua "Kona"" is a small town on the Leeward side of the big island of Hawaii. It was the home of King Kamehameha l. The climate is warm year round. Balmy trade winds bring the sweet scent of the beautiful blue pacific ocean to your senses here. The temperate climate makes planning a trip here easy. You just don't have to worry about coming at the wrong time of year. It's nice year round for the most part. "

Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is the country capital and commercial center of the Big Island. It’s on a large crescent-shaped bay and ahs Hawaii’s second largest port. Hilo is ethnically diverse, with a lot of people of Japanese and Filipino descent. There’s also an alternative community that’s been filtering in since the ‘70s, attracted by Hilo’s affordability and the windward coast’s scenic appeal.

Twice the size of all the other major Hawaiian Islands combined, the Big Island is also the youngest. It is believed to have emerged from the sea about 800,000 years ago and as evidenced by the activity in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it continues to grow. Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes and the islands sit atop the Pacific Plate, which is moving northward at the annual rate of 4 inches. The eastern edge of this plate is California's San Andreas Fault.

Hilo has been the victim of several major disasters. It was rebuilt twice after devastating tidal waves. The first tsunami struck in 1946 and what was not destroyed then was taken in 1960 when a second major wave hit the city.

At Sea

Enjoy the whole day at sea.

At Sea

Enjoy the whole day at sea.

At Sea

Enjoy the whole day at sea.

At Sea

Enjoy the whole day at sea.

Bora Bora, Polynesia

Bora Bora is the most magical of all the French Polynesian islands. The main island of Bora Bora, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicoloured lagoon, surrounded by offshore motu islets inside a protective coral necklace. The motu islets of Bora Bora are the ideal location for a Bora Bora honeymoon. Bora Bora has numerous luxury hotels and resorts, Hotel Bora Bora was the first Hotel in French Polynesia to build over water bungalows. No matter what kind of vacation you are planning, Bora Bora is a must when visiting French Polynesia. There is only one navigable pass, facing the principal village of Vaitape. A 29 km (18 miles) partially sealed road circles the Bora Bora, passing through colorful villages, archaeological sites, old Army bunkers and cannons left over from World War II. Bora Bora lies 240 Km (150 miles) northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands. Matira beach has white sand and warm, shallow water. Bora Bora's lagoon is world-famous for its beauty.

Raiatea, Polynesia

Raiatea is located in the southern part of the Leeward Islands. Its huge lagoon also incorporates the island of Tahaa. Raiatea has an area of 238 square kilometers (92 sq. miles). That makes it the fourth largest island in French Polynesia in terms of area. The biggest island is Tahiti (1,042 sq. kilometers, or 402 sq. miles), followed by Nuku Hiva in the northern Marquesas Islands (330 sq. kilometers, or 127 sq. miles) and Hiva Oa in the southern Marquesas Islands (320 sq. kilometers, or 124 sq. miles). Raiatea is shaped like an isosceles triangle with a base of 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) and a height of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). The island is an old former volcanic mass, the last lava having flowed some 2.5 million years ago. Raiatea’s tallest point is in the south, where Mt. Tefatoaiti reaches an altitude of 1,017 meters (3,337 ft.). In the north there is the Temehani volcanic rock plateau, which rises to 792 meters (2,598 ft.) and is decorated by historic peaks. Several big valleys cut deeply into the edges of this high island, creating some of the most favorable places for populations to settle. They include six bays—Vairahi, Faaroa and Opoa along the east coast; Faatemu at the southern tip; and Vaihuti and Vaiaau along the west coast. Alluvial fans--deposits of streams coming from a gorge upon a plain—have partially filled in the bays, offering flat land that helps compensate for the narrowness of the coastal plains. Raiatea has the reputation of being the cradle of Polynesian civilizations. In ancient times, the island was known as “Havai’i fanau’ra fenua”, which means “Havai’i, the cradle”. Furthermore, famous ethnologist Pearl Buck wrote that according to Polynesian mythology fragments of Havai’i broke off to create other islands, swimming like a fish to become the Windward Islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Maiao, Mehetia and Tetiaroa.

Moorea, Polynesia

Some 17km (11 miles) from Tahiti, and connected to it by a 45-minute ferry service or seven-minute flight, is an island with a simpler and more rustic lifestyle and yet offering plenty of entertainment for the tourist, including traditional-style nightlife. Dominated by volcanic peaks, it also has dazzling white sand beaches and clear lagoons ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling. Excursions include a visit to the beautiful Opunohu Valley, an ancient dwelling place, uninhabited for 150 years, with 500 ancient structures including temples or marae, some of which have been restored. Le Belvédère is a lookout spot from where the best view of the island may be had. The nearby island of Tetiaroa, recently opened to the public and accessible only by air, is an important seabird sanctuary.

Papeete, Tahiti

Papeete is a unique city like no other in the world. French Polynesia's capital and center of business, it's population is reported to be between 90 -120,000 people, depending on where the city limit is defined, accounting for well over half of the Island of Tahiti's overall population of 180,000 people.

Although virtually ALL travelers arriving in French Polynesia inevetably venture into Papeete (due to it's having Polynesia's only international airport), very few stay for very long or attempt to explore or experience it's unique flavor. Opinions vary as to the "likeability"" of the city. By far the majority of tourists arriving in Tahiti use Papeete as a mere stopover point for getting to the outerlying smaller and less populated Society Islands."