Sail the Marquesas and beyond

Sail the South Pacific aboard a unique vessel to reach otherwise unreachable shores

Ahybrid cargo and cruise ship that’s brought thousands of adventurous travellers to the Marquesas Islands over the past 30-plus years, the Aranui, now offers trips to other far-flung destinations including French Polynesia’s Austral, Gambier and Tuamotu Archipelagos as well as the Cook Islands and Pitcairn Island.

The newest in a long line of vessels, the Aranui V has a maximum occupancy of 230 passengers and is managed by an entirely Polynesian crew. There’s usually a guest lecturer and tour guide on board such as an archaeologist or cultural specialist who will help you delve deeper into the local cultures. Expect to sway your hips to a live Polynesian band in the evenings and swim in the pool during days at sea. You’ll visit at least one very remote island that can only be reached by boat – such as Rapa in the Australs, Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas and Pitcairn Island, famed for its population of mutineers.wherever the ship comes to port, it’s met with festive islanders happy to receive their supplies and welcome new faces to their shores.

Upcoming special trips include a new route launching in September 2021 that takes in the Austral Islands (including Rapa), remote Anaa in the Tuamotus and the Cook Islands, and another special trip taking in Pitcairn and the Gambier Archipelago in October 2022.