Hidden Gems of the South Pacific: Fiji, Wallis & Futuna, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Bora Bora, Tahit

Day 1 Nadi / Lautoka / Embark Clipper Odyssey

After an early morning arrival, check in to your hotel dayrooms and enjoy a morning at leisure before lunch. In the afternoon set out for an island exploration, including a visit to The Garden of the Sleeping Giant, started by the late actor Raymond Burr in 1977, and showcasing more than 2,000 varieties of orchids. We also visit the Vei Sei Sei village, then stop for magnificent island views at Vudu Lookout. In the city of Lautoka on the western, “sunshine coast,” of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, embark the Clipper Odyssey.

Day 2 Taveuni

The Fiji Islands, considered part of Melanesia, cover an area of 386,000 square miles. Of the 325 islands large enough for habitation, only 106 have permanent residents. The third largest, Taveuni, is a dazzling emerald known as “the garden island,” and select a choice of excursions here. Hikers enjoy a visit to beautiful waterfalls in Bouma National Park, while birders explore the lush forests, keeping a lookout for collared lories, Fiji orange doves, and blue-crested flycatchers. A cultural tour highlights traditional Fijian village life, a kava ceremony, and demonstrations of cooking, tapa-cloth production, and basket weaving. Snorkelers and divers investigate the submerged wonders of the sea including Fiji’s famed soft corals and an incredible diversity of fish.

Day 3 Futuna, Territory of Wallis & Futuna

Futuna’s slopes ascend into the clouds, making for a beautiful sight to approach. Stunning beaches fringe the east coast and Mt. Puke, the island’s largest volcano, soars to nearly 2,500 feet. In a traditional village visit the impressive shrine to the South Pacific’s only saint, Pierre Chanel; the interior is covered in elaborate brown and white tapa cloth. Birders keep an eye out for red-footed boobies, white-collared kingfishers, blue-crowned lorikeets, and Fiji shrikebills which are endemic to the island. Lunch on board is followed by snorkeling or diving in the clear water to view longnose filefish, anemonefish, and colorful corals.

Day 4 Wallis

A self-governing French territory, Wallis’ ancestral connections are linked with Tonga. Although the local people are more reserved than on other Polynesian isles, the island’s charm is evident in the village leaders greeting. Tour the regional capital, Mata Utu, to visit its distinctive stone cathedral then drive to one of the island’s beautiful crater lakes. Archaeologists guides you through a 14th-century fort, and examine the local handicrafts. Bananas, breadfruit, papayas, lemons, and yams are among the crops that grow well in the fertile soil of the hillsides. In the afternoon enjoy snorkeling or diving off one of the many motus, low-lying islands, near Wallis.

Day 5 Niuafo’ou, Kingdom of Tonga

Tonga’s northernmost island, Niuafo’ou, is the tip of an underwater volcano, and recent eruptions have left part of it covered with black lava. Step ashore on a black sand beach to visit the island’s interior caldera lake where the Niuafo’ou megapode incubates its eggs in the surrounding warm volcanic ash until the chicks emerge fully fledged. Underwater, silvery fish sparkle like diamonds against a dramatic backdrop of extrusive lava turned into black basalt.

Day 6 At Sea

Enjoy your first day at sea giving an opportunity to hear from lecturers on the cultural and natural highlights of Tonga and the Cook Islands.

Day 7 Neiafu, Vava’u Islands / Niue Island, Niue

Today cruise through crystalline waters with visibility of nearly 150 feet and make your way through Tonga’s maze of emerald islands, the only remaining monarchy in the South Pacific. Locals await your arrival on Neiafu, a small community set in the Vava’u archipelago and visit a colorful market. Zodiacs whisk you to a cavern hollowed out by wave action and have the opportunity to snorkel or dive off one of Neiafu’s surrounding islands. Divers look for arches and caverns while snorkelers spy blue banded surgeonfish, convict tangs, teardrop butterflyfish, and several species of wrasse and chromis.

This evening cross the International Date Line, gaining a day.

Day 8 Niue Island, Niue

A saucer-shaped uplifted atoll—one of the world’s largest emerged coral atolls—Niue is endowed with some of the most extensive and dramatic limestone cave systems in the entire South Pacific. It is one of the world’s smallest self-governing states; approximately 1,500 inhabitants live in 14 villages scattered about the island. On a choice of guided tours explore and photograph the landscape and its geological features. Hike to the sea caves over a “pathway” of coral to spectacular views across pristine surroundings, including a huge arch rising from the aquamarine waters. This afternoon snorkelers and divers take in the underwater wonders among cathedrals of coral—including the chance to see the endemic sea snake—while birders may choose to walk among diverse and prolific rain forest flora to seek out the banded rail, masked lapwing, and blue-crowned lorikeet.

Day 9 Sailing the South Pacific Ocean

Savor a leisurely day on deck, watch for regional birds and marine life, and enjoy the continuing lecture series.

Day 10 Palmerston, Cook Islands

The Cook Archipelago includes 15 islands and atolls ranging from high fertile islands to low-lying coral atolls where nothing rises higher than a palm tree. Ringed by a continuous coral reef—making it the only true atoll in the southern Cook Islands—Palmerston’s lagoon stretches seven miles across at the widest and its one “mountain,” as it is affectionately called, soars to 20 feet above sea level. About 60 people reside on Palmerston, all descendants of the eccentric William Marsters, who managed the island’s coconut plantations in the 1860s. The friendly islanders will open their homes as you walk through the village. The island is endowed with thick stands of native trees, coconut palms, and pandanus. Enjoy birding in the shade and snorkeling in the translucent waters that reveal numerous healthy coral heads and marine life.

Day 11 Aitutaki

Like a miniature Bora Bora, Aitutaki’s central peak rises above a reef-encircled lagoon, and be welcomed by villagers performing some of the Pacific’s finest dances. Local guides accompany you on an island tour highlighting the natural and cultural attributes of the island. After lunch on the ship, enjoy snorkeling or diving off a remote motu in the crystal clear waters dotted with coral heads.

Day 12 Atiu

This morning arrive at Atiu whose shoreline is perforated with wave-sculpted caves. A tour will introduce you to the local culture with a village visit and a stop at a coffee plantation.

Atiu’s ancient name, Enuamanu, means “land of birds,” and birders set out with onboard ornithologist and a local guide to look for the Raratonga monarch, Cook Island fruit dove, and nesting site of Kuhl’s lorikeet. Or, join a challenging hike to visit several natural caves.

Day 13 Sailing the South Pacific Ocean

Cruise through turquoise waters on the way to French Polynesia. There may be opportunity for an expedition stop to explore the underwater riches of the South Pacific. The surrounding waters are a whale sanctuary inhabited year-round by pilot and humpback whales and a profusion of other marine life.

Day 14 Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia

Be sure to be on deck early this morning as the ship enters the dazzling sapphire-hued lagoon of Bora Bora surrounded by soaring cloud-wreathed peaks. Tour this lush island, driving along roads lined with fragrant frangipani. Venture underwater, snorkeling or diving to watch for graceful stingrays and colorful fish such as fairy basslets and teardrop butterflyfish. Birders seek out chattering kingfishers and grey-green fruit doves.

Days 15-16 Papeete, Tahiti / Home

After breakfast disembark the Clipper Odyssey and set out to explore this beautiful island. Visit the superb Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, dedicated to the history and culture of the people of Polynesia, and drive along the stunning coast, passing orchards of papaya and gardenia nurseries. After a stop at the Gauguin Museum, the former home of the artist from 1891–1893, continue to your hotel and check into dayrooms. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the hotel and to rest before your late evening flight homeward.