SHORE EXCURSIONS

Discover Moorea's visual splendor, art and local Polynesian lifestyle during this scenic orientation drive around the island.

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing drive around Moorea. The distance around this idyllic island is approximately 38 miles and offers many spectacular sites and photo opportunities. Pass the sacred temples (Marae) and get an insight on Polynesian culture.

Down the East Coast reach Ia ora View Point for a unique view on the island of Tahiti only located about 10 nautical miles from Moorea, from there the view on the clear blue lagoon of Temae Beach is breathtaking. Driving down to the West Coast you’ll reach the Tiki Village for a short walk through the property, and free time. During your free time, you might browse the small boutique or discover the island's artistic beauty at an art gallery. Here, you will have an opportunity to see a replica of Gauguin's Maison du Jouir and view a large selection of the most beautiful reproductions of his artwork. You could also visit a black-and-white picture gallery showcasing the works of famous photographer A. Sylvain. Located by the ocean, the village is home to a lovely white-sand beach that offers wonderful photo opportunities.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the Fijian culture and the natural world that flourishes on Dravuni Island. You will begin your immersion into the local lifestyle by sitting in on a kava ceremony. The national drink of Fiji, kava is made with pulverized pepper root and its preparation can be a complex process. Although drinking this intoxicating, mouth-numbing concoction was once reserved solely for chieftains and priests, you will be invited to sample the kava, which is typically ladled from a communal wooden bowl. As the guide leads you on a nature walk, you will see crops such as yams and cassava and a variety of medicinal plants that the villagers use to ease pain, reduce inflammation and stanch bleeding. While exploring the island’s wooded interior, you can expect to see birds such as the Kadavu musk parrot, an endemic species that is easy to identify by its bright red, blue and green feathers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a kava ceremony that honors Fiji’s national drink and sample it.
• See traditional crops grown on the island and plants used for medicinal purposes.
• Look for colorful tropical birds while following the guide on a nature walk.
• Shop for local handicrafts at stalls along the beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of Upolu during this scenic, tour of the island's northeast coast.

Depart the pier for a scenic drive along the northeast coast of Upolu. Along the way, you will pass through local villages that still observe a traditional lifestyle. Stop for photos at the Falefa Waterfall and Estuary, a former trading post for locals and whalers in the early 1800s. Fagaloa Bay offers you another opportunity for breathtaking views overlooking the coast.

Stop to visit Gina's Tropical Gardens, which features an abundance of native and tropical plants, flowers and fruits. Included are specimens found in the bird of paradise family, along with ginger, axoria, heliconia, ylang ylang, papaya, guava, star fruit, pineapple, and mango. During your visit, you will be treated with refreshments and seasonal fruits. Enjoy a demonstration of coconut tree climbing, husking, grating and preparing fresh coconut cream.

OVERVIEW

Stroll the winding paths of an exotic orchid garden and delve into Fijian culture at a seaside village on the island’s western shore. Supposedly founded as early as 1500 B.C., Viseisei is considered to be the oldest settlement in Fiji and its villagers still follow traditional ways. After a brief guided tour of Viseisei, you will browse the shell market and take in the stunningly beautiful views from Vuda Point, where those original settlers landed. You will also visit the exquisite Garden of the Sleeping Giant, which is named after the legend of a giant that ate so many Fijians that he fell into a deep sleep. The garden started as a nursery to house the orchid collection of actor and part-time Fiji resident Raymond Burr of “Perry Mason” fame. Thousands of brightly colored orchids now flourish there in the foothills of the Nausori Highlands, including hybrids that Burr created.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the oldest settlement in Fiji, which according to tradition dates to 1500 B.C.
• Browse the village shell market and admire the panoramic views from Vuda Point.
• Meander through the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, a lush paradise full of exotic orchids.
• Hear how the garden began as a nursery for the orchid collection of actor Raymond Burr.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the Big Island’s most dramatic landscapes and come away with a deep appreciation of its volcanic formation. After pausing at America’s southernmost bake shop, where you might try a mango malasada treat, you will travel to the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. The jet-black sand is made of volcanic materials and lava fragments and is quite the sight, especially if you spot a green sea turtle basking on the beach. Symbols of wisdom and good luck, they are the only sea turtles known to sunbathe. The wonders of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be even more extraordinary. The terrain and natural diversity there are so unique that UNESCO deemed the park both a World Biosphere site and a World Heritage site. You will see volcanic craters, the active volcano Kilauea and hot water vapor rising from countless steam vents.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the volcanically formed black sand beach at Punalu’u and perhaps see a green sea turtle.
• Drive through stunning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View an active volcano, craters and steam vents releasing hot water vapor into the air.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Combine all the highlights of West Maui on this comprehensive excursion: Iao Valley, Maui Tropical Plantation and the Maui Ocean Center. You'll start with a visit to the most well-known and beautiful gorge on the ‘Valley Isle,’ the Iao Valley. Here, you'll visit one of Maui's most striking sights, the Iao Needle, a 2,250-foot cinder cone pinnacle that pierces through the clouds and dominates its lush surroundings. Next, stop at Maui Tropical Plantation, where you'll enjoy a fully narrated 40-minute tram tour through macadamia nut orchards, agricultural villages, sugar cane fields and flower gardens. Then at the Maui Ocean Center, experience the underwater journey that gives you an up-close look at some of the beautiful creatures only found in Hawaii's waters.

Discover the island paradise of Bora Bora during this scenic orientation tour via Le Truck, a casual, open-air vehicle resembling a windowless bus. Let your guide share with you the daily life of the people of Bora Bora.

Drive through the district of Fa'anui. Along the way, you will pass by small villages and fields that offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the people of Bora Bora. Witness how the popular pareo is made, learn about tupa crabs, taste locally grown fruits and see relics left behind by the U.S. military during WWII.

Admire the ever-changing colors of Bora Bora’s world-famous lagoon, and discover tropical flowers and trees among the dense green vegetation on the mountainside. Central Mount Otemanu rock, standing at more than 2,400 feet high, dominates the island and overlooks the turquoise lagoon and her crown of coral islands. Your drive around the island will allow you to enjoy the view of this impressive mountain. Driving by the East Coast you’ll pass some of the famous resorts before reaching Matira point, with the prettiest sand beach of the main island.

Spectacular volcanoes, craters and steam vents are waiting to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has recently reopened after a period of tumultuous volcanic activity. The landscape of Volcanoes Park has dramatically changed as the floor of the Kilauea crater sunk over 1,500 feet and the overall caldera quadrupled in size and widened by over a square mile. Today, the explosive eruptions, earthquakes and ash clouds have been replaced by remarkable changes in the summit area. The highlights of this exciting tour include visits at each of the following destinations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while riding to each stop in comfort on a deluxe motor coach. Walk through the Kilauea Visitors Center to receive information on the Park’s current conditions, view educational exhibits and interact with park rangers. Enjoy unforgettable views of Kilauea from Volcano House, just a short walk across the street. Kilauea’s massive size and scale is realized from this vantage point. Then you’ll be engulfed in rising steam as ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks at the Steam Vents. The area between the edge of Kilauea’s caldera and the outer cliffs are treeless because the extreme heat destroys their roots; only shallow-rooted grasses and other hearty plants survive here. On you return to the pier, visit the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans. The Volcanoes National Park Tour is not to be missed and includes round-trip transportation from the pier by deluxe motorcoach.

Experience local life in the tiny village of Keamu on the neighboring island of Aneytium.

On the short boat ride over, you can take in the beautiful tropical setting and prepare for the experience that lies ahead. As an introduction to the island, a group of warriors decorated with body paint will greet you somewhat ominously to demonstrate what the first meeting between the Europeans and islanders might have been like in 1793.

It’s all in fun, as the warriors will then lead you into Keamu to meet the chief and show you how the villagers live. You will learn about their way of life, how they prepare and store food, and weave mats and baskets from palm fronds. You will also see how they live off the land by hunting and fishing. The villagers in Keamu are extraordinarily resourceful and still practice many of the traditional ways of their ancestors.

Celebrate the honor, valor and courage of the World War II US servicemen on this special tour. This nostalgic journey takes you to the two places that marked the beginning and the end of the war for the United States - Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri.

The 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor will unfold in detailed narrations and photos. From here you'll travel across the Ford Island Bridge to the historic USS Missouri battleship, nicknamed the 'Mighty Mo.' Explore the passages, rooms and corridors on a self-guided tour.

Start your tour with a leisurely drive through the "Hilo Walk of Fame” known for all the banyan trees that have been planted by celebrities. Drive by Liliuokalani Gardens, the largest ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan. Your experienced guide will provide commentary of Hilo Town as you make your way to Wailuku State Park and Rainbow Falls.

While visiting Akaka State Park, you can see two gorgeous waterfalls- 100 foot Kahuna Falls and towering Akaka Falls which plummets 422 feet into an eroded gorge. Stop at Pana’ewa Zoo the only naturally occurring rainforest zoo in the United States. Next, visit Mauna Loa Mac Nut Factory as well as the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world-famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans.

Sit back and appreciate all the sights along the famed Hana Highway without having to navigate the curves yourself. Travel over one-lane bridges and along the winding Road to Hana in the air-conditioned comfort of an exclusive 8-passenger luxury Limo-Van, featuring all Captain's chair seating.

Relax and take in the incredible scenery of lava cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, lush hillsides of feathery ferns, and trees laden with tropical fruit. You'll have plenty of photo opportunities and time to explore, with many stops made along this spectacular coastal drive.

Experience the Ke'anae Peninsula, one of the last enclaves of native Hawaiians, offering splendid tranquil taro fields and a stop for a light morning snack. It's also the perfect place for you to learn about the native Hawaiian people, their culture, and the land they call home. See Waikani Falls, a cascade of fresh mountain rainwater. These are just some of the many sights for you to enjoy.

This full-day tour includes an alfresco picnic-style lunch at a Hana beach park. After lunch, guests delight in discovering Wai'anapanapa State Park, with numerous unique scenic features. Stroll on the black sand beach, photograph lava sea arches, or view beautiful lava formations. The return journey offers an optional swim to take a dip in a freshwater pool under a cascading waterfall, so bring your swimsuit underneath your clothes and a towel for - a perfect "Heavenly Hana" experience. An opportunity to swim at either Pua'a Ka'a ( waterfall ) or Waianapanapa ( black sand beach ) but not both, is offered to guests. The optional swimming opportunity is determined based on safety conditions.