A new odyssey in the heart of the Pacific

Scouting trip in Polynesia

Venture into the unknown to reach the heart of the Pacific. Beyond the lagoons of the lagoons of the Society Islands, the best-known archipelago, there is a secret and unique Polynesia. In anticipation of the arrival of the Jacques Cartier ship in 2026, José Sarica, director of the PONANT EXPLORATIONS expedition experience, went on an exclusive discovery trip. This is the story of an immersive journey to work with communities to create the future of travel in Polynesia and develop a long-term relationship with them.

The Austral Islands: Polynesia’s origins

The journey begins in the Austral Islands, the southernmost sentinels of Polynesia. Some 570 kilometres separate Papeete (Society Islands) from its nearest island, Rurutu. Here, winter casts a clear light on majestic landscapes. Extinct volcanoes and reefs sculpted by the swell protect an island with a fiercely authentic and unspoilt character. A land of character, timeless, where nature offers its purest gifts.

In Rurutu, explore the limestone caves of the Pacific citadel

With no lagoon, Rurutu stands like a limestone fortress whose rocks fringe the ocean. To grasp its power, José Sarica climbs up to the Taupe’e cave, the “Monster’s Mouth”. A gaping opening onto the ocean, framed by sharp stalactites and stalagmites reminiscent of a giant jaw. A raw spectacle with incredible earthy power.

While stone reigns supreme, the land is generous. Jean-Claude, a resident of the island, cultivates taro, the island’s “white gold”, preserving a legacy that spans five generations. Bérénice perpetuates this memory through the art of basketwork. Meticulous work of weaving pandanus, whose dried leaves are used to create finely crafted hats and braids. It’s a skill that could be learnt on board, during an introductory workshop with passengers.

In Tubuai, discover the secrets of Polynesia’s spiritual cradle

As you leave the rock of Rurutu for the Tubuai lagoon, the scenery softens. Beyond its natural beauty, José Sarica discovers an island with a little-known spiritual side. This is believed to be one of the cradles of the great Oceanic settlement. A history written in stone at the foot of the marae, silent reminders that this piece of land was a sacred site before becoming a tropical paradise.

The immersion continues in the Deep Blue, where, from August to mid-November, humpback whales come to the waters of Polynesia to breed. This is more than a show, it’s an encounter. “We were able to swim with three of them,” marvels José Sarica.

Then we head for the motu known as “Langue de chat” (Cat’s Tongue), a huge sandbank surrounded by endless blue. In the distance, the coral reef. Suspended between sky and sea, “you lose your bearings, you feel like you’re walking on water!”

Much more than mere archaeological remains, marae are the repositories of the social and spiritual order of the past. At Tubuai,  each stone has a function, recounting the genealogy of chiefs and clan alliances. Deciphering a marae is like reading an open book on the DNA of Oceania.

Immerse yourself in the unspoilt paradise of Raivavae

It is known as the “Bora Bora of the Austral Islands“, but Raivavae has retained the innocence of an unspoilt land. And the shock is immediate, as soon as you disembark: a saturation of blues and whites so intense that it seems unreal. Here, far from the crowds, travellers are immersed in a pristine lagoon, where everything seems to have been frozen in an exceptional shade of turquoise.

Because PONANT EXPLORATIONS travel experiences are co-created with local communities, it was on the mayor’s suggestion that José joined the motu Piscine in traditional pirogues. Crafted from mango wood and assembled with coconut fibre, these boats embody the spirit of the island. The team glides silently across the crystal-clear water before enjoying a fresh coconut with their feet in the sand: a sure definition of paradise!

The Tuamotu Archipelago: land at the water’s edge

A change of scenery for the second stage of this Polynesian discovery trip. The horizon opens up, verticality fades away. Like dust from coral islands scattered across the vastness of the ocean, at the Tuamotu Islands, with the exception of Makatea, there is nothing to stop your gaze. Here, the sky and the ocean merge together. A monochrome of pure azure, where the earth is nothing more than a hyphen placed at the water’s edge.

In Makemo, enjoy the exclusivity of a secluded lagoon

Makemo stretches out its 70 kilometres in intoxicating solitude. On a pristine sandy beach, José stands still, struck by such beauty. “I’ve rarely seen such shades of blue. There’s something sacred here!” The Polynesian atoll is reminiscent of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, as the exposed limestone gives the water an almost milky hue. And it is in this opaline, almost unreal material that passengers will be able to enjoy a gentle swim.

That’s what Le Jacques Cartier is all about: going where others won’t go and allowing a more intimate approach. A few minutes by local boat is all it takes to reach these uninhabited motu and meet a community of fishermen with an unspoilt way of life. A moment of absolute exclusivity.

Explore Hikueru and the bird island

Isolated and fierce, Hikueru deserves a visit. A unique island, where treasures lie hidden beneath the surface: a fascinating labyrinth of coral potatoes, a series of purple-tinged cavities where blacktip and whitetip reef sharks swim peacefully.

An hour’s sail away lies a little-known atoll, Tekokota (bird island), where dense vegetation is overflown by numerous seabirds. Terns, frigatebirds and red-footed boobies swirl around by the thousands in a striking cacophony of life. José Sarica hopes to add this island to his itineraries in the future: “It’s a sanctuary for birds, and we have a duty to preserve it and implement protocols and rules of good conduct to limit our impact”.

Then we head to the O’Gaga motu in the heart of Hikueru : white sand, turquoise water, pearly pools and “the feeling of being alone in the world”. Further on, the motu des Bénitiers reveals its shells and corals in sublime colours, while in the island’s only pass, you can let yourself be carried by the current between the lagoon and the ocean for an amazing drift snorkelling trip.

Emblematic of lagoons, giant clams (Tridacna) are indicators of reef health. These molluscs filter the water and expose their fleshy mantle to the sun, adorned with electric colours – blue, green, mauve – due to symbiotic algae. Magnificent precious stones scattered throughout the lagoons.

Navigate through the heart of the mosaic atoll of Mataiva

We head west to the Mataiva atoll, a “pure wonder of nature”. Its “reticulated” lagoon is a mosaic of seventy turquoise pools separated by coral walls. On land, old stone bridges span the channels to connect the motu to each other. This is how you reach the Papiro site. What a privilege it is to be able to observe young red-footed boobies with their sparse cottony down so closely, a prelude to their first flight!

The immersion continues outside the atoll, just beyond the Faratue pass. In this crystal-clear water, the ballet of numerous tropical fish, a few green turtles and sometimes manta rays guides your gaze towards the depths where faults, drop-offs and coral rosettes sculpt a grandiose setting, a haven for exceptional biodiversity. A final exploration to round off this journey into the heart of life.

Photo credits: ©Studio PONANT/Julien Fabro

Explore Polynesia’s most remote islands