Pukapuka – the Cook’s most isolated island

A video of a trip to Pukapuka, an atoll in the northern group of the Cook Islands.

Aranui 5’s special journey to Pitcairn

A video of a special cruise on the Aranui 5 to Pitcairn and some of the less-visited islands of French Polynesia: Anaa and Amaru in the Tuamotus; Mangareva and Aukena in the Gambiers; Rapa and Raivavae in the Australs.

An unusual tourist activity on Rarotonga

A visit to the Creative Centre on Rarotonga is quite different from regular tourist activities and can also make a difference for some of our less able Cook Islanders. Visitors also have the chance to print a pareu or T-shirt – a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

A journey on the Aranui 5 – November 2017

The Aranui 3 was fantastic – the Aranui 5 is even better.

The cargo/passenger ship travels from Tahiti in French Polynesia, to the Tuamotu group of coral atolls and then to the Marquesas where it delivers cargo to the six inhabited islands.

Passengers get the chance to explore these remote and mysterious islands.

The return journey revisits the Tuamotus and calls at Bora Bora.

Read a review of the ship here.

Read all about the journey here.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Fakarava

Fakarava is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Nuku Hiva, Hatiheu

Rugged Nuku Hiva was our first glimpse of  the Marquesas Islands.

We took barges to the harbour in Taiohae village and then SUVs to Hatiheu where we had an umu lunch and then visited the archaeological site of Meae Paeke at Taipivai.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Hiva Oa, Puamau

At Puamau on the north coast of Hiva Oa we walked to the archaeological site Meae Iipona, peaceful and a little overgrown.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Hiva Oa, Hanamenu

One of the Aranui crew members had relatives in the small village of Hanamenu and organised a picnic for everyone.

We had a wet landing ie the barge pulled up to the beach and let down the front ramp.

The local boys performed a vigorous haka and after lunch there was time for a swim before heading back to the ship.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Tahuata

Tahuata is a small island south of Hiva Oa.

Watching cargo being loaded and unloaded onto barges was interesting as was the short walk to the village of Vaitahu. A local pig proved to be very photogenic!

The craftspeople here are famous for their bone carving.

We also visited the Catholic church with its beautiful stained glass windows.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Ua Po

As the Aranui sails into the harbour at Hakahau the hilltop white cross stands out.

The view from there is spectacular.

We were entertained in the community centre by young dancers and drummers and had the chance to buy the wood carvings that Ua Pou is famous for.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Fatu Hiva

The weather on Fatu Hiva was wet, very wet.

We walked to the village of Omoa and tried not to drip onto the tapa bark paintings that the island is known for.

A demonstration showed how labour intensive it is to make tapa.

We later made a wet landing on the beach at Hanavave village for a performance of the Marquesan Bird Dance by local girls.

Aranui 3 in 2010 – Solar Eclipse

This voyage of the Aranui 3 was booked by a large number of amateur astronomers and eclipse chasers.

We had been due to land on the atoll of Hikuera in the Tuamotus to watch it but the weather was cloudy there so the Aranui captain sailed along the eclipse line until he found a clear spot for us.

Much appreciated by all and great fun.