Fakarava, Tuamotu, French Polynesia, 6/18/2018, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
At daybreak National Geographic Orion entered the lagoon of Fakarava, the second largest atoll in French Polynesia. We spent the morning cycling or strolling in the small town of Rotoava, and the afternoon was devoted to snorkeling, diving, or visiting a traditional Polynesian sacred site called a marae. At dinner we enjoyed a festive and very delicious Polynesian barbecue on deck. We finished off our full and rewarding day with stargazing; after we gathered on the ship’s bow, the lights were turned off, and we had fantastic views of planets, stars, and constellations in these southern skies.
Berit grew up on the rocky shores of Marblehead, Massachusetts. In the tidal cove behind her family’s home she found horseshoe crabs, eels, and feeding frenzies of fishes and birds. Low tides exposed clam flats, crabs, mussels, and snails. She explor...
Our last day of our expedition took us to Rangiroa, the largest atoll in French Polynesia. Its name can be translated as “Big Sky,” and the name suits this place, as the vast lagoon of this atoll is so sprawling that you can’t see the other end. Guests enjoyed the day visiting a pearl farm. Black pearls are one of the main industries on French Polynesia, and at the farm, we could see how they use surgical precision to insert the mother of pearl bead in the black lipped oysters to produce these pearls. This island has become a center for the pearl farming industry in French Polynesia, as it is the only one with a school dedicated to the teaching of this trade and the research of the species on which it depends. We also enjoyed the lagoon’s gorgeous waters, where we set our snorkeling platform and enjoyed big numbers of fish in a coral garden. Enjoying the pristine conditions of this lagoon, our guests snorkeled among hundreds of snappers, big moray eels, and sharks. A high point of local color, it was a perfect ending to an incredible expedition in French Polynesia.
It was a big day with lots of water activity out here at the Apataki Atoll! There was so much to see and do around this beautiful coral atoll, and the reefs were nothing less than spectacular. Early in the morning National Geographic Orion ventured into the narrow passage of the lagoon and set anchor. After breakfast most of the Exclusive Resort members set off to the atoll for a morning packed with snorkeling, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Such a rough life out here on this gorgeous sunny morning in tropical paradise! Snorkeling lent an especially captivating (and colourful) display of marine life, including parrot fish, numerous butterfly fish species, titan trigger fish, sergeant majors, pipe fish, black-tipped reef sharks, and so much more. Our activities after lunch included a very exciting drift snorkel. This wild ride was one in which fun, colour, and adventure just kept coming and coming. Stepping off the Zodiac and into the water, the current swiftly ebbs you toward rich corals before slowing to a relatively calm eddy. The coral and fish below were stunning and several sharks were spotted as well. Those not opting to drift snorkel went for a fascinating guided tour with Tom Richie in glass-bottomed zodiac named after this veteran naturalist. After such a great day there was an incredible buzz around sunset cocktails as we sailed out of the lagoon. And on the great times went, with another delicious gourmet dinner to follow after.
Another sunny day in French Polynesia commenced as National Geographic Orion navigated through the North Pass of Fakarava into the town of Rotoava. After a morning ashore that included cycling, sightseeing, and shopping, we repositioned to the island of Toau for an afternoon of water activities.
