Huahine Shore Excursions - Princess Cruises
Huahine Island Highlights
Take in the sights of an archetypal South Sea island port - from stone temples to exotic vanilla plantations.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Vanilla Plantation - Smell the plantation's perfumed air and view the climbing orchids that produce vanilla pods.
Maeva Marae and Fishtraps - Maraes are the open-air traditional stone temples of Polynesia 's old religion. Near the marae see 400-year-old Polynesian stone fish traps - still in use today.
Faei - See where the blue-eyed, freshwater eels live in the stream.
Belvedere Lookout - Enjoy panoramic views of the island, Maroe Bay , and the lagoon.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board an air-conditioned motorcoach with an English-speaking guide and depart Maroe Bay for Fare, the island's main town. Your drive passes vanilla and tropical fruit plantations.
Huahine-Nui Cultural 4wd Safari
This easy 4WD safari explores the cultural and ecological wonders of Huahine Nui - the larger of the two islands.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Pearl Farm - A very short boat ride will bring you to a pearl farm. Here you will see how the islanders practice the grafting and culturing of pearls in Pacific oysters.
Maeva Marae - Maraes are the open-air traditional stone temples of Polynesia 's old religion.
Vanilla Plantation - Smell the plantation's perfumed air and view the climbing orchids that produce vanilla pods.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Ancient Fishtraps - Near the marae, see 400-year-old Polynesian stone fish traps - still in use today.
Faei - Feed the blue-eyed, freshwater eels that live in the stream.
Belvedere Lookout - Enjoy panoramic views of the island, Maroe Bay , and the lagoon.
Motu Beach - Drive on a short stretch of a palm-fringed secluded tropical beach.
SHOPPING
At a local pearl farm, you have the opportunity to purchase some of the products of the farm.
YOUR 4WD SAFARI
Meet your English-speaking guide and board your 4WD vehicle. Cross the bridge connecting the two islands and drive towards Fare pausing at Belvedere Lookout for a quick photo opportunity of the ship in the Maroe Bay . Pass through Fare, the biggest village on the island, and continue on to Maeva Marae. Board a small open boat for a short visit to a pearl farm before returning by 4WD to the pier in Maroe.
SPECIAL NOTES
The sequence of this tour may vary.
Huahine Iti 4wd Safari
Explore the heart of Huahine Iti as you venture off-road for a real adventure.
YOUR 4WD SAFARI
From Maroe, begin your circut around the island of Huahine Iti . After a photo stop at the white-sand beaches of Parea, travel inland on a narrow, rugged trail to Tefareri. Plants and trees brush the side of the vehicle during the climb. Once at the top, you will have a fantastic view of the island and beaches below. Returning to the pier in Maroe, enjoy views of small vanilla and melon plantations, as well as vistas of the lagoon and bays.
REFRESHMENTS
Fruit juice will be served during your stop at Tefareri.
SPECIAL NOTES
Portions of this safari travel over very rugged and steep trails. Passengers should take this into consideration before booking this tour. Rain or wet conditions may cause the itinerary for this tour to vary.
4wd Safari & Parea Beach Tour
Embark on a Land Rover excursion into the heart of Huahine Iti for an off-road experience followed by free time on a white-sand beach.
YOUR 4WD SAFARI
From Maroe, begin your circuit around the island of Huahine Iti . After a photo stop at the white-sand beaches of Parea, head inland on a narrow, rugged trail to Tefareri. Plants and trees brush the side of the vehicle during the climb. Once at the top, you will have a fantastic view of the island and beaches below. Returning to the pier in Maroe, enjoy views of small vanilla and melon plantations as well as vistas of the lagoon and bays.
PAREA BEACH
Visit a secluded pension on the southern end of Huahine Iti. Relax on the powdery soft, white-sand beach, or go for a swim in the turquoise water of the lagoon.
REFRESHMENTS
Fruit juice will be served during your stop at Tefareri.
SPECIAL NOTES
Portions of this safari travel over very rugged and steep trails. Passengers should take this into consideration before booking this tour. Rain or wet conditions may cause the itinerary for this tour to vary.
Sacred Sites & Legendary Places
Walk the trail of the ancients through Maeva Village and over Mata'ire'a Hill with an American resident archaeologist who will share the secrets of bygone times.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Maeva Village - Huahine is renowned for its royal village of Maeva , considered to be one of the most important archaeological areas in all of Oceania . Traditionally, Maeva was the seat of royal power for all of Huahine. It was here the island's chiefly families lived side by side and worshipped their ancestors at their respective marae. The numerous stone fish traps in Lake Fauna Nui helped to supply an abundance of food for these royal villagers.
Mata'ire'a Hill - Located just above the village of Maeva, the area is home to more than 200 stone structures, including maraes, agricultural terraces, house foundations, fortification walls and burial platforms.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Faei - See where the blue-eyed, freshwater eels live in the stream.
Belvedere Lookout - Enjoy panoramic views of the island, Maroe Bay , and the lagoon.
SHOPPING AND REFRESHMENTS
Shop for vanilla in Maeva Village and enjoy some fruit juice or cold water.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Transfer by Le Truck from Maroe via Fare to Maeva Village for an archaeological and historical based nature walk with heavy emphasis on flora found in the area. Discover the unique history and culture of Huahine, the " Wild Island ." Your return will take you through the village of Faie for a visit with the giant blue-eyed eels, and then up the mountain to Belvedere Lookout for a wonderful photo opportunity of the beautiful Maroe Bay .
SPECIAL NOTES
Passengers should wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour does involve some uphill walking.
Huahine On Horseback
View the beautiful scenery of the island from a unique perspective - the back of a horse.
YOUR HORSEBACK RIDE
Transfer to Le Petite Ferme - "the little farm" - where you meet your guide and your horse. The horses are descended from Marquesan stock and are suitable for both inexperienced and expert riders. Tack consists of English saddles and hackamores. After a brief demonstration, mount your horse and set off for an hour's ride. Approximately 20 minutes of your ride will cover the beach along the island's north shore.
SPECIAL NOTES
Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes; bring a hat and sunscreen. Riders may not exceed 180 pounds. Minimum age to participate is 8 years.
Passengers with any form of physical disability that might prevent them from mounting a horse unassisted are discouraged from participating in this excursion. The guides will speak very limited English. This is a trail ride only; riders will not be allowed to run the horses regardless of experience level.
Huahine Sportfishing Expedition
The waters off Huahine are the natural home of big-game fish, from blue marlin to tuna and wahoo.
YOUR FISHING EXPEDITION
Board the Ruau II, a vintage 36-foot Hatteras for a half-day of fishing. As with all fishing excursions, there is no guarantee of a catch. Your knowledgeable captain will take you in pursuit of blue marlin, yellow fin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Equipment is IGFA-approved, 80 lb.-tested, and designed for catch and release. Fishing is done by trolling artificial bait using two rods on outriggers and two rods on the corners. Participants do not touch the rods until a fish has been hooked. Rods are assigned on a rotating basis with other participants onboard the boat.
Tag and release fishing applies to billfish, such as blue marlin, black marlin and sailfish. The fish will be tagged and released only if they are fit to survive. Fish that cannot be tagged, such as tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi, will become the property of the boat as regulations will not permit the fish to be taken onboard the ship.
SPECIAL NOTES
Bring sunglasses, hat and plenty of sunscreen. This is a "catch-and-release" program. Tour requires four passengers to operate.
Tour not available on voyage T708
Lagoon, Beach & Motu Beach Picnic
Visit a secluded motu and enjoy a picnic "in the water" - truly a Polynesian experience.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Motu Muri Mahora - At the dock, transfer to your boat for the short ride across Maroe Bay to Motu Muri Mahora. Here you will have approximately 2 1/2 hours to enjoy the secluded beach with time for both swimming and a traditional pareo show.
PICNIC
A Polynesian-style picnic including juice and beer will be served during your stay on the motu. If you wish, you can enjoy your food at a table setup in the shallow water along the beach.
YOUR LAGOON CRUISE
Your boat transfer offers sensational views of the island and lagoon. Your guide will relate the history and legends of Polynesia while demonstrating coconut leaf tray making.
SPECIAL NOTES
Snorkeling equipment is not available on this tour.
Huahine Snorkel Safari
Explore one of the pristine shallow reefs surrounding the island on this snorkel safari.
YOUR SNORKEL SAFARI
Transfer by motorized boat to a site over a colorful coral reef. From the boat, enter the tropical waters and explore the beautiful reef which surrounds the site. Before setting off on your snorkel adventure, you will be given a brief orientation, then you can climb into the water for fantastic views of colorful tropical fish and corals. The marine life includes grouper, butterfly and parrot fish. You have approximately 60 minutes to explore the site before returning to the pier. Depending on conditions, you may snorkel over an area inside the lagoon or drift along the outer edges of the reef.
SPECIAL NOTES
Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and snorkel vest) are provided, but they are quite basic and fins are not included. We recommend bringing your own snorkeling equipment.
Outrigger Transfer To Avea Beach
Begin your adventure with an approximately 25 minute boat transfer across the clear lagoon of Huahine to Avea Bay with stunning views of the island of Huahine Iti . Disembark at the beach where you have approximately two hours of free time for swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing. A full bar and concession stands are available for your convenience so be sure to bring along some extra cash.
|
