Aranui Cruise in French Polynesia: The Cargo-Passenger Experience
You dream of seeing French Polynesia from the sea and you’re hesitating between offers? The Aranui cruise stands out with a unique concept: a mixed passenger-freight cargo ship that connects islands of the Marquesas, Australes, and Tuamotu, isolated archipelagos. You don’t “fly over” the destination, you live it at the rhythm of stops, close to communities, with departures and returns to Papeete for simple logistics.
In this article, we explain how Aranui works, what itineraries are offered (Marquesas, Tuamotu, Australes), who it’s for, and how to choose the formula best suited to your desires (culture, lagoon, diving, discovery). We also share our booking tips and budget guidelines, then show you how to compose a cruise + land stay mix to enjoy lagoons and guesthouses without multiplying accommodation changes.
At MyLittlePolynesia, we regularly explore the archipelagos, test local gems (guesthouses, excursions) and continuously exchange with the community “Les Français en Polynésie.” This field proximity allows us to give a clear and nuanced opinion on Aranui: a singular cruise in the Marquesas, authentic, that tells the real maritime life of Polynesia and becomes an ideal thread to build your trip.
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Aranui Cruise in French Polynesia: The Most Authentic Cargo-Passenger Experience
Taking the Aranui isn’t “taking a cruise” like elsewhere: it’s living a Polynesian experience from the inside. You board a mixed cargo ship that connects sometimes very isolated islands, and you immediately understand that the daily life of these archipelagos depends on the boat: food, mail, materials, fuel… everything arrives by sea.
At each stop, the maneuvers tell a story, the cranes depositing pallets, copra piling up, greetings to the crew — and this vital link between the ocean and communities takes shape before our eyes. You don’t fly over the islands: you approach them at residents’ level, you cross villages where everyone knows the ship’s arrival time, you follow paths to marae and viewpoints.
On board, the Pacific rhythm relearns slowness, the kind that makes room for encounters and landscapes. Stop after stop, Aranui unfolds the great history of ocean routes, double canoes and migrations, and you return with the feeling of having understood Polynesia from within.
👉 Discover all our tips to organize an itinerary adapted for divers in Polynesia.
Aranui Itineraries 2026: Marquesas, Australes and Tuamotu (durations, stops, atmosphere)
The Aranui 5 serves a large number of French Polynesian islands, from the Marquesas to the Australes, via the Tuamotu. Each stop offers an immersion in local culture, spectacular landscapes and authentic villages. It’s a unique way to discover preserved Polynesia while traveling comfortably on a mixed ferry-cargo.
👉 To know all the details on how to travel between Polynesian islands (ferries, Air Tahiti and Air Moana flights, travel times, tips to optimize your itinerary), check out our complete guide How to Travel Between Islands.
Marquesas (12 days / 11 nights): the iconic cruise between culture and grand landscapes
The flagship itinerary leads to the heart of the Marquesas: Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva, Fatu Hiva and Ua Huka, vertiginous reliefs, deep valleys, sacred sites and living arts. Depending on dates, a Tuamotu interlude or a touch of Society Islands is added to the picture. It’s the most cultural and powerful version, ideal for those who want to feel the Polynesian soul.
👉 You can check out our article on the Marquesas, why this archipelago is a must-include during your trip to Polynesia.
Australes (13 days / 12 nights, no freight): confidential Polynesia and whale watching
Head south for a wilder and more discreet Polynesia: Rurutu, Tubuai, Rimatara, Raivavae. Wide expanses, peaceful villages, translucent lagoons, that’s what you find in the Australes. In season, whales pass offshore and the emotion is real. A relaxed, contemplative pace for travelers who like to take their time.
👉 You can check out our article on the Gambier island, Mangereva, why this archipelago is a must-include during your trip to Polynesia.
Tuamotu (5 days): mini-cruise with lagoons, snorkeling and crystalline atolls
A short and luminous version to taste life on board: atolls with crystalline waters, easy snorkeling, endless white sand. Perfect if your land stay is already packed and you still want to experience the Polynesian sea.
For a concrete example of a loop combining mountains and atolls over 3 weeks, check out our article 3-Week Itinerary: Tuamotu and Society Islands with all the stages and durations per island.
Aranui Special Editions: Marquesas Arts Festival and cultural events
On certain dates, the Marquesan framework is tinged with a great cultural event. Dances, songs, meetings with artists: the cruise then takes on a festive air and concentrates everything we love about these islands.
Planning a shared catamaran cruise in Polynesia? Find out how much it costs, when to go, how far in advance to book, and whether you need sailing experience. All your questions answered!
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Our Recommendation: Combine an Aranui Cruise and a Land Stay (islands & guesthouses)
The best balance is to experience the Aranui epic then extend on land in a few chosen islands. The sea gives perspective — stops, encounters, living history — and the land offers the gentleness of the lagoon: family guesthouses, accessible beaches, long time. After the Marquesas, settling in Moorea then gliding to Bora Bora or Raiatea/Taha’a creates a postcard contrast.
After a Tuamotu mini-cruise, Moorea becomes a natural base to breathe. After the Australes, a few quiet nights in Tahiti or Moorea allow for a gentle landing. Sea and land: two complementary views of the same Polynesia.
If you have around 20 nights to spare, a fantastic option is to split your trip between land and sea. You can also spend 10 days on the islands of the Leeward group (Society Islands), Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora, combining stays on land with a luxury catamaran cruise, as these islands are close enough to easily reach by boat.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Mix: Buffer nights in Tahiti, bases by archipelago, family guesthouses
The tempo is set around Tahiti. As international flights often arrive at dawn, a buffer night before boarding avoids rushing: hotel near Papeete/Faa’a, shower, breakfast, SIM card, small purchases, everyone breathes.
On return, replaying this buffer night secures the connection if weather disrupts the schedule and offers a last sunset over the marina. For accommodations, targeting family guesthouses changes everything: large room with extra beds, half-board that simplifies evenings, small kitchen and laundry when traveling with children, and if possible the lagoon on foot.
To avoid wasting too much time on planes, keeping one base per archipelago is enough: Raiatea to radiate to Taha’a by boat, Moorea where everything is done in 20–30 minutes, a single atoll in the Tuamotu to really enjoy it. And for everything to fit together, think the Tetris in the right order: cruise first, international flights around, then inter-island flights and guesthouses in a row to align schedules and availability.
A simple shared table with dates, flights, nights, transfers and contacts, in offline copy on your phone will help you see more clearly.
👉 If you’re wondering what to bring for your trip to Polynesia, check out our complete packing guide for Tahiti and Bora Bora with all the essentials you’ll need.
When to Book Your Aranui Cruise in High Season (July–August): availability, calendar, tips
High season concentrates demand and tightens cabin availability as well as guesthouses. Anticipating allows you to get the desired category and better time connections.
Also think about buffer days to absorb any weather vagaries; Aranui holds its course, but Polynesia remains a living maritime territory.
Tip: If you book well in advance or go through an agency, you can benefit from advantageous rates.
Check out our article on the Paul Gauguin cruise, the ideal blend of onboard luxury and authentic Polynesian experiences.
Aranui Cruise + Land Stay Budget: How much to plan and where to save
The budget mainly depends on the period, cabin category, flights (international + inter-island), taxes/port and land accommodation style.
To control the bill, prioritize family guesthouses (double or private rooms) and half-board, opt for rentals in Tahiti or Moorea to cook some meals, and limit transfers by keeping one base per archipelago.
Booking early (cabin + flights) allows access to the best fare classes, choosing shared excursions rather than private reduces costs, and traveling light avoids baggage supplements on internal flights. Thought of as a whole, the sea + land combination finances better… and is savored more.
Find our complete article on travel budget in Polynesia.
👉 Discover all our tips for organizing an itinerary adapted to honeymooners in french Polynesia.
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👉 Here, we share our best travel experiences, insider tips, favorite spots, and authentic advice to explore French Polynesia with passion 💙 (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, the Marquesas, Tuamotu…)
