After years of booking Paul Gauguin sailings, I've learned that the shore excursions are where a trip is either made or quietly wasted. The ship reaches places you can't easily get to on your own, so I tell clients to choose the days that use that access — and to leave room to do nothing too.
Pick the in-water days first
French Polynesia is a place you experience from the water, so the lagoon tours, snorkelling trips and motu days are the ones I steer people to first. Off Taha'a and in the Tuamotus the reefs are calm and full of fish, and on a smaller ship you tender in quickly rather than queuing. If you only book a handful of excursions, make most of them wet ones.
Cultural tours are worth one slot
A 4WD tour into Moorea's interior, a vanilla farm visit on Taha'a, or a guided walk in the Marquesas gives the trip a second dimension beyond the beach. I usually suggest one good cultural excursion per port-heavy itinerary — enough to understand where you are without turning a holiday into a schedule.
Leave white space
The mistake I see most is over-booking. People reserve something at every stop and come home tired. Keep a sea day or an afternoon free, use the ship's marina for a paddle or a swim, and you'll enjoy the booked days more. You can always add an excursion onboard if a day looks too quiet.
Frequently asked questions
Should I book shore excursions before the cruise or onboard?
Book the popular in-water tours and small-group cultural excursions ahead, since they sell out; you can add easier options onboard once you see how you feel each day.
Are shore excursions included?
Some activities are included and others cost extra, and this varies by sailing. Confirm what's included for your departure when you book so there are no surprises.
How many excursions should I plan?
For most travellers, one excursion at the majority of stops plus a free sea day or two is the right balance — enough variety without exhausting yourselves.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.