The Pacific Islands are scattered across an ocean so vast that the distances between them are an important part of the experience. Small ships connect lagoons, volcanic peaks and coral atolls that have no airports and no regular ferry service. This is cruising at its most elemental: warm water, small communities and a rhythm that is shaped entirely by the sea.
Pacific Islands small ship cruises
Find a cruise
Our top picks
Windstar Cruises
Flowers of the South Pacific: Fiji, the Cook Islands & French Polynesia
From Papeete to Lautoka
18 Jun - 3 Jul 2026 (15 Nights)
From £5,412 per guest
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands
From Papeete to Papeete
20 Jun - 4 Jul 2026 (14 Nights)
From £9,500 per guest
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Tahiti & the Society Islands
From Papeete to Papeete
4 Jul - 11 Jul 2026 (7 Nights)
From £7,376 per guest
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Pearls of the Society Islands
From Papeete to Papeete
11 Jul - 18 Jul 2026 (7 Nights)
From £4,680 per guest
Our Insight
Highlights of a luxury Pacific Islands cruise
Bora Bora's lagoon lives up to every image you have seen of it. Water flickers through every shade of blue and green depending on the light, with Mount Otemanu rising from the centre of the island. Moorea is greener and quieter, with pineapple plantations and small bays tucked between volcanic ridges. Raiatea feels older and wilder, earning its reputation as the spiritual centre of Polynesia.
The Marquesas are for travellers who want to explore unspoilt scenery over a polished resort. High volcanic islands with deep valleys, basalt cliffs and carved stone tikis standing in jungle clearings. In Fiji, the Yasawa and Lau island groups offer coral reefs, warm village welcomes and authentic community life. Tonga brings humpback whale encounters in season. Vanuatu has active volcanoes, kava ceremonies and a cultural depth that surprises first-time visitors.
The Tuamotus are a chain of low-lying coral atolls with world-class diving and snorkelling. Life on the atolls is simple: swim, snorkel and watch the light change on the water.
The small ship difference in the Pacific Islands
Most Pacific Islands have no deep-water port, no cruise terminal and no infrastructure beyond a village jetty or a coral passage into a lagoon. Small ships can enter lagoons that larger vessels have to admire from outside the reef. Some will even anchor in shallow water close to shore and land guests by Zodiac directly onto the beach.
You arrive at an island and the welcome is warm and genuine, the pace is slower, and the access is better. Larger ships miss the smaller atolls, the remote village stops and the lagoon anchorages that give the Pacific its character.
In a region defined by water, reef and distance, a small ship is the difference between seeing the Pacific Islands and actually being in them.
What our clients say
“My experience of dealing with Mundy was first class from start to end. The communication was excellent, paperwork was clear and well organised.”Mrs Stone
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