Toau, located in the Tuamotu Archipelago, is an unexplored atoll in French Polynesia. Untouched by tourism and still pristine, it was the perfect scenery for our second expedition day aboard National Geographic Orion. The wide reef lagoon provided the perfect protection against swell and currents, while we safely submerged and explored the healthy and beautiful reef ecosystem. We also had the opportunity to visit a remote family settlement and meet the friendly locals. It was a great occasion to exchange mutual courtesies and we were all captivated by their warm and genuine hospitable welcome. The weather could not dampen the intrepid spirit of our guests!
4/18/2019
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National Geographic Orion
Rangiroa, French Polynesia
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.
