Discover the Society Islands: Diving and Culture in French Polynesia

Up for more a challenge? More advanced divers can head out on a semi-rigid boat to dive some of Huahine's spectacular southern sites. Depending on the day, this could include The Roses, a deep dive famous for its flower-shaped coral formations or Avapehi Pass, where grey, white tip and black tip sharks glide through the swell alongside leopard rays, barracudas and dogtooth tuna. Talk about a marine medley…

As you wind through the island, you'll have the chance to visit some of its must-see spots, including a vanilla plantation, the Maeva archaeological site and the village of Fa'ie, where a small freshwater stream houses the island's sacred eels, famous for their electric blue eyes and incredible size and revered as a Polynesian symbol of prosperity.

In the afternoon, you'll also have the chance to enjoy a delicious lunch with a local family, who'll introduce you to the island's competitive rowing tradition.

Suitably shattered, head back to your hotel for a relaxing evening complete with beautiful beach views.

When you're not indulging in good, old-fashioned R&R, we'd recommend setting out to experience Huahine's culture. The island has the largest collection of marae (temples) in the region, with some dating back to 700 AD. If you're keen to dig further into the history, we can arrange a tour with a local guide, who'll fill you in on the original ancestors of the Tahitians: the Lapita people.

Once you've had your fill of culture, it's back to the water. Dive straight from your hotel into the waves to snorkel in coral-filled lagoons or keep your head (almost) dry with kayaking and paddleboarding excursions.

Come evening, enjoy a perfectly timed sundowner on the sand before tucking into delicious dinners at the hotel's restaurant. Ultra-fresh seafood, anyone?

When you arrive, you'll be whisked five minutes to your next hotel - your home for the next four nights. Check in, divvy up the sides of the bed and spend the rest of the day soaking in your new surroundings, whether you'd rather take a walk through the gardens or sunbathe on the sand.

Along the way, you may have the chance to visit Miri-Miri, a pretty coral garden patrolled by blacktip sharks and snappers. You could also visit The Roses - not to be confused with Huahine's beautiful site - to see yet more coral resembling these beautiful blooms, along with the occasional hammerhead or swordfish.

Begin with visits to a local pearl farm and award-winning vanilla plantation, both of which showcase the island's traditional trades. You'll also stop at a Tamanu oil factory, where the fruit of sacred Tamanu trees is processed to produce a prized beauty oil beloved by Polynesians.

Then, dive deeper (pun intended) into the country's heritage at the UNESCO-listed Taputapuatea marae, a sprawling religious complex featuring coral slabs once used for inauguration ceremonies and international gatherings. As you weave through the monuments, your guide will fill you in on the history of the marae, believed by the Polynesians to be the first imprint of god Taha Ora on the earth. Talk about a bucket list experience…

Then, after a tasty lunch in town, swap storied history for spectacular nature at the Faaroa Botanical Garden. Spanning almost nine acres, this postcard-perfect paradise is home to a remarkable variety of plant species, including neon heliconias, towering banyans and trees bursting with breadfruit and guava. Pick your path - either a stone staircase carved into the rock or winding gravel paths - and wander through the lush garden, stopping to snap pictures of the beautiful blooms.

Come evening, head to a local restaurant for your final evening in Raiatea - our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some authentic spots.

When you arrive, you'll be whisked to your charming lodge, where you'll be staying for the next four nights. Settle into your new home before making a beeline for the beach, where you can while away the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the sand or splashing about in the sea.

Keen to keep it calm? Enjoy shallow dives in the lagoon, keeping your eyes peeled for macro critters sifting through the sand and tropical fish darting through colourful coral formations.

If you're a more experienced diver, don't miss Paipai Pass, an adrenaline-inducing drift dive complete with a steep drop-off, interesting coral formations and small caverns concealing whitetip reef sharks. Other standout sites here include Ceran Pass, where crystal-clear waters give way to schools of grey reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse, and Octopus Hole, a cave-like coral formation fringed with stalactites and home to - unsurprisingly - octopus, along with other reef fish.

With a private skipper and friendly team, sail across the lagoon, dropping anchor at sheltered bays to snorkel around the pristine coral gardens. In between swimming stints, you'll also enjoy a traditional Polynesian picnic and have the chance to tour a pearl farm and visit a vanilla plantation, breathing in the sweet scent as you're introduced to the cultivation and production process.

Back on dry land, head back to your lodge for a sundowner and tasty dinner - it doesn't come much better than this.

Fancy a spot of R&R? Simply delve into a good book by the pool, stroll along the shore or find a spot to sit under a swaying palm. If you're still raring to go, why not enjoy one last relaxed snorkelling excursion in the lagoon, or grab a kayak and skim the water, keeping your eyes peeled for tropical fish below the surface.

Come evening, watch with a cocktail as a warm amber hue sweeps over the sky before heading out for one final dinner, toasting to a trip well spent.

When you arrive in the capital, you'll be privately transferred to your hotel for one final night in French Polynesia. Enjoy an afternoon of scavenging for souvenirs in the market, then grab some street food and a sundowner to round off your trip.