Blue Lagoons, Lazy Vibes & Motu Magic – Raivavae, You Stunner
Location: Raivavae, Austral Islands
️ Voyage: Aranui 5 – Austral & Society Islands Expedition
** Day 8: November 8 – Motu Pool Excursion
️ Pre-Sunrise Editing and a Breakfast Close Call
While the rest of the ship was still blissfully snoozing, I was up with the stars. By 5:30 a.m., I had my laptop open, headphones in, and podcast files lined up like coconuts at a fruit stand. Editing audio while gently bobbing at sea? Surprisingly peaceful. If there’s a better floating office, I haven’t found it.
At 8:20 a.m., I realized breakfast was about to end and scrambled up just in time to grab some food. Nothing like racing the buffet clock to kickstart your appetite.
Kirsten and the kids rolled in with their own morning rhythm. No rush. No crafts. No shell-bracelet-making. We just embraced a chill morning, which, on a cruise with days packed full of hikes and excursions, felt like a small luxury.
Insta-Stories and Island Vibes
As I was editing my on island podcasts, Teyauna was busy editing her day into a reel. She’s our in-house content creator — snapping photos, filming slow-mo beach shots, and stitching it all together to post on Instagram Stories in real time. Watching her share this journey with her friends made me smile. Turns out, Raivavae looks even more magical when you add a tropical beat and a sparkle filter.
Zak, on the other hand, was deep in “wander mode” — going from floor visiting with other passengers, listening to as much French and German as he could. He really wants to work on learning other languages..
The Motu Pool: Lagoon Goals Achieved
After a quick lunch, we joined the optional Motu Piscine (Motu Pool) excursion. By 1:30 p.m., we were onshore, piling into a local shuttle that drove us across the island. A few friendly turns later, we were at a beach where a small boat took us across the lagoon to a tiny islet straight out of a travel magazine.
Even under a cloudy sky, the water was an unreal blend of electric blues and clear shallows. When the sun peeked through — and it did, just often enough — the lagoon glowed like someone turned up the volume on paradise.
Zak was in the water immediately, splashing, snorkeling, and taking turns trying to sprinkle his sister with cold water as she lay tanning. Kirsten and I walked the shoreline, took in the silence, and savored just how easy this place makes it to relax.
A Family-Friendly Slice of South Pacific Heaven
This motu was the perfect setting for families of all ages. Calm, shallow waters for younger kids. Safe, open space for older ones. And enough peace and palm trees to lull any adult into a near-meditative state.
It’s not every day that you can swim, sun, and snack on banana bread in a place where the only other footprints are your own. Raivavae, we get the hype now.
Last Call for Paradise
Eventually — and reluctantly — we boarded the last boat off the motu around 4:45 p.m.. From there, it was a smooth return journey: boat, shuttle, barge, and back to our floating home.
Zak promptly declared the afternoon “awesome,” Teyauna uploaded her stories to “tons of likes,” and Kirsten and I just smiled. That’s a win on all fronts.
Reflections: This is Why We Do Family Travel
Today reminded me why we’re doing this trip as a family. Not just for the stunning views, the off-the-grid motus, or the reef-filled waters — but for these small shared moments:
- A podcast edited before sunrise
- A breakfast just in time
- A motu swim with my kids
- My daughter laughing and asking me to photograph her for her Instagram post
We’ve got another full day in Raivavae tomorrow, and while I don’t know what surprises are coming, this island has already made an impression.