tahiti island tours

Welcome in Tahiti

OUR  TOURS

Half day or Full day  Tour

Discover Tahiti’s diverse landscape with our Circle Island tours! Our scenic sightseeing island tours take to archologyst sites,  botanical garden, waterfall, watching and feeding sacred eels, and so much more! Fall in love with Tahiti as you journey to the best sightseeing places on Punaauia so see a sunset with Moorea island on background

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Tour de l'île de Tahiti

en demi-journée (4h30)

ou journée complète

jusqu'à 7 personnes dans un van disposant de la climatisation

Customized Tours (Honeymooners, Family)

IF YOU LOOKED AT OUR TOUR PROGRAM AND YOU FOUND A TOUR WHICH COMES CLOSE TO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

Please submit the “PLEASE CONTACT US” form below and let us know

which tour you have been looking at

what needs to be adjusted

any other information that may be important for us to know

We will get back to you with a customized itinerary.

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Nous vous proposons un tour à la carte selon vos envies. 

Exemple: Tour de 03h00: visite des 3 cascades - trou du souffleur - pointe vénus et du belvedère du Taharaa

(190 USD en tour privé)

airport transfer-Hotel-cruise pier & ferry

Airport Transfers

We provide a fast, easy, cost effective way to  book airport Transportation. All rides are a door to door service for your convenience.

we can load in our van 7 passengers + 6 big bags

(2 vans available)

Luggage storage available on request

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Transfert Aéroport - Hôtels - quai des paquebots - RBNB - booking....

transport privé  sur toute l'île de Tahiti avec assistance et consigne bagages 

Nous pouvons transporter 7 personnes + 6 grosses valises

(2 vans disponibles)

Authentic Island Tours

Welcome to unique tahiti.

UNIQUE TAHITI

We do it differently.

Unique Tahiti, is an established, highly knowledgeable tour company with an insider's view of the uniqueness of Tahiti. Our customised island tours take you beyond the turquoise waters of the islands lagoons and over water bungalows of Bora Bora. Handing you into the care of the Polynesian people, to discover for yourselves their extraordinary and famous kindness, warmth and welcome.

FEATURED TOURS

Unique tahiti island tours.

These tours are specially created for you, to discover and experience the spectacular island of Tahiti. We will take you to places you wouldn’t find on your own as well as the iconic sites around our beautiful island.

WEST COAST - FULL DAY

West coast - half day, east coast - half day.

• PRIVATE TOURS

ARE YOU READY TO

Explore this beautiful island, send us a whatsapp.

Unique Tahiti Island Tours​

Testimonials, what they say about us, our latest pictures cruising around tahiti, learn more about the islands of tahiti.

• Personalised

Tahiti – Is it a country, city or an island ???

Covid on Tahiti and her islands, lockdown, how does it affect you as a visitor?

Unique Tahiti’s blog

Follow us on social media, follow to receive tips and tricks to travel and prepare to have a wonderful time here.

Unique Tahiti is at Les 3 Cascades De Faarumai, Tahiti.

The waterfalls of Tahiti never fail to please The East coast of Tahiti offering some of the most accessible # tahiti # frenchpolynesia 🇵🇫 # lovetahiti # travelblogger # bucketlisttravel # tahititourisme

• WEST COAST – FULL DAY
• WEST COAST – HALF DAY
• EAST COAST – HALF DAY
• Why Choose Us
• Testimonials

Contact Info

• (+689) 892 36932
• [email protected]

THE 10 BEST Papeete Tours & Excursions

Papeete tours.

• Ports of Call Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Private Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Beer Tastings & Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour - West and East Coast

2. Crossing the island of TAHITI in a 4x4 safari (mountain, waterfall, river, basins)

3. Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, east coast tour

4. private Tahiti island discovery

5. Private Island Tour

6. Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, west coast tour

7. Day tour to Teahupoo along Tahitis West coast, private personalised small group

8. Papeete Food & City Tour

9. Papeete Walking Tour

10. Papeete Private Tour and Raw Fish Workshop

11. Snorkeling picnic in 5 hours with lunch in Tahiti

12. Tour Tahiti in Private

13. Excursion to Tetiaroa by Catamaran Visit Lunch Snorkeling

14. Half-Day Snorkeling Tour from Papeete

15. Route N 1 in electric mountain bike valleys of Teva i Uta

16. Culinary tour in the heart of Papeete

17. International private transfer, arrival departure, airport pier hotel rental

18. 1 hour jet ski tour

19. Private Half-Day Tour of Tahiti East Coast or West Coast

20. Private Transfer: Tahiti Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port

21. Private Full Day in Papeete and Tahiti Iti with Belveder Lookout

22. Tour Of The Island Of Tahiti And Presqu'île WITH Private Trip By Taxi Boat (Teahupoo)

23. 5h Respectful whale excursion complete

24. Domestic private transfer, arrival departure, airport hotel cruise rental

25. Shared Transfer: Tahiti Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port

26. Private transfer for Airport, Hotels, Pensions, Ferry within a radius of 18 kms

27. Golf Course & Food Tour, Return Transfer

28. Private Day Tour of the Island and Peninsula of Tahiti

29. Discovering the emblematic sites of Tahiti

30. Sunset Boat Trip from Papeete

What travelers are saying.

• 5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour - West and East Coast
• Crossing the island of TAHITI in a 4x4 safari (mountain, waterfall, river, basins)
• Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, east coast tour
• Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, west coast tour
• Half-Day Snorkeling Tour from Papeete
• Te Mana Tahiti Tours
• Tahiti Eden Tours
• Unique Tahiti
• Tahiti Safari Islander
• Kevai Tours
• Tahiti By Boat
• Poe Charter Tahiti
• Tahiti Discovery
• Adventure Eagle Tours with William Leeteg
• Tahiti Liberty Cruise

Tahiti Excursions

BOOK ALL YOUR EXCURSIONS

In french polynesia.

Do you dream of discovering the paradise landscapes of Tahiti and its islands ?

A magnificent tour of the lagoon, a dive to discover the exceptional underwater world, an outing in the heart of lush green valleys, or even a flight over the islands to appreciate their beauty seen from the sky?

Here is an overview of all the possibilities available to you.

Originally and based in Polynesia, our team is at your entire disposal. We will accompany you and offer you our selection of t he best excursions at the best prices, according to your wishes .

Polynesia will forever be in your hearts, prepare to think about it for the rest of your life.

How to book ? 

It's simple and safe !

Choose your tours and add them to your shopping cart

Checkout your cart and fill out informations

GET EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Our agents will process your order and you will receive a confirmation of your excursions by email with a link to our secure online payment website

PAY SECURELY ONLINE

Pay online and receive your vouchers by email

Jet ski guided tour in Huahine

210  € Add to cart

Car rental in Huahine

115  € – 330  € Select options

Private 4WD Safari in Huahine

390  € – 890  € Select options

Guided electric bike tour in Huahine

103  € Add to cart

Car rental for the Day in Tahiti

125  € Add to cart

Your well-being massage in Tahiti

155  € – 230  € Select options

Tahiti Sunset cruise and Restaurant

160  € Add to cart

Tahiti Food Tours

116  € – 822  € Select options

Land and Sea tour in Teahupoo

240  € – 610  € Select options

Quad excursion to Lake Vaihiria in Tahiti

210  € – 280  € Select options

Combo 4WD Safari & snorkeling tour in Tahaa (Full day)

127  € Add to cart

Scuba Diving in Bora Bora

90  € – 360  € Select options

Combo 4WD Safari & Quad with lunch in Taha’a (Half day)

290  € Add to cart

Half-Day Combo tour Quad & Jet-ski in Taha’a

320  € Add to cart

Deep Sea fishing in Raiatea

838  € Add to cart

A guided jet-ski tour of the Raiatea & Taha’a lagoon

180  € – 257  € Select options

Top Tours in Tahiti, French Polynesia

Tahiti tours.

• Ports of Call Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Private Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Walking Tours
• Beer Tastings & Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Photography Tours
• Vespa, Scooter & Moped Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour - West and East Coast

2. Grand Tour Quad 3h30 Quad excursion in Moorea (single or two-seater)

3. Moorea 6-Hour Snorkeling and Lunch Shared Tour

4. Moorea Street Food Tour

5. Moorea Solo or Twin 3 hours Jet Ski Tour

6. Grand Magic Combo Jetski 3h00 + Quad 3h30

7. Crossing the island of TAHITI in a 4x4 safari (mountain, waterfall, river, basins)

8. Half-Day Guided Hike to Afareaitu Waterfall

9. Discovery of the ocean and guided snorkeling in Tahiti

10. Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

11. 3-Hour Snorkeling Tour

12. Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, east coast tour

13. private Tahiti island discovery

14. PRIVATE Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

15. Discover Mana during the crossing of Tahiti in a 4x4 Safari

16. Papeete Market Place

17. Best Way to Interact with Ocean Wildlife with Lunch. 6H

18. Private Island Tour

19. Tahiti Half Day Coastal Private Tour

20. Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, west coast tour

21. Moorea Solo or Twin ATV Tour

22. Mo'orea Half Day Private Tour with Snorkeling and Cruising the Lagoon

23. Half day Tahiti Peninsula and Teahupoo boat tour (shared boat)

24. Moorea 4WD Tour Inc. Belvedere, Pineapple Farm, Magic Mountain...

25. 3-hour Lagoon Snorkeling Tour - Shared Tour

26. Private Boat Tour of Moorea Lagoon

27. Day tour to Teahupoo along Tahitis West coast, private personalised small group

28. Papeete Food & City Tour

29. Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Tours en demie-journée // Half day Tours

30. Papeete Walking Tour

What travellers are saying.

• 5 Hours Tahiti Island Tour - West and East Coast
• 6-hour Snorkeling & Lunch Tour - Shared Tour
• Grand Tour Quad 3h30 Quad excursion in Moorea (single or two-seater)
• Crossing the island of TAHITI in a 4x4 safari (mountain, waterfall, river, basins)
• Unique Tahiti Tour - private, personalised, small group, east coast tour
• Tahiti Activities Center
• Tahiti Lagoon Paradise
• 'ATAE : Safari Océan ~ Tahiti
• Captain Benoit
• Tahiti By Boat
• Teahupoo Adventure Tours and Surf
• Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center
• Dive and Sea Tahiti - Base nautique de Puna'auia
• Tahiti Ocean Explorer
• Fluid Tahiti Dive Center
• Tahiti Eden Tours
• Unique Tahiti
• Iaorana Tahiti Expeditions
• Teahupoo Tahiti Surfari - Day Tours
• Tahiti Iti Diving

1-866-584-2336 or contact your travel advisor CONTACT TRAVEL  ADVISORS SEARCH

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Private Luxury Island Tour

Enjoy a private full island tour with our friendly, expert guides, Vanessa and Mana. Visit Tahiti's natural and cultural highlights, including; the marae, grottos, Botanical Gardens, Vaima Springs, the Museum of Tahiti, waterfalls, the blowhole, Point Venus, surf spots and King Pomare V monument. Should you want to arrange stops at specific additional locations, these can be arranged with your guide. Shorter or longer tours are also available.   Operates: Everyday Pick-up Location:   From your hotel, the ferry dock, or the airport.   

*Activity reservations may be made for all current Tahiti.com clients with minimum bookings of at least one night hotel and when made a minimum 5 business days prior to departure. For Tahiti.com clients traveling throughout French Polynesia on a cruise we are unable to book shore activities. For clients who have not made reservations with Tahiti.com, only private excursions may be requested on days that cruise ships are not in port, and a minimum booking fee of $50 per person will apply, subject to availability.

Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• Organized Tours
• Planning a Trip
• Walking Tours
• Active Pursuits
• The North & East Coasts of Tahiti Nui
• The South Coast of Tahiti Nui
• The West Coast of Tahiti Nui

The Circle Island Tour in Tahiti

A Circle Island Tour , or a drive around Tahiti, is the best way to spend a day seeing the island's outlying sights and a bit of old Polynesia away from Papeete's bustle. It can be done even if you're staying on Moorea.

The road around Tahiti Nui is 114km (72 miles) long. It's 54km (32 miles) from Papeete to Taravao along the east coast and 60km (40 miles) returning along the west coast. If your car has a trip meter, reset it to zero; if it doesn't, make note of the total kilometers on the odometer at the outset.

On the land side of the road are red-topped concrete kilometer markers ( pointes kilomètres in French, or PK for short). They tell the distance every kilometer between Papeete and the Isthmus of Taravao; that is, the distance from Papeete to Taravao in each direction, not the total number of kilometers around the island. The large numbers facing the ocean are the number of kilometers from Papeete; the numbers facing you as you drive along are the number of kilometers you have to go to Papeete or Taravao, depending on your direction. Distances between the PKs are referred to in 10ths of kilometers; for example, PK 35.6 would be 35.6km from Papeete.

Avoid Rush Hour & Check on Road Work -- If you drive yourself around Tahiti, avoid getting snarled in morning and evening weekday rush hours. Landslides between PK 44 and PK 45 on the east coast can close the round-island road, so ask the car-rental agent or the staff at the Tahiti Manava visitors bureau if it is open all the way around.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Meet The Team

Explore the islands, experience our services, travel in groups.

Tahiti Tours

Become our partner and sell the best trips in the islands of tahiti to your clients.

Founded in 1963, Tahiti Tours is one of the leading Inbound Agencies in French Polynesia.

Dynamic and responsive, our team puts its senior experience at your service, proposing “à la carte” programs and a wide range of products and services, selected with care. We also guarantee a 24/7 assistance for emergencies as well as a dedicated customer service. Our experts assist you in creating customized packages fitted to your needs and clientele.

In addition we help you follow your production and growth! A specialized department manages your cruise ship passengers shore excursions, organizes your groups and helps you in creating tailor-made outstanding incentives! With Tahiti Tours, let your guests travel at their own pace!

Grow your sales with Tahiti Tours!

With our expertise, start and develop our destination in your market, latest news, stay tuned access our tourism industry updates and use it to enhance your clients’ experience.

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY AIR TAHITI!

2018 is a very special year for Air Tahiti, our domestic flight company that celebrates its 60th anniversary. Created in 1958 and serving todays 48 islands, the [...]

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2018!

February 2018. The fire rooster leaves the place to the year of the dog. From February 16th to March 3rd the Chinese community gathers to celebrate this [...]

HAWAIKI NUI VA ‘A: THE BIGGEST CANOE RACE IN THE WORLD

01 – 03 November 2017 Four islands, thousands of visitors… One winner. Come and assist to the longest and most beautiful race of va’a in the world. [...]

Up Coming Events

Create inspiring packages on specific events.

We present you the most important events happening throughout the Islands of Tahiti which represent the core of our culture!

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Conditions of entry and stay in french polynesia.

Our activities & excursions

From tahiti.

We offer a wide range of tours and excursions with competitive rates on all the islands. Our multilingual guides,  with their exceptional skills, experience and knowledge in tourism , offer the  experience of the ultimate visit  by sharing with the guests the history, specificities and natural beauty of each island. Thanks to our  long time relationship  with our providers from neighboring islands, we provide superior, quality service.

Deep sea fishing

In the comfort of a RODMAN 900 Fly boat with 2 x Diesel 285 hp engines and an experienced local Captain, enjoy a fishing adventure with light & heavy lure trolling. Catch vary with seasonal fish (swordfish/marlin) with stable species of tuna/bonito and mahi mahi. All fishing equipment are provided with snacks and refreshments included.

Available daily with pickup point at Marina Taina, Punaauia Minimum: 4 persons Duration: Approx 4 hrs (Half day) & approx. 7 hrs (Full day) Departure times: 7:30 a.m (Half & Full day)

Half-day tour: 109 029 Frs (913,66€) –  Full day tour: 157 486 Frs (1319,73€)

Day tour in Tetiaroa / 2 days 2 nights

In the comfort of sailing catamaran with friendly local crew, enjoy a cruise to Marlon Brandon’s famous private island. After a quick continental breakfast, we set sail for a 2 hr crossing to Tetiaroa. A guided visit of this natural lush coral atoll with a special visit of the protected sea bird sanctuary.  is included with free time to swim/snorkel from the vessel.

Meeting time at the pier 6:00 am for departure at 6:30 am. Sailing time each way is over 2 hrs depending on weather and winds. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.

Excursion days: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday Duration: Approx 12 hrs (depending on weather conditions) Departure: 6.30 am Return at: 6.30 pm

Day: 18 070 Frs (151,43€) – Round trip transfers included

2 days 2 nights: 37 352 Frs (313,01€)

Scenic Helicopter Flight

Take off from Tahiti-Faa’a airport:

• Discovery of Tahiti> flight time: 10 minutes = 15 143 Frs (126,90€)
• In the heart of the island of Tahiti> flight time: 20 minutes = 29 276 Frs (245,33€)
• The mutineers of the Bounty> flight time: 30 minutes = 43 410 Frs (363,77€) 
• Moorea, mainland from Tahiti: 35 minutes = 181 714 Frs (1522,76€
• Day trip + scenic flight: 25 minutes =  141 333 Frs (1184,37€)
•  and 35 minutes = 191 810 Frs (1607,36€)

Possibility of discovering the other islands of French Polynesia, prices transmitted on request.

Introductory diving (commonly known as “first dive”) is a unique experience that will open the doors to a fascinating world …

You will evolve as in weightlessness, in the middle of curious and colorful fish, flying over wrecks and coral reefs in complete safety. Accessible to all, the baptism is the essential step to then continue your diving training.

• Unique experience !
• Accessible to everyone, from the age of 5
• Evolution towards the first levels of diving certification
• 100% pleasure

9 637 Frs (80,76€)

Already 2.52 kg of CO2 saved thanks to the eco-mode on this site. Do you want to make an effort for our planet? Learn more

Home » Activities » The choice of activities » Polynesia Island Tours

Polynesia Island Tours

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A gripping account of Captain Cook’s final voyage

‘the wide wide sea,’ by hampton sides, recounts cook’s search for the northwest passage.

I’m grateful to the Santa Fe bookseller who put Hampton Sides’s “Blood and Thunder” into my hands some years ago. With Kit Carson’s death-defying exploits at its center, the book revolutionized my concept of America’s westward expansion. Sides’s latest effort, “ The Wide Wide Sea ,” is a gripping account of Captain James Cook’s final voyage.

Cook is a controversial historical figure, especially in light of increasing consciousness about the evils of colonialism. Yet he continues to evoke curiosity and attention. As recently as last month, Popular Mechanics published an article about the rediscovery of his curated shell collection.

Sides does not skirt the rapacious appetites of the British and other European monarchies. The magic of this book, however, is in the details of the explorer’s life at sea. Sides relies on Cook’s writings as well those of other sailors on the voyage. Based on the selected bibliography he includes, Sides’s research was voluminous.

Cook had made two world voyages by the time the book opens. He was a celebrity, having “risen from virtually nothing.” At sea, he’d bucked the Royal Navy’s tradition of violence and cruelty. He’d figured out how to avoid scurvy and brought home information of incomparable value, had mastered new nautical instruments and served as an expert scientist, anthropologist and navigator. His mapmaking skills were superlative.

After only six months at home, he took off again, in search of the elusive Northwest Passage . His third expedition consisted of 180 people in two wooden ships, the Resolution and the Discovery. They left England in July 1776.

In addition to Cook’s story, other narratives weave through the book. One particularly fascinating account is that of Mai, a native of Raiatea, a volcanic island 130 miles northwest of present-day Tahiti. When Mai was a boy, warriors from Bora Bora invaded Raiatea, murdered his father, seized his family’s land and enslaved much of the population, forcing his family to take refuge in Tahiti. In 1767, a teenage Mai witnessed the English navy’s firepower when Samuel Wallis, a British navigator, arrived in the HMS Dolphin and fought the Tahitians. Vowing to avenge his people against Bora Bora, Mai concluded that English guns were the way to go. When Cook sailed in seven years later on his second Pacific voyage, Mai requested passage, becoming the first Polynesian to set foot on English soil.

Mai’s story reads as metaphor for colonialism. He learned English and was wined and dined as a celebrity. Although horrified by London’s grinding poverty, unthinkable in his homeland, he wore the local dress and adopted the manners of a foppish English gentleman. He met King George, who provided Mai and Cook with a large assortment of farm animals and domesticated birds, to cement the king’s footprint around the globe. No surprise — the animals were hell to care for. Mai had been in search of heavy artillery from King George, but for the voyage was given only an “arsenal of muskets [and] broadswords,” as well as gifts that would have been unimaginable to the Polynesians — cut-glass bows, laced hats, crockery and telescopes. If not the cache Mai hoped for, it does reflect the English royalty’s strategy for winning friends.

It isn’t possible in this short space to describe Sides’s hair-raising accounts of the journey, an itinerary that led from England to present-day South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia, Hawaii, north to Alaska and beyond, and back to Hawaii. Just repairing and re-provisioning the ship required herculean efforts. The physical threats included days-long ocean storms, fog so thick it wasn’t possible to see from stern to bow and cold temperatures against which no garment could protect.

By the time Cook reached Polynesia in October 1777, the rat infestation was so great that “the vermin had all but taken over the holds, gangways, and lower decks.” At Moorea, 12 miles from Tahiti, Cook created a “swinging bridge” from ropes to lure the rats on land. A few made it to the beaches, introducing Polynesia to the European black rats, which remain a “scourge” today.

Cook understood that his men were vectors for infection. An ascetic, he occasionally stopped his men from going ashore to prevent the spread of venereal disease. At times he restrained his crew from violence; at other times, his temper was uncontrollable. After a series of petty thefts from the ship by Tongo natives, Cook ordered brutal floggings and had a villager’s ears cut off. In punishment for one Moorea person stealing a goat, Cook had the village and its cropland torched, along with its canoes. Sides suggests that over the course of this final voyage, Cook may have been suffering declining mental faculties.

By August 1778, the two ships were in the Arctic Ocean sailing toward Siberia. Cook was careful, “zagging outward if the pincers of ice began to close in on his vessels.” When he finally concluded there was no Northwest Passage, he decided to salvage his “defeat,” by doing “reconnaissance work in Hawai’i.” A man onboard wrote, “Those who have been amongst ice, in the dread of being enclosed in it, and in so late a season, can be the best judge of the general joy this news gave.”

People tend to know Cook was killed by native people in Hawaii. The events leading up to his death are gruesome and upsetting, including “cannibalism” made more explicable in Sides’s measured account.

This book captures a time when Europeans were finding unfathomable new worlds. Armed with extensive research and terrific writing, Sides re-creates the newness of the experience, the vast differences in and among Indigenous cultures, and natural phenomena that were as terrifying as they were wondrous.

Martha Anne Toll’s prizewinning debut novel, “Three Muses,” was published in 2022. Her second novel, “Duet for One,” is forthcoming in early 2025.

The Wide Wide Sea

Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

By Hampton Sides

Doubleday. 432 pp. $35

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