Overwater Bungalow & Tahitian Paradises Cruise Tour

Description

Spend a week in paradise with the one you love as your Windstar elegant yacht visits the ethereal landscapes of Tahiti. On your French Polynesia cruise, you’ll sail in startlingly beautiful turquoise seas past lush greenery and mysterious dark peaks, experiencing some of the most impressive fiery sunsets you’ve ever seen. It’s the most romantic place in the world to cruise. A modern sailing ship – especially one where you can swim, snorkel or kayak right from the ship’s Watersports Platform – is the perfect way to take in these unforgettable sights. Your cruise visits six spectacular islands – which would otherwise be difficult to combine on one vacation. And there’s plenty of opportunity for alone time. From the moment you are greeted with a colorful flower lei, Tahiti will take your breath away.

Nature is part of your small ship Tahiti cruise experience, whether you choose to swim in clear-blue lagoons, hike forested mountains in Moorea, kayak past jungle riverbanks, explore on Waverunners or snorkel or dive to hang out with small black-tip sharks, stingrays, and other marine creatures. You might go hiking at Mount Otemanu or stroll through a botanical garden brimming with native flora. Rent a car and explore the island and its emerald-green volcanic landscape on your own and be sure to stop at a Polynesian food truck to try some snacks. Visit Raiatea, where you’ll be greeted with the scent of coconut, pineapple and vanilla. Here, history lovers can visit Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and millennium-old example of Maori civilization.

Your itinerary brings you to romantic Bora Bora, with its legendary white-sand beaches, as well as such low-key places as Huahine where you may view archaeological sites and mingle with locals in quaint villages. A visit to a private motu (tiny islet) assures a perfect day at the beach in paradise. Overnight visits to Bora Bora and Raiatea allow time to immerse yourself in the local culture. Learn to tie a pareo (dyed cloth worn as clothing) and sample Polynesian cuisine. Windstar’s Destination Discovery Signature Beach Party features an extravagant barbecue and a rare and dazzling performance of Polynesian fire dancing. Your Windstar Tahiti cruise will create memories of a lifetime.

Trip Name

Overwater Bungalow & Tahitian Paradises Cruise Tour

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 522 ft (159 meters) Passenger Capacity: 312 Built / Refurbished: 1988 / 2007 Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride are large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can’t reach. These all-suite yacht completed renovation as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to provide more of what our guests love. New public areas, including two new dining venues, a new spa, infinity pool, and fitness area. The yachts also boast all new bathrooms in every suite and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout. With ocean views and at least 277 square feet of comfort, Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride are the perfect yachts to watch glaciers and fjords drift by from the serenity of your suite. Carrying only 312 guests, Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride still tuck into small ports like Sanary-sur-Mer and Wrangell or narrow waterways like the Corinth Canal and Keil Canal.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Papeete

Day 2 - Day 2 Papeete & Moorea

Welcome to paradise, where your stunning surroundings soak up superlatives and call for more. In our stay here you’ll have plenty of time to do it all. Be sure to consider the opportunity to hone your photography talents on an optional tour of the island in the company of a professional photographer. Your choices here are endless. Hike the majestic Three Coconut Trail. Visit dolphins in their native habitat. Or spend your time swimming and kayaking from Wind Spirit’s Watersports Platform as we lay at anchor in these beautiful sapphire seas.

Day 3 - Day 3 Raiatea

Raiatea, “The Sacred Island,” is located just across the lagoon from Tahaa and shares the same barrier reef. (Legend claims the two were a single island until a conger eel possessed by the spirit of a princess separated them.) It used to be the center of religion and culture in the Society Islands. Taputapuatea, on the southeast coast, was once the most important marae around, the place where kings from the neighboring islands would gather for important ceremonies. Uturoa, the main town, reminds some people of Papeete in its younger days with its quaint low-rise buildings. Raiatea is also home to the only navigable river in the islands, the Fa’aroa. Explore Polynesian history or climb Mount Temehani in search of the rare tiare apetahi flower, which grows only here.

Day 4 - Day 4 Raiatea & Motu Mahaea (Tahaa)

We will spend the day on a private island complete with swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a variety of water sports in the crystal-clear waters. There will be a delicious barbecue lunch and tropical drinks waiting for you. Explore Tahaa with optional excursions to discover the vanilla plantations and sacred sites of the island.

Day 5 - Days 5 - 6 Bora Bora

Our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs — and you’ll want plenty. These stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. You’ll have lots of options for exploration, whether you prefer the access provided by a 4-by-4, or the thrill of riding in the open air. Stretch out on stunning white-sand beaches, dive and swim in brightly colored seas, or sail among the tiny islands and lagoons. But the highlight here will be the Windstar Exclusive Destination Discovery Event on a private mote complete with fird dancers. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Day 6 - Day 7 Huahine

Anchor here in the place whose nickname is “Garden of Eden.” Take your time to explore the lush forests, the tropical landscapes, and the quaint villages to discover one of Polynesia’s best kept secrets. Here, at a slower pace, see a glimpse of the authentic South Pacific island lifestyle. Stop by the Maeva archaeological site and wander around the 150-odd marae (temple sites) and 400-year-old stone fish traps that are still in use And you’ll have your pick of the world’s best snorkeling once again.

Day 7 - Day 8 Papeete

Relax on sunny beaches, sample Tahitian fare, and take in the effervescent spirit of the city. But whatever you do, save time — and luggage space — for shopping. Black pearls and colorful crafts fill the market and local treasures are so plentiful you’ll have trouble making your choices but you won't be bothered with large crowds and big tour groups because French Tahiti is only accessible to small ships like ours.Disembark from your yacht and take a ferry transfer to exclusive Hotel Manava Beach Resort on Moorea. This picturesque seaside stay features overwater bungalows in a pristine Polynesian paradise. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure—explore lush tropical surroundings, make spa appointments throughout your stay, reserve tee times at a nearby golf course, or sip sweet tropical drinks beneath a shady umbrella at the terrace bar. (Includes overnight at Manava Beach Resort)

Day 8 - Day 9 Hotel Manava Moorea

Wake to a Canoe Breakfast delivered to your bungalow and see the rest of Moorea during a half-day car tour. Hotel Manava Beach Resort partners with the Green Pearl Golf Course, an 18-hole emerald gem created by Jack Nicklaus. Venture down the coast to Cook’s Bay to savor rich, locally grown coffee and catch glimpses of majestic Mount Tohivea. In the evening you can return to a romantic beach dinner at Hotel Manava. (Includes breakfast, dinner today or tomorrow, overnight at Hotel Manava Moorea)

Day 9 - Day 10 Hotel Manava Moorea

Following breakfast at your hotel, this is your day to enjoy the fun activities you might have missed during your time here. Ride horseback past rustic pineapple plantations in scenic Opunohu Valley. Jump into introductory diving lessons at the resort or delve deeper amid coral, turtles, and shy lemon sharks on an advanced open water tour. Nearby Moorea Beach hosts a succulent selection of informal outdoor cafés and Polynesian grills serving up regional fish and Polynesian dishes that pair perfectly with Tahitian beers. (Includes breakfast and overnight at Hotel Manava Moorea)

Day 10 - Day 11 Moorea to Papeete

Following breakfast, board the ferry for the trip back to Papeete and your return flight home

Day 11 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Snorkel down to personally select and harvest your own black pearl in Raiatea.
Luxuriate in a delightful overnight in Bora Bora, a unique island paradise.
Celebrate at Windstar's Destination Discovery Event and fun-filled Signature Onboard Barbecue.
Witness a fiery sunset and watch for the green flash as it melts below the horizon.
Discover Moorea, the inspiration for South Pacific's mystical Bali Hai.
Delight to entertainment on board and learn native Polynesian dances.
Experience drift snorkeling among coral gardens.
Sail, swim, and kayak from the ship's Watersports Platform during your voyage.