overview

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Papeete to Papeete

Go beyond a typical Tahiti cruise during this island odyssey throughout French Polynesia and the remote Marquesas Islands. Depart from Los Angeles (LAX) and set foot in Tahiti in only nine hours. Enjoy a two night stay at the elegant Intercontinental near the city center. Then your waiting yacht takes you to the most serene destinations in French Polynesia and the Marquesas. Follow in the creative footsteps of Symbolist artist Paul Gauguin as you explore his former home on Hiva Oa, then run your fingers along the hand-hewn surfaces of the largest Tiki sculptures found anywhere in the Pacific. Journey to Fakarava’s lagoon, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve teeming with seabirds and vibrant tropical fish. Admire colorful coral gardens from your glass-bottom boat near Tiputa on Rangiroa. Swim with playful manta rays and docile black-tipped reef sharks in Bora Bora’s Blue Lagoon prior to a romantic starlit overnight port stay. Trek along Moorea’s rolling Opunohu Valley trail past fruit plantations and through an exotic hardwood forest on your way to majestic views of Mount Mouaroa, Mount Rotu and Mount Tohiea—three of the highest summits in the Society Islands.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 1: Overnight at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

You will be transferred from the airport to the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort located on 32 acres of lush tropical garden and facing an idyllic lagoon. This well-known resort in Tahiti offers a host of activities including diving in the coral reefs, a lagoonarium, two gorgeous infinity pools, fine dining at two beautiful restaurants, relaxing at the Deep Nature Spa or attending world-class dinner shows. Your time is your own to enjoy an intimate dinner at Le Lotus overwater gourmet restaurant or relax in the Lobby Bar or try a signature cocktail while enjoying some live music at the Tiki Bar.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 2: Overnight at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

This well-known resort in Tahiti offers a host of activities including diving in the coral reefs, a lagoonarium, two gorgeous infinity pools, fine dining at two beautiful restaurants, relaxing at the Deep Nature Spa or attending world-class dinner shows. Your time is your own to enjoy an intimate dinner at Le Lotus overwater gourmet restaurant or relax in the Lobby Bar or try a signature cocktail while enjoying some live music at the Tiki Bar.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 3: Transfer to the ship

Board your short transfer from the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa to your awaiting ship.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 3: 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.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 5: Fakarava

Here is a rare opportunity to experience one of earth’s most beautiful – and most rare – places. Fakarava, a place so stunning, an ecosystem so diverse it has been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This diver’s paradise welcomes you to a world of magnificent cauliflower coral, sleek grey sharks, and neon schools of tropical fish. This “Island of Dreams” is home to rare species of nesting birds and rare marine life living in tranquil harmony.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 7: Omoa, Fatu Hiva, Marquesas

Known as the Island of Tapa, a long-forgotten art elsewhere, Fatu Hiva, with its 650 inhabitants, has a remarkable coastline full of rich vegetation. The locals here live mainly on fishing, coprah producing and growing nono, a fruit with medicinal virtues. Meet the local artists and learn about their time-honored traditions

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 8: Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas

The final home and resting place of painter Paul Gauguin and singer Jacques Brel, Hiva Oa is watched over by many large stone tiki statues and boasts the tallest peak in the Marquesas, Mount Temetiu at 3,980 feet. Relax on black-sand beaches or try the diving or snorkeling, said to be among the best or find the Tehueto Petroglyphs.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 9: Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas

The second largest island in French Polynesia, this remote island is full of natural beauty in is deep bays, lush valleys, rocky peaks and narrow cliffside roads where you might come upon wild ponies. Giant banyan trees are found around ancient marae temples and ceremonial stone platforms as well as tiki statues outside huts. Find the 40-foot-tall Tiki Tuhiva sitting atop Mount Muake. Another interest is Tohua Koueva Archaeological Site with detailed restoration of ancient Marquesan life.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 11: Rangiroa

Some people call this place heaven. You will call it perfect. The huge lagoon surrounded by beautiful coral and filled with colorful fish, rays, and dolphin is a diver’s dream. Explore, with an optional tour, in a glass bottom boat, take a dive that matches your level of expertise, or enjoy the magic of drift snorkeling. This is a place like no other on earth.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 13: 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.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 14: 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 motu complete with fire dancers. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 15: 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 motu complete with fire dancers. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 16: 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 the Watersports Platform as we lay at anchor in these beautiful sapphire seas.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 16: 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.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 17: 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.

VIEW THE JOURNEY

Day 17: Day room at Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

You will be transferred from the yacht to the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort located on 32 acres of lush tropical garden and facing an idyllic lagoon. You will have full use of the facilities, as well as a day room, while you wait for your evening transfer to the airport and your flight to LAX.

A Complimentary Windstar Destination Discovery Event

What’s Included?