“Our guide then announced the most exciting game of ‘hide and seek’ we’d ever played: she’d hidden four oysters, all of which might contain a black pearl, around the reef house. We dove, splashed, and delighted in finding our oysters, eager to see what was inside.” Jessica Chiang
The Story
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.
Insider Tips
• You’ll receive your own personal set of snorkeling equipment and fins for the duration of the voyage, custom-fit by our Watersports team. So you can snorkel from the beach without having to wait in line to rent equipment.
• One thing you’ll want to do as soon as you get on board – make a reservation to dine in
Candles. This signature outdoor restaurant is the perfect place to watch a tropical sunset and enjoy a romantic tête-a-tête.
• In the islands you’re almost guaranteed to come across noni (NO-nee) juice, made from the fruit of the
Morinda citrifolia tree. Polynesians have used noni in traditional folk medicine for over 2,000 years and it’s packed with antioxidants.
• While colorful reef fish are plentiful, French Polynesia is renowned for its big marine animals. And if you’re into sharks, this is simply one of the best dive destinations in the world.