I’m not very good at relaxing on vacation. Invariably, I bring a new book, determined to spend quiet time reading. I imagine myself sitting back, soaking up the sun, dozing off here and there to the lullaby of lapping waves. And the book comes back unopened. It never even leaves the bag. Instead, my camera roll is loaded with photos of activities and adventures, and I often need time to recover from my vacation.
So when we booked a cruise to Tahiti, I found myself asking … What are we going to do on the cruise?
What I didn’t know at the time, was that this was no ordinary cruise. We had booked Windstar’s Dreams of Tahiti, a seven-day sailing from Papeete on Star Breeze, a small ship hosting up to 312 people, and I was about to discover that a voyage around the islands definitely had an adventurous side.
Our week aboard Star Breeze was by all means luxurious, indulgent, rejuvenating, and yes, relaxing. But it was also full of activity with countless opportunities to get off the ship, onto land and into the water, and to make the most of this magnificent spot in the South Pacific.
We took full advantage of the activities offered. Each one was perfectly planned, led by expert and local guides. With every detail set in place, we only had to show up, board the tender on time, and set out for a new adventure custom made for us. As this was a first-ever Polynesian cruise for my wife and me, we chose a perfect itinerary for neophytes to the region. Dreams of Tahiti’s weeklong length (we intend to make our next cruise there a longer one now that we’re hooked) involved calls at places like Moorea, Huahine and an overnight in Raiatea, where Windstar guests celebrate an evening at the private Motu Mahaea in nearby Tahaa. And there’s an overnight in Bora Bora.
There was never a dull moment.
In Bora Bora: one afternoon, a tranquil lagoon, and the ride I still think about
A towering figure in life and lore, Bora Bora is a stunning spire rising from the sea. An ancient volcano, the island is all that I had imagined: lush, rugged jungle lifted straight from a postcard. The best way to see the island of Bora Bora is from the lagoon, a glassy expanse of aquamarine water sheltered by a coral reef. And what better — and more fun — way to explore the lagoon than on a jet ski?
We met our local guide Maui at the pier, and after a short lesson and game of keep up, we went full throttle and found ourselves somehow gliding across a kaleidoscopic sea. Colorful coral beds dotted the white sands underwater as we zipped around the lagoon. The views of this otherworldly island shifted as we went, seeing different angles and stopping at different spots. We took a break on a small motu across the water, where Maui cracked fresh coconuts, a gentle rain passed, and we awed at the surreal scenery.
Eventually, we would make a full circle of the island on this four-hour excursion. And we’d return to the ship having a hard time believing what we’d just experienced.
In Tahaa, we discover that its coral gardens will make you forget the surface exists
Often, the most colorful coral beds are found in shallow water, and the coral gardens at Tahaa, are no exception. After a short boat ride to the far side of this island, we walked across an uninhabited motu and masked up for a magical tour of this underwater wonderland.
Flowing with the current, we drifted through small canyons of coral reef, with an amazing array of bright and spirited fish peeking out from the folds and gliding around us. The reef’s shades of purple and red and green resembled a technicolor film. While we were carried on the current, we had to be careful not to touch the coral. And at the end of the canyon, we were able to walk back and do it again.
Snorkeling in this type of water is a special experience. And this particular spot is unique in all of Polynesia for its pristine reef and colorful variety of tropical fish.
How an e-bike unlocked Huahine, French Polynesia’s most underrated island
While it’s great to get into the water in French Polyne a, it’s also fun to explore the islands and experience a slice of local life on land. Not as steep and mountainous as the other islands, there is something very special about Huahine. It feels so real, so relaxed. From the friendly French woman who had left Paris to raise her family in this paradise, to the warm greetings we received from people tending their gardens, to the school boys jumping off the dock and playing in the sea together. We were treated to a slice of local life here. It’s a peaceful place, lost in time, and unbothered by the mass tourism found in large ports in other parts of the world.
Here on Huahine we joined a small group tour with eight other passengers to ride e-bikes around the island. With just one road circumnavigating it, we glided along the coast under towering palms and past colorful homes, as residents tended to their gardens, fed their chickens and went about their daily lives.
The scenery changed from flat coast to rocky coves. We easily climbed hills to spectacular sea views. We stopped for a fresh fruit juice and chance to wade in the crystal clear shallows. And from the top of the island, the Windstar small-ship difference was clear, as we were able to see our ship, anchored alone in a small cove.
With the motorized bikes, it was as easy as pushing a button and enjoying the ride. Whether you want a physically demanding outing or an easy island ride, just about anybody can enjoy the three-hour e-bike tour. It was an amazing way to see the island up close.
The underwater side of Bora Bora and Raiatea is where the real luxury hides
And then, of course, there was the scuba diving. With a number of outings available — including beginner courses and shallow introductory dives for beginners — I chose two different two-tank dives, at Raiatea and at Bora Bora (where we had an overnight stay and so had a couple of days to play). With the dive guides and gear already set up, I simply had to show up and jump in.
After a stop at the small local dive shop, we motor to the outside of the reef for a 50-foot dive along the coral wall, surrounded by dozens of tropical fish of every shape, color and size. Parrotfish, pufferfish, wrasse, and more slowly swam by, as curious about us as we were about them. A half dozen black tip reef sharks circled, harmlessly approaching within arm’s reach to have a look. It was a great first dive and introduction to the area.
The dives at Bora Bora were even more wonderful. A shallow dive to the manta ray cleaning station found us admiring these giants up close as they slowly glided by, just five feet above. And the deeper dive took us into sea floor canyons where large schools of fish moved in perfect unison through streaking rays of sunlight. Moray eels, crabs, and bright red fish the size of my thumb played hide and seek in the coral.
Our fellow divers were all very experienced and had come on this trip specifically for the diving. It’s an experience I’ll always remember, as much for what we saw under the waves as for where we were when we came back up.
Absolutely in paradise.
If you go
In 2026, Star Breeze sails year-round in Tahiti, offering a blend of great-for-first-timers options, such as Dreams of Tahiti, and more exotic forays to the Marquesas Islands and the Cook Islands. In 2027, Windstar’s 148-guest motor sailing yacht Wind Star will join Star Breeze in the region, offering two special ships on which to experience French Polynesia.
With two ships in French Polynesia in 2027 and 2028, Windstar can offer a wide variety of itineraries in the region. Among them?
- The seven night Dreams of Tahiti itinerary is, as author Brendan Harrington notes above, the perfect introduction to French Polynesia. There’s another great option for new-to-Tahiti travelers, too. The 10-night Māori Storytellers and French Polynesian Treasures offers insights into South Pacific cultures in the Cook and Society Islands.
- For a broader regional experience, consider the 13-night Flowers of the Pacific cruises between Fiji’s Lautoka and Tahiti, with stops along the way in the Cook Islands. Craving an even more in-depth experience? Windstar’s 20-night Star Collector Star Collector, Legends of the Pacific includes additional immersive experiences in Fiji’s lesser-visited ports such as Taveuni, Savusavu, and Dravuni, along with Tonga. You’ll also take in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia’s marquee destinations, like Raiatea, Bora Bora, Rarotonga and Moorea.
- One of our best ever experiences on Windstar in French Polynesia was a trip to the oh-so-remote Marquesas Islands. The two-week Star Collector: Extended Tahiti & Tuamotu Adventures voyage, roundtrip from Tahiti, includes visits to the Marquesas’ Hiva Oa and Fatu Hiva, as well as the Society Islands of Moorea, Fakarava, Raiatea, Huahine, and Bora Bora.
You can find more information on all of Windstar’s offerings in the South Pacific here.
