The sea is the number one reason I cruise. I crave its colors and sounds. The saltwater floats away the aches and pains that I am forever chasing on dry land. Imagine my delight the first time I saw a Windstar ship with its marina open, beckoning me to take a placid kayak ride or a slightly more daring paddleboard adventure, or simply diving into the cooling blue water. It’s the kind of moment you won’t find on most cruise ships — and it’s all just steps away from your cabin.
On most cruise ships, you can see the water, but you can’t get in it without going through the process of taking an excursion or finding your way to a beach or access point of some sort. While both of these styles of exploring are fun, the watersports platforms on the rear of Windstar’s yachts (that’s the stern, by the way) bring the sea to you in a much simpler way.
Here’s what to expect from the marinas on Windstar’s ships and which destinations are best for enjoying watersports off the ship.
What is the marina on Windstar’s yachts?
The back of the ship literally opens up, creating a mini-marina with direct access to the water. Complimentary equipment for use from the marina includes kayaks and paddleboards, large float mats, a trampoline, a small sailboat, and snorkel gear. Currently, Star Breeze in Tahiti has a new toy, an Aquabana, which is an inflatable floating area with table, chairs and even a roof, for sun protection. The best part is that you don’t have to know how to use the equipment to take advantage of fun on the platform — you can simply dive in and swim in the sea. Crew members are there to help. Think of it like a day at the beach without the nuisance of sand. Swim, lounge in the sun or just put on a life jacket and float in the sea.
Need to know: some destinations are more suitable for marina activities than others
First and foremost, Windstar’s marinas are only open on days when the ships are at anchor. The marina is open in select ports when sea conditions are safe. It’s only used where approved by local authorities and where boat traffic would not be a hazard to guests. When open, it is always staffed by crew members to ensure guest safety. And some itineraries aren’t really suited to marina experiences; chief among these is the line’s locals’ Mediterranean season, during the winter and early spring.
If you’re planning ahead and want to suss out the days the marinas are open, use the “Itinerary at a Glance” feature on the online cruise description. At the far right of the ports of call chart there is a column for “Marina.” A blue circled check mark indicates the marina is scheduled to be open. However, even on scheduled days at anchor when marinas are available, safe conditions are the final deciding factor, so once onboard your cruise, the schedule can change.
These are four great regions for fans of Windstar’s marinas
South Pacific and Tahiti:
Windstar has been cruising in French Polynesia for nearly 40 years. That means the officers and crew know these ports well and work hard at making sure guests get the full South Pacific experience, including playing in the crystal-clear waters at as many ports as possible. Star Breeze homeports in Tahiti all year, carrying 312 guests to exotic ports like Moorea, Bora Bora and Rangiroa.
Itineraries start with seven-night round-trips from Papeete called Dreams of Tahiti, featuring four scheduled days of marina. Or stretch the adventure a bit with a 10-night voyage that adds the Tuamotu Islands with six scheduled marina days. And for the cruise that gives Star Breeze bragging rights to one of the best watersports platform itineraries in the fleet, take a look at the 14-night Tahitian Treasures and Magnificent Marquesas, with a total of eight scheduled days of fun from the marina.
These itineraries are a perfect fit for relaxing — or energetic — time at the marina. If you’re like me, even when I book a guided snorkel or scuba tour (both of which are available on Tahiti cruises), it’s never quite enough time in the water. The marina gives you the freedom to enjoy a morning excursion, return to the ship for lunch, then venture back into the sea on your own before the ship leaves. Tahitian cruises also include a “private island” beach day at a motu (tiny island) where the crew takes the watersports equipment ashore for even more fun. This is a perfect opportunity for learning new skills like paddleboarding or sailing on the adorable sunfish boat. Crew members stand in the water giving instructions, helping you get the hang of it.
The Caribbean:
Winter is when you’ll find more of the Windstar fleet cruising the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, but Windstar’s version of the Caribbean is not what you’d see from the decks of most cruise ships. In true Windstar 180-degrees-from-ordinary fashion, itineraries here seek out tiny islands, quiet coves, and deserted beaches. For the best marina opportunities, look at Beach Fun and Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway. It’s five full days of watersports platform bliss scheduled from the marina in remote locations of the British Virgin Islands, cruising onboard sailing yacht Wind Surf.
If you prefer Windstar’s motor yachts, take a look at the Star Collector: Lovely Leewards cruise onboard Star Pride or Star Seeker. The 14-night cruise includes five scheduled days of watersports platform use, including stops in Les Saints, Guadeloupe (one of the few Caribbean islands where whale watching is possible) and idyllic Bequia.
As in Tahiti, Caribbean cruises typically feature a beach day on a private island with the marina equipment moved from the ships to the beach. The private island day, and the days with the marina operating from the ship, both provide ample time for an excursion and watersports platform fun without missing out on anything.
The Mediterranean:
While local restrictions and heavy boat traffic prevent marina openings in many Mediterranean ports, there are a handful of opportunities to dive into the azure seas straight from your yacht. Imagine swimming off the Amalfi Coast of Italy or in the crystalline waters near Monemvasia on the Greek mainland. Itineraries with opportunities to dip your toes into the Med include the seven-night Treasures of the Greek Isles onboard Wind Star and Wind Spirit. Or check out the eight-night Classic Italy and Dalmatian Coast sailings. (And check out our blog on the best ports in the Mediterranean for marina activities).
I particularly like the Treasure of the Greek Isles itinerary for its mixture of busy ports of call like Santorini along with quiet treasures like Milos, where you can explore town for a bit in the morning followed by an afternoon spent lounging in the waters of the Mediterranean, as if you were on a private yacht.
Panama and Costa Rica:
On my first Panama Canal cruise, one of the most delightful surprises was not just that the waterway itself is an engineering marvel but also that so much of it entailed visits to rural outposts — jungles, white sand beaches, and pristine seas and rivers. Isla Parida was an amazing discovery. Located within a Nature Preserve of 50 islands, and part of Chiriqui Marine National Park lovely Isla Parida boasts magnificent beaches, one of which is over 1,300 feet long. Here you will be treated to Windstar’s Signature Beach Party, complete with a transfer of water toys from the marina to the beach. Golfo Dolce and Quepos are two more ports where the ships are at anchor, which means on a calm day, the marinas are open.
