Let’s face it: The islands of French Polynesia are exotic to begin with and yet visiting this part of the South Pacific via a yacht-sized ship transports you even further into culture, hospitality and natural wonders. Offering experiences where greetings are genuine and adventures are offered graciously to small groups of honored guests is a hallmark of small ship cruises anywhere — and particularly special in French Polynesia.
“In a region with so many intimate islands, our 36 years of operating ships in French Polynesia also means we know its people, its customs and its treasures,” says Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer. “Whether your interests lie in watersports, dance and music, delicious sea-influenced cuisine, exploring its rugged natural beauty or trying your hand at local artistic endeavors, immersion in French Polynesia will transform you.”
And here’s a surprise: As far removed from the real world as you’ll feel when you arrive, French Polynesia’s Tahiti, where the islands’ main international airport is located, is not as long a trip as you might expect. Nonstop flights, clocking in at around the eight-hour mark, are available from gateways such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
Which French Polynesia itinerary is calling your name?
There are four primary itineraries to choose from, ranging from seven- to 21-night sailings. The options include adventures to suit everyone, from those new to the region to those returning eager to go farther and stay longer. Year-round cruising means you can visit the islands on your schedule, made even easier with Windstar’s Air + Hotel + Cruise packages or with an Overwater Bungalow Cruise Tour.
Best For First Time Visit: Seven-Day Society Islands
The Dreams of Tahiti itineraries are a great way to get your feet wet — quite literally. These feature uninterrupted exploration in the Society Islands, with overnights in Bora Bora and visits to Raiatea, considered to be the cradle of the ancestors of the Māori people.
Why?
Weeklong cruises are the easy way to sample any new-to-you destination. Windstar’s seven-night itineraries in Tahiti skip the sea days, opting instead to get you onshore every day experiencing all that the Society Islands have to offer with five stops: Moorea, Raiatea, overnight in Bora Bora, Motu Mahaea, and Huahine.
It’s the perfect cruise for scuba divers and snorkelers, as well as for those looking for an immersive cultural experience.
Here are just some of the highlights of Dreams of Tahiti:
A Destination Discovery Event on a motu (small island or islet) is a big highlight. Expect to get a little sand between your toes while being amazed by fire dancing and dining on authentic Polynesian food.
And don’t forget Windstar’s signature onboard Deck Barbecue featuring local cuisines and live music. All sailings include guest lectures and Polynesian ambassadors on board throughout the cruise. The ship’s marina off the stern of the yacht is open during an amazing four days of the cruise, plus the crew takes all the water toys ashore for a beach picnic on the private island Motu for even more splashy fun.
Can’t-miss excursions include manta ray snorkeling in Bora Bora, a safari expedition in Huahine, e-biking in Moorea, and a “Harvest Your Own Pearl” experience in Raiatea.
We ask fellow travelers: What are your favorite discoveries in French Polynesia up until now?
Windstar President Chris Prelog’s love of French Polynesia is no secret. Here’s his insight: “Everyone likes Bora Bora, which is the princess of French Polynesia. And yet I’m always looking for the underdog. I like Huahine because it offers forests, beaches, culture, people, there’s a lot of specialness, which is partly due to its being a little bit more off the radar. That makes it more tranquil and peaceful. On Huahine, there’s always the possibility for discovery, from jet-skiing to a mountainous ATV (all-terrain vehicle). It’s so much more than a beachy island.”
Expand your sailing for these bucket list adventures:
These are the kind of itineraries that go beyond the basics. Eye-popping options include 13- or 15-night cruises that encompass Tahiti and also take you to Fiji and the Cook Islands. Or consider amazing Star Collector cruises like Twice the Tahiti; essentially it’s a two-week Society Islands cruise that offers overnights in Bora Bora and Papeete, along with a side trip to the Tuamotu Islands. And here’s another option: Add a pre- or post-cruise stay at an overwater bungalow (featured on “The Golden Bachelorette”) on Bora Bora with Windstar arranging accommodations and handling your transportation from airport to hotel to ship.
Why?
If the exotic siren song of French Polynesia is calling to you, these might be the perfect cruises, especially if you know in your heart you’ll want to extend your stay, whether it’s your first time or your 10th.
Here are just some of the highlights of bucket list adventures in French Polynesia
For those (like me) with watersports high on their to-do list, these extended cruises give you way more splash time, both from the yacht’s marina and on the beach. You’ll enjoy a personal set of snorkeling gear for your use throughout the cruise, making it easy to peek beneath the surface of the waves at your leisure.
In the Tuamotus, Fakarava Atoll is a whisper-thin circle of land that makes you ask yourself how it even exists. This unique UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve is known for scuba diving, snorkeling and its Insta-worthy beaches.
We ask fellow travelers: What are your favorite discoveries in French Polynesia up until now?
Perhaps the most bucket list-worthy add-on you have ever dreamed of is the option for guests staying in Star Breeze’s top suites (the Owner’s Suite, the Broadmoor Suite, and the Sea Island Suite) to book a post-cruise stay at The Brando — an ultra-exclusive hideaway on the Hollywood star’s private island of Tetiaroa.
When You Want to Go Somewhere You’ve Never, Ever Imagined: The Marquesas
There comes a time when the journey you seek is beyond the crowds and way beyond ordinary. Windstar has Marquesas options ranging from 11 to 21 nights, all filled with adventure.
Why?
Tiny ports on Hiva Oa and Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas are as opposite from megacruise ports as you’ll find anywhere in the world. The islands are far distant from the rest of French Polynesia, with even a climate of their own.
Here are some of the highlights of a Marquesas cruise:
Culture rises from every crevice in the form of stone tiki carvings scattered across the wild green mountains. The people are warm and genuine as they share their way of life through art, dance and folklore.
Although the seas around the Marquesas aren’t suited for swimming or snorkeling, the itineraries include plenty of splash time in ports before and after. The 21-night Star Collector Comprehensive Tahiti and Marquesas Adventure includes nine days with the marina scheduled to be open for play time in addition to the private beach stops. You can’t get wetter than that.
We ask fellow travelers: What are your favorite discoveries in the Marquesas Islands up until now?
Robert Johnson, a recent Windstar-in-the-Marquesas traveler, shared this in the Windstar Cruises — Cruisers Corner Facebook group: “In the Marquesas we ended up at the island of Tahuatu [the smallest inhabited island in French Polynesia], the village Hapatoni, population approximately 100. Our planned stop at Hiva Oa was cancelled due to rough surf. The most amazing, nice, gentle people. Later a group of about a third of the village came back to the ship and put on an amazing show. Not a hotel-type luau, but a multigenerational authentic show of culture and tradition.”
The Biggest Surprise About French Polynesia?
You might think a cruise in French Polynesia falls into the once-in-a-lifetime category, yet its magic will teach you otherwise. Prelog tells us that “the combination of the laid-back atmosphere of Windstar Cruises, the crew, the officers and how they interact with the guests is a perfect match with Tahiti because the Tahitian culture is open, inviting, unpretentious, not at all formal. Windstar is not just a cruise line sailing in Tahiti. Windstar is Tahiti.”
