Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas Cruise

Description

Go beyond a typical Tahiti cruise during this island odyssey throughout French Polynesia and the remote Marquesas Islands. 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.

Trip Name

Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas Cruise

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 522 ft (159 meters) Passenger Capacity: 312 Built / Refurbished: 1988 / 2007 Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride are large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can’t reach. These all-suite yacht completed renovation as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to provide more of what our guests love. New public areas, including two new dining venues, a new spa, infinity pool, and fitness area. The yachts also boast all new bathrooms in every suite and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout. With ocean views and at least 277 square feet of comfort, Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride are the perfect yachts to watch glaciers and fjords drift by from the serenity of your suite. Carrying only 312 guests, Star Breeze, Star Legend & Star Pride still tuck into small ports like Sanary-sur-Mer and Wrangell or narrow waterways like the Corinth Canal and Keil Canal.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Days 1 - 2 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.

Day 2 - Day 3 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.

Day 3 - Day 4 At Sea

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Day 4 - Day 5 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

Day 5 - Day 6 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.

Day 6 - Day 7 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.

Day 7 - Day 8 At Sea

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Day 8 - Day 9 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.

Day 9 - Day 10 At Sea

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Day 10 - Day 11 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.

Day 11 - Days 12 - 13 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 mote complete with fird dancers. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Day 12 - Day 14 Moorea & Papeete

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 Wind Spirit’s Watersports Platform as we lay at anchor in these beautiful sapphire seas.

Day 13 - Day 15 Papeete

Day 14 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Luxuriate in a delightful overnight in Bora Bora, a unique island paradise.
Immerse yourself in Tahitian culture at the Destination Discovery Event in Bora Bora and the Signature Beach Party in Motu Mahaea
On remote Fatu Hiva learn about the art of making tapa, a beautiful cloth made from the bark of banyan, breadfruit and mulberry trees.
Visit the Calvaire Cemetery where both Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel are buried on Hiva Oa
Among the sites to see on Nuku Hiva see the charming Eglise Des Sacres Coeurs
Overnight in Papeete with time to peruse the lively Marche de Papeete and dine on Polynesian cuisine