Dreams of Tahiti
Seven nights round trip from Papeete aboard Windstar’s Star Breeze — Raiatea, a private motu off Tahaʻa, two days at Bora Bora, Huahine and Moorea, with the watersports platform open at four of them. Pre-cruise option to stay at an over-water bungalow in Moorea.
Visit six spectacular islands — which would otherwise be difficult to combine on one vacation — with immersive Tahiti excursions that showcase both iconic highlights and local traditions.
The yacht
Life Aboard Star Breeze
For scale, the Wind Surf that sails the Caribbean carries 342. Star Breeze is stabilised, for smoother sailing.
With only 312 passengers, Star Breeze feels much closer to a private yacht than a conventional cruise ship. The crew tend to learn your name just as quickly. There are no crowds to navigate and very little formality; the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and surprisingly personal.
That informality extends to the bridge. Windstar operates an open-bridge policy, so when conditions allow you can walk in, meet the officers, look over the charts and watch them navigate the ship through the islands.
In Tahiti, life aboard is deliberately tied to the place you’re sailing through. Local cultural ambassadors come aboard to talk about Polynesian traditions and history — including the significance of Tahitian tattooing — while the daily program mixes these with yoga, Pilates, crew shows and low-key evening entertainment.
Two of the best days of the cruise aren’t conventional excursions at all. Windstar’s private-motu events are included in the fare: the Bora Bora evening celebration with dinner and Polynesian fire dancing, and the beach barbecue at Motu Mahaea on Day Three.
Complimentary Wi-Fi, juices, sodas, cocktails and gratuities are included in the fare.
What makes a small ship different
The Watersports Platform
One of Star Breeze’s best features in Tahiti is its watersports platform. When the ship is anchored in calm water, the stern opens to create a private marina at sea. You simply walk down from the ship and straight into the lagoon — no tender and no trip to shore.
Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, floating mats and a small Sunfish sailboat are complimentary, with crew members on the platform to hand out equipment and help beginners get started. Star Breeze also currently carries an Aquabana, a large floating lounge with seating, a table and a shaded roof.
The platform can only open when Star Breeze is at anchor and conditions are suitable; it cannot be used while the ship is underway or docked at a pier. I’ve marked the days in the itinerary when it is expected to be available.
On Windstar’s private-motu day, the experience moves ashore. The crew brings watersports equipment to the beach, making this an especially good time to try paddleboarding or the Sunfish — crew members are in the water to help you learn.
Where we eat
Dining
Windstar offers an open seating programme — dine when and with whom we like. Light and vegetarian cuisine available on request.
Menus make use of Tahitian ingredients such as vanilla, coconut and fresh local fish, alongside plenty of non-fish choices. The galley can accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions.
Every restaurant is included in the fare. There are no cover charges and no specialty dining fees — where a reservation is needed, it is to manage seating, not to pay for the meal.
Amphora
A contemporary, international menu and fresh local dishes. The room features mirror panels with Murano glass, soft lighting and wall coverings. Dishes by James Beard Foundation affiliated chefs are served nightly.
Candles
A romantic setting offering dining under the stars, with fine steaks and grilled skewers on the menu.
Basil & Bamboo
Clean lines and warm accents set the stage for a relaxed, refined experience. Dishes fuse Asian influences with a Mediterranean twist — an inventive culinary adventure designed to delight the palate and create moments of shared discovery.
Star Grill
Classic barbecue and grilling with a new twist, in a casual outdoor atmosphere.
Veranda
An inviting buffet with a variety of options, including many local ingredients.
Yacht Club Café
A chic lounge and all-day snack bar.
In-room
A 24-hour room service menu, featuring a coursed menu from the main Amphora dining room during dining hours.
Papeete, Tahiti · embarkation · sail 5:30PM
5:30PM DEPART PAPEETE
The ship is docked in the capital, so the whole day is ours before she sails into the sunset.
Papeete — before boarding
Docked at the pier
Papeete is our jumping-off point rather than the focus of the trip. If there is time before boarding, walk through the colorful Papeete Market for flowers, vanilla, pearls and a first taste of everyday Tahitian life.
Sail
Departure
Once aboard, settle in and be outside for departure. The first sail away from Tahiti is a good introduction to just how dramatic these islands are from the water.
Docked at the pier today, so the watersports platform stays up. It only opens when the ship is anchored offshore.
Raiatea · docked from 8:00AM · overnight in port
8:00AM ARRIVE RAIATEA|DOCKED OVERNIGHT
The Sacred Island, and the old centre of religion and culture in the Society group. The ship stays the night.
Raiatea — docked at the pier
Docked, overnight
Raiatea, “The Sacred Island,” is located just across the lagoon from Tahaa and shares the same barrier reef. (Legend claims the two were a single island until a conger eel possessed by the spirit of a princess separated them.) It used to be the center of religion and culture in the Society Islands.
Taputapuatea, on the southeast coast, was once the most important marae around, the place where kings from the neighboring islands would gather for important ceremonies. Uturoa, the main town, reminds some people of Papeete in its younger days with its quaint low-rise buildings.
Raiatea is also home to the only navigable river in the islands, the Faʻaroa. Explore Polynesian history or climb Mount Temehani in search of the rare tiare apetahi flower, which grows only here.
Docked at the pier, so no platform today or tomorrow morning. Raiatea is one of the few Society Islands with water deep enough for the ship to tie up rather than anchor offshore.
Raiatea 6:00AM → Motu Mahaea, Tahaʻa · 8:00AM–5:00PM · at anchor
6:00AM DEPART RAIATEA|8:00AM ARRIVE MOTU MAHAEA|5:00PM DEPART
A whole day on a private island off the vanilla island. Nothing to organise and nowhere to be.
Leave Raiatea
Motu Mahaea
At anchor until 5:00PM
Today is less about sightseeing and more about being in the water. Windstar takes over Motu Mahaea for the day, with a beach barbecue, swimming and watersports included in the cruise.
Snorkel, paddleboard, kayak or try the little Sunfish sailboat, then have lunch barefoot on the motu. If there is one day to leave the schedule mostly empty, this is it.
Explore Tahaa with optional excursions to discover the vanilla plantations and sacred sites of the island.
At anchor, but the schedule does not mark this one as a marina call — today’s watersports run from the beach rather than off the back of the ship.
Bora Bora · at anchor from 9:00AM · overnight
9:00AM ARRIVE BORA BORA|AT ANCHOR OVERNIGHT
Two days here, and the ship never moves.
Bora Bora
At anchor · two days and a night
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.
The highlight is Windstar’s exclusive private-motu celebration. As the sun sets, we’ll enjoy a Polynesian feast followed by traditional dancing and live music, culminating in a spectacular fire dance under the stars.
The watersports platform drops from the stern — kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear straight off the ship, conditions permitting.
Bora Bora · second day · sail 9:00PM
9:00PM DEPART BORA BORA
A full second day and a late sailing — the sunset comes from inside the lagoon rather than from open sea.
Bora Bora
At anchor until 9:00PM
With the whole day and no tender queue in the morning, this is when to do the longer things: a circle-island tour, a shark and ray safari, or simply the platform and the beach.
The 9:00PM departure is worth using. It gives us the whole evening at anchor, with the light going down over Otemanu from the water.
Platform open again today.
Huahine · at anchor · 7:00AM–5:00PM
7:00AM ARRIVE HUAHINE|5:00PM DEPART
The Garden of Eden — the least developed of the group, and the one people are surprised by.
Huahine
At anchor until 5:00PM
Anchor here in the place whose nickname is “Garden of Eden.” Take your time to explore the lush forests, the tropical landscapes, and the quaint villages to discover one of Polynesia’s best kept secrets. Here, at a slower pace, see a glimpse of the authentic South Pacific island lifestyle.
Stop by the Maeva archaeological site and wander around the 150-odd marae (temple sites) and 400-year-old stone fish traps that are still in use. And you’ll have your pick of the world’s best snorkeling once again.
Platform open.
Moorea 7:00AM–5:00PM · Papeete 8:00PM · docked overnight
7:00AM ARRIVE MOOREA|5:00PM DEPART|8:00PM ARRIVE PAPEETE · OVERNIGHT
The last island, and the best-looking one from the water. Then a short hop back to Tahiti for the night.
Moorea
At anchor until 5:00PM
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 the Watersports Platform as we lie at anchor in these beautiful sapphire seas.
Sail for Tahiti
~2 hrs
Seventeen miles across the Sea of the Moon.
Papeete
Docked overnight
Berthed in the centre of town for the last night. Les Roulottes are a short walk from the ship.
Platform open at Moorea — the last chance to use it.
Disembark · Papeete, Tahiti
DISEMBARK PAPEETE
Docked at the pier since last night, so there is no tender and no rush.
Disembark
Docked at the pier
The airport is ten minutes from the quay. Most flights to the United States leave late in the evening, so there is usually a full day to fill — day rooms, the market, or the black-sand beaches on the north coast.
At a glance
Cruise Itinerary
| Day | Port | Arrival | Departure | Watersports platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day One | Papeete, Tahiti | — | 5:30PM | No |
| Day Two | Raiatea | 8:00AM | overnight | No |
| Day Three | Raiatea | — | 6:00AM | No |
| Day Three | Motu Mahaea, Tahaʻa | 8:00AM | 5:00PM | No — on the beach |
| Day Four | Bora Bora | 9:00AM | overnight | Yes |
| Day Five | Bora Bora | — | 9:00PM | Yes |
| Day Six | Huahine | 7:00AM | 5:00PM | Yes |
| Day Seven | Moorea | 7:00AM | 5:00PM | Yes |
| Day Seven | Papeete | 8:00PM | overnight | No |
| Day Eight | Papeete | — | disembark | No |
Pricing
Cabins and fares
Cruise fares are quoted per person on double occupancy unless the quote says otherwise. The January fares already carry the 5% group discount.
| 21 January 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fare | Cabins left |
| Star Porthole | $6,193 | — |
| Ocean View Suites | $7,057 | 1 |
| Ocean View Suite 1 | $7,324 | 3 |
| Balcony Suite guaranteed | $10,782 | 1 |
| Star Balcony Suite | $11,114 | 1 |
| Balcony Suite 1 | $11,447 | 11 |
| 8 April 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fare | Cabins available |
| Ocean View Suite | $6,828 | 1 |
| Ocean View Suite 1 | $6,858 | 8 |
| Balcony Suite | $8,986 | 2 |
| Star Balcony Suite gty | $9,252 | 1 |
April is the cheaper sailing at every level that appears on both lists. An Ocean View Suite 1 is $6,858 in April against $7,324 in January, and there are eight cabins rather than three. A balcony is $8,986 against $10,782 — nearly $1,800 less a person. April also sits in the drier part of the year: 1.4–1.5 in of rain across a week, against 2.3–2.5 in in January.
Before or after the cruise
A stay in Moorea
If we want the classic French Polynesian overwater experience, Moorea is a great place to do it. The bungalows sit over a clear lagoon beneath dramatic volcanic peaks, with private decks and steps directly into the water. At the Hilton, there are glass floor panels inside the bungalow, so you can watch the fish swimming beneath your room.
At the Hilton, an overwater bungalow is $1,053 a night versus $739 for a garden room — about $314 more. We could stay overwater for all three nights or split the stay between room types.
Moorea works especially well before the cruise: it’s a short ferry ride from Papeete, where all cruises start and stop — and it is just as beautiful as Bora Bora. South Pacific was filmed there. It does take a morning: getting early to the ferry and travelling on to the hotel.
The Hilton Moorea is a great hotel. I have not checked different vendors to see who is cheapest.
| Hilton Moorea | Per night |
|---|---|
| Garden View | $739 |
| Lagoon View | $1,012 |
| Overwater bungalow | $1,053 |
Land at Papeete → ferry to Moorea · arrival and relaxation
Faa’a Airport, Papeete
Most flights from the United States land early in the morning. Taxi to the Papeete Ferry Terminal, five to ten minutes away.
Ferry to Moorea
30–45 min crossing
Catch the high-speed catamaran operated by Terevau or Moorea Beach — departures around 10:30 or 11:00AM. Panoramic views of Tahiti’s coastline and possibly dolphins. Ferries run every one to two hours until evening; confirm schedules at terevau.com.
Arrive at Vaiare Ferry Terminal around noon. Taxis or shuttles take us to the hotel.
Check in and beach time
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, or Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort.
Dinner and sunset
Moorea hotel
Island exploration and cultural immersion
Guided tour of Moorea
See stingrays. Learn about pearl farming. If we are feeling active, add a short hike — one to two hours, easy to moderate.
Lagoon activities
Beach and tour.
Local culture and dining
Visit a nearby marae, or the local market in Maharepa for handicrafts — black pearls, pareos. Dinner at the Roulotte de Maharepa food trucks: authentic Polynesian barbecue, about $15–25 a head. Stargaze from the balcony.
Moorea hotel
Adventure and relaxation
Shark and ray feeding — optional excursion
Half-day lagoon safari
Boat to shallow water for safe encounters with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays, guides handling the feeding. Includes snorkelling in coral gardens and a motu picnic lunch. This builds on the snorkelling at Huahine, but in Moorea’s clearer water.
If we prefer low-key: hike the short trail to Magic Mountain for panoramic views — free, 30–45 minutes uphill.
Free time and shopping
Relax poolside or beachcomb. Visit Paopao Village for Tahitian vanilla or monoi oil.
Polynesian dinner show
Although we get one on the ship.
Moorea hotel
Ferry back to Papeete · board Star Breeze
Check out and ferry back
Hotel breakfast, then check out. Taxi to Vaiare Ferry Terminal and take a morning ferry — 30–45 minutes, about $15 one way. Arrive Papeete late morning.
Board Star Breeze
Ship sails 5:30PM
The cruise terminal is a short taxi from the ferry, so there is time for the Papeete Market before boarding.
Ferries are reliable but weather-dependent. Check for delays, and take an early crossing rather than a late one: the ship sails at 5:30PM.
When to go
Rainfall averages
| Period | Expected rain total | Daily average | Cloudy days | Cloudy hours in daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 5–12 | 1.3 – 1.5 in | 0.18 – 0.22 in | 4 – 5 | ~8 – 9 hrs |
| January 21–28 — our sailing | 2.4 – 2.6 in | 0.30 – 0.33 in | 5 – 6 | ~9 – 10 hrs |
| April 20–27 | 1.4 – 1.5 in | 0.20 – 0.22 in | 4 – 5 | ~7 – 8 hrs |
| May 14–21 | 1.1 – 1.2 in | 0.16 – 0.17 in | 3 – 4 | ~5 – 6 hrs |
January is the wettest month of the year in Papeete, and our sailing is in January. Roughly twice the rain of May, five to six cloudy days in eight, and nine to ten cloudy hours of daylight. It is the South Pacific wet season — warm rain in short bursts rather than all-day drizzle — but it matters for the watersports platform, which is the first thing cancelled in weather.