It has been certainly one of our lifelong journey desires to make a journey to Tahiti and go to the islands of Moorea, Bora Bora, and extra. This journey has actually been many years within the making and for a visit that has been constructed up a lot in our minds, I’m blissful to report that it didn’t disappoint, both.
We constructed this text across the expertise of being in French Polynesia with a yacht cruise, what it’s like, and what you may count on to expertise for those who e-book a cruise with Windstar Cruises.
Our whole Tahiti journey was simply over 3 weeks and we mixed each land touring and cruising. We noticed loads, however are prepared to return once more already!
A Journey to Tahiti with Windstar Cruises is Insane Worth
Earlier than I get into the particulars of our expertise cruising in French Polynesia with Windstar Cruises, I have to level some issues out for you. Particularly for those who landed on this text and are on the fence about whether or not this type of journey is sensible to go to Tahiti.
The islands of Tahiti are sometimes related to luxurious journey and excessive value tags. Whereas this will definitely ring true for those who’re taking a look at every week on the 4 Seasons in Bora Bora, nevertheless it doesn’t need to be.
Selecting the yacht life with Windstar Cruises in Tahiti is an absolute cut price when in comparison with the alternate options and this isn’t an exaggeration. Let’s run some numbers fast.
Value of an Unbiased Journey to Tahiti
Staying in overwater bungalows throughout French Polynesia will run you, a minimal of $1,500 per evening. Let’s be sincere, a lot of the higher-end properties will far exceed that quantity. A one-week keep will put you at round $10,500 – on the lowest priced possibility for overwater bungalows.
Then there’s transportation and flights. Until you’re staying in Tahiti, you’ll need to e-book a flight or ferry to any of the opposite islands. Air Tahiti has a monopoly out there, so the costs are costly and have intense bag restrictions.
From our analysis, the typical value for a spherical journey ticket for one particular person to a lot of the islands averaged $1,000-$1,200. That is for one island.
So, if you wish to go to multiple island, you’ll possible need to reroute to Tahiti after which to the opposite, costing the identical for the subsequent ticket. It’s not low cost, however Air Tahiti does provide an island cross, so that may barely scale back the price for those who’re planning some island hopping.
Then there’s, in fact, paying for meals throughout your keep and any excursions that you just do like snorkel journeys, boat journeys, scuba diving, land excursions, and so on. The choices are limitless, and this will add up.
Value of a Cruise in Tahiti
Star Breeze anchored in French Polynesia
When you e-book the 7 evening Society Islands Windstar Cruise, you’ll go to 6 totally different islands and pay one value that features your lodging, meals, leisure, and transport to all of them. Their all-in package deal additionally consists of laundry (so you may pack mild), and limitless bar service.
In addition they provide an 11 day Society & Tuamotu Islands itinerary that features 8 islands. That is the itinerary that we did.
Windstar Cruises costs the 7 evening itinerary round $3,200 per particular person on common and slightly below $4,000 per particular person together with the all-in package deal. For the 11 day itinerary, the costs common round $5,000 per particular person and slightly below $6,000 together with the all-in package deal.
You merely can’t beat the worth in both itinerary!
You’ll, in all transparency, pay for any shore excursions that you just e-book on prime of your preliminary reserving quantity. However that is so you may customise the journey that you just need to do. We discovered their island discovery excursions to be good worth and even the pricier choices provide worth that makes them well worth the spend.
Now that I’ve that off my chest – I do really feel passionate that this is likely one of the greatest methods to go to French Polynesia – let me inform you about our wonderful expertise with Windstar Cruises within the South Pacific.
Arriving in Tahiti & Pre-Cruise
Tahiti is an island inside the Society Islands group of French Polynesia. Whereas most individuals confer with your complete nation as ‘Tahiti’, it’s really made up of 121 islands.
These islands are separated into 5 island teams which are unfold throughout an space roughly the dimensions of Europe. There’s extra water in French Polynesia than precise land house.
Nonetheless, all journey to French Polynesia begins with arrival on the Faa’a Worldwide Airport in French Polynesia’s largest metropolis of Papeete, Tahiti.
This could possibly be thought of the ‘primary’ island however don’t let that put you off. It holds some unbelievable magnificence, historical past, and tradition to find.
Attractive Matavai Bay in Tahiti
As our cruise departed from right here, we flew in a few days early so we might recuperate from the jet lag and discover a bit. Windstar Cruises put us up on the stunning and secluded Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts, positioned on the historic Matavai Bay, the place Tahiti was first found by Europeans.
Our flight from the USA arrived in Papeete at evening, so having transport pre-arranged to our resort was a blessing. We arrived, showered, and crashed for some much-needed relaxation.
The beautiful Maroto Waterfall within the Papenoo Valley of Tahiti
Waking up early, each from pleasure and jet lag, we ready for a full day of touring on Tahiti. This might entail an exploration of the Papenoo Valley, together with an amazing hike to Matovo Waterfall as a full-day tour that was booked individually from the cruise.
On the second day, we loved a morning on the black sand seashores of Matavai Bay earlier than heading to Papeete to check-in and board the Star Breeze.
Day 1 – Windstar Tahiti Cruise Day At Sea
Life at sea isn’t so dangerous!
Whereas some individuals detest reserving cruise itineraries that embrace sea days, we love them. Particularly on longer routes and the 11 day Tuamotu and Society Island itinerary was no exception.
We spent our day attending to know the ship, the employees, and having fun with all of the onboard facilities that we wouldn’t have time to take pleasure in with out a day at sea.
This included hitting the fitness center, soaking within the whirlpools, having fun with the deck loungers, sampling the creative drinks, and touring the spa.
Day 2 – Fakarava within the Tuamotu Islands
Fakarava from the air
Have you ever ever heard of Fakarava? It’s okay for those who haven’t. It’s not the form of place that folks consider whenever you point out the islands of Tahiti. Whereas visions of towering tropical mountains dance in individuals’s heads, French Polynesia additionally has some fairly wonderful atoll islands, too!
Atoll islands are fashioned by a buildup of useless coral over many, a few years. The islands are often flat with principally sand and little vegetation. To present you extra context, the Maldives is made up of atolls.
Fakarava is a part of the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia, the one group that’s primarily atolls. Due to this, it has among the most well-known and spectacular diving spots in the entire nation.
Your entire lagoon can be a delegated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve! How cool is that?
So for us, justifying the longer 11-day itinerary with Windstar Cruises that embrace the Tuamotu Islands was a no brainer!
After a full day and evening of crusing, we awoke simply off the coast of the beautiful Fakarava. The itinerary consists of an anchor right here for a pleasant lengthy day, so we’d extremely suggest that you just benefit from it and e-book a number of excursions, as we did.
The island itself is small, but lengthy. You could possibly go off by yourself, lease bikes, and discover, however you’ll get the perfect of this island for those who do excursions as a result of the perfect snorkeling is offshore.
Seaside Escape – Shore Tour
The seashores are white and the water is obvious in Fakarava
Eager to expertise the famed white-sand seashores, we booked the morning Seaside Escape shore tour, which presents 3.5 hours of seaside time on a personal seaside.
The placement is round 20 minutes from the pier, and when you arrive you might have entry to bogs, a shaded space, a number of picnic tables, and a recent coconut.
The seaside is beautiful with a number of good coral outcroppings that you would be able to entry from the seaside if you wish to snorkel and the household that owns the property may be very pleasant.
We had a stormy day in Fakarava with on and off rain, nevertheless it actually didn’t detract from the wonder and we thought the seaside escape possibility was well worth the money and time.
Snorkeling at Pufuna – Shore Tour
Within the afternoon, we wished to get within the water. We’re each PADI Superior Open Water divers, nonetheless, it has been a while since our final dive, so we didn’t have the choice to dive right here. As a substitute, we booked a snorkel journey to some of the well-known spots in French Polynesia.
Pufuna is a traditional pinnacle dive website that gives an enormous coral backyard to discover. It’s exhausting to place into phrases simply how wonderful this snorkel is, contemplating you will note 1000’s of brightly coloured reef fish, sharks, and wholesome coral.
Alternatively, you may do the Tiputa Move drift snorkel. The distinction between them is that Tiputa Move is a deep-water snorkel on a wall drop.
Right here you might have a higher likelihood to see huge pelagics, like sharks and rays, however not lots of reef fish. It’s additionally fast-moving, so for those who simply need to swim round overtop a lush coral backyard, Pufuna is best.
Day 3 – Rangiroa within the Tuamotu Islands
Superb shoreline of Rangiroa within the Tuamotu Islands
Our second cruise cease would introduce us to the most important atoll island within the Tuamotu Islands and one of many largest atolls on the earth.
Made up of 415 motus, islets, and sandbars, Rangiroa presents the quintessential definition of paradise discovered. And discover, we did.
One of many issues we love about small ship cruising is it will get us into locations for simply sufficient time to determine if we adore it sufficient to come back again and keep longer. Suffice to say, Rangiroa is strongly on our return to listing.
Uncover the Inexperienced Lagoon – Shore Tour
First up on the agenda was a visit to the Inexperienced Lagoon, a bay of probably the most pristine, stunning clear turquoise water we’ve EVER seen! The lagoon options white sand, palm-fringed seashores, and shallow water with coral outcrops to discover.
Onshore, pleasant faces launched us to conventional Polynesian music, palm weaving, recent coconuts, and dancing.
The tour lasts for 4 hours, together with transport to and from the dock by way of non-public boat. The placement is a pristine paradise, don’t miss this shore tour.
Aquarium Coral Backyard Snorkel – Shore Tour
Since crusing with Windstar Cruises in Tahiti additionally means you might have entry to among the greatest dive spots in French Polynesia, we spent our afternoon within the water.
Rangiroa’s ‘aquarium’ dive location was unreal. I don’t suppose we’ve ever seen such a density of fish throughout a snorkel journey. The dive website presents a phenomenal coral backyard that progressively descends to a drop into deep water. This implies you may see dense coral life but in addition giant species (like sharks!) for those who head to the drop level.
When you take pleasure in underwater pictures – whether or not you might have professional gear or only a GoPro – this spot is unbelievable for it. We even obtained wonderful footage with our telephones utilizing an underwater dive case.
Day 4 – Day At Sea
View from our balcony room on the Star Breeze
Crusing away from Rangiroa, it could take one other evening, day, and evening to reposition again to the Society Islands. This meant one other day at sea and an opportunity for us to benefit from the spa.
We every booked in a 75-minute sizzling stone therapeutic massage, one thing that was a lot wanted after the lengthy journey and busy days within the Tuamotu Islands. Following the therapeutic massage, we loved the steam room and sauna earlier than spending the afternoon absorbing the solar on the deck.
Realizing that the subsequent seven days within the Society Islands had been going to be busy, the day at sea is the right technique to recharge and actually calm down.
Day 5 – Taha’a & Motu Mahaea within the Society Islands
View of Taha’a and Motu Mahaea
Taha’a is called ‘The Vanilla Island’ and produces 70-80% of all French Polynesia’s vanilla, all of which may be very top quality. The second we stepped off the ship we might scent the luscious perfume of vanilla and hibiscus.
Fascinatingly, Taha’a and its sister island Raiatea, are believed to be the primary islands that had been settled in French Polynesia, most definitely by individuals from Samoa.
This isn’t an island that sees lots of vacationers, making it the right place to sit back, calm down and simply benefit from the island life. The day our small yacht was in port, we had been the one vacationers on the island.
Encircled by a really giant lagoon, that additionally stretches round Raiatea, there’s loads of motus providing idyllic tropical locations for retreat. That stated, Taha’a itself presents a verdant and luxurious inside that has stunning vistas, pearl farms, and vanilla plantations to go to.
Scenic Exploration of Taha’a – Shore Tour
Taha’a has a lush island inside
After leaving the great thing about the Tuamotu atoll islands, we determined it was time to spend a while on land getting acquainted with the historical past, tradition, and financial system behind each black pearls and vanilla in French Polynesia.
Our tour took us into the luxurious inside of the island to see how vanilla is planted, grown, and harvested. We got an in-depth demonstration of the method, together with alternatives to scent and style the vanilla on the varied phases.
The present manufacturing of vanilla in French Polynesia is round 25 tons yearly. Value noting is that just one century in the past it was as a lot as 200 tons yearly.
As we made our approach up into the luxurious inside, we stopped at a viewpoint and had been handled to some recent fruit and a session of Polynesian dance by our native guides.
Lastly, our tour ended at one of many prime pearl farms in French Polynesia, the place we ran our fingers by means of enormous buckets of lovely black pearls. We had been additionally in a position to study concerning the means of pearl harvesting – which is finished ethically within the islands – and meet the technicians that extract the pearls with out killing the oysters.
Do you know that just one particular form of oyster can produce a black pearl? The Tahitian Black Lipped Pinctada Margaritifera (say that a number of occasions quick).
Motu Mahaea – Windstar Personal Motu & Seaside BBQ
Aerial view of Windstars Personal Island!
One of many highlights of our Windstar Cruises Tahiti itinerary was the afternoon we spent on their non-public island! Sure, you get a style of the excessive life whenever you cruise with Windstar.
Motu Mahaea is likely one of the most stunning uninhabited islands we’ve ever set foot on, and Windstar Cruises reserves this island for the unique use of their visitors and for his or her signature BBQ seaside lunch.
Providing white sand seashores, shut entry to coral gardens, towering palm bushes, and turquoise water, the island is the right setting for a day of BBQ and rest.
Since we opted to tour on Taha’a within the morning, we took the tender over to the motu instantly after returning to benefit from the BBQ lunch.
The crew of the Star Breeze put ahead nice effort to supply us a seaside BBQ that includes recent seafood, and a full bar onshore. To make us comfy we had the choice of loungers.
When you wished to hit the water, you had kayaks and SUP boards. Or you may deliver your assigned snorkeling gear to take a look at the encircling reef.
Suffice to say, we spent the entire afternoon taking part in within the water and having fun with the perfect that this small atoll island needed to provide us. It turned out to be a spotlight within the Society Islands.
Day 6 – Raiatea within the Society Islands
Like its neighbor Taha’a, Raiatea (Rye-ah-TEY-ah) is off the overwhelmed monitor with regards to tourism. Principally as a result of the island itself lacks seashores, nonetheless, the island presents dramatic topography product of steep slopes, mountains, lush vegetation, and an unbelievable lagoon.
The island of Raiatea, which interprets to “faraway heaven”, is taken into account to be sacred and was the non secular middle of Polynesia. As we’d quickly uncover, there’s a mystical feeling to the island that’s exhausting to disclaim when you’ve had the possibility to set foot on the island.
Raiatea can be house to one of many rarest flowers on the earth. The Tiare Apetahi is discovered solely on the Temehani Plateau, and it’s forbidden to select them.
Faaroa River with Motu Seaside Break – Shore Tour
Once we heard that Raiatea has the one navigable river in French Polynesia, we knew we wanted to discover it. So, we hopped in a standard outrigger canoe for a morning of river cruising and motu hopping.
The Faaroa River begins fairly large and ultimately narrows as you get additional inland. We met a wide range of characters that stay close to the river, harvesting crustaceans and promoting coconuts to anybody who passes by.
Our outrigger journey ended with a brief journey off the coast of Raiatea to a close-by motu for a little bit of seaside time. Right here we met a few locals that handle the island who then confirmed us an amazing spot to see stingrays.
When you’re on the lookout for a extra intimate take a look at the Faaroa River, Windstar additionally presents a kayaking shore tour up the river. It doesn’t embrace any motu time however would provide you with a way more immersive expertise.
Scuba Diving – Shore Tour
To complete off our go to to Raiatea, we opted to spend the afternoon scuba diving, as many individuals advised us that among the island’s greatest wonders are underwater. They weren’t incorrect. French Polynesia has among the greatest snorkeling and diving we’ve ever finished. The pure density of aquatic life is unreal.
If you wish to go to the islands and do lots of diving, Windstar Cruises is a wonderful possibility. They’re certainly one of not many (possibly no different?) corporations that provide the possibility to liveaboard – providing each morning and afternoon scuba choices on all the islands. You can’t beat the worth when you think about that vs staying on one island for every week.
Day 7 – Bora Bora within the Society Islands
Bora Bora, which derives from the unique identify of Pora Pora which means “first born”, is probably the most well-known place in French Polynesia, fingers down.
With a towering middle island, a string of motu islands, and an insanely beautiful lagoon, it’s the vacation spot of tropical desires. When individuals speak concerning the Tahitian Islands, Bora Bora is what instantly involves thoughts.
So, we had been thrilled to see that Windstar Cruises presents two full days in Bora Bora on their itineraries! This meant we’d have time to discover each the land and sea of this magical place.
Bora Bora by 4 Wheel Drive – Shore Tour
This was a real Land Rover off-road, 4×4 tour to locations which are accessible solely to those particular automobiles. We ascended excessive into the mountains to Pahonu Hill overlook, the place we stared in awe at Matira Seaside and the spectacular lagoon that encircles Bora Bora.
Persevering with on we checked out previous WWII canons, historical ruins, a neighborhood artisan market, and stopped at further scenic overlooks.
When you’re on the lookout for a technique to get intimate with the primary island of Bora Bora, that is the tour you need to e-book. Lots of people come to the island and by no means really go to the primary island, as they keep on motus across the lagoon.
Concierge Assortment: Helicopter Flight – Shore Tour
When you might have climate day in Bora Bora, probably the most distinctive factor you may deal with your self to is a helicopter flight across the island and surrounding lagoon. It’s completely spectacular and one thing you’ll not remorse.
The flight lasts 20 minutes in one of many nicest helicopters we’ve ever ridden in, that includes giant panoramic home windows and unobstructed viewing.
This supplied an incredible alternative for pictures and allowed all passengers within the helicopter to scan the lagoon under for sharks and manta rays. To say it was cash nicely spent is an understatement.
Day 8 – One other Day in Bora Bora
Our second day of exploration in Bora Bora would proceed to indicate us why this island is so beloved worldwide. Shifting away from land, our day can be spent within the water discovering the wonders of the famed lagoon.
Snorkel Safari & Sting Ray Encounter – Shore Tour
Setting out from the port, we boarded a big, coated catamaran with a few energetic guides and had been swept away for a day of journey.
Being serenaded with conventional Polynesian music and dance, we made our technique to an space with deep water, the place we had the possibility to snorkel above an extended big manta ray that was feeding under.
This was unplanned and a bonus as they don’t seem to be straightforward to identify. Once we left the manta ray, we headed to a shallow sandbank the place we had been in a position to swim in shallow water with many stingrays and blacktip sharks.
The stingrays and sharks come to this sandbank as a result of it was as soon as used as a fish cleansing station by native fishermen. At the moment, it is just visited by vacationers.
Whereas the guides let you contact the stingrays, we’d suggest that you don’t. On your personal security and for the animals. Seeing them swim among the many group is lots satisfying!
After leaving the sandbank, we had been taken to the barrier reef that marks the top of the lagoon and given the chance to snorkel amongst pristine coral gardens in about 4-5 toes of water.
When you’re snorkeling in water that’s this shallow, it is vitally necessary to pay attention to your physique. It’s not okay to the touch or stand on any form of coral. Hold your wits about you and benefit from the view. If you wish to see tropical fish up shut, that is the journey for you!
Motu Tapu Windstar Discovery Occasion
The fireplace dancers on the Windstar Discovery occasion
Throughout each crusing in French Polynesia, Windstar Cruises presents their signature Vacation spot Discovery occasion to get you up shut and private with the wonderful South Pacific tradition.
This consists of conventional music, hula dancing, and hearth dancers. Paired with a sundown BBQ on a personal motu off the coast of Bora Bora, the occasion actually is a particular expertise.
For us, as photographers, we had been in a position to get proper up within the motion – with spaced out of doors seating and loads of room to work with the lighting.
I don’t suppose there was one person who wasn’t smiling earlier than, throughout, and after this occasion.
It was not solely memorable however an occasion that helped us to attach with the individuals and vacation spot. Completely priceless.
Day 9 – Huahine within the Society Islands
Archeological proof reveals that among the earliest settlements within the Society Islands had been on Huahine. Polynesians inhabited this island 1000’s of years earlier than Europeans arrived on this a part of the world.
As such, there’s a excessive density of marae, temples, discovered across the Matairea Hill space of the island which is believed to of been occupied by the the Aristocracy and households of the chiefs. Thus far, there are 30 maraes uncovered on this space.
Of all of the islands, this one felt probably the most genuine. Essentially the most sacred. You recognize, the place you go and instantly really feel privileged to know. It was a kind of locations. Not less than for us.
Legendary Websites and Sacred Locations – Shore Tour
Naturally, with an island steeped in such wealthy Polynesian historical past, we needed to know extra and see it for ourselves. That is how we ended up on some of the entertaining and academic excursions of your complete journey.
Boarding a neighborhood ‘le truck’ we had been guided by Paul Atallah a neighborhood archeologist and skilled on Polynesian Anthropology by means of geology, botany, anthropology, archeology, sociology, financial system, historical past, and traditions of the Polynesians and Huahine.
It was an thrilling and wild journey that included a hike to a surprising marae that’s being overtaken by a large Banyan tree, a go to to the Fare Pote’e Museum of Polynesian historical past, a neighborhood vanilla plantation, 500-year-old fish traps, a go to to sacred blue-eyed eels, and several other scenic viewpoints.
Fare Pote’e Museum Historical fish traps
The spotlight was our go to to some of the sacred and delightful marae temple ruins in all of French Polynesia. At the moment it’s being slowly consumed by the tropical forest round it, however to go to this website was particular.
When you consider in vitality, it is a place that was oozing it and I couldn’t assist however be drawn to that massive banyan tree that has sprouted out of the temple stone!
Scenic Huahine by ATV – Shore Tour
So as to add some journey to our journey to Tahiti, we additionally booked this ATV tour in Huahine. Not solely was this tour lots of enjoyable, nevertheless it additionally confirmed us areas of the island that we didn’t see on the above tour.
Our route included following the shoreline of Motu Maeva and its stunning white sand seashores earlier than heading to the traditional Polynesia temple of Marae Mananue.
We contemplated this historic website over a refreshing beverage and recent fruit earlier than heading to the deserted grounds of the Sofitel Heiva. Right here we loved free time to stroll the seaside and play within the water on the beautiful Heiva Seaside.
From the seaside, we had some overlap with stops at Fare Pote’e Museum and a go to to the sacred blue-eyed eels at Faie however the tour then headed to the Belvedere Viewpoint and gave us time to walk alongside the historic bridge that hyperlinks Huahine Nui with Huahine Iti.
Day 10 – Moorea within the Society Islands
Moorea (Mo-oh-REY-ah) means “yellow lizard” in Tahitian, and it is likely one of the most spectacular islands on the earth and it has a vibrant cultural historical past. The island itself is about 2 million years previous.
Individuals have lived on Moorea for nearly 2,000 years, and wealthy historical past of conventional data has been handed down by means of the generations. With two main analysis facilities on the island, it is usually possible probably the most studied island on the earth.
From the second we laid eyes on this island, we had been in love. With towering mountains, deep-set bays, and a surprising lagoon, Moorea combines the perfect of the society islands into one.
We loved this island a lot that we went again after our Windstar Cruise to remain a number of extra days in an overwater bungalow and uncover extra of the island.
Dolphin Eco Tour – Shore Tour
Loads to see in Moorea’s water! Spinner Dolphins (left) & Eagle Rays (proper)
Moorea is taken into account the perfect island for dolphin and whale watching in French Polynesia, so we didn’t hesitate to e-book the shore tour that will have us on a ship with Dr. Michael Poole for the morning. A well-respected marine biologist, Poole has been learning dolphins and the ocean from Moorea for many years.
His tour took us into one of many three primary bays on the island to watch a pod of spinner dolphins that had been looking and taking part in. The tour was interactive, which means we might rapid-fire any and all questions pertaining to the dolphins or the ocean.
It was a enjoyable technique to get acquainted with the waters round Moorea. On the finish of the tour, he took our group to a channel that flows into the lagoon to snorkel.
These distinctive water areas flush water out and in of the lagoon, making a lifeline for marine life. This meant we had the possibility to snorkel amongst sea turtles and enormous faculties of rays.
Island Tour & Belvedere Lookout – Shore Tour
Having spent the morning on the water, we wished to see extra of the island and its inside. The Island Discovery shore tour supplied the right introduction to the historical past and wonder that Moorea presents.
Combining all the out there data from researchers and native elders collectively, this tour launched how the island of Moorea began and the evolution of the way it has grow to be the island that you would be able to go to at present.
We loved in-depth dialog with our information whereas we made our approach across the island, stopping off at iconic picture stops like Belvedere Lookout, the filming location for Bali Hai, and shoreline views.
Moreover, we frolicked exploring the UC Berkley analysis campus and spent beneficiant time on the archeological websites of Belvedere de Opanohu, Marae Ti-i-rua, and Marae Mahine.
Day 11 – Again to Tahiti & Disembarkation
After ten unbelievable days of exploring French Polynesia by yacht with Windstar Cruises, we had come full circle with our arrival again to Papeete.
However we weren’t fairly able to say goodbye to Windstar but, so we booked a day journey to discover extra of Tahiti.
West Coast Highlights Tour – Shore Tour
Since we selected to discover a little bit of the east facet of Tahiti together with the Papenoo Valley earlier than we boarded the yacht, we jumped on the likelihood to e-book the West Coast Highlights Tour.
This tour took us to among the most notable and attention-grabbing locations on the island of Tahiti. It included the Arahurahu Marae, Maraa Grottoes, and Vaipahi Gardens. It usually features a cease on the Polynesian museum, too, nonetheless it was closed as a consequence of repairs after we visited.
Essentially the most attention-grabbing cease of the day was the spectacular Arahurahu Marae. It’s the solely historical temple in Polynesia that has been fully restored. The positioning is maintained like a museum as nicely.
Some individuals suppose it’s much less spectacular than the waterside maraes of Raiatea and Huahine, however we discovered the colourful inexperienced jungle setting of this temple irresistible.
The Finish of Our Windstar Cruises Tahiti Cruise
Having fun with sundown from our overwater bungalow in Moorea
Returning to the port after the tour, we collected our baggage and stated our goodbyes to our new mates. Whereas we needed to say goodbye to our wonderful Windstar yacht, our travels in French Polynesia had been removed from over.
We made our technique to the ferry terminal so we might make the 45-minute journey again to Moorea and test into the Hilton Moorea Seaside Resort for a number of nights of luxurious in a traditional Polynesian overwater bungalow.
