Sea2Peak's Tahitian Yachting Dream
We spent 7 nights threading the Society Islands aboard the intimate, 312-guest Star Breeze — snuba diving with stingrays, crashing a fire dance on a private Polynesian island, scoring a $200 day pass at one of the world's nicest resorts, and catching lagoon views so absurdly blue we still can't quite believe they're real. We've partnered with ABC Trips to make the whole thing super easy to book.
Okay, We're Officially Yacht People Now
We've paddled rivers that barely exist on maps. We've climbed ridgelines in wind that had no business being that strong. We've done the "roughing it" thing, and we genuinely love it. So when we tell you that seven nights aboard a 312-guest yacht in the South Pacific was one of the best trips of our lives — understand that's not a soft recommendation from people who usually stay in boutique hotels. This is us, fully converted, and completely unashamed about it.
We sailed with Windstar Cruises on their Dreams of Tahiti itinerary aboard the Star Breeze, and here is what we did not expect: how much of the trip happened off the ship. The itinerary threads the Society Islands — Moorea, Raiatea, the private motu off Taha'a, two full days and an overnight in Bora Bora, and Huahine — and every single port was packed with excursions, independent explorations, and the kind of accidental discoveries that become the stories you keep telling for years.
The Snuba Sitch (Yes, It's a Real Thing)
Neither of us is scuba certified. We've always operated in the snorkel lane. But in Bora Bora, we tried snuba for the first time — and now we need everyone to know about it. You breathe through a long hose connected to a tank floating on the surface, so you get actual scuba depth and visibility with zero certification required. The guide described it perfectly: you feel like an underwater astronaut. We floated above a stingray in water so clear it didn't seem real, and then looked at each other through our masks doing the underwater equivalent of "are you kidding me right now." It is one of those excursions that sounds gimmicky and turns out to be genuinely transcendent. Book it immediately.
The Fire Dance Night That Windstar Just... Includes
One evening in Bora Bora, we were tendered to a private motu — a tiny, palm-fringed island that looks like something a production designer created — for Windstar's Polynesian Feast & Fire event. There was a full beach barbecue of local food, there were flower leis, and then a traditional fire dancing performance performed by local Polynesian artists hired by Windstar specifically for this. It's included for every guest on every sailing. No extra charge. No separate ticket. Just: here is a private island, here is a feast, here is fire dancing under the stars with Mount Otemanu as your backdrop. We've paid a lot of money over the years for experiences that delivered less.
Doing Our Own Thing in Bora Bora
Because we had two days in Bora Bora (the ship overnights, which is a flex that most itineraries don't offer), we had time to ditch the excursion list entirely on day two and just go. We grabbed a taxi for $25 and headed to Matira Beach — the most beautiful public beach in Bora Bora, completely free to access, and genuinely one of the prettiest stretches of sand we've ever been on. Then, because we'd heard the InterContinental Bora Bora was something else, we looked into day passes. Turns out you can access the resort for $200 per person — and instead of paying $2,000 a night to stay there, you get the pools, the beach, the overwater bar, the full property experience for the afternoon. Still not cheap. But to see one of the nicest hotels on the planet from the inside? Worth it. Fully worth it.
How to Book This
We've partnered with the crew at ABC Trips — a boutique travel agency run by another adventure-obsessed family — to make this as easy as possible to book. They specialize in exactly this kind of small-ship, bucket-list travel, and they've put together a dedicated booking experience for our followers. Click below to start the conversation. If you have questions about what snuba gear to bring or whether the fire dance is as good as we said (it is), ask your ABC Trips advisor — or honestly, just ask us.
Itinerary
Papeete — Embarkation
You board Star Breeze in Papeete, Tahiti's capital — a city with more personality per square block than most island towns twice its size. If you arrive early (and you should), hit the waterfront market for black pearls, vanilla pods, and the kind of colorful crafts that make your suitcase groan on the way home. Sample some Tahitian fare — poisson cru is the move — and soak up the buzzy, flower-scented energy of a city that runs on its own clock. Embarkation starts at 1:00 PM, and the ship sets sail in the early evening. Find your spot on deck for the first sunset. It won't be the last, but you'll remember it.
Moorea — South Pacific's Bali Hai
Moorea is the island that inspired the mythical Bali Hai from South Pacific, and honestly, the real thing is even more dramatic than the musical version. Jagged volcanic peaks draped in jungle green, a lagoon so blue it looks digitally enhanced, and a vibe that runs somewhere between lush and surreal. Star Breeze anchors here for a full day with the marina platform open — so you can snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard directly off the ship if you'd rather skip the excursions entirely.
Today, take advantage of any of 9 available shore excursions, ranging from a snorkel safari through the lagoon's coral gardens to a 4x4 adventure into the island's deep valleys, an e-bike ride to the Belvedere lookout, and a dolphin eco tour with a resident marine biologist. There's also a photographer-led island tour for anyone who wants to come home with shots that don't look like everyone else's. Ask your ABC Trips advisor for a complete list and help choosing the right fit.
Raiatea — The Sacred Island
Raiatea is the spiritual heart of Polynesia — the island ancient navigators called "The Sacred Island" and believed to be the launching point for the great Polynesian migrations across the Pacific. It shares a barrier reef with neighboring Taha’a (legend says a spirit-possessed eel split them apart), and the combination of deep cultural history and stunning natural beauty makes it one of the itinerary's richest stops. Star Breeze stays late here — nearly until midnight — so you've got a full day to explore.
12 excursions are on offer today, from kayaking the Faaroa River (the only navigable river in all of French Polynesia) to visiting the Anapa Pearl Farm and snorkeling down to harvest your own black pearl. The Opoa Heritage Tour takes you to ancient sacred sites, while drift snorkeling through the coral gardens is the kind of experience that makes you forget there's a ship to go back to. A sunset cruise through the lagoon channel between Raiatea and Taha’a caps the evening beautifully. Ask your ABC Trips advisor for the full excursion list.
Motu Mahaea (Taha’a) — Private Island Day
After an early morning departure from Raiatea, Star Breeze repositions to Motu Mahaea — a private islet off the coast of Taha’a, and arguably the single most Instagrammable day of the entire trip. Swaying palm trees, white-sand beach, water so clear the fish cast shadows on the sand below them. This is Windstar's private island experience: swim, snorkel, kayak, or simply park yourself under a palm tree with a tropical drink and let the afternoon dissolve.
A barbecue lunch on the beach is included — and it's legitimately good, not the usual resort-island afterthought. 4 optional excursions are available here, including a scenic exploration of Taha’a (the "vanilla island" — 80% of French Polynesia's vanilla comes from here), a jet ski adventure through the lagoon, and drift snorkeling along the coral gardens. Ask your ABC Trips advisor for the full list.
Bora Bora — The Pearl of the Pacific
And here it is — the one you've been thinking about since you booked the trip. Bora Bora is the kind of place that genuinely lives up to the hype, which almost nothing does anymore. The volcanic peak of Mount Otemanu rises from a lagoon that cycles through approximately 50 shades of blue depending on the time of day, the clouds, and whether the universe is showing off (it usually is). Star Breeze arrives in the morning and stays past midnight, giving you a full day and evening.
15 excursions are available today — the most of any port on this itinerary — from snorkel safaris with stingray encounters and glass-bottom boat tours to 4x4 island exploration, jet ski circuits, helicopter flights over the lagoon, SCUBA diving, and a lagoon cultural tour with a local lunch. The marina platform is open today, so you can also just hop off the ship and swim. Ask your ABC Trips advisor for the full list and their picks for the can’t-miss options.
Bora Bora — Overnight + Polynesian Feast & Fire
A second full day in Bora Bora — because one isn’t enough, and Windstar knows it. The marina is open again, 12 more excursions are available (different time slots from yesterday, so you can double up), and the pace is whatever you want it to be. This is a great day for the helicopter flight if you didn't do it yesterday, or for a half-day eco snorkeling trip to four different sites chosen by your guide based on the morning's conditions.
But the main event today is the complimentary Windstar Destination Discovery Event: Polynesian Feast & Fire. In the evening, you’ll be whisked by boat to a private motu — one of those tiny, palm-fringed islets that look like they were designed by a movie set department. A beachside feast of local Polynesian cuisine unfolds under the stars, followed by a traditional fire dancing performance that’s been part of Polynesian culture for centuries. It’s included for all guests, and it’s the kind of night that becomes the centerpiece of your trip story. The ship departs Bora Bora at 9 PM — and leaving is harder than it sounds.
Huahine — The Garden of Eden
Huahine is the quiet one — nicknamed "The Garden of Eden," and it earns it. Where Bora Bora is the glamorous headliner, Huahine is the understated local favorite: lush jungle, ancient marae (sacred archaeological sites), and villages where the pace hasn’t changed much in decades. Star Breeze arrives early and the marina is open, so the morning can start with a swim in some of the clearest water of the entire trip before heading ashore.
8 excursions are available, ranging from a safari expedition through the island’s interior to ATV adventures, jet ski tours, an e-bike coastal ride, and a motu picnic with outrigger canoe transfer. The Sacred Sites & Legendary Places tour is worth flagging for anyone interested in Polynesian history and archaeology — it’s led by a guide who brings genuine depth to the cultural storytelling. This is the last port before returning to Papeete, so soak it up. Ask your ABC Trips advisor for the full excursion list.
Papeete — Disembarkation
Star Breeze returns to Papeete in the morning, and disembarkation wraps up by 10 AM. A week in French Polynesia has a way of recalibrating your sense of what "beautiful" means — you’ll find that most beaches back home look a little less impressive after swimming in Bora Bora’s lagoon. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature.
If you’re not flying out immediately, Papeete’s waterfront market is worth a final visit for last-minute black pearl shopping and a farewell plate of poisson cru. And if you’re already thinking about coming back on a longer itinerary — say, the 14-night Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas — your ABC Trips advisor saw that coming. Just say the word.
What's Included
- All-suite accommodations aboard Star Breeze (ocean-view minimum)
- All onboard meals — Amphora (main dining), Candles (alfresco steakhouse), Cuadro 44 (James Beard–curated), Veranda (casual), and 24-hour room service
- Unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails throughout the ship
- Open Watersports Platform — kayaks, paddleboards, water trampoline, snorkel gear
- Windstar signature Polynesian Feast & Fire beach party on Motu Mahaea
- Captain's Welcome & Farewell receptions
- Onboard entertainment and enrichment programming
- All port charges and government fees
- Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Gratuities for onboard staff
- International airfare to/from Papeete (PPT)
- Shore excursions (unless otherwise noted) — including snuba, helicopter flights, and stingray tours
- Spa & salon services at the WorldSpa by Windstar
- Laundry and dry-cleaning services
- Personal purchases and souvenirs (black pearls, we're looking at you)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended — ask your ABC Trips advisor)
- Pre- or post-cruise hotel stays
- Premium spirits and ultra-premium wine list selections
We're Meg and Pat.
We quit our jobs 4 years ago with a goal to see the world and regret nothing. This adventure has led us to over 80 countries and countless hikes. When we are not planning our next trip we are outside hiking and exploring in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Our guides and content are meant to make it easy for you to see the best of the world without the hard learned lessons!
Meghan grew up in Crofton, a small town of 1,500 people on Vancouver Island, British Columbia — the kind of place where the mountains and the ocean compete for your attention from the time you're old enough to notice either. After stints in Jasper working ski resort seasons, university in Nanaimo, dental hygiene school in Ottawa, and an economics degree from the University of Ottawa, she eventually landed in Calgary, where the proximity to the Rockies quietly rewired her priorities. The hikes got longer. The weekends in Kananaskis, Canmore, and Banff got more frequent. Something was shifting.
Pat had his own version of the same slow revelation. Together, we made the decision most people only ever talk about: we quit our jobs, shed the mortgage, and committed to seeing the world — not just the highlights-reel version, but the real thing. Patagonia. Bhutan. Northern Norway. The Dolomites. Indonesia. Costa Rica. The list grew into 80+ countries across all seven continents, and it shows no signs of slowing.
We started Sea2Peak as a way to share what we were learning — not to perform adventure for an audience, but to make it genuinely easier for other people to do the same things. The guides are practical, the photography is stunning, and the philosophy is dead simple: the world is extraordinary, and most of the barriers between you and it are smaller than they look.
Antarctica was the kind of trip that even seasoned travelers talk about differently afterward. Crossing the Drake Passage, landing on the Peninsula, watching penguin colonies go about their completely unbothered business while icebergs drift past in impossible shades of blue — it recalibrated something. That trip is what brought us to ABC Trips, and why we're now offering you the chance to follow our wake to the Seventh Continent.
