Tahiti’s Society Islands warmly welcome you to the South Pacific with sunny beaches, shopping and the spirited city of Papeete before you set off to Bora Bora for world-class snorkeling in crystal-clear lagoons (don’t forget your camera and underwater casing). Get a taste of the Cook Islands in Rarotonga—an up-and-coming foodie destination and natural playground boasting palm-studded white-sand beaches, lush jungle forests and the sparkling waters of Muri Lagoon. Discover Savusavu, “the hidden paradise of Fiji,” with abundant waterfalls, hiking trails, rainforests and beautiful black pearls. The shabby-chic main street features eclectic watering holes, a bustling market, and lively restaurants. Explore Suva, the capital of Fiji, with its broad streets, majestic British colonial buildings, farmer’s market, lush, green parks and multicultural cuisine. The Fijian finale of Lautoka, nicknamed Sugar City for its plentiful sugar cane, offers a stroll down tree-lined streets to see colonial homes, experience outdoor markets and absorb the cheerful culture. Be sure to save time for a relaxing mud pool bath or a visit to Nadi Temple.

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.

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.

The natural playground of Rarotonga is the hub of the Cook Islands. Surrounded by a lagoon, it offers palm-studded white-sand beaches, excellent snorkeling in the sparkling blue waters of Muri Lagoon and lush jungle forests. Just 20 miles (32 km) around, this popular island is becoming a foodie location with its numerous cafes and artisan and organic food scene. Other sights to see include Te Rua Manga peak (“The Needle”) and Takitumu Conservation Area.

Tonatapu is the main island of Tonga and Nuku’alofa is the capital city and home to the Talamahu Market and the waterfront Royal Palace where the Royal Family resides. Sites to see include the Free Church of Tonga, the Cenotaph, the Royal Tombs and Kingdomkoffie.

Welcome to the capital of Fiji with its broad streets, majestic British colonial buildings, lively farmer’s market and lush, green parks. Considered the most multiracial, multicultural country in the South Pacific, find a variety of excellent cuisine here including Indo-Fijian, Chinese, Italian and Japanese. Highlights here include the Fiji museum, Thurston Gardens, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park and Albert Park.

Known as the “Garden Island of Fiji”  cigar-shaped Taveuni’s most famous tourist attraction is Lake Tagimaucia, the habitat of the rare tagimaucia flower. It is also the home of three major diving areas, with Rainbow Reef recognized as one of the world’s best soft coral dives. Two sanctuaries, Ravilevu Nature Reserve and Taveuni Forest Reserve have been created to protect Fiji’s wildlife.

Known as “the hidden paradise of Fiji,” beautiful Savusavu with its abundance of waterfalls, hiking trails, rainforests and black pearls, has recently been realized to be a tourist hotspot. The shabby-chic main street is a hodgepodge of eclectic watering holes, a bustling market, and a variety of shops and cosmopolitan restaurants. Find a black pearl farm, see the Vuadomo and Nakawaga Waterfalls or kayak, snorkel, sail, fish or take an easy hike. Bula!

Nicknamed the “Sugar City” due to its expansive sugarcane plantations, Lautoka’s biggest employer is the Lautoka Sugar Mill, founded in 1903. Lautoka is the birthplace of PGA star Vijay Singh and is lovely with its tree-lined streets, colonial homes, outdoor markets and a cheerful, vibrant culture. Sights to see include South Sea Orchid Garden, Sabeto Village and Nadi Marketplace or Temple. This is also the place to make time for a relaxing mud pool bath.