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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.