Star Collector: The Best of the Marquesas & French Polynesia

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.

Here is a rare opportunity to experience one of earth&rsquo;s most beautiful &ndash; and most rare &ndash; places.&nbsp; Fakarava, a place so stunning, an ecosystem so diverse it has been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This diver&rsquo;s paradise welcomes you to a world of magnificent cauliflower coral, sleek grey sharks, and neon schools of tropical fish. This &ldquo;Island of Dreams&rdquo; is home to rare species of nesting birds and rare marine life living in tranquil harmony.<br />

Known as the Island of Tapa, a long-forgotten art elsewhere, Fatu Hiva, with its 650 inhabitants, has a remarkable coastline full of rich vegetation. The locals here live mainly on fishing, coprah producing and growing nono, a fruit with medicinal virtues. Meet the local artists and learn about their time-honored traditions<br />
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The final home and resting place of painter Paul Gauguin and singer Jacques Brel, Hiva Oa is watched over by many large stone tiki statues and boasts the tallest peak in the Marquesas, Mount Temetiu at 3,980 feet. Due to potential ocean swells, landings here are weather dependent. If weather allows, you can relax on black-sand beaches, enjoy exceptional snorkeling and diving, or explore the ancient Tehueto Petroglyphs.

The second largest island in French Polynesia, this remote island is full of natural beauty in is deep bays, lush valleys, rocky peaks and narrow cliffside roads where you might come upon wild ponies. Giant banyan trees are found around ancient marae temples and ceremonial stone platforms as well as tiki statues outside huts. Find the 40-foot-tall Tiki Tuhiva sitting atop Mount Muake. Another interest is Tohua Koueva Archaeological Site with detailed restoration of ancient Marquesan life.

Some people call this place heaven. You will call it perfect. The huge lagoon surrounded by beautiful coral and filled with colorful fish, rays, and dolphin is a diver&rsquo;s dream. Explore, with an optional tour, in a glass bottom boat, take a dive that matches your level of expertise, or enjoy the magic of drift snorkeling. This is a place like no other on earth.<br />

Our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs &mdash; and you&rsquo;ll want plenty. These stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. You&rsquo;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. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs &mdash; and you&rsquo;ll want plenty. These stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. You&rsquo;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. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Relax on sunny beaches, sample Tahitian fare, and take in the effervescent spirit of the city. But whatever you do, save time &mdash; and luggage space &mdash; for shopping. Black pearls and colorful crafts fill the market and local treasures are so plentiful you&rsquo;ll have trouble making your choices but you won&#39;t be bothered with large crowds and big tour groups because French Tahiti is only accessible to small ships like ours.

Raiatea, &ldquo;The Sacred Island,&rdquo; 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 Fa&rsquo;aroa. Explore Polynesian history or climb Mount Temehani in search of the rare tiare apetahi flower, which grows only here.

Raiatea, &ldquo;The Sacred Island,&rdquo; 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 Fa&rsquo;aroa. Explore Polynesian history or climb Mount Temehani in search of the rare tiare apetahi flower, which grows only here.

We will spend the day on a private island complete with swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a variety of water sports in the crystal-clear waters. There will be a delicious barbecue lunch and tropical drinks waiting for you. Explore Tahaa with optional excursions to discover the vanilla plantations and sacred sites of the island.

Our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs &mdash; and you&rsquo;ll want plenty. These stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. You&rsquo;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. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs &mdash; and you&rsquo;ll want plenty. These stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. You&rsquo;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. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and available to small ships.

Anchor here in the place whose nickname is &ldquo;Garden of Eden.&rdquo; Take your time to explore the lush forests, the tropical landscapes, and the quaint villages to discover one of Polynesia&rsquo;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&rsquo;ll have your pick of the world&rsquo;s best snorkeling once again.<br />

Welcome to paradise, where your stunning surroundings soak up superlatives and call for more. In our stay here you&rsquo;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 lay at anchor in these beautiful sapphire seas.