Bali Indonesia Cruise from Benoa to Papeete

Cruise line	Windstar Cruises
Ship	Star Breeze
Duration	47 nights
Port calls	27
Departures	1 sailings
Year built	1989
Guests	343
Cabins	156
Crew	190
Length	159 m
Beam	19 m
Cruising speed	15.0 kn

Day 1

Benoa, Indonesia

Benoa is Bali’s principal cruise gateway, set on the island’s sheltered southeast coast. From the pier, Bali’s contrasts are close at hand: Nusa Dua’s resorts and Sanur’s seafront. Denpasar offers markets, museums, and a glimpse of daily life beyond the resort belt. Allow time for traffic; journeys inland can take longer than the map suggests. For a deeper excursion, Ubud pairs galleries and rice terraces with a lively arts scene.

Day 3

Komodo Island Indonesia, Indonesia

Komodo is a rare landfall where the world’s largest lizard still lives in the wild. The island lies within Komodo National Park, a UNESCO-listed landscape of dry hills, clear bays and coral-rich waters. Ranger-guided walks offer a chance to see the dragons, while boat trips reach quiet coves and rewarding snorkeling. Expect heat and uneven trails; the island rewards those who explore at an unhurried pace.

Day 5

Dili, Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste’s capital sits on the north coast, with steep, dry hills rising behind the city. Dili rewards curious visitors with Portuguese-era landmarks, lively markets and a moving account of the country’s struggle for independence. Visit the Resistance Museum, then follow the coast east to Cristo Rei, a monumental statue above a crescent beach. Leave time for fresh seafood and the city’s memorials; Timor-Leste became independent in 2002.

Day 11

Alotau

Alotau sits on Papua New Guinea’s southeastern coast, where rainforest hills frame the sheltered waters of Milne Bay. The town is the gateway to a province of islands, reefs and traditional coastal communities. History is close: in 1942, Allied forces defeated Japanese troops at the Battle of Milne Bay. It was the first major Japanese defeat on land in the Pacific War. Visit the local market, then look out across a bay made for slow exploration.

Day 12

Conflict Islands PNG

At the southern edge of Papua New Guinea, the Conflict Islands form a remote coral atoll in the Louisiade Archipelago. A ship call brings you to clear lagoons, reef-fringed islets and beaches of pale sand. Snorkel above coral gardens, or watch for sea turtles and reef fish in the shallows. Limited visitor infrastructure keeps the focus on nature; bring essentials and allow time for a slow-paced visit.

Day 14

Honiara

Honiara sits on Guadalcanal’s northern coast, where the capital’s busy streets meet a landscape shaped by the Pacific War. At the Central Market, island produce, fish and woven goods offer a glimpse of daily life across the Solomons. The Guadalcanal American Memorial recalls the fierce campaign fought here, while nearby Bonegi beaches offer access to Japanese wartime wrecks. Beyond town, rainforest-covered hills and village roads invite exploration with a local guide.

Day 16

Champagne Bay, Vanuatu

On Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island, Champagne Bay makes a memorable first impression. Pale sand curves around clear, sheltered water, while green hills rise behind the shore. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring visitors ashore for swimming, snorkelling or a quiet stretch on the beach. Bring time to explore: the island’s lush interior and village life offer a rewarding contrast to the coast.

Day 17

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, curves around a sheltered harbor on Efate, where green hills meet the sea. Along the waterfront, cafés, markets and shops reveal a lively blend of Ni-Vanuatu, French and island influences. Visit the National Museum to learn about Vanuatu’s cultural traditions, then browse local produce at the central market. Beyond town, Mele Cascades offers a refreshing walk to tiered falls, while nearby villages provide insight into island life.

Day 20

Yasawa Island Fiji, Fiji

The Yasawa Islands rise in a volcanic chain northwest of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. Remote villages, pale beaches and clear lagoons offer a quieter counterpoint to the country’s resort hubs. Choose a snorkel among coral, a village visit with local guidance, or a walk for views across the rugged islands. Small-ship calls make reaching this island chain part of the appeal.

Day 21

Lautoka, Fiji

Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, sits on Viti Levu’s western coast, where sugar fields meet the Pacific. Known as the Sugar City, it offers a glimpse of everyday Fijian life beyond the resorts. Browse the municipal market, stroll the botanical gardens, or take in the waterfront before heading farther west. Lautoka is also a departure point for excursions to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.

Day 22

Port Denarau-Nadi, Fiji

Denarau is Fiji’s gateway to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. At Port Denarau, ferries and yachts depart for reefs, beaches and island resorts. Nadi and its international airport are a short drive away. On Denarau itself, golf, resort pools and waterfront dining offer an easy pause between crossings. The marina is also the starting point for sunset cruises and fishing charters.

Day 23

Dravuni Island Fiji, Fiji

Dravuni Island lies in Fiji’s southern Kadavu group, beside the Great Astrolabe Reef. Its village, palm-fringed shore and green volcanic rise make a striking first impression. A path climbs to the island’s highest point, where reef and lagoon spread below. Swim or snorkel from the beach, then discover village life on this small, welcoming island.

Day 24

Savusavu, Fiji

Savusavu, on Vanua Levu, offers a quieter, more intimate side of Fiji. Yachts frequent its deep, sheltered bay, while the compact waterfront brings shops, cafés, and local life within easy reach. Steam rises from natural hot springs beside the road; nearby, the market displays tropical fruit, fish, and island produce. Venture inland for rainforest, waterfalls, and village visits, ideally arranged with a local guide.

Day 25

Taveuni Island Fiji, Fiji

Taveuni is Fiji’s Garden Island, where volcanic slopes, rainforest and waterfalls rise above the Somosomo Strait. From port, explore Bouma National Heritage Park and its Tavoro waterfalls, reached by trails through lush forest. Offshore, Rainbow Reef is famed for coral and marine life, with diving and snorkelling among the island’s signature experiences. Village visits and plantation scenery offer a gentler change of pace; sturdy shoes make inland excursions more rewarding.

Day 27

Nukualofa, Tonga

Nuku'alofa, Tonga’s compact capital, brings you ashore on Tongatapu, the kingdom’s largest island. Walk the waterfront to the Royal Palace, a wooden landmark still used by Tonga’s royal family. At Talamahu Market, growers sell taro, yams, coconuts and seasonal fruit beneath a lively roof. Beyond town, Tongatapu’s low coastline reveals blowholes, ancient stone monuments and villages shaped by a living Polynesian culture.

Day 29

Rarotonga Island

Rarotonga is the Cook Islands’ largest island, ringed by a turquoise lagoon. Beyond the reef, a forested volcanic interior rises to Mount Te Manga. Circle the coast by bus, browse Punanga Nui Market in Avarua, or swim and snorkel from white-sand beaches. On Sundays, church services bring remarkable singing; inland, trails lead through tropical forest. Stay for the lagoon, but make time for the island’s everyday life.

Day 30

Aitutaki Island

Aitutaki’s vast lagoon defines the island: shallow turquoise water, coral reefs and palm-fringed motu. Arutanga’s village roads reveal a quiet, low-lying island of churches, small shops and everyday Cook Islands life. Boat trips reach motu beaches and snorkeling grounds, with One Foot Island a popular stop. Allow time to swim or kayak; the lagoon’s changing blues reward a slower pace.

Day 32

Bora Bora Island

Bora Bora’s volcanic silhouette rises from one of French Polynesia’s most celebrated lagoons. Mount Otemanu anchors the view, while a coral reef shelters clear water, small motu and abundant marine life. Explore by boat, snorkel among rays and reef fish, or linger on Matira Beach, the island’s best-known public beach. Beyond the resorts, Vaitape offers a glimpse of everyday island life.

Day 33

Raiatea Island

Raiatea is French Polynesia’s sacred island, where history still shapes the landscape. At Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stone marae overlook the lagoon and speak to the island’s spiritual importance. The lagoon draws sailors and snorkellers, while inland, Mount Temehani shelters the rare tiare apetahi, found nowhere else. Raiatea offers a quieter, more grounded view of the Society Islands, best explored slowly by boat or on foot.

Day 33

Moorea Island

Moorea’s jagged volcanic peaks rise above a lagoon so clear that the reef appears close enough to touch. A short ferry ride from Tahiti, this Society Islands destination offers a quieter, greener counterpoint to Papeete. Follow the coast past pineapple fields and small villages. Then climb to Belvedere Lookout for broad views of Cook’s and Opunohu bays. Swim, snorkel or take a lagoon cruise; Moorea rewards unhurried exploration as much as adventure.

Day 33

Papeete

Papeete is French Polynesia’s lively capital, set on Tahiti’s northwest coast beneath green volcanic peaks. Its waterfront, central market and shaded streets offer a vivid introduction to island life. Browse the Marché de Papeete for vanilla, pareos and tropical fruit, then pause over poisson cru, Tahiti’s lime-and-coconut-marinated fish. Beyond town, black-sand beaches and waterfalls await, while ferry links make Moorea an easy day trip. Papeete rewards a few hours on foot—and a longer look at Tahiti.

Day 36

Fakarava Atoll Tuamotus

Fakarava is a vast coral atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago, where a narrow ribbon of land encloses a luminous lagoon. It is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its reefs, lagoons and fragile island ecosystems. At Garuae and Tumakohua passes, strong currents draw divers to schools of fish and gray reef sharks. On land, Rotoava offers a quiet glimpse of Tuamotu life, far from resort crowds.

Day 38

Fatu Hiva Island

Fatu Hiva, in the southern Marquesas, has no airport; most visitors arrive by sea. Ships approach Hanavave through steep volcanic cliffs, opening onto the celebrated Bay of Virgins. In Omoa, artisans make tapa from the bark of paper mulberry and breadfruit trees. Beyond the villages, tropical forest, waterfalls and the rugged road between Omoa and Hanavave invite exploration. Come for living craft and landscapes few travelers reach.

Day 39

Hiva Oa Island

Hiva Oa shows the Marquesas at their most dramatic, with green ridges, deep valleys and volcanic cliffs. Atuona, the island’s principal village, offers a starting point for exploring its layered history. Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel are buried at Calvary Cemetery above the village. At Puamau, the Iipona archaeological site preserves imposing stone tiki and evidence of Marquesan culture. Go inland for an encounter with an island where art, history and landscape remain closely connected.

Day 40

Nuku Hiva Island

Nuku Hiva, largest island in the Marquesas, pairs volcanic peaks with deep valleys. Cruise ships anchor in Taiohae Bay, where the main village faces a broad waterfront. Look for tiki and ceremonial platforms, then head inland for waterfalls, forested valleys, and Pacific views. A guided excursion to Hakaui Valley leads on a demanding walk to Vaipo Falls, one of Polynesia’s highest waterfalls.

Day 42

Rangiroa Atoll Tuamotus

In the Tuamotu Archipelago, Rangiroa is a vast coral atoll, its reef enclosing one of the Pacific’s largest lagoons. At Tiputa Pass, currents draw dolphins, rays and reef fish close to shore, while divers explore blue-water drop-offs. On land, quiet villages, black-pearl farms and coconut palms reveal a Polynesia shaped by the sea. Come for the lagoon’s scale, and discover a slower Polynesia, measured by tides, trade winds and open water.

Day 44

Tahaa Island

Taha’a shares a remarkable lagoon with neighbouring Raiatea, yet keeps a distinctly rural pace. Visit family-run vanilla plantations and learn how the island’s prized beans are grown and cured. Beyond the shore, coral gardens and motu-fringed waters invite snorkelling, while pearl farms offer a glimpse of another local craft. For a gentler day, explore the village roads and pause for views across the lagoon to Raiatea.

Day 45