Tahiti Yacht Charter Guide

About Yacht Charters in Tahiti

TAHITI is actually better in real life than it is in the brochures!  Geographically the Leeward Islands are majestic volcanic landscapes covered in lush tropical vegetation. Each island rises steeply from its lagoon and is circled by a protecting outer coral reef. Dotting the reef, small uninhabited motus (islets) are fringed by white sandy beaches and lush green coconut palms.

The island of Raiatea is the hub for yacht charters, just a 40-minute flight from Papeete. Raiatea shares a lagoon with Tahaa and lies within easy sight-sailing distance of the other magical islands of Bora Bora and Huahine. It's 24 miles eastward (and windward) to Huahine, and 22 miles north-west (and downwind) to sail to Bora Bora. A feature of these islands are the well-marked deep turquoise lagoons providing safe and sheltered cruising. Access to blue water sailing to the other islands is through passes in the reefs.

Raiatea

The township of Uturoa is the administrative centre for the Leeward Islands, and provides you with your best opportunity to provision your charter yacht. We'll assist you with advice on what to buy and where. Your charter yacht is your passport to discovery of these magical islands.

According to legend, Raiatea is the sacred home of the gods, and the ancestral heart of French Polynesia. Visit the sacred sites and explore the river where the great canoes were built for their migratory voyages to Hawaii and New Zealand. It remains a mystery to us, why they chose to leave this magical island paradise. Admire the mountainous peaks of the south with their waterfalls cascading to the sea. Spend your first 3 or 4 days relaxing and acclimatising, exploring the sheltered lagoon shared with the twin sister islands of Raiatea and Tahaa

Tahaa

Tahaa is the only island in the group that you can completely circumnavigate. The sweet tropical aromas of vanilla and frangipani permeate the air of Tahaa 'au natural', the lush and tranquil isle. Unphased by the commercial world, the only access is by yacht. Ashore, wander along the coral road that winds around the waterfront at dusk and meet the friendly gentle locals. Take a safari tour into the hinterland to visit the vanilla plantations, and botanical extravaganza ! Visit a pearl farm and learn all about the art of cultivation. Dinghy to the shallows of the reef and explore the sandy palm-clad islets encircling the turquoise lagoon.

Huahine

Lure a deep-sea tuna on your windward passage to the legendary island of Huahine. Anchor your charter yacht off the village of Fare where you can top-up supplies. Discover some of the unique qualities of a small island village, go horse riding, or take a land tour to learn about the sacred archaeological sites of civilisation over a 1000 years ago. Anchor in the south and take a beachfront stroll, snorkel the underwater delights. A huge favourite with our charter clients is the unique 'round the island tour' of Huahine Iti. You'll get to places you can't get to even by yacht!

Bora Bora

The fabled island where they make movies. Enjoy secluded anchorages in places accessible only by yacht. Venture to the east and lose yourselves in the blues, greens and turquoises of this beautiful lagoon. Anchor your charter yacht in the eastern lagoon and visit the Lagoonarium. Once you pluck up the courage to swim with the turtles, sharks and rays you will announce this a highlight of your yacht charter holiday ! Dine at the famous Bora Bora Yacht Club, spend a day ashore, circumnavigate the island road by bicycle, scooter or car around the island. Ask Sail Connections yacht charter team about our favourite anchorages.

Tahiti Climate

Tahiti - where the water temperature is about 2 degrees warmer than the air! Sailing in Tahiti is all year round, but it's better for yacht charter when the trade winds are blowing between April and October. The weather is hot and humid in the summer between November and March, with less breeze.

Navigation

The islands of Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine and Bora Bora have well-marked lagoons which make them easily navigable. The system is local and not to be confused with international port and starboard markers - “rouge a l'isle et verte a mer” red (square) markers to land and green (triangle) markers to the reef. This effectively creates a passage-way in the lagoon when you simply cruise between the red and green markers. Never go between a red mark and the island and never go between the green mark and the reef. Occasionally a cardinal marker will identify an isolated danger, and it is therefore important to be familiar with cardinal marker symbols. The buoyage system in the reef passes is per the international buoyage system (red port hand return to harbour). Tahiti has a solar tide, which means a low tide at sunrise and sunset - with insignificant difference between low and high.

Our Charter Services

Sail Connections yacht charter team has personally sailed in Tahiti over 30 times during the past 20 years, so we're well-equipped to assist you with our local knowledge, charter itineraries and onshore connections, to ensure you get the best from your yacht charter. SAIL CONNECTIONS will match the right charter yacht to suit your requirements for your level of comfort and budget. You pay no more for our service.

On a yacht charter in Tahiti you can enjoy the freedom to make up your itinerary as the mood takes. While experienced sailors can charter bareboat themselves, you don't actually have to be a sailor to have the holiday of a lifetime. We can provide experienced charter crew to take responsibility for your yacht. Your charter crew will also be a wealth of local knowledge, allowing you to totally relax, be pampered and make the best informed choices about things to do and places to go.

SAIL CONNECTIONS yacht charter services in Tahiti include providing personalised itineraries especially tailored to your personal requirements. We'll tell you about favourite anchorages, restaurants and places to explore. We can advise on flights, transfers and accommodation before and after your charter, to ensure you make your best holiday connections to your yacht.