Where Tales of the South Pacific Come True
The very word "Tahiti" evokes visions of an island paradise. Explore the western Society Islands by charter yacht—whether monohull or catamaran, sailboat or motorboat. For over 30 years, Sail Connections has been organizing yacht charters around Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, and Huahine. Known as the Leeward Society Islands, this stunning part of French Polynesia remains one of our most popular bareboat sailing destinations.
The magical Society Islands offer a sailing experience that surpasses the brochures. Majestic volcanic landscapes, blanketed in lush tropical vegetation, rise steeply from sparkling lagoons. Encircling coral reefs are dotted with small, uninhabited motu (islets), fringed by pristine sandy beaches, behind which vibrant coconut palms sway. Truly an island paradise!
The Leeward Society Islands are just a short flight or overnight passage from Tahiti, which is part of the Windward group. Adjacent to Tahiti is Moorea, the quintessential South Pacific landscape often seen in films. On an extended charter, you can explore both the Windward and Leeward Islands—provided you're ready for the overnight downwind passage*. A visit to the Windward Society Islands must include a stop at Cook’s Bay (Paopao Bay), where Captain James Cook’s crew enjoyed local hospitality in 1769.
These beautiful islands are in our Pacific backyard, and we know their waters best. Let us share our local sailing knowledge and personal experiences of French Polynesia sailboat charters in this perfect sailing holiday destination. We will secure the ideal boat for your vacation and assist with all aspects of your charter, from personalized itineraries to provisioning advice, ensuring you have the best possible holiday in one of the world’s most spectacular destinations.
The best time to take a French Polynesian sailing vacation is from May to October. The trade winds provide sensational sailing conditions at that time of year, while the weather is beautifully warm.
Talk to us about a customised Society Islands boat charter. The options will surprise you! Or for more on sail and motor boat charters in the wider French Polynesia, read about sailing holidays in the Tuamotu Islands and Marquesas Islands.
The scuba diving and snorkelling was amazing. Being able to pull up the boat wherever you want on these amazing sites was also fantastic.
The boat sailed like a dream and we made great time on all our inter-island passages (it helped that the wind was on our side too!)Dean, Australia, January 2020
* It is possible to do a 'one-way' charter from Tahiti island via Moorea to the Leeward islands, finishing at Raiatea and flying back to Papeete.
Quintessentially the South Pacific: the Glorious Society Islands
The Society Islands, a part of French Polynesia, have become iconic to Westerners through media and tourism promotion. Divided into the Windward and Leeward groups, these South Sea island jewels are now sophisticated tourist destinations, offering the choice to be as connected or as remote as you desire.
The Leeward Society Islands are by far the more popular destination for sailing holidays, typically accessed via a 40-minute flight from Papeete. The capital city, Papeete, is located on the island of Tahiti, which is part of the Windward group, alongside Moorea. While these islands attract fewer sailing vacationers, they still offer unique features to explore and their own distinct charm.
The Leeward Islands: Bora Bora, Raiatea, and Their Coral Island Gems
All the Leeward Islands feature well-marked, deep turquoise lagoons that offer smooth inshore sailing, with safe, sheltered havens perfect for overnight stays. Gaps in the surrounding reefs provide easy access to the open ocean and your next island adventure.
After a day of sailing or relaxing in a picture-perfect lagoon, moor your yacht and dine at a local restaurant. Enjoy authentic local cuisine or indulge in a five-star dining experience. Alternatively, drop anchor in a secluded spot and enjoy a BBQ aboard under a blanket of stars, savoring the peace, serenity, and the enchanting ambiance of the Society Islands’ unique tropical paradise.
Raiatea
The island of Raiatea serves as our yacht charter hub in the Leeward Islands. The town of Uturoa, the administrative center of the group, offers the best opportunity to provision your charter yacht. We are happy to provide guidance on what to buy and where to find it.
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 Aotearoa/New Zealand. It remains a mystery why the island's inhabitants would choose to leave this magical paradise. Admire the towering peaks of the island’s southern region, where magnificent waterfalls cascade into the sea. Spend your first few days relaxing and acclimatizing here, exploring the sheltered lagoon shared by Raiatea and Tahaa.
Raiatea is within easy sailing distance of the other stunning islands in the Leeward Group. From the base, it's 24 miles east and upwind to Huahine, and 22 miles northwest and downwind to Bora Bora.
Long walks along narrow coastal roads, big swims in crystal clear waters - some of the highlights.
Taha'a
Taha’a is the only island in the group that you can easily circumnavigate by charter yacht. The sweet tropical aromas of vanilla and frangipani fill the air on this lush, tranquil island. Taha’a remains true to its natural charm, untouched by commercialism, and is accessible only by boat. Ashore, stroll along the coral road that winds around the waterfront and meet the welcoming locals.
Take a safari tour into the island’s hinterland to visit the vanilla plantations—a botanical paradise! Discover the art of pearl cultivation at a local pearl farm, and learn about this fascinating industry. Dinghy to the shallows of the reef and explore the sandy, palm-fringed islets that surround the vibrant turquoise lagoon.
We had a great time at Ficus on Taha'a where we saw a very entertaining show and ate authentic Polynesian food which we enjoyed.
Huahine
Lure a deep-sea tuna during your windward passage to the legendary island of Huahine. Anchor your charter yacht off the village of Fare, where you can replenish your supplies. Explore the charm of this small island village, enjoy a horseback ride, or take a land tour to discover sacred archaeological sites that date back over 1,000 years. Anchor in the south of Huahine, take a leisurely stroll along the beach, and snorkel in the vibrant underwater world.
A favorite among our charter clients is the unique "round-the-island tour" of Huahine Iti. This tour takes you to special places that are inaccessible by boat, offering an exclusive glimpse into the island's hidden gems.
Totally awesome place. My wife and I enjoyed the remoteness we found in Avea Bay on Huahine. We had the place to ourselves.
Bora Bora
The fabled island where movies come to life—spend time in secluded anchorages and venture ashore to places only accessible by yacht. Sail to the eastern side and visit the Lagoonarium, then lose yourself in the stunning blues, greens, and turquoises of the breathtaking lagoon. Once you’ve mustered the courage to swim with the turtles, sharks, and rays, you'll undoubtedly consider this one of the highlights of your yacht charter holiday. Dine at the renowned Bora Bora Yacht Club, then spend a day ashore exploring the island by bicycle, scooter, or car along the scenic island road.
Highlights of the destination were anchoring off Ile Mahaea, Tahaa over 2m sandy bottom, beautiful for swimming and fishing. Mooring at Taurere, Piti Aau, Bora Bora was the highlight, with breathtaking scenery and beautiful swimming. Mooring near Anapa Pearl farm, Raiatea, beautiful snorkelling and the Pearl farm tour and more snorkelling was worthwhile.
Maupiti
On an extended charter of more than seven days, sail westward to the less-visited but equally stunning Maupiti, accessible through the Onoiau pass, best crossed in daylight. Maupiti is rich in prehistoric sites that can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle. From Maupiti, it's a long sail, with the wind forward of abeam, to Raiatea, where most charters conclude. A high level of sailing proficiency is required for this leg unless you've hired a skipper.
Getting to the Leeward Society Islands
Tahiti is served internationally through Faa'ā International Airport in Papeete. Air Tahiti operates scheduled flights to Raiatea and offers multi-island services. Flight schedules make both return and one-way charter itineraries easy to plan. Charters from the main island of Tahiti are also possible, but they require blue-water sailing experience and are typically undertaken with a paid skipper on an overnight passage.
One-way charters from Papeete to the Leeward Islands are available. As mentioned, these are always recommended with a hired skipper or full crew, sailing westward and then flying back to Raiatea to conclude your vacation.
The Windward Islands of Tahiti and Moorea: Tall peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls and tropical forests
The main island of Tahiti and nearby Moorea are typically visited on an extended (10-day or longer) charter that departs westward from Papeete. We always recommend such charters be done with a hired skipper due to the distance involved in crossing to the Leeward Islands. However, if you're not focused on sailing long distances and prefer a more relaxed time aboard by staying close to the main center, there is plenty to enjoy around these stunning islands.
It’s just a two-hour sail from your Papeete base to Cook's Bay. Take a 4WD tour to appreciate the landscape, or simply relax and enjoy the climate change after your international flight. Then, head around to Moorea’s other famous bay, Oponohu, where nature is at the forefront, and explore the island further by scooter or even horseback. The Ancestor’s Walk will connect you to the early Polynesian settlements of these islands.
Moorea’s waters are teeming with marine life, making it a fantastic place to snorkel and immerse yourself in the underwater world, especially in Haapiti Lagoon, where you can anchor on a large sandbank.
After looping around Moorea, sail the short distance back to Tahiti’s southwestern coastline, which is largely uninhabited with limited road access. Here you’ll find Teahupo’o, a world-renowned surfing spot with a safe anchorage. Another attraction is the Botanical Gardens, showcasing the islands’ native flora in all its colorful varieties. From there, you’ll return to Papeete via the sheltered west coast.
Opportunities to explore the island of Tahiti by charter boat are limited, so you may choose to spend a full 7-day charter around Moorea. This is just one of many options when planning your French Polynesian sailing holiday.
To Summarize
Take advantage of our in-depth sailing knowledge of the Society Islands. Ask us about the locations of our favorite anchorages, recommended itineraries, and all the best ways to make the most of your sailing holiday in French Polynesia.
Our client reviews about charter sailing in French Polynesia: The Society Islands
Rating: 4 / 5Review of the boat: the Bali 4.2 was 1 year old and very comfortable and well suited to island cruising with shallow draft. It had plenty of room for 6 people, having 4 double cabins and their own en-suites. Main cabin very comfortable. Fridge freezer adequate good. The rear of main cabin opened like a large garage door allowing space even when rain was around. Cooking was good, with stovetop, oven and outside bbq all used.
Highlights of the destination: anchoring off Ile Mahaea, Tahaa over 2m sandy bottom, beautiful for swimming and fishing. Mooring at Taurere, Piti Aau, Bora Bora was the highlight, with breathtaking scenery and beautiful swimming. Mooring near Anapa Pearl farm, Raiatea, beautiful snorkelling and the Pearl farm tour and more snorkelling was worthwhile.
How was our service? Sail Connections were very helpful, particularly facilitating the switch from troubled New Caledonia to French Polynesia. We worked out our 8 night itinerary but it would be good for Sail Charters to have a suggested itinerary. The Base Guide did have suggested stops but no sample itineraries, with simple chart. Phillip, Australia, Oct 3rd, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5The Saba 50 was an excellent choice. Extremely comfortable and spacious, equipped with everything we needed.
Our skipper Hugo and his lovely wife, added considerably to our enjoyment of the charter. The only discomfort for me was the foam cushions. Everything else was great.
We loved the snorkeling, fishing. Swam with reef sharks, rays and fish everywhere. Highlight was the coral garden in Raiatea and of course Bora Bora with its magnificent waters.
Your service and the advice given by Sue and Robert was excellent as that given by Tahiti Yacht Charters and our great crew.
Sydney, Australia, Jun 27th, 2023
Rating: 5 / 5The Lucia was great. we had a lot of fun and she did not let us down. There is one big complaint though and it is how hard the tender is to pull up on the Davits. I was able to do it but it was extremely heavy and if there was older or less fit people on board they would have had a terrible time.
Bora Bora and Huahine were amazing. On second thoughts everywhere was amazing.
Daniel, Australia, Jan 24th, 2023
Rating: 5 / 5The boat was amazing. We did have an issue with the water maker which couldn't be fixed on the run, but DYC happily reimbursed us for water that we had to buy and in addition compensated us more than fairly for the inconvenience.
The scuba diving and snorkelling was amazing. Being able to pull up the boat wherever you want on these amazing sites was also fantastic.
The boat sailed like a dream and we made great time on all our inter-island passages (it helped that the wind was on our side too!)
Your service was in line with the rest of the holiday. Trouble free, professional and a pleasure to deal with. Dean, Australia, Jan 21st, 2020
I just wanted to say a big thank you to you for your services since we booked our Tahiti charter. In particular Robert I really appreciated the time you took to talk with me on the phone to offer advice just before we left. Also your swift assistance with our torn UV sail strip was greatly appreciated. The charter went very well aside from the minor technical issues we encountered. The water was incredible and the weather was fantastic. Anon, New Zealand, Nov 7th, 2019
Rating: 5 / 5We sailed for two weeks in the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia in late May, 2019. The Dream Yacht Charter team was fantastic. Our boat, the 52' sloop ARZ, was a delight, very much up to the job of carrying our crew of 8 from island to island. Every minute of the trip was life-changingly dynamic, charged with beauty in land, sea, and people. We experienced the deepest peace combined with the greatest excitement, including a passage from Bora Bora in the midst of a suddenly appearing, un-forecast gale with 2-3 meter breaking wind waves slamming against directly opposing 2 meter swells. The boat performed beautifully in these challenging conditions.
Really, we couldn't imagine a more wonderful trip and greatly appreciate Sail Connections as our agent, who smoothed our way and was instrumental in our choice of charterer and vessel, and Dream Yacht Charter, who made it happen. Had taken an earlier cruise in Tahiti and had experienced some problems with the charter service. Robert talked to me in detail about those issues and reassured me that Dream Yacht Charters was excellent, and that he and the Sail Connections team would back us up and do all they could to smooth over any difficulties. Without this, I doubt if we would have taken the cruise. Both teams, Sail Connections and Dream Yacht Charters, were meticulous in making serious promises and keeping them. Ten out of ten. Paul, New Zealand, Jul 19th, 2019
Rating: 4 / 5The boat was well maintained with everything in good working order. Sail systems are easy to use, especially with the electric winch and the Catana sailed beautifully. Personally I do not like the steering stations at the stern of each hull as visibility to the opposite side is poor. But I knew that before we booked. The GPS is located inside the saloon which makes navigating more difficult compared to having a map alongside the steering. Overall a very comfortable sailing boat for 2 families.
Vanilla tour of Tahaa was amazing with Noah. Bora Bora is beautiful, though of course very touristy. Managed to swin with many reef sharks, eagle rays and a manta. Taputapuatea is worth the effort to visit being the centre of Polynesian migrations.
Your service was great. Quick responses to most questions and patience during the many changes. Craig, New Zealand, Jul 17th, 2019
Rating: 5 / 5"The water in Bora Bora was amazing. We found the Bali 4.5 to be an excellent boat for cruising the lagoons around Bora Bora, Taha'a and Raiatea." Glenn, Australia, Nov 4th, 2018
Rating: 5 / 5Practically new boat, so was in great shape. We liked the design, equipage, etc. Everything was as advertised and cannot think of anything serious to complain about. Quite comfortable. We would go back to the Leeward Islands of Tahiti in a speedy minute. Spectacular scenery, not at all crowded, felt private in all our anchorages. Nice, friendly people. Robert, USA, Jul 31st, 2018
First rate service in all respects. At the end of the charter we were practically ready to adopt our skipper and hostess. We truly enjoyed their company as well as high level of competence and knowledge. Checking in and out was a snap. We had such a great experience with Sail Connections, our boat and itinerary. Robert & Pat, USA, Jul 19th, 2018
"What a truly magical trip it was! The islands were stunning, the crew was amazing. We had an amazing trip and truly kicked back. We snorkelled so much in such amazing underwater coral gardens and reefs - outstanding! The local Champion in Raiatea is as good as any grocer here in Toronto. Good supplies in Bora as well, and pizza too! The base crew in Raiatea were great, most knowledgeable and helpful It was a most amazing time. Thank you for all of your help in making this all come together." Patti, Canada, Nov 30th, 2017
Totally awesome place and a trip of a lifetime! My wife and I enjoyed the remoteness we found in Avea Bay on Huahine. We had the place to ourselves. We enjoyed learning about the culture and had a great time at Ficus on Tahaa where we saw a very entertaining show and ate authentic Polynesian food which we enjoyed. We met some great people on our trip. The sailing provided a mix of adventure and relaxation. The natural offerings were spectacular and we enjoyed snorkeling where we saw many beautiful fish and several Manta Rays. Awesome. Robert, USA, Feb 28th, 2016
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