Tahiti

While on Raiatea, head to the Anapa Pearl Farm with its pearl divers, rare aquatic reserve and coral garden. Make a tour reservation, then take a mooring at the farm and learn all about pearls. Afterwards, explore the lagoon or hike through the rainforest to spot Tiare Apetahi, a very rare flower.

During your Tahiti yacht charter, anchor at Motu To’opua on Bora Bora and enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Take a mooring at the Bloody Mary’s restaurant, enjoy a cocktail and marvel at their huge list of famous guests.

The coral garden at Taurere Bay is the most renowned snorkeling spot on Taha’a. Don your snorkel and float through channels of moving water while the current carries you over the breathtaking coral. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular things to do in Tahiti, as you’ll get to see an amazing variety of coral, sea anemone and fish, even octopus and rays!

The river Aoppomau that flows into the very end of Fa’aroa Bay can be explored by dinghy (with no motoring) or better, with kayaks or paddle board. The peace and quiet of this tropical jungle is wonderful, with only bird songs to accompany you. Above the trees, catch glimpses of towering Mount Tefatuaiti.

One of the top things to do in Tahiti, sail to Huahine and explore Fare’s shops and restaurants and pick up fresh fruit on a Sunday at the market. Explore Maeva village with its archaeological sites and head to the lagoon for some amazing photographs.

Tahiti is located in the south of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 6,000km east of Australia and 7,000km west of Chile.

The official language spoken in Tahiti is Tahitian, although French is also used. English is often spoken in tourist and resort areas.

The currency in Tahiti is the Pacific Franc (CFP).

To sail Tahiti make sure your documentation is in order to travel, including a valid US passport. No visas are required for US citizens for stays of less than three months.

Talk to us to make sure you have the correct documents before you travel.

Getting around Tahiti needs a little planning and you’ll need a car or scooter, or arrange transport. There are a few rental firms on the island but compare prices. We can help you arrange a transfer for the short distance between the airport and our base.

If you need an organized transfer from the airport, please contact our base manager.

The internet is slow and expensive in the region. You can access Wi-Fi at our marina, at Uturoa market and in some restaurants during your Tahiti yacht charter. You can find internet cafes in Uturoa, Bora Bora and Papeete town.

We recommend you buy a local sim card for your mobile (if not blocked on your provider), or rent a mobile at the base for a 3G permanent connection.

Sailing in the lagoons of French Polynesia is restricted to daylight hours and you must remain at anchor between sunset and sunrise.

The authorized sailing area extends around the islands of Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, Huahine and Maupiti for the Leewards, as well as Tahiti and Moorea in case of a one-way Papeete charter. No shelter or stopover is possible in Tupai. Mopelia has no cell phone network coverage at all, and is very limited in the Tuamotu. If you intend to sail these islands, please notify our base in advance.

Polynesia is an exceptional place but also fragile. The waters around the island are clear and pollution is minimal. Many of the local inhabitants use the ocean as their main source of food. It is therefore very important that all visitors cruising the Tahitian Islands do as much as possible to protect the undersea environment so the future of Tahiti remains healthy. Don’t anchor where you risk damaging coral and do not collect any live shells or coral. Take care of your garbage and take care not to disturb nature. Stay 100ft away from dolphins and 160ft away from a whale (330ft if it has a calf).

Catching and eating reef fish is not recommended. There are areas in the lagoon that are infected with ciguatera, which is a toxin caused by microscopic algae and it renders fish inedible. Fish sold in markets are good for eating.

Women should not wear bathing suits in the villages, so keep a t-shirt and shorts handy when in the villages or near locals.

You can find Tahiti weather forecasts on the WindGuru website or on VHF Channel 13 (in French).

There are plenty of choices for provisioning in Tahiti, please refer to the base guide.

Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.

The land electrical current in Tahiti is 220V.

The dialing code for Tahiti is +689.

Day 1: After orientation at Marina Uturoa, Raiatea, set sail for the east side of Taha’a. Head for amazing diving at the coral reef or head onto the Passe Toahotu. Overnight and eat onboard.

Day 2: Sail five or six hours to Avamoa Pass, Huahine. Make sure you visit Fare, a typical friendly Polynesian village with some boutiques and small restaurants.

Day 3: Cruise along the sandy coastline to Avea Bay, then sail to the Huahine Lagoon. This is a tranquil area, with a well protected anchorage, which should give a weary crew a restful night’s sleep.

Day 4: You can’t visit the area without going to the Anapa Pearl Farm, Raiatea. Call to reserve a tour, then moor at the farm. Take your dinner aboard and prepare to sail back to base.

Day 1: Get to know, Raiatea, the heart of Polynesian culture. Then focus on resting by eating dinner on board as your Tahitian adventure is just beginning!

Day 2: Head to the Anapa Pearl Farm with its pearl divers, rare aquatic reserve and coral garden. Make a tour reservation, then take a mooring at the farm and learn all about pearls. Afterwards, explore the lagoon or hike through the rainforest to spot Tiare Apetahi, a very rare flower.

Day 3: Anchor at Motu Toopua on Bora Bora and enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Take a mooring at the Bloody Mary’s restaurant and marvel at their huge list of famous guests.

Day 4: Sail to the east side of the lagoon, where you can swim with turtles, rays, sharks and fish. In the afternoon, sail the southern shore of the island and explore the magnificent coral reef.

Day 5: Sail to the east side of Taha’a and explore the amazing coral reef or Passe Toahotu. Stay onboard for dinner and get a decent night’s sleep.

Day 6: Sail to Huahine and visit Fare, where you will find a warm local welcome in this Polynesian village. Browse the boutiques and get a bite to eat in the small restaurants.

Day 7: Cruise to Avea Bay, then sail to Huahine Lagoon, with deep clear waters and gleaming white sand. The anchorage in this bay is very well-protected and should provide a restful night.

Day 8: Sail downwind to Raiatea, dine ashore and sail back to base.

Day 1: Sail from the base to Motu Mahaea, Taha’a for a spot of reef exploration and swimming in clear azure waters. Spend the night at Ha’amene Bay, anchoring north east of the small village. Take a dinghy to restaurant Tahaa Maitai. Book in advance.

Day 2: Head 22 nm to Bora Bora with a fast downwind passage. Anchor west of the Motu Toopua, swim and snorkel before mooring at the Bloody Mary’s. Great restaurant. Refill water at the dock.

Day 3: Explore the lagoon and sail to the east side of the Bora Bora lagoon with its many spots for anchor. Visit the Lagoonarium and swim with the rays, sharks, and turtles.

Day 4: Head back to Raiatea. Make sure you start very early for a long passage to Hurepiti Bay Taha’a. Book a tour for an excursion in the Taha’a mountain and for a mooring buoy. Overnight on the mooring and dine onboard.

Day 5: After breakfast, hike Taha’a mountain and sail to the Anapa Pearl Farm. Overnight at the mooring.

Day 6: Snorkel on the reef around the boat. Tour the pearl farm to learn about why the region is famous for pearls. Sail to Taha’a east coast and stop at the Vahine Island resort. Moor overnight and dine at the excellent restaurant.

Day 7: Sail to Huahine and anchor in Fare, a typical small village. Amble around the boutiques, bar and restaurants on the sea front. Refill water at the dock.

Day 8: Sail to the south and anchor in the beautiful bay of Avea, where there is fantastic snorkeling on the coral heads. The shore is great for a relaxing walk among beautiful scenery. Dine at the restaurants on the beach.

Day 9: Passage Huahine- Raiatea downwind, where you’ll find good fishing for tuna or mahi mahi. Enter the Irihu Pass and take a mooring in the Faaroa Bay.

Day 10: Head back to base.

Day 1: Spend your first day in Raiatea, also known as “faraway heaven”, and get to know the local area and your boat.

Day 2: The region is famous for its pearls so make sure you visit Anapa Pearl Farm to learn about them. Make a reservation for a tour, moor at the farm and explore.

Day 3: Cruise to Bora Bora and anchor at Motu Toopua to swim and snorkel in some of the best waters in Polynesia. For food, moor at the Bloody Mary’s restaurant where you may spot a celebrity or two.

Day 4: Sail at sunrise to Raiatea, the second largest of the Society Islands. Take time to relax, explore the lagoon, hike through the rainforest, take a jeep safari and look for Tiare Apetahi, a very rare flower.

Day 5: Head for the east side of Taha’a to snorkel in sun sparkling waters at the coral reef, or in the Passe Toahotu.

Day 6: Make your way to Huahine, which is quieter than Bora Bora and Moorea. Visit the main town of Fare, which has some boutiques and small restaurants. Or, you can visit its Sunday outdoor market, which is known for its fruit.

Day 7: Travel to Avea Bay, then sail along the Huahine Lagoon with a wonderful backdrop of emerald green vegetation. The well protected anchorage here will provide a restful sleep for the crew.

Day 8: Cruise back to Raiatea to explore the lush rainforest and sparkling lagoon. Dine aboard and rest for an early morning sail.

Day 9: Head to Moorea, a key destination for snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and paddle-boarding. On shore, discover the well-kept hiking trails and get to know the local flora and fauna. Whales and dolphins are abundant here, so book a whale-watching tour or a meet-and-greet with some playful porpoises.

Day 10: Sail to Tahiti, Queen of the Pacific, and the largest island in the French Polynesia. Marvel at the landscape, which is dominated by extinct volcanoes.

Day 11: Explore Tahiti.

Day 1: Head from Raiatea to the Motu Mahaea, Taha’a, for reef snorkeling and swimming. Overnight at Ha’amene Bay with dinner at the Tahaa Maitai (make an advance reservation).

Day 2: Sail 25 nm to Huahine with a stopover at the main town of Fare. Meet the friendly locals and browse the shops and restaurants on the sea front. Refill water at the dock.

Day 3: Sail south and anchor in the beautiful bay of Avea for superb snorkeling among the colorful coral. Here you can swim with the manta rays along the sand edge or walk along the east side of the cape. Dine at Relais Mahana.

Day 4: Passage Huahine- Raiatea downwind, where you’ll find good fishing for tuna or mahi mahi. Enter the Irihu Pass and take a mooring in the Fa’aroa Bay.

Day 5: Take the kayaks or dinghy along the mangrove river (no engine allowed) and visit the botanical garden beyond the wooden dock. Sail to Hotopuu Bay for a stopover at Taputapuatea Marae, the most important religious site in the Polynesia. Overnight at Motu Nao Nao.

Day 6: Sail to the Punaeroa Pass for a downwind passage to Bora Bora and anchor on the west side of Motu Toopua.

Day 7: Sail to the east side of the Bora Bora lagoon where you have plenty of anchorage choices. Swim with rays, sharks, and turtles at the protected Lagoonarium. Dine with a BBQ onboard.

Day 8: Head back to the west of the lagoon and moor for dinner at the famous Bloody Mary’s where you may spot some celebrities! Refill water on the dock.

Day 9: Day sail to Tupai, a deserted atoll, to enjoy a spot of fishing. Head back to Motu Toopua for the night.

Day 10: Passage for Maupiti, a small coral atoll. Check the condition of the pass as conditions may be too rough. Postpone or take the ferry for a day visit to Maupiti.

Day 11: Visit the island, walk around the shore and snorkel the reef. Dine at Tarona, overlooking the lagoon.

Day 12: Sail to Bora Bora, mooring at Bora Bora Yacht Club. Refill water and have dinner ashore.

Day 13: Sail to Taha’a. Call ahead for a mooring buoy in the Hurepiti Bay and book a tour (Tel: 65 62 46 VHF 9) or anchor in the bay. Overnight on the mooring and have dinner aboard.

Day 14: After breakfast, head back to base at Raiatea. Stopover at the fuel station at the entrance of the marina for fuel and diesel refill, then call the base for docking assistance.