
Tahiti Sailing Holidays
The South Pacific island of Tahiti and the neighboring islands of French Polynesia may be the closest you will ever come to paradise on earth.
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Sailing Tahiti islands

Part of the Society Islands, Tahiti is bursting with exciting marine life, emerald volcanic peaks and vivid exotic flowers, making it the perfect destination for a yacht charter.
This area boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, all of which you can explore on your Tahiti sailing holidays – from green-topped mountains and perfect white sand beaches to calm aquamarine seas and protected turquoise lagoons.
Cooled by the trade winds of the Pacific, Tahiti enjoys a pleasant, sunny climate which, along with volcanic landscape and warm tropical waters, has created a diverse ecosystem of interesting plants and animals.
Begin your Tahiti sailing trip on the island of Raiatea to explore its archaeological remains and impressive lagoon, then head to Motu To’opua under the familiar peaks of Bora Bora. It’s the perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Take a trip to Huahine while sailing Tahiti’s islands and visit the small village of Fare, where you will find a warm Polynesian welcome. Browse the boutiques and get a bite to eat in the small restaurants.
Whatever itinerary you choose, a holiday here is unmatched for sheer beauty, sunny skies, wonderful beaches and friendly smiles.
Choose charter type below to see available charters options
SailShare
Aqualodge
Motor Yachts
Things to do in Tahiti

Visit the Anapa Pearl Farm
While on Raiatea, head to the Anapa Pearl Farm with its pearl divers, 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 the Tiare Apetahi, a very rare flower.
Anchor at Bora Bora
During your Tahiti sailing holidays, anchor at Motu To’opua on Bora Bora and enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Take a mooring at the Bloody Mary’s restaurant at the Bora Bora Yacht Club, enjoy a cocktail and marvel at their huge list of famous guests.
Drift snorkeling at Taha’a
The coral garden at Taurere Bay is the most renowned snorkeling spot on Taha’a. Put on your snorkel and float through channels of moving water while the current carries you over the breathtaking coral. You’ll get to see an amazing variety of coral, sea anemone and fish, even octopus and rays. No wonder it’s one of the most popular things to do in Tahiti.
Navigate the mangrove river
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 boards. 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.
Visit Huahine Lagoon
One of the top things to do in Tahiti is to 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.
Weather insights

When is the best time to go to Tahiti?
Tahiti has two seasons, with the wet and warm season coming between November and April and the dry, cool season between May and September (averaging 75°F) with the driest months in June and August.
The best time to visit Tahiti is between April/May and September/October.
What are the sailing conditions in Tahiti?
The Leeward Islands’ prevailing winds are easterly and southeasterly between 15 and 20 knots, increasing to 25 knots. With these conditions, the sea can be choppy with a swell of three to five feet.
The maraamu wind can blow June to August from the southeast between 25 and 35 knots. Swells can reach 8-9ft in open waters and last for a few days. Passages from Bora Bora to Taha’a can be uncomfortable, as there’s exposure to a large swell.
The navigation inside the lagoon is very specific and easy with marked channels. Stay in the channels as it is very difficult and dangerous outside of them. Take care anchoring as lagoons are very deep – only anchor in less than 30ft of water on sandy, coral-free ground.
For mooring in Tahiti, restaurants like the Bora Bora Yacht Club, La Pirogue Api, and Hotel Hibiscus have their own moorings you can use. There are some moorings in the Leewards, such as Bay Fa’aroa in Raiatea, but you are responsible for checking if the rope is in good shape.

Sailing Tahiti Islands with Dream Yacht Charter
Tahiti sailing holidays
Tahiti sailing holidays mean you can discover the wonders of the Society Islands. Sail Tahiti from the water’s edge with our fleet of catamarans and monohulls.
Skippered yacht charters Tahiti
You can enjoy sailing Tahiti even if you don’t know how to sail. Hire a skipper to sail you and your guests while you relax.
By the cabin Tahiti
Relax and enjoy Tahiti without lifting a finger on your holiday. Leave the planning, sailing and cooking to us with our by the cabin charters. Reserve your own private cabin and bathroom and we’ll look after you.
Tahiti crewed charters
Personalize your Tahiti sailing holiday and hire your own private luxury yacht. Let our captain and chef look after you and your guests while you choose the itinerary and menu for an ultimate all-inclusive experience.

Tahiti sailing itinerary
Take a look at our Tahiti sailing holiday suggestions
Useful information for Tahiti yacht charters

Where is Tahiti located?
Tahiti is located in the south of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 6,000km east of Australia and 7,000km west of Chile.
How do I get to Tahiti from the US?
To get to our base ahead of your Tahiti sailing holiday, fly into Raiatea Airport (RFP) via daily flights from Fa’a’ā International Airport on nearby Papeete.
We can arrange airport transfers on request, which take about 15 minutes via taxi.
Excess baggage charges can be very expensive, especially on the small planes between Papeete and Raiatea or the other islands.
What language is spoken in Tahiti?
The official language spoken in Tahiti is Tahitian, although French is also used. English is often spoken in tourist and resort areas.
What is the currency for Tahiti?
The currency in Tahiti is the Pacific Franc (CFP).
What documents do I need for sailing Tahiti’s Island?
To sail Tahiti you’ll need 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.
How do I get around Tahiti?
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 do compare prices. We can help you arrange a transfer for the short distance between the airport and our base.
What is the Wi-Fi like in Tahiti?
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 sailing holidays. 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 permanent 3G connection.
What regulations are there in Tahiti?
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 do not 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.
Where can I find weather forecasts in Tahiti?
You can find Tahiti weather forecasts on the Windguru website or on VHF Channel 13 (in French).
What provisioning is there in Tahiti?
There are plenty of choices for provisioning in Tahiti. Please refer to the base guide.
You can buy your seafood directly from local fishermen, just wave at them if you want to buy their catch.
What baggage can I take on my Tahiti sailing holiday?
Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.
What is the electrical current in Tahiti?
The land electrical current in Tahiti is 220V.
What is the dialing code for Tahiti?
The dialing code for Tahiti is +689.
Downloads
Polynesia, Bora bora
Polynesia, Raiatea
Polynesia, Rangiroa
Polynesia, Tahiti
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhat is the cancellation policy for Sail Share?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits.
Our Sail Share cabin cancellation fees are:
- More than 90 days before original embarkation date: 25% of the charter fee
- 89 – 60 days before original embarkation date: 50% of the charter fee
- 59 – 30 days before original embarkation date: 75% of the charter fee
- Fewer than 29 days before original embarkation date: 100% of the charter fee
How flexible is the itinerary for a Sail Share charter?
Our yacht itineraries are designed by our destination experts and are set to showcase the best of the destination’s highlights. They are set and not flexible, even if you book all the cabins.
What happens if the weather changes while sailing on a Sail Share charter?
The skipper may decide to change the itinerary if there is bad weather.
Can I choose which cabin I want when I book a Sail Share?
Choose a double cabin with shared bath, or private bath for an additional fee.
Are there child or age restrictions for Sail Share?
Minimum Age: 16 years old
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