Sailing and Yacht Charters in French Polynesia

Most charters start on Raiatea, where several major charter companies keep fleets of monohulls and catamarans. You fly from Papeete in about 45 minutes, provision in Uturoa and are sailing the next morning.

Raiatea’s lagoon, shared with Taha’a, is a gentle place to find your feet before the open-water crossings to Huahine and Bora Bora. Some itineraries begin on Tahiti for Moorea and the Windward Islands.

A week to ten days covers the Leeward loop comfortably:

Bareboat charters suit experienced skippers. Passages between islands cross open ocean, and lagoon navigation means reading coral heads and channel markers in good light. Companies ask for a detailed sailing résumé, and some require a recognized certificate; if in doubt, hire a skipper for the first day or the whole trip.

A crewed catamaran with captain and cook is the relaxed option, ideal for families, honeymooners and groups who want local knowledge and meals taken care of. For a different style of sea voyage, compare small-ship French Polynesia cruises.

May to October brings steady southeast trade winds and drier weather, the favorite sailing season. In midwinter the maraamu can blow hard for days, making passages rough; plan buffer days. November to April brings lighter winds, more squalls and the cyclone season, when some charter terms change.

Our best time to visit guide explains the seasons in more detail.

The Tuamotu atolls are an overnight passage or more from the Society Islands, and entering their passes means timing tides and currents. They suit experienced crews or crewed charters; ask about one-way options.

Several lagoons regulate anchoring and mooring zones to protect coral, and rules vary by island. Your charter company briefs you on current zones; use mooring buoys where provided, and never drop anchor on coral.