Special Edition / Tahiti Yacht Charter: The ultimate sailing experience in Polynesia

© Bertrand Duquenne

With Tahiti Yacht Charter, every traveler has the opportunity to experience a unique adventure in the heart of one of the world's most fascinating destinations, Polynesia. Whether you're looking for a relaxing cruise to the Leeward Islands or a more adventurous exploration of the Tuamotus, Tahiti Yacht Charter's dedicated team is there to accompany every customer on this exceptional experience, where sailing, discovery and wonder come together in harmony.

Tahiti Yacht Charter, a renowned group in Polynesia

Over the past 35 years, Tahiti Yacht Charter has grown up like a real family, evolving day by day to become a small group renowned in the Polynesian sailing world. With a fleet of around thirty 36 to 63-foot boats, all catamarans, the company has adapted to the changing comfort and preferences of its customers, as well as to the region's specific environmental conditions. In particular, this adaptation has resulted in a switch from monohulls to multihulls, which are now perfectly in tune with the requirements of Polynesian destinations. The fleet is made up exclusively of boats from French shipyards represented by the Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and Excess brands.

La base de Tahiti Yacht Charter © J.Tor
Tahiti Yacht Charter base © J.Tor

Sailing in the heart of paradise, French Polynesia

The essence of Tahiti Yacht Charter's offer lies in the opportunity to sail in the heart of one of the world's largest and most captivating maritime territories: French Polynesia. With its 118 islands spread over five archipelagos, Polynesia offers an incomparable playground of crystal-clear waters, endless lagoons and breathtaking scenery. With a playground the size of Europe, distances between islands are relatively long. That's why Polynesian sailing requires you to concentrate on just one archipelago at a time.

Un accompagnement haut de gamme © Grégoire Le Bacon
A top-of-the-range accompaniment © Grégoire Le Bacon

The Leeward Islands, jewels of Polynesian society

Among the Polynesian archipelagos, the Society Islands stand out as the most emblematic and most visited. It comprises the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands, including Raiatea, Huahine, Bora-Bora and Taha'a. Anchored in Raiatea, Tahiti Yacht Charter offers travelers the chance to discover these paradise islands, where the short distances between islands make it easy to explore the turquoise waters and lush mountain landscapes of all five archipelagos.

Découverte de l'archipel
Discovering the archipelago

Unparalleled cultural immersion

Beyond the pleasures of sailing and breathtaking scenery, a cruise with Tahiti Yacht Charter offers total immersion in the rich culture of Polynesia. Huahine is also known as the "Garden of Eden", with its lush vegetation, archaeological sites, "marae" - ancient Polynesian temples - and fish traps. Taha'a, nicknamed the Vanilla Island, is renowned for its Tahitian vanilla, which is highly fragrant and much sought-after in cooking. On the island of Raiatea, the Taputapu?tea Marae is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This great Polynesian stone temple - the largest in the archipelago - was a place for cultural and religious events, and was used to induct children into adulthood. Last but not least, Bora-Bora is famous for its lagoon, with its 7 shades of turquoise blue due to the varied depths of the sea.

Jardin de corail © TYC & G.LeBacon
Coral garden © TYC & G.LeBacon

From the sea, you'll be able to access the islands' hidden treasures, easily discover a vanilla plantation, go snorkelling, discover villages on a mountain hike...

Bora Bora © Tahiti Tourisme Mark Fitz
Bora Bora © Tahiti Tourisme Mark Fitz

Into the unknown: Tuamotu and other far-flung destinations

For the more adventurous, Tahiti Yacht Charter also offers cruises to the Tuamotus. These more adventurous trips offer an authentic Polynesian experience, far from the beaten track and as close as possible to unspoilt wilderness. Reserved for a select few, these cruises are recommended for a second stay. Indeed, the distances between atolls sometimes require 10-12 h sailing, including night watches. They are also less protected by the absence of mountains, with choppier seas. While the Leeward Islands can be explored with or without a skipper, given the easy-to-navigate waters, this is not the case for the Tuamotus, where the presence of a skipper is essential, with a very unmarked stretch of water and numerous outcrops of coral.

L'île de Taha'a © Tahiti Tourisme Gregoire Le Bacon Tahiti Nui Helicopters
The island of Taha'a © Tahiti Tourisme Gregoire Le Bacon Tahiti Nui Helicopters

Practical tips for a successful cruise

To make the most of their trip, Tahiti Yacht Charter provides its customers with invaluable advice. From recommendations on the best times to sail, to suggestions for activities ashore, to the best places to eat, every detail is taken into account to ensure an unforgettable experience. Arrival in Tahiti is via a 40-minute domestic flight to the island of Raïatea, where the base is just 5 minutes from the airport.

In Polynesia, you can sail all year round; there's no winter. However, January and February are a little wetter. The high season is summer, but it's also the busiest time of the year, so book well in advance. Air and cruise fares are also higher. Tahiti Yacht Charter recommends the mid-seasons, from March to June and September to November. Fares are more affordable, and there's a wider choice of services and boats.

Bora Bora © gregoirelebacon
Bora Bora © gregoirelebacon
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