Yacht Charter in French Polynesia

The South Pacific is a remote destination in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, and its remoteness is one of its charms. The French Polynesian group of archipelagos is one of the most beautiful places on earth, with 118 islands located in a span of 2 million square miles. To get the best of this tropical paradise, there's only one way to visit the best ones in styles, and that's onboard a luxury yacht.

Marinas are found in most of the destinations, such as Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Moorea, but on islands where luxury resorts are nowhere to be found, safe anchorages on bays and safe harbours offer protected refuge for yacht charters that cruise the Pacific. All kinds and sizes of yachts can be chartered from sailboats to catamarans, to superyachts, to monohulls, you won't have a problem finding the perfect boat for you and your family or friends.

With yacht charters one of the top ways to explore French Polynesia, you'll find a great variety of yacht charter options to choose from. Prices vary on a number of factors such as the size of the yacht, the type of yacht you want to charter, the rental duration, the destinations, as well as the number of people on board.

A 111-foot sailboat for 7 adults can cost around $70,000 for a week, while a 138-foot catamaran for 8 people can cost $128,000 per week. For a 145-foot catamaran that can accommodate a group of 12 adults, it can cost about $260,000 per week, while a 197-foot superyacht for 12 adults can cost about $375,000 for a full week of cruising around the islands.

All-year-round trade winds and mild climate make the group of Islands a fantastic superyacht charter destination. With a tropical climate, French Polynesia experiences two seasons: the dry and the wet seasons. The dry season is the best time of the year for yacht charters and cruises, with sunshine and blue skies every day during the months of May to October. The wet season falls between November to April and characterised by heavy rains and storms.

Tahiti is one of the most popular islands in French Polynesia, and if you've chosen to stay at a luxury villa or 5-star resort on the island, then you'd want to explore more of what the archipelago has to offer. If you only have 2 days to hit the waters, then an overnight yacht charter to Moorea island is a definite must.

Travel time to Moorea from Tahiti can take around 30 to 40 minutes, which means you can start early in the morning to arrive in Moorea just before noon. Indulge yourself in fresh seafood grilled in one of the beach cafes before you explore the wonders of the island. ATVs through the lush forests, a scooter ride to navigate the island, horseback riding, outdoor adventures, and authentic local culture are waiting for you to explore.

You can then head back to your yacht where it is moored on a bay, and you get to sleep under the stars on the deck or in the comforts of your luxury cabin. In the morning, have breakfast on the boat, and explore Moorea one last time, before hopping back and heading your way back to Tahiti, just as the sun sets on the vast Pacific Ocean.

With over 100 islands, there's simply so much to explore in French Polynesia that week-long yacht charters are the norm. You can choose from which island you want to jumpstart your expedition, but Tahiti is the most popular of all since the capital of Papeete is found here, as well as its lone international airport. A week-long French Polynesia yacht charter itinerary can include the following:

Day 1: Tahiti

Cruise along the coast of Tahiti and explore the beautiful beaches and coves found within the island. Moor on a secluded bay, dive into the waters and discover ancient shipwrecks and coral reefs, and spend the night on the bay.

Day 2: Moorea

Come morning, enjoy breakfast on deck before making your way to Moorea, which is found 12 km from Tahiti, and reachable within 30 to 40 minutes. Disembark and enjoy an entire day of exploration and adventure on the island. Get back on the boat at the end of the day, where you will stay the night and prepare for the next morning.

Day 3: Huahine

Dubbed as the "Garden Island," Huahine offers lush jungles and smooth white sand beaches. A sand bar appears when the tide is out, and you can kayak down its secluded lagoons and streams.

Day 4: Raiatea

Dubbed as "Faraway Heaven," Raiatea features beautiful mountains with religious temples and sacred statues buried in its foothills. A pearl farm is also found on the island, as well as a tranquil lagoon that conceals an expansive coral garden located just off the shore.

Day 5: Taha'a

Home of vanilla plantations, you can smell the aroma of sweet vanilla on any given day. Vanilla Island, as it's also called, features a translucent lagoon and powder-sand beaches.

Day 6: Bora Bora

Considered to be the crown jewel of French Polynesia, it is home to ivory beaches, a large barrier reef, a famous lagoon, glassy turquoise waters, and beautiful overwater luxury villas. An airport is located in Motu Mute, which serves Bora Bora, offering one-hour flights back to Tahiti, or you can cruise back to Tahiti, which takes about 12 hours cruising time.

To truly enjoy French Polynesia, staying on one island or two won't be enough. To truly understand how beautiful this region is, a week-long yacht charter exploring the spectacular scenery and natural wonders this region has to offer is the most paradisiac experience to behold.