French Polynesia Yacht Charter

French Polynesia is not a single destination; it's an operational choice between two distinct worlds. The Society Islands are the world's most magnificent lagoon system, a protected playground for luxury catamarans. The Tuamotus are a raw, oceanic frontier for serious divers and explorers, requiring a different class of yacht and a commitment to open-water passage. Understanding this distinction is the first step in structuring a charter that delivers on the promise.

The cruising ground

The operational heart of any charter here is the Leeward group of the Society Islands. This is a cluster of high volcanic islands—Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, and Huahine—each completely encircled by a protective coral reef. The waters inside these lagoons are calm, gin-clear, and relatively shallow, creating a vast, protected cruising area with simple line-of-sight navigation between passes. The distances are manageable; you can sail from Raiatea to Bora Bora in a morning. This is the Polynesia of postcards, defined by overwater bungalows, lush green peaks, and tranquil anchorages. It's the perfect theater for a high-end crewed catamaran.

Two hundred nautical miles to the northeast lie the Tuamotu Archipelago. This is a different proposition entirely. These are not high islands but low-lying coral atolls, mere rings of sand and palm trees encircling deep, current-swept lagoons. The appeal here is sub-surface: world-class drift diving and megafauna encounters in the passes of Fakarava, Rangiroa, and Tikehau. Cruising the Tuamotus involves open-ocean passages between atolls and requires a vessel with the range, stability, and equipment—typically a motor yacht of 40m+ or a dedicated expedition vessel—to handle the exposed conditions and provide a proper dive setup. It's a logistical step-up for a more adventurous client.

Bases and clearance

Your port of entry will be Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, on the island of Tahiti. While some larger superyachts may start a charter here to include a stop at Moorea, this is not the primary charter hub. The operational reality for the vast majority of the crewed catamaran fleet is that they are based on the island of Raiatea. This is the nautical center of the Society Islands, home to the best service facilities and the most experienced crews.

From Papeete, you will take a 45-minute domestic flight on Air Tahiti to Raiatea Airport (RFP). Your captain will arrange for a private transfer from the airport to the yacht, which will typically be waiting at Marina Apooiti or a private mooring nearby. We handle all the flight and transfer logistics; you simply walk off your international flight, are guided to the domestic terminal, and step into paradise. Clearance is straightforward for most nationalities, handled upon arrival at PPT. The key takeaway is to factor in the short, scenic domestic flight as a mandatory and seamless part of your journey to the cruising ground.

Where to drop the hook

In the Society Islands, the options are superb and varied. A typical itinerary focuses on the "big four" of the Leeward Islands.

• Taha'a: Sharing a lagoon with Raiatea, this is your perfect first-night stop. We'll anchor in Ha'amene Bay and arrange a private guide for a tour of a family-run vanilla plantation the next morning. The must-do activity is the drift snorkel at the "Coral Garden," a shallow channel between two motus where you let the gentle current carry you over a spectacular reef. For dinner, your chef can source fish directly from local fishermen, or we can book a table at the Taha'a Island Resort & Spa for a change of scenery.

• Bora Bora: The approach through Teavanui Pass, with Mount Otemanu dead ahead, is unforgettable. Inside the lagoon, the best anchorage is in the east, with a view back towards the mountain. From here, the entire lagoon is your playground. We can arrange a private guide to take you to the stingray and blacktip shark feeding spots—it's touristy but a genuine thrill. For an exclusive afternoon, we'll anchor off Motu Toopua and tender you to Bloody Mary's for its iconic atmosphere, or for a more refined evening, secure a mooring and book dinner at the Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges at the St. Regis.

• Huahine: Known as "the wild island," this is the most authentic and least developed of the group. We'll enter through Avapeihi Pass and anchor in the protected Bourayne Bay. Ashore, you can explore the small town of Fare, visit the ancient marae (sacred sites), and see the famous blue-eyed eels. The pace here is slower, the vibe more connected to traditional Polynesian life. It's the perfect counterpoint to the polished luxury of Bora Bora.

For those venturing to the Tuamotus, the anchorages are all about positioning for the dive.

• Fakarava: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The target is the South Pass (Tetamanu). We anchor the yacht inside the lagoon nearby, and the tender takes you out for the drift dive. Timed with the incoming tide, you'll be carried through the pass alongside literally hundreds of grey reef sharks—the famous "wall of sharks." It is one of the planet's great diving spectacles.

• Rangiroa: The goal here is Tiputa Pass. This is the spot for dolphin encounters; they famously play in the standing waves created by the current. The drift dive is fast and exhilarating. Inside the lagoon, we can tender to the "Blue Lagoon," a lagoon-within-a-lagoon, or visit a black pearl farm.

Weather and season

The charter season is dictated by the trade winds and cyclone risk. The prime window is the dry season, from May through October. During these months, the weather is dominated by the southeasterly trade winds (the mara'amu), which are consistent and keep the humidity down. Expect temperatures around 28°C (82°F) and plenty of sunshine. This is the ideal time for cruising the Society Islands.

The wet season runs from November through April. This period sees higher humidity, more rainfall, and lighter, more variable winds. The critical factor is that this is also the cyclone season. While a direct hit on the Society Islands is rare, the risk is real, and many yachts will not operate charters during the peak risk months of January to March. The shoulder months of November, December, and April can offer good value and calmer conditions, but a degree of flexibility is required. For superyachts planning a Pacific crossing, the July-September window is peak season, aligning with the best weather and major events like the Tahiti Pearl Regatta.

The right yacht

For the Society Islands, the platform of choice is a large, modern crewed catamaran. The shallow draft is essential for accessing the best anchorages inside the lagoons, and the stability at anchor is unmatched. The sheer volume of deck and interior space on a cat in the 60-80 foot range provides a level of comfort that a monohull of similar length cannot match. The market here is dominated by top-tier builders:

• Sunreef Yachts (60-80 feet): These are the benchmark for semi-custom luxury. A Sunreef 80 offers immense living space, a huge flybridge, and a high degree of customization. They are essentially private floating villas, perfect for families or groups of friends.
• Lagoon Catamarans (Sixty 5, Seventy 7): Known for their comfort, volume, and excellent layouts. The forward cockpit with direct saloon access is a signature feature and a fantastic spot for sundowners at anchor.
• Fountaine Pajot (Alegria 67, New 80): These yachts offer a slightly more performance-oriented design while still delivering on luxury and space, particularly with their expansive flybridge lounges.

For a charter that includes the Tuamotus, the requirements change. The 200nm open-ocean passage demands a true bluewater vessel. This means a motor yacht over 40 meters with stabilizers, significant fuel range, and the capacity for a professional dive setup (compressor, multiple tanks, dedicated dive tender). Expedition yachts are increasingly popular for this type of itinerary, offering robust capability combined with luxury interiors. Chartering in the Tuamotus is a significant commitment and is priced accordingly.

Money, APA and the small print

The charter market here primarily quotes in Euros or US Dollars. For a high-quality, late-model crewed catamaran in the 65-80 foot range, expect to budget between €60,000 and €100,000 per week for the charter fee.

The APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) is the standard mechanism for covering your running costs. For French Polynesia, we advise clients to budget 30-35% of the charter fee. This is higher than the Caribbean standard of 25% and reflects the higher cost of provisioning, fuel, and logistics in this remote part of the world. The APA covers all your on-board expenses: fuel, all food and beverages, mooring fees, customs, communications, and any specific activities or shore excursions you ask the crew to arrange. Your captain manages the APA account and will provide a full breakdown of expenditures at the end of the charter.

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (CFP or XPF), which is pegged to the Euro (1 EUR ≈ 119.33 XPF). While your charter fee and APA are paid in EUR/USD, it's wise to have some local currency for small purchases ashore.

Regarding tax, French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France but is not part of the EU VAT area. This means EU VAT does not apply to the charter fee. However, a local tax, the TVA, applies to goods and services purchased locally and will be paid out of your APA. The charter contract itself can often be structured in a tax-favourable way, which is a key part of the value we bring as your broker.

How we'd plan a week

This is a classic 7-night/8-day Society Islands itinerary starting and ending in Raiatea. It perfectly balances sailing, relaxation, and activity.

• Day 1: Raiatea to Taha'a Arrive at Raiatea (RFP), be greeted by your crew, and transfer to the yacht. After a welcome cocktail and safety briefing, we make the short, one-hour cruise across the shared lagoon to Taha'a. We'll anchor in the calm waters of Apu Bay, settle in, and enjoy your first magnificent sunset followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by your chef.

• Day 2: The Vanilla Island After breakfast, we'll tender ashore for a pre-arranged 4x4 tour of a vanilla plantation and a pearl farm. In the afternoon, the yacht moves to the eastern side of Taha'a to position for the Coral Garden drift snorkel. Spend the afternoon floating over the vibrant reef before the crew sets up cocktails on the flybridge.

• Day 3: The Sail to Bora Bora A beautiful morning sail of about 4 hours across the channel to Bora Bora. We'll time our arrival for the iconic entry through Teavanui Pass. We anchor in the eastern lagoon, with postcard views of Mount Otemanu. Lunch is served at anchor, followed by an afternoon of swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxing in the world's most famous lagoon.

• Day 4: Exploring Bora Bora's Lagoon Today is for exploring. Your captain can arrange for a private guide to take you on a shark and ray safari in the morning. In the afternoon, use the yacht's water toys or simply relax on the trampolines. For the evening, we can make reservations at the St. Regis or you can enjoy another fantastic meal on board, anchored under the stars.

• Day 5: Huahine, the Garden of Eden An early start for a longer sailing leg (approx. 5 hours) to Huahine. This is a proper blue-water sail between the islands. We'll arrive at Fare, the main village, and find a quiet anchorage. The afternoon is for exploring the sleepy town, stocking up on local fruit from the market, and absorbing the authentic Polynesian atmosphere.

• Day 6: The Wild Heart of Polynesia Explore Huahine's deep bays and lush coastline. We can arrange a local guide to show you the ancient marae temples and the sacred blue-eyed eels. Or, simply move to the stunning and secluded Avea Bay in the south for a private beach day. Enjoy a beach BBQ set up by your crew.

• Day 7: Return to the Sacred Island A final, leisurely sail back to Raiatea. We can stop for a last swim and lunch in a quiet cove along Raiatea's coast. We'll anchor for the night near the marina, giving you time for a final celebratory dinner on board, reminiscing about the week's adventure.

• Day 8: Departure Enjoy a final breakfast on board before the crew arranges your transfer to Raiatea Airport for your flight back to Papeete and your journey home.

UHNW planning: itinerary pacing and inter-atoll logistics

French Polynesia does not reward a compressed Mediterranean-style itinerary. The distances and the operational split between the Society Islands and the Tuamotus argue for a longer window and a more deliberate pace.

• 10 days minimum for a Leeward Islands programme (Bora Bora, Taha'a, Raiatea, Huahine) that does not feel rushed.
• 14 days recommended — allows deeper exploration, more leisurely anchorage stays, and flexibility for weather. This is also the pacing that opens the door to a more remote stop such as Maupiti, west of Bora Bora, when conditions allow and the captain is comfortable.
• Two-week Tuamotus extension: an open-ocean passage of roughly 200 nautical miles from the Societies out to the atolls, so it should be built into a two-week-plus programme, not squeezed into a week.

Provisioning lead time and supply-chain reality

Provisioning is a strategic exercise, not a last-minute one. Local fruits, vegetables and fish are excellent, but many premium items — caviar, specific wines, high-end spirits, specialty meats — must be flown in from Tahiti or further afield, and freight costs are meaningful. Preference sheets and specifics on dietary requirements should be finalised at least 8-10 weeks before embarkation. Where a specific vintage or champagne matters to the principal, pre-order months in advance to avoid last-minute air-freight premiums and stock-out risk.

Society Islands and Tuamotus: keep the distinction clean

The two archipelagos are frequently conflated in marketing copy. Operationally they are different products: the Society Islands are a protected, lagoon-based cruising ground best suited to a large modern crewed catamaran; the Tuamotus are an oceanic, dive-led environment that requires a 40m+ motor yacht or dedicated expedition vessel with the range, stability and dive infrastructure to justify the passage. Structuring a charter starts with which of the two the principal is actually buying.