Bora Bora Yacht Charter

Bora Bora is the destination that sells the charter, but it's the full Society Islands itinerary that makes the experience unforgettable. While its volcanic peak and impossible blue lagoon are the headline images, the operational reality is that a charter here is a multi-island journey. We build itineraries that use the archipelago's rhythm to create a perfect week, culminating in, rather than confined to, the world's most famous island.

The cruising ground

The Society Islands are a boater's paradise, and Bora Bora is the jewel in the crown. The cruising ground is defined by high, volcanic islands encircled by protective coral reefs, creating vast, calm lagoons. The key operational hub for most charters is the shared lagoon of Raiatea and Taha'a, a massive, protected body of water that offers endless exploration. From there, it's an open-ocean passage of about 25 nautical miles to Bora Bora.

Bora Bora itself is singular. It consists of one main island dominated by the 727-meter peak of Mount Otemanu, completely enclosed by a barrier reef and a string of small islets, or motus. This creates a lagoon that is breathtakingly beautiful but navigationally complex. Depths average just 3-5 meters outside the marked channels, and the entire lagoon is studded with coral heads (pupu in Tahitian) that can be just below the surface. This is not amateur territory; your captain's local knowledge is paramount. The water clarity is exceptional, which helps, but navigating is a constant "eyes-on" job, typically with a crew member on the bow. Anchoring on live coral is strictly forbidden and environmentally catastrophic, so cruising here is a careful dance between deep-water channels, sandy-bottom anchorages, and designated mooring fields.

Bases and clearance

While your destination might be Bora Bora, your charter will almost certainly not begin there. The logistical heart of the crewed charter industry in the Societies is Raiatea.

• Marina Apooiti, Raiatea: This is the primary turn-around base. It's a short drive from Raiatea Airport (RFP), which has regular, reliable connections from Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport (PPT). The marina has the best infrastructure for provisioning, fuel, and technical support. Your crew will have the yacht fully provisioned and ready for your arrival, allowing you to step aboard and be underway within an hour.

• Papeete, Tahiti: For longer charters (10+ days) or for larger superyachts that require deeper water and more substantial port facilities, a start in Papeete is common. This allows for a more leisurely cruise through the island chain, visiting Moorea before heading west to Huahine, Raiatea, and Bora Bora. The repositioning fee for the yacht to start or end away from its Raiatea base will be factored into the charter cost.

• Clearance: For clients flying in commercially, you will clear customs and immigration in Papeete (PPT). The domestic flights to Raiatea are straightforward. For those arriving by private jet, while landing at Bora Bora's Motu Mute Airport (BOB) is possible, clearance must still typically be arranged in Papeete. We handle these logistics with the captain and a local agent to ensure the process is seamless, often arranging for officials to meet the aircraft at a designated FBO to expedite your transfer to the yacht.

Where to drop the hook

Once you make the passage from Raiatea or Huahine, entry into Bora Bora’s lagoon is through a single, deep channel: Te Ava Nui pass. It's a dramatic entrance, with the full majesty of Mount Otemanu dead ahead. Inside, the options are excellent, guided by the twin priorities of finding a good hold in sand and protecting the coral.

• Bora Bora Yacht Club: Located on the eastern side of the lagoon, just north of the main village of Vaitape, the BBYC maintains a field of well-serviced mooring buoys. This is often our first stop. Picking up a mooring here gives you easy tender access to the club for a cocktail or dinner, and it's a secure, convenient base from which to explore the main island. The sunset views back towards the reef and the neighboring island of Taha'a are superb.

• Motu Toopua & Motu Tapu: For that iconic, postcard-perfect anchorage, we head to the southwestern part of the lagoon. Here, nestled behind the islets of Toopua and Tapu, are several expansive areas of white sand in 5-10 meters of water. The holding is excellent. From your yacht, you'll have the quintessential view of Mount Otemanu, framed by palm trees on a private motu. It’s exceptionally calm, private, and the water is a dozen shades of blue. This is where your crew will set up a private beach picnic, launch the paddleboards, and let you soak in the tranquility.

• Anau (The "Stingray Sanctuary"): On the eastern side of the main island, the shallow bay near Anau is famous for its resident population of stingrays and blacktip reef sharks. While you can't anchor right in the middle of the action, your captain will find a spot nearby in a sandy patch, allowing for a short tender ride to the site. It's a managed and respectful experience where you can get in the shallow water with dozens of rays accustomed to human presence.

• Point Matira: At the southern tip of Bora Bora, Matira Beach is often cited as one of the world's most beautiful public beaches. There are a few sandy spots to anchor off the point, giving you direct access to the beach and several high-end resorts and restaurants like the St. Regis and Four Seasons, should you want a meal ashore.

Weather and season

Timing is everything in French Polynesia. The climate is tropical, but it's governed by distinct seasons that have a major impact on the charter experience.

The prime charter season runs from May through October. This is the dry season, or winter, known as mara'amu. You can expect consistent southeasterly trade winds of 15-20 knots, which are perfect for sailing between the islands. Skies are generally clear, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. Temperatures are idyllic, typically 24-28°C (75-82°F). This is the high season, and the best yachts are booked well in advance. A key operational note: during July and August, strong mara'amu winds can create a significant swell on the west-facing anchorages of the islands, including parts of Bora Bora's outer reef. Your captain will always be able to find a protected spot inside the lagoon, but it’s a factor in planning inter-island passages.

The shoulder months of April and November can offer good value. The weather is more transitional, with a mix of dry season trades and wet season humidity, but you can still have long stretches of perfect conditions with fewer boats around.

We generally advise against chartering from December through March. This is the wet season, characterized by higher humidity, calmer or non-existent winds, and a greater chance of significant rainfall and tropical storms. While a cyclone is a rare event, the risk is highest during this period.

The right yacht

The shallow lagoons and focus on outdoor living make the crewed catamaran the undisputed king of the Society Islands charter fleet. Their stability at anchor, enormous deck and saloon space, and, most critically, their shallow draft, make them perfectly suited to this environment. A catamaran can access anchorages and get closer to the motus than any monohull could dream of.

• The Sweet Spot (55-65 feet): For one or two couples or a family, a modern catamaran in this size range is ideal. You'll find yachts from builders like Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, and Sunreef offering 3 or 4 comfortable queen cabins, each with a private ensuite head. The crew of two (captain and chef/stewardess) are experts in the region. Expect weekly charter rates for a quality 2026 vessel in this class to be in the €30,000 to €50,000 range.

• Premium & Large Group (70-80+ feet): For larger groups, or those seeking a higher level of luxury and service, the 70-foot-plus market is strong. These yachts offer more separation between guest and crew areas, larger cabins, often a flybridge with a full wet bar, and a wider array of water toys. A crew of three or four is standard. Pricing for these premium catamarans will start around €60,000 per week and go up significantly from there.

Monohull sailing yachts and motor yachts are available, but they are less common and less practical for a lagoon-focused itinerary. Unless you have a specific desire for a blue-water sailing experience, the catamaran is the superior platform here.

Money, APA and the small print

The official currency is the French Pacific Franc (XPF). While major resorts, restaurants, and pearl shops on the main island accept credit cards, many smaller local vendors, market stalls, and taxis are cash-only. It's wise to have a supply of XPF on hand, which your crew can help arrange.

However, your charter itself will be contracted in Euros (€). The charter fee covers the hire of the yacht and crew for the agreed-upon period. All other expenses are covered by the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA).

The APA is standard practice in the industry. It is typically calculated at 30-35% of the charter fee for French Polynesia, due to the higher cost of importing provisions. This is paid with your final charter installment and functions as an operational expense account managed by your captain. It covers:

• All food and beverages for your party
• Fuel for the yacht and its tenders
• Mooring and any marina fees
• Local taxes
• Shore excursions like diving, 4x4 tours, or restaurant meals ashore

Your captain maintains a meticulous, running account of all APA expenditures, with receipts. At the end of the charter, this account is presented to you for review. Any unspent funds are returned to you in cash. If expenses run over, you will be asked to settle the difference before disembarking. This system ensures total transparency and that you only pay for what you actually consume.

How we'd plan a week

This is our classic one-way itinerary that maximizes your time and hits all the highlights, starting in Raiatea and ending in Huahine to position you for an easy departure.

• Day 1: Raiatea & Taha'a's Shared Lagoon. Arrive at Raiatea Airport (RFP), where you'll be met for the 5-minute transfer to Marina Apooiti. Board your yacht, enjoy a welcome cocktail, and after a short safety briefing, we're underway. We'll cruise for an hour across the lagoon to the "Vanilla Island" of Taha'a, anchoring in a calm bay. This afternoon, we'll arrange a private tour of a family-run vanilla plantation.

• Day 2: Taha'a's Coral Gardens. Morning snorkel at the famous Tau Tau coral gardens, a natural channel where you can drift with the gentle current over a vibrant reef. Afterwards, we can visit a black pearl farm to see how this local treasure is cultivated. In the afternoon, we'll sail to the western side of Taha'a to stage for tomorrow's passage.

• Day 3: The Passage to Bora Bora. An exhilarating 4-hour blue-water sail to Bora Bora. We'll time our arrival for midday, entering through the Te Ava Nui pass with Mount Otemanu filling the view. We'll pick up a mooring at the Bora Bora Yacht Club and enjoy a relaxed afternoon swimming off the boat before heading ashore for sunset cocktails.

• Day 4: Sharks, Rays, and Vaitape. This morning, the tender will take you to the stingray and shark sanctuary for an incredible up-close encounter. In the afternoon, you can explore the main village of Vaitape for some shopping or simply relax on board. We can arrange dinner at the celebrated St. James restaurant.

• Day 5: Motu Life & Mountain Views. We'll move the yacht to the stunning anchorage off Motu Tapu. Your crew will set up a magnificent private lunch on a deserted white-sand beach. In the afternoon, a 4x4 will pick you up for an off-road adventure up the mountainside for panoramic views of the lagoon and Mount Otemanu.

• Day 6: Sail to Huahine. A longer, 30-nautical-mile sail to the enchanting island of Huahine, known as "The Garden of Eden." It's a more wild and authentic island. We'll anchor in the protected harbor of Fare, a charming and sleepy village.

• Day 7: Ancient Mysteries & Farewell Dinner. Explore Huahine's fascinating archaeological sites (marae) and the ancient fish traps at Lake Fauna Nui. Enjoy a final, leisurely afternoon of swimming and kayaking in a quiet bay. Your chef will prepare a special farewell dinner on board under the stars.

• Day 8: Departure. Enjoy a final Polynesian breakfast before a short cruise to the bay nearest Huahine Airport (HUH) for your departing flight.