CHARTER FRENCH POLYNESIA TAHITI AND HER ISLANDS ITINERARY
SALES | NEW CONSTRUCTION | CHARTER
TAHITI Islands that evoke a beautiful state of mind.
French Polynesia, often referred to as “Tahiti and her Islands”, marries a perfect blend of French sophistication with a joyful and party-like spirit. The local people combine modern living with ancestral rhythms linked to the sun and the sea.
WHEN TO VISIT Tahiti and her Islands are located south of the equator, in the South Pacific, halfway between California and Australia. The climate is moderately tropical, warm and humid with two distinct seasons. The average temperature is around 27°C. The waters in the lagoon average 26°C in winter and 29°C in summer.
Summer is from November through April, with a warmer and more humid climate. Winter is from May through October, when the climate is slightly cooler and drier. The dry and windy season lasts from March to November, when the temperatures are cooled by the regular southeast trade winds called Mara’amu. April, June and September are very good months, with July and August being the tourist peak months. The rainier months are January and February, with brief heavy rains but still warm temperatures.
ADVENTURE TO TAHITI
At first glimpse, the 118 islands of French Polynesia seem to inspire as little activity as possible – lounging on the beach, taking a dip in warm, turquoise water, or simply napping in an overwater bungalow – but this archetypal island paradise presents plenty of adventures to entice you away from more sedentary pursuits. The three most visited archipelagos by charterers are the Society Islands, comprised of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a. They offer the most comprehensive array of activities, both on land and in the water.
society islands | tuamotu islands | gambier islands | marquesas islands | austral islands
tokyo 5 500 miles
london 9 607 miles
paris 10 687 miles madrid 11 634 miles
los angeles 3 875 miles
honolulu 2 374 miles noumĂŠa 3 125 miles
santiago de chile 4 687 miles
auckland 2 437 miles
Hotels and family hotels only family hotels
PREPARING FOR THE TRIP What is the time difference? The Islands of Tahiti are 10 hours behind GMT. This is a 12-hours summertime or 11 hours wintertime difference from Paris, 2 hours difference from the United States Pacific Coast, 6 hours difference from Santiago de Chile, 19 hours from Tokyo and the Australian eastern seaboard and a 22 hours difference from New Zealand. Health No vaccines are required except for passengers from high-risk countries (this information can be obtained from your airline). On the island of Tahiti, sanitary facilities and health services are available. The cities of Papeete, Taravao (peninsula of Tahiti) and Uturoa (Raiatea) have fully equipped hospitals. Other tourist islands at least possess a hospital or a clinic. Bring summer clothes, beachwear, sports wear and boat wear, all preferably in cotton. Have something warm available for the evenings which are sometimes cooler (lagoon side, boat trips and in the mountains). Footwear: sandals, sneakers, boat shoes. Essential: swimming costumes, sunglasses, hat, sunblock creams (intense reflection of the lagoons) and a powerful anti-mosquito lotion (useful in the islands in certain seasons).
ADVENTURE TO TAHITI
What to pack?
PAPEETE Fly into Papeete to join the yacht anchored in the marina and freshen up. Step on board and let the crew introduce you to your new home for the next seven days, with a welcome greeting by the local dancers. After settling in, you can tour the island and go to the local markets to get a taste of the island life. At most resorts throughout the islands, a Tama’ara’a or Tahitian Feast is held at least once a week. This involves cooking in a ahima’a (an oven that has been dug into the ground). Food is wrapped in banana leaves and the hole is covered with sand making it airtight. Cooking can take up to several hours but is well worth the wait as the food comes out soft, tender and fall-off-the-bone ready.
MOOREA Head out to Moorea in the morning. Moorea is one of the most scenically striking islands, perfect for a French Polynesia yacht charter. Possessing a relaxed vibe and welcoming spirit, Moorea is just as warm and inviting as the Tahitians lucky enough to call this island home. You can travel by tender to swim and hand feed sharks and stingrays. This popular excursion is thrilling and can be enjoyed on most of the main islands. You’ll be able to get in the water and swim with them or simply watch from the boat. In the afternoon we go ashore and travel by Four Wheel Drive or scooter to explore around the island. Getting around on a 4WD guided tour is a great way to discover volcanic islands like Moorea.
Overnight we travel to Huahine which is 70 nautical miles to the North West.
HUAHINE After cruising through the night, we wake up at Huahine for breakfast. The island is equivalent to the Garden of Eden. Beyond its lush landscapes and bright blooms, Huahine is also a culturally preserved sanctuary with sacred temples. The island feels like you are stepping back in time; this is a much different kind of French Polynesian experience. Undoubtedly, this island will leave you spellbound. In the afternoon we have lunch with a Motu Picnic while resting your feet in the clear water and enjoying the delights the islands have to offer. You can tour the ancient Marae (archeological sites). For water activity you can feed the sacred blue-eyed eels of Faie Village. You also have the opportunity to snorkel in coral gardens.
We will spend the night anchored off Huahine Island.
Total cruising time approx. 7 hours
RAIATEA First thing in the morning we cruise to Raiatea to visit the many pearl farms located inside the lagoon. The world-renowned iridescent luster of Mother Nature’s most perfect gem can only be created in Tahiti warm lagoon waters. Commonly known around the world as Black Pearls, each Tahitian Cultured Pearl ranges in size and shape and the colours range from the darkest black to shimmering shades of green, blue, bronze, aubergine, or even pink. After an afternoon of exploring, we dig into a delicious meal on board and spend the night on the ocean.
Total cruising time approx. 2.5 hours
TAHA’A We continue our journey to Taha’a which is enclosed to Raiatea by a coral reef. Suitably shaped like a flower, the island is also an immense natural greenhouse for the highly-prized Tahitian vanilla orchid. Thanks to this abundance, the intoxicating scent of vanilla pervades the air in Taha’a, meaning this island is just as sweet as it sounds. Have lunch onboard before heading out for an excursion of the vanilla plantations and the local produce. Since the scenery here is especially remarkable, Taha’a is ideal for hiking. You can explore these ascending slopes and deep valleys while discovering the diverse flora and fauna along the way. Snorkeling is also a popular pastime in Taha’a. There is a shallow coral garden between Motu Maharare and Motu Tautau where you can drift snorkel amidst scores of intensely hued tropical fish.
BORA BORA In the morning travel 2 hours to Bora Bora and enjoy an amazing view of the atoll and the villas over the water. Bora Bora is French Polynesia’s leading lady, undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific. The wonderful thing about Bora Bora is that you can be as active or inactive as you wish to be. Since water is a way of life on the island, popular lagoon excursions include snorkeling, diving, cruising, fishing, paddle boarding, kitesurfing, jet skiing, and shark and ray feeding. You can also explore in and around the lagoon with a sea bob.
After spending the afternoon in the crystal-clear waters, come back on board for sunset cocktails in the jacuzzi. We will enjoy a delicious dinner to recount all of our day adventures around the table.
BORA BORA TO PAPEETE On the last day, say goodbye to the amazing crew onboard and head to the airport for your flight to Papeete, going home with unique memories or continuing your adventure.
SOCIETY ISLANDS
OVERVIEW TIME ZONE:
The Islands of Tahiti are 10 hours behind GMT.
This is a 12-hours summertime or 11 hours wintertime difference from Paris, 2 hours difference from the United States Pacific Coast, 6 hours difference from Santiago de Chile, 19 hours from Tokyo and the Australian eastern seaboard and a 22 hours difference from New Zealand. CURRENCY: EUR 1 = F.CFP 119.33 GBP 1 = F.CFP 144,72 USD 1 = F.CFP 85,42 NZD 1 = F.CFP 72,63 AUD 1 = F.CFP 80,17 CAND 1 = F.CFP 78,71 Yen 100 = F.CFP 83,64
THE SEA Nature and discovery
Most of the Islands have a lagoon and offer a wide range of nautical activities. The Islands of Tahiti is one of the most beautiful diving destinations in the world. Its intense and deep blue shelters the most beautiful species. You may encounter sting rays, hammerheads, lemon, oceanic whitetip or grey reef sharks, humpback whales, fish shoals, corals, breathtaking depths and mysterious wrecks.
SCUBA DIVING, AQUASCOPE, SUBMARINE, AND SEMISUBMERSIBLE ADVENTURES:
© Grégoire le Bacon
Tahiti and Her Islands is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world for scuba diving. In the deep and intense blue water, you will encounter extraordinary species of marine life: manta rays, hammerhead sharks, lemon sharks, black-tip reef sharks, humpback whales and schools of fish of all kinds. You will be awed by the dizzying descent of the coral walls and mysterious shipwrecks. All year round, you can access the enchanting marine world, which boasts 30-meter (98 ft.) visibility.
ROMANTIC CRUISES: Tour the lagoon on a catamaran while viewing a romantic sunset and enjoying a bubbly glass of champagne.
SAILING: Boat rental companies rent single hulled vessels or catamarans, based Tahiti, Moorea and the Leeward Islands, enabling you to choose your preferred type of rental-with or without a skipper or hostess, for the weekend, for a few days, or even for week. It’s the perfect occasion for you to explore firsthand the interiors of the lagoons in all the different groups of islands, so diverse and rich in beauty.
DEEP SEA FISHING LAGOON FISHING
WINDSURFING: You can practice windsurfing on the east coast of Tahiti, especially near thecoastline of Point Venus in Mahina.
LAGOON EXCURSIONS: Discover the sea beds, picnic on a motu (islet), witness stingray and shark feeding exhibitions, or swim with dolphins.
WATERSKIING: For novice or advanced-level water skiers, enjoy skiing the crystal-clear lagoons as you glide over the silent world below.
© Grégoire le Bacon
PARAGLIDING, HANG GLIDING, PARASAILING: Paragliding lovers will be able to fly over the reef with maximum securityexceptional views are guaranteed! CANOE, KAYAK, OUTRIGGER CANOE, JET-SKI RENTALS: Whether you are interested in a workout or just a quiet jaunt around the lagoon, this is another fantastic way discover the islands from the sea.
PEARL FARM VISIT (TUAMOTU, HUAHINE, RAIATEA, TAHAA, BORA BORA).
CANOE, KAYAK, OUTRIGGER CANOE, JET-SKI RENTALS: Whether you are interested in a workout or just a quiet jaunt around the lagoon, this is another fantastic way discover the islands from the sea.
© Grégoire le Bacon
SURFING, KITE SURFING: Tahiti, Raiatea and Bora Bora are home to some of the most famous surf spots in the world. If you are a pro or novice, you will find your own favorite surfing spot. www.surf.pf
© Ty Sawyer
THE MOUNTAINS Nature and discovery
The high islands (Society, Marquesas, Australs) offer numerous hiking possibilities, where you can discover vertiginous panoramic views of the lagoons and bays, and where you can witness the immensity of the Pacific Ocean.
Hiking / Discovery TREKKING: Hike across the wild valleys of Huahine or through the mape (Tahitian chestnut trees) in search of the mysterious “marae” (traditional temples). As you explore the imposing waterfalls of Afareaitu (on Moorea) or discover the “tiare Apetahi” on the slopes of Raiatea, you will stroll on winding pathways which open up to breathtaking panoramic views. Tahiti and her peninsula, Tahiti Iti, offer innumerable excursion possibilities at all levels through mountains and valleys (i.e. ascending Mount Aorai, crossing Tahiti Nui (the big island), exploring the lavatubes, etc.).
HORSEBACK RIDING: Saddled up on a Marquesan horse, you will ride through the spectacular valley landscapes of Hiva Oa with her numerous archaeological sites. Other equestrian outings will take you along white-sand beaches with a sumptuous sunset in the background, or you can go up the rivers amid the luxuriant flora.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: You only need a regular bike to drive on the perimeter road (which is flat), but a mountain bike will be necessary to cross the interior of the islands. You can rent bikes at many hotels.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE/QUAD/SVV: Discover former vanilla plantations on a four-wheel drive safari through the tropical valleys of Raiatea and Tahaa. This excursion will enable you to explore the interiors of the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine, Bora Bora and the Marquesas. You can also rent cars, scooters, 4-wheelers and “fun cars” on the larger islands or take a circle-island tour by bus.
Sports Activities GOLF: On Tahiti and Moorea, the fairways and greens of the 18-hole Golf Course are just a small part of the beauty of these sites.
Nature / Culture ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMNANTS: Discover the Polynesia of old at the marae and other sites.
© tim-mckenna.com
MUSEUMS (TAHITI, BORA BORA, MARQUESAS ISLANDS): - Robert Wan Pearl Museum - Tahiti and Islands - Te Fare Manaha Museum - The House of James Norman Hall - He'e Tai Inn - «Ha'e 'Enana» Patrimonial Hall - Jacques Brel Cultural Center - Paul Gauguin Cultural Center - Marine Museum - Museum of the Wood “Jardin Botanique” - Sea Museum of Hane - Geology Museum of Hokatu - Archaeological Museum of Vaipā'e'e - Vaitahu Museum - Petroglyphe Museum
BOTANICAL GARDENS (Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Marquesas). CANYONING: Marvel in the heart of nature, canyoning is ideal for the rivers of Tahiti, abseils down waterfalls, jump in water bassins, or underground explorations (Lavatubes of Hitia'a) will leave unforgetable memories. Guides approved by the ministry of Youth and Sports.
Seeing panoramic views of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and Hiva Oa from the air is a new excursion that you must do! The aerial views of basalt peaks and canyons, where waterfalls pour out from numerous ridges and plateaus, reveal another secret and enticing side of the interior of Polynesia.
© Greg Nagel
AERIAL TOUR OF THE ISLAND BY HELICOPTER OR BY PLANE: