French Polynesia Sailing Itinerary
A beautiful, fully provisioned yacht, your nearest and dearest on-board and the promise of untold sailing adventures on the South Pacific—that’s the reality of a bareboat charter holiday in French Polynesia. Experienced sailors will relish the opportunity to set sail from Raiatea for some boundless ocean sailing, with no itinerary other than that you’ll set yourself.
Tahiti one-week bareboat
Day 1
Apooiti Marina to Motu Taoru, Raiatea
Today you’ll launch from our base at Apooiti Marina, skirting the scenic coast of Raiatea for Motu Taoru. Enclosed within a barrier reef and backed by lush, looming mountains, Raiatea is known as the ‘sacred isle’ as it used to be the religious center of Polynesia. Sail past ancient temples and glimpse petroglyphs carved in basaltic stones along the coast. The rich lagoon of Motu Taoru is filled with iridescent tropical fish, so don your flippers and enjoy excellent snorkeling and diving.
The day’s sailing
- 1 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Lazy line on a town quay or in Marinas
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
Facilities
Water, WiFi ,Taxi, Showers/ Toilets, Rubbish, Restaurants, Provisioning, Dive Shop, Car hire, Electricity, Fuel,Laundry, Ice, Gift shop
Discover Motu Taoru
Desert island paradise
Head to nearby Ofetaro Motu for a picnic on a desert island paradise.
Day 2
Motu Taoru to Ha'amene Bay
Cruise the short distance between Raiatea and its little sister island, Taha’a. Navigate carefully between the coral reef and Taha’a into Ha’amene Bay, where you can take a mooring or anchor for the night. Visit one of the black pearl farms or hike into the mountains to enjoy breathtaking views across the South Pacific.
The day’s sailing
- 0.5 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Mooring buoy
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
Discover Ha'amene Bay
The Vanilla House
Visit the Vanilla House, where the raw beans are processed before being exported. The smell is incredible.
Suggested lunch spots
Drop anchor at lovely Motu Mahea and enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise waters on your lunch break.
Day 3
Ha'amene Bay to Motu Tautau
Sail away from long, finger-like Ha’amene Bay, skirting the pristine beaches and isolated bays along the southern coast of Taha’a towards Motu Tautau. Tucked inside the secluded Taha’a lagoon, Motu Tautau faces the lush island of Taha’a on one side and lovely Bora Bora on the other.
The day’s sailing
- 2 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Anchoring option
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
Facilities
Restaurants, ATM
Discover Motu Tautau
Suggested lunch spots
The pristine, shallow waters around Motu Tautau are filled with colorful coral gardens. Drop anchor and enjoy a picnic lunch on board your yacht, then snorkel amidst the spectacular array of marine species.
Day 4
Motu Tautau to Motu To'opua
Wind past the beautiful coral that surrounds Taha’a, then edge out into the open waters of the South Pacific. You’ll enjoy blue water sailing today, heading northwest toward Motu To’opua, a tiny islet floating majestically between Bora Bora’s mainland coast and the dramatic coral reef. Drop anchor and face west to enjoy watching the sun sink over the horizon in an unforgettable display of colour.
The day’s sailing
- 0.5 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Anchoring option
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
Day 5
Motu Tautau to Motu To'opua
Wind past the beautiful coral that surrounds Taha’a, then edge out into the open waters of the South Pacific. You’ll enjoy blue water sailing today, heading northwest toward Motu To’opua, a tiny islet floating majestically between Bora Bora’s mainland coast and the dramatic coral reef. Drop anchor and face west to enjoy watching the sun sink over the horizon in an unforgettable display of colour.
The day’s sailing
- 0.5 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Anchoring option
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
Day 6
Bora Bora to Apu Bay
Leave Bora Bora’s lush shores and return to the vanilla-scented isle of Taha’a. Head for Apu Bay, one of the beautiful bays along Taha’a’s flower petal-shaped southern coast. Visit the nearby black pearl farm and learn how these beautiful stones are grown inside oyster shells.
The day’s sailing
- 5 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Mooring buoy
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
Facilities
WiFi, Car hire
Discover Apu Bay
Coastal stroll
Take your dinghy to the end of the bay for a stroll along the forested shoreline.
Suggested lunch spots
Ideally located to receive nutrient rich lagoon waters and clean ocean currents, Apu Bay is known for producing the magnificent black pearl. Spend your lunch break exploring a black pearl farm and watch the latest pearl harvest.
Day 7
Apu Bay to Apooiti Marina
Use the final day of your Tahiti bareboat vacation to make the glorious journey from Apu Bay to Apooiti Marina. Sail north, minding the coral dotted between Taha’a and Raiatea before mooring at our Raiatea base. Set off early and enjoy more time on beautiful Raiatea, or take it easy and explore the lovely corals and reefs along the way.
The day’s sailing
- 1 Hr Sailing time
To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.
Mooring
Mooring buoy
Things to do
Snorkelling, Fishing, Diving, Exploring
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