French Polynesia Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in French Polynesia

French Polynesia stretches across an ocean area the size of Western Europe, yet its 118 islands hold a combined landmass smaller than the county of Cornwall. Five archipelagos – the Society Islands, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Gambier Islands and the Australs – scatter across roughly four million square kilometres of the South Pacific, roughly halfway between New Zealand and the coast of South America. For charter guests, the cruising heart of French Polynesia is the Society Islands: Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora, a chain that runs north-west from Tahiti across roughly 150 nautical miles of warm, protected water. This is one of the last truly grand cruising grounds on earth – volcanic peaks draped in emerald jungle, lagoons that shift from pale jade to deep sapphire within a single anchorage, barrier reefs teeming with blacktip reef sharks and manta rays, and a Polynesian culture so deeply connected to the ocean that navigation by stars is still taught alongside satellite GPS.

What makes French Polynesia irresistible for yacht charter is the sheer drama of the scenery combined with the intimacy of the experience. Moorea’s twin cathedral bays – Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay – cut deep into a volcanic interior that rises to over 1,200 metres, their dark green flanks reflected in water so still it feels like anchoring inside a painting. Bora Bora’s lagoon, ringed by a necklace of sandy motus (islets), delivers water clarity that reaches 40 metres on a calm morning, and the sight of Mount Otemanu’s basaltic spire rising 727 metres above the turquoise shallows is one of the most photographed panoramas in the Pacific. Between these marquee destinations lie quieter gems: Huahine’s jungle-draped archaeological sites and vanilla plantations, Taha’a’s fragrant vanilla groves and shared lagoon with Raiatea, and Raiatea’s Taputapuatea marae – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most sacred temples in all of Polynesia.

Whether you’re planning a week among the Society Islands, a two-week voyage that pushes north into the Tuamotus’ gin-clear atolls, or a grand Pacific circuit touching the Marquesas’ wild volcanic coastlines, this guide covers seasons, distances, signature experiences and the yachts best suited to each cruising ground. Start planning your French Polynesia charter with Boatcrowd and let our team build your perfect South Pacific itinerary.

Why Charter a Yacht in French Polynesia

Unrivalled Lagoon Scenery

No destination on earth can match the concentration of world-class lagoons found in the Society Islands. Bora Bora’s lagoon alone covers roughly 30 square kilometres of water so clear that your crew can read the anchor chain on the sandy bottom in 15 metres of depth. Moorea’s barrier reef creates a protected lagoon where blacktip reef sharks, stingrays and green sea turtles patrol the shallows just metres from your swim platform. Taha’a and Raiatea share a single lagoon enclosed by over 70 kilometres of barrier reef, offering days of sheltered cruising without repeating a single anchorage. The colour palette – from pale turquoise over white sand to deep indigo over coral bommies – is extraordinary and changes with every shift in the sun’s angle.

World-Class Diving and Marine Life

French Polynesia is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 200 species of coral. The Society Islands deliver exceptional snorkelling and diving from the deck of your yacht: Moorea’s Stingray World (a shallow sandbar where southern stingrays and blacktip reef sharks congregate in waist-deep water) is an encounter you won’t forget, and Bora Bora’s Coral Gardens – a shallow reef between the main island and the eastern motus – teem with parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels and the occasional lemon shark. For advanced divers, Fakarava atoll in the Tuamotus holds a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with drift dives through the Garuae Pass (the largest pass in the Tuamotus, 1,600 metres wide) where hundreds of grey reef sharks, hammerheads and barracuda congregate in the current. Humpback whales visit the Society Islands from July to November, breaching and nursing their calves in the deep water between Moorea and Tahiti.

Living Polynesian Culture

Unlike many Pacific island destinations, French Polynesia’s indigenous Polynesian culture is vibrant, visible and woven into daily life. Traditional outrigger canoe (va’a) racing remains the most popular sport in the territory. The heiva festival (held every July in Papeete and across the islands) celebrates Polynesian dance, song, drumming, tattooing and sport over an entire month. On Raiatea, the Taputapuatea marae – a vast stone temple platform overlooking the lagoon, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 – was historically the spiritual centre from which Polynesian navigators set out to settle Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island. On Huahine, archaeological sites dating to 850 AD are still being excavated, and the island’s traditional fish traps (built from volcanic stone) are still used to catch reef fish for village meals. For charter guests, cultural encounters range from a dawn va’a paddle with local paddlers to a private feast (tamaaraa) prepared in an underground earth oven (ahimaa) on a motu beach.

Remote Seclusion on a Grand Scale

French Polynesia’s sheer remoteness is part of its allure. Papeete sits roughly 4,100 nautical miles from Sydney and 2,400 nautical miles from Honolulu – far enough from any continent to feel genuinely removed from the rest of the world. Once you leave Tahiti’s modest bustle, the population density drops to near zero: Taha’a has roughly 5,200 residents, Huahine around 6,800, and many motus are entirely uninhabited. An afternoon anchorage off a private motu – white sand underfoot, coconut palms overhead, nobody else in sight – is not an occasional luxury here but an everyday feature of the charter.

Year-Round Tropical Warmth

Air temperatures hover between 24°C and 30°C (75–86°F) throughout the year, and sea temperatures stay between 26°C and 29°C (79–84°F). The dry season (May–October) delivers the most consistent charter weather – lower humidity, steady south-east trade winds of 10–20 knots, and minimal rainfall – but even the wet season (November–April) brings mostly brief afternoon showers followed by sunshine, and the absence of significant storm risk makes French Polynesia one of the safest year-round cruising grounds in the Pacific.

Top Destinations in French Polynesia

• Tahiti – The gateway island and home to Papeete, French Polynesia’s capital. Fa’a’ā International Airport receives direct flights from Los Angeles (8 hours), Auckland (5.5 hours), Tokyo and Paris. Marina Taina in Punaauia accommodates superyachts up to 80 metres. Tahiti’s dramatic volcanic interior, black-sand beaches, world-class surf at Teahupo’o and the vibrant Papeete market make it far more than a transit point.

• Moorea – Just 10 nautical miles north-west of Tahiti – roughly 30 minutes at cruising speed. Twin volcanic bays (Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay) cut deep into a mountainous interior rising to 1,207 metres at Mount Tohivea. Sheltered lagoon with exceptional snorkelling, stingray encounters at a shallow sandbar, spinner dolphins in the deep channel, and pineapple plantations climbing the valley floors.

• Huahine – Roughly 90 nautical miles north-west of Moorea. Known as the ‘Garden of Eden’, Huahine is one of the least developed and most culturally rich islands in the Society group. Two islands (Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti) connected by a bridge, surrounded by a barrier reef enclosing a calm lagoon. Ancient marae ruins, vanilla plantations, traditional stone fish traps, and virtually no tourist crowds.

• Raiatea – The administrative centre of the Leeward Islands, roughly 25 nautical miles west of Huahine. Home to the Taputapuatea marae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important sacred sites in Polynesia. Raiatea’s deep, navigable lagoon and sheltered anchorages make it a popular charter base. The island lacks beaches on its main shore but the surrounding motus offer white sand and turquoise shallows.

• Taha’a – Raiatea’s sister island, sharing the same barrier reef and lagoon, just 4 kilometres across a shallow channel. Known as the ‘Vanilla Island’ – Taha’a produces roughly 80% of French Polynesia’s vanilla, and the sweet fragrance carries across the lagoon on warm afternoons. Coral gardens, pearl farms and quiet motu anchorages make it a highlight of any Society Islands charter.

• Bora Bora – The crown jewel, roughly 30 nautical miles north-west of Taha’a. A single volcanic peak (Mount Otemanu, 727 metres) encircled by a turquoise lagoon and a necklace of low-lying motus. One of the most beautiful islands on earth. World-class snorkelling, manta ray dives, overwater bungalow resorts and an anchorage that takes your breath away on every arrival.

Best Time to Charter a Yacht in French Polynesia

Dry Season: May to October

The austral winter delivers French Polynesia’s finest charter conditions. Daytime temperatures range from 24°C to 28°C (75–82°F), humidity is moderate, and rainfall is at its lowest. South-east trade winds blow a steady 10–20 knots, keeping conditions comfortable aboard and providing reliable breezes for open-water passages between islands. Sea temperatures hover around 26–27°C (79–81°F). June through August is peak charter season – the most popular yachts book 6–12 months in advance. July’s Heiva festival in Papeete is a spectacular showcase of Polynesian culture. Humpback whales arrive from July and remain through November, making August–October a particularly magical window for wildlife encounters. If the dry season is your preference, book early and lean on your Boatcrowd specialist to secure the best yacht and itinerary.

Shoulder Season: April, May and November

The transitional months offer an appealing balance of good weather and lighter demand. April and May see the last of the wet-season warmth give way to drier, cooler air, with occasional showers that rarely last more than 30 minutes. November marks the return of warmer temperatures and slightly higher humidity, but the heavy rains of December and January have not yet arrived. Charter rates during the shoulder months are typically 10–20% softer than peak, and anchorages are noticeably quieter. Visibility in the lagoons remains superb, and the diving is often at its best as currents bring nutrient-rich water and larger pelagic species closer to the reefs.

Wet Season: November to April

The austral summer brings warmer temperatures (28–32°C / 82–90°F), higher humidity and more frequent rainfall – typically short, intense tropical showers in the afternoon followed by sunshine. Cyclone risk in the Society Islands is low by Pacific standards (French Polynesia sits at the eastern edge of the cyclone belt and averages only one to two significant storms per decade), but January and February carry the highest statistical probability. Many charter yachts remain in the territory year-round. Guests who are flexible with dates can find excellent value: rates drop 15–30% below peak, the lagoons are at their warmest (28–29°C / 82–84°F), and the islands are lush and green. Your Boatcrowd specialist will advise on weather patterns and flexible booking options.

Signature Experiences

• Swim with Humpback Whales off Moorea – From July to November, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters between Tahiti and Moorea to calve and nurse. Licensed operators (arranged by your crew) lead small-group, in-water encounters with mothers and calves in the deep channel – one of the few places on earth where you can legally swim alongside these gentle giants in crystal-clear water.
• Snorkel Bora Bora’s Coral Gardens – A shallow reef between the main island and the eastern motus, alive with parrotfish, Moorish idols, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels and the occasional lemon shark. The water is calm, warm and no deeper than 3–4 metres in most spots – ideal for snorkellers of all levels. Your crew anchors the tender nearby and provides full kit.
• Drift Dive the Garuae Pass, Fakarava – For experienced divers willing to venture to the Tuamotus (a scenic flight or overnight passage from the Society Islands), the Garuae Pass delivers one of the great dive experiences on the planet: a 1,600-metre-wide channel where hundreds of grey reef sharks, hammerheads, barracuda and manta rays congregate in the current. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protection keeps the ecosystem pristine.
• Private Motu Picnic – Your chef and crew set up a table on a private, uninhabited motu – white sand, coconut palms, a turquoise lagoon lapping at your feet. Grilled mahi-mahi, Polynesian poisson cru (raw tuna marinated in lime juice and coconut milk), tropical fruit and chilled rosé. No other guests, no other boats – just the South Pacific at its most elemental.
• Visit Taputapuatea Marae, Raiatea – Walk the stone platform of one of Polynesia’s most sacred temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Raiatea’s lagoon. This was the spiritual launching point from which ancient Polynesian navigators set out to settle Hawaii, New Zealand, Easter Island and the Cook Islands – one of the greatest feats of open-ocean navigation in human history.
• Sunset Cruise Beneath Mount Otemanu – Your captain positions the yacht in the western lagoon as the sun drops behind Bora Bora’s iconic volcanic spire. The silhouette of Mount Otemanu against a fiery Pacific sunset, reflected in the still lagoon, is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Champagne on the flybridge, naturally.
• Vanilla Plantation Tour on Taha’a – Taha’a produces roughly 80% of French Polynesia’s vanilla – among the finest in the world. Visit a family-run plantation where each vanilla orchid flower is hand-pollinated, then cured and dried over months. The fragrance is extraordinary. Your crew tenders you ashore and arranges a private tour and tasting.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (55’–99’) – The workhorse of the Society Islands charter fleet. These crewed vessels typically accommodate 6–10 guests in 3–4 en-suite cabins with a crew of 3–5 (captain, chef, steward/ess and deckhand). Cruising speeds of 18–28 knots make inter-island passages manageable – Tahiti to Moorea in 30 minutes, Raiatea to Bora Bora in under two hours. Full complement of water toys (jet ski, seabobs, paddleboards, snorkelling gear, kayaks). Weekly rates in French Polynesia typically start from around $45,000–$80,000 depending on season, yacht and inclusions.

• Superyachts (100’+) – For larger groups or those seeking the ultimate in space, privacy and spectacle. Accommodation for 8–12+ guests in lavish staterooms, crews of 6–9+, expansive deck areas with jacuzzis and sun lounges, and a full arsenal of water toys from jet skis to diving compressors. Marina Taina in Tahiti accommodates superyachts up to 80 metres, and larger vessels anchor off in the deep, sheltered water of the lagoon. Weekly rates for 100’–130’ superyachts start from roughly $90,000–$200,000; the largest mega yachts command $300,000+ per week. Crew gratuity is customarily 15–20%.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Premium power catamarans from builders like Sunreef, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot (55’–80’) offer exceptional stability, generous deck space and a shallow draft ideal for nosing into the shallowest lagoon anchorages and motu shallows. Catamarans in this range typically sleep 6–10 guests and carry a crew of 3–4. Their twin-hull design virtually eliminates rolling, making them the most comfortable option for guests prone to seasickness and for families with young children. Weekly rates typically fall between $40,000 and $65,000 depending on season and model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yacht charter in French Polynesia cost?

Charter pricing varies by yacht size, type, season and inclusions. As a broad guide, crewed motor yachts in the 55’–99’ range start from around $45,000–$80,000 per week during peak season (June–August). Superyachts (100’–130’) typically start from $90,000–$200,000 per week, with the largest mega yachts reaching $300,000–$500,000+. Luxury catamarans (55’–80’) start from roughly $40,000–$65,000 per week. Most charters in French Polynesia operate on a plus-expenses basis, with an advance provisioning allowance (APA) of 25–35% covering fuel, food, beverages, dockage and excursion fees. A 5% local tax applies to the base charter rate. Crew gratuity is customarily 15–20%. Shoulder-season and wet-season rates can be 15–30% lower. Enquire with Boatcrowd for a personalised quote based on your dates, group size and preferences.

Are luxury catamarans available for charter in French Polynesia?

Absolutely. Boatcrowd’s French Polynesia fleet includes a growing selection of premium power catamarans from builders like Sunreef, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot in the 55’–80’ range. These vessels are ideal for the Society Islands thanks to their shallow draft (allowing access to the shallowest lagoon anchorages and motu beaches that deeper-keeled yachts cannot reach), exceptional stability, and generous living space. Most luxury catamarans come fully crewed with a captain, chef and steward/ess. They are particularly popular with families and multi-generational groups who appreciate the extra beam, the absence of rolling, and the ability to anchor in turquoise shallows just metres from the beach.

Can I charter a yacht in French Polynesia for a film or TV production?

Yes. French Polynesia has a rich cinematic history – both versions of Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 starring Marlon Brando, and 1984 with Mel Gibson) were filmed in Tahiti and Moorea, Couples Retreat (2009) was shot at the St. Regis Bora Bora, and the islands have featured in numerous documentaries, fashion shoots and music videos. The local government actively supports film production with a dedicated film commission and generous tax incentives. Boatcrowd can arrange production-friendly charters with yachts that accommodate camera crews, lighting rigs and talent. French Polynesia’s advantages for production include year-round tropical light, extraordinary underwater visibility, diverse locations ranging from volcanic peaks to desert-island motus, and a local crew base experienced in supporting international productions.

Is French Polynesia a good destination for a proposal, honeymoon or milestone celebration?

French Polynesia is among the most romantic charter destinations on earth, and a crewed yacht elevates celebrations to an entirely different level. Your crew can orchestrate every detail – from a sunset proposal on a private motu (complete with champagne, frangipani petals and a photographer arriving by tender) to a honeymoon itinerary with couples’ massages on deck, private motu dinners under the stars and Polynesian flower-crown ceremonies. Milestone birthdays and anniversaries are equally well catered for: a motu picnic beneath coconut palms for a 40th, a vanilla-plantation tour on Taha’a for a 50th, a dawn whale swim off Moorea for a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion. Let Boatcrowd know the occasion when you enquire and we’ll ensure every moment is unforgettable.

Can I bring the whole family, including grandparents and young children?

Multi-generational family charters are one of the most popular booking types in French Polynesia. Yachts and catamarans are available in configurations that sleep 8–12+ guests, with flexible cabin layouts to suit grandparents, parents and children. Crews are experienced with guests of all ages: children get age-appropriate snorkelling instruction, stingray encounters in waist-deep water and kid-friendly menus, while grandparents appreciate calm lagoon anchorages, comfortable sun lounges and attentive service. The Society Islands’ sheltered lagoons and warm, shallow waters are among the safest and most family-friendly cruising grounds in the world. Catamarans are especially popular for families – the stability, wide beam and easy swim-platform access make life aboard relaxed for every generation.

Can I combine multiple archipelagos on one charter?

Yes, and it’s one of the great advantages of chartering in French Polynesia. A typical two-week itinerary covers the full Society Islands chain from Tahiti to Bora Bora and back. For guests with more time, the Tuamotu atolls (particularly Rangiroa and Fakarava, famous for world-class diving) lie roughly 200–250 nautical miles north-east of Tahiti – accessible by overnight passage or a short scenic flight with your yacht repositioning to meet you. The Marquesas, 750 nautical miles north-east, are reachable by multi-day passage for adventurous guests or by domestic flight with a yacht rendezvous. Your Boatcrowd charter specialist will design a multi-archipelago route that maximises variety without wasting time on long passages.

Do I need a visa to charter in French Polynesia?

French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity. Citizens of the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan (among others) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Non-EU citizens arriving from the US will need a valid passport (no US visa required). All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. There is no separate customs clearance for yacht charters – your captain handles all formalities. Your Boatcrowd team will advise on documentation requirements when you book.