French Polynesia Yacht Charter
Where crystal-clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and lush tropical landscapes create the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.
Amazing Yachting Holidays in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a spellbinding charter destination, where poetic landscapes have been crafted, nurtured and grown into a paradise on earth. Lush green peaks descend from pristine blue skies and dive deep into turquoise waters home to a rainbow of marine life. Lagoons of intensely blue water mingle with white, pink and black sand beaches, while flourishing coral reefs fringe moss-green islands.
With sublime beaches bordering more than a hundred islands, dramatic volcanic scenes and sensational ocean vistas, French Polynesia is an ideal destination for a catamaran or superyacht charter in the South Pacific.
At Helm we specialise in bespoke sailing boat, catamaran and motor yacht charters, and we can help you plan the perfect yacht charter in French Polynesia. Whether you want to explore the remote Tuamotus, relax in Bora-Bora's idyllic lagoons, or discover Tahiti's rich Polynesian culture and heritage, we can help you find your dream yacht and create a custom itinerary that meets your exact needs and preferences.
French Polynesia is good for:
Lagoons
coral reefs
Tropical fish
Hiking
Street food markets
Swim with whales
Start planning your French Polynesia Charter
French Polynesia is an ideal destination for a catamaran or superyacht charter in the South Pacific, with sublime beaches bordering more than a hundred islands, dramatic volcanic scenes and sensational ocean vistas.
At Helm we specialise in bespoke sailing boat, catamaran and motor yacht charters, and we can help you plan the perfect yacht charter in French Polynesia.
Whether you want to explore the remote Tuamotus, relax in Bora-Bora's idyllic lagoons, or discover Tahiti's rich Polynesian culture and heritage, we can help you find your dream yacht and create a custom itinerary that meets your exact needs and preferences.
Find yachts to charter in French Polynesia
When to visit French Polynesia
The best time to visit French Polynesia is during the dry season from May to October, when the weather is typically sunny and winds are more stable.
This period offers comfortable temperatures and lower humidity, ideal for enjoyable sailing conditions.
Additionally, the trade winds are consistent, making it perfect for island hopping and water activities.
French Polynesia's sailing season is at its peak between June and August when the weather is dry and balmy, and consistently in the mid-20s to mid-30s. Year-round sailing is possible but the tropical showers, as well as making a particularly humid climate, can be a hindrance between November to April.
Festival season kicks into gear across French Polynesia by July, with the annual Heiva festival on Bora Bora, a cultural celebration with music, dancing and traditional sports, while in Tahiti, the Tahiti Moorea Sailing Rendez-Vous brings a sailing rally and a variety of competitions to both Tahiti and Moorea.
Sailors visiting Tahiti In May should travel to the Papenoo region for the Matari'i Raro (or the Pleiades Festival as its when the constellation of Pleiades rises in the southern hemisphere), which marks the end of the harvest period with traditional song and dance.
Knowledge hub
See & do
Check the following attractions before going to French Polynesia
Mount Otermanu
Bora Bora Lagoonarium
Belvedere Lookout
Fa'aruma'i Waterfalls
Toatea Lookout
Magic Mountain
Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter French Polynesia
Charter a yacht, hire an expert skipper, kick back and enjoy a luxury week on the water, cruising from beautiful island to remote anchorage, and from bustling town quay to quaint fishing village. What could be better than a crewed yacht charter in French Polynesia? But with so much out there to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right sailing yacht or catamaran for your group. That’s where we come in. With years of experience in luxury yacht charter and crewed catamaran sailing vacations, our expert brokers can sort the wheat from the chaff and select the perfect luxury charter yacht to suit your group.
Fly to Faa’ā International Airport, French Polynesia’s only international airport for an extraordinary sailing holiday. Sail the implausibly huge South Pacific for days island-hopping some of the world's remotest islands with idyllic anchorages, sublime Polynesian food and unforgettable island beaches.
Browse yachts in French Polynesia
Sailing Conditions in French Polynesia
The sailing conditions in French Polynesia are generally excellent, making it a popular destination for yacht charters. The region enjoys a warm, tropical climate with consistent easterly trade winds blowing at around 15-20 knots, which provide ideal sailing conditions for both novice and experienced sailors alike.
One of the most famous sailing destinations in French Polynesia is the lagoon of Bora Bora, which offers calm and sheltered waters for easy sailing. The crystal-clear waters of the lagoon also provide excellent opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.
Outside of the lagoons, the waters can be more challenging, with swells and waves generated by the trade winds. However, experienced sailors can take advantage of these conditions to enjoy exhilarating sailing experiences and explore the more remote islands and atolls of French Polynesia.
Overall, French Polynesia offers some of the best sailing conditions in the world, with a combination of consistent trade winds, warm waters, and stunning scenery that make it a truly unforgettable destination for a yacht charter.
Early Season
The early sailing season in French Polynesia is in May when winter begins to settle in bringing a cool dry heat without the humidity of the peak season. Days are warm and nights are cool, making hiking a particularly pleasurable pursuit around islands like Tahiti and Bora Bora. The rains tend to be at the highest between December and February, with comparatively fewer showers by March, and very few storms.
Peak Season
French Polynesia's peak sailing time is from June to August. Average temperatures are mild at 25°C, and while the Trade Winds are helpful in their consistency, they also help to lower the humidity, making for more pleasurable sailing when they're blowing. y September the humidity begins to creep up, but the climate remains pleasant and the islands are a little quieter. By late September the sun’s rays hit the lagoons across the islands at precisely the right angle, bringing out the vivid tones of blue and turquoise that the classic French Polynesian landscapes are known for.
Late Season
The late season across Bora Bora and French Polynesia brings hot, humid weather, with long bouts of rain occasionally puncturing the blue skies. Towards the end of the year, cyclones become a slight risk and may mean abandoned sailing days, and even charter and flight cancellations in extreme conditions, though they are rare.
French Polynesia Highlights
If you have a sense of adventure, you can sail across the open seas to Tahiti's stunning natural scenery. Take a day or two to explore waterfalls casting a sultry glimmer in moss-green mountains, laze on striking black sand beaches and snorkel the sublime coral reefs and wrecks, alive with schools of marine life, including whales from July to October. A Tahiti yacht charter is a great way to explore the cinematic landscapes of Maoorea, an enchanting island whose uncut-emerald topography of spiky peaks and a dormant volcano acts as a stunning siren, beckoning ships to port.
Drop anchor and go inland and you'll find even more beauty in the hiking trails that weave a picturesque trail through jungles and into the cooling embrace of crystal-clear waterfalls. Eat dinner in one of Maoorea's overwater restaurants with a view of the wildlife in the clearwater lagoons below.
Sail across to bora-bora, navigating through the magnificent coral reef that protects the island. Drop anchor, head ashore and climb Mount Otemanu for spectacular views across the Tahitian Leewards and wider South Pacific Ocean.
Begin your French Polynesia Yacht Charter in Apooiti Marina, sailing along Raiatea's picturesque Society island coast, once the religious centre of Polynesia. Here, you'll sail along beautiful sandy beaches, past ancient temple complexes tracing the sacred rock carvings of ancient Polynesian cultures, before finally arriving in Motu Taoru, an ideal anchorage for snorkellers hoping to catch a glimpse or two of the iridescent Blue Jack Fish. Navigate the coral reef between Raiatea and pause for a lunch spot with sultry island views of Motu Mahea, before continuing to Taha'a for an evening in Ha'amene Bay surrounded by conical mountaintops poking up from the land
Sail out into the open waters of the South Pacific for a day of blue water sailing towards the delightful coast of Motu To’opua, a tiny strip of land close to Bora Bora, and drop anchor for a day of snorkelling in the strip of water often called the 'Valley of Eagle Rays' thanks to the abundance of rays in the area. Sunsets here are a magical display of autumnal colour, with fiery oranges, reds and pinks illuminating the western sky, making it a perfect option for an anchorage. From here, it's a short sail to Bora-Bora's volcanic peaks, crystal-clear lagoons and hedonistic luxuries.
Embark on a French Polynesia yacht charter to explore the seemingly infinite vistas of paradise islands, the odd inky blue lagoon, and stunning beaches in the shadow of breathtaking mountain topographies.
Sail to Huahine (made up of two islands: Huahine Iti and Huahine Nui) or the Garden Island, for countless champagne-hued beaches and an interior of watermelon groves, coconut fields and vibrant wildflowers. Trace the island's exquisite curvature, sailing into transparent inlets that form protected moat-like lagoons around the island's core.
Go underwater for reef walls and caves filled with tropical fish and otherworldly coral gardens, trek to charming Polynesian villages or sail into the sunset for an onboard dinner, elevated by the craggy geometric forms of Huahine bathed in the last glows of the sun.
Catch the wind for a sail to the undisturbed Raiatea island, an ideal destination for snorkelling, owing to its phenomenal coral gardens tranquilly resting beneath an undulation of mountains concealing religious iconography and temples in their atmospheric foothills. Shop for black pearls close to sleepy Uturoa and dine on sublime local fare that fuses local seafood with classic-French touches.
Opt to overnight in a wild anchorage before following the coral reef that extends to nearby Taha'a for elysian beaches with a touch of vanilla in the air, thanks to the Vanilla orchids that colour the interiors, and lend their flavour to everything from oils to freshly baked pastries in local patisseries.
Direct your yacht charter towards the lagoon and barrier reef that encircles Bora Bora for a few days in one of French Polynesia's most captivating sailing destinations. Here, a disarming natural palette of blues and greens collide to create lush rainforests, ideal for hikes, sandy islets for dreamy anchorages, and magnificent turquoise waters smudged by colourful coral, ideally placed for snorkelling from your yacht.
French Polynesia Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Marina Apooiti, Raiatea
Your yacht charter adventure begins in Raiatea, where you'll board your luxury catamaran and set sail for the nearby island of Taha'a.
Along the way, you can stop for a swim or snorkel in the clear, turquoise waters of the lagoon. Once you arrive in Taha'a, you can explore the island's lush vanilla plantations or relax on Apu Bay's idyllic beaches.
Day 2: Taha'a to Bora-Bora
After breakfast, you'll set sail for the world-famous island of Bora-Bora. En route, you'll pass by the stunning coral gardens of Toopua and Toopua Iti, where you can snorkel and explore the colorful marine life.
Once you arrive in Bora-Bora, you can anchor in the lagoon and enjoy a sunset cocktail on the deck of your yacht.
Day 3: Bora-Bora
Spend the day exploring Bora-Bora's iconic lagoon, with its crystal-clear waters and towering volcanic peaks. You can swim with manta rays, snorkel among the coral gardens, or simply relax on one of the island's stunning beaches. In the evening, head ashore to explore Bora-Bora's vibrant nightlife and enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the island's many fine restaurants.
Day 4: Bora-Bora to Huahine
Make tracks for the island of Huahine, which is known for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty. Along the way, you can stop at the tiny island of Maupiti to explore its charming village and enjoy a swim in its turquoise lagoon.
Day 5: Huahine
Spend the day exploring Huahine's lush jungles, stunning waterfalls, and ancient Polynesian temples. You can also explore the island's rich cultural heritage at one of its many museums and cultural centers.
Day 6: Huahine to Raiatea
On your last full day of your yacht charter, you'll sail back to Raiatea, where you can explore the island's many attractions, from Faaroa Bay to historic Marae Taputapuatea and its bustling marketplaces.
Day 7: Departure
Your yacht charter adventure comes to an end as you disembark from your luxury catamaran and head home with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
Need some help?
If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.
We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.
