Bareboat Tahiti, Tahiti & French Polynesia

Itinerary

A Tahiti sailing itinerary typically includes easy passages within the protected waters behind the beautiful coral reefs that encircle the islands, allowing for relaxed sailing in one of the most exotic cruising grounds in the world. Snorkeling and scuba diving on the reefs, swimming and sunbathing on white-sand beaches, enjoying the delights of luxury resorts, shopping, and fine restaurants, and spending quiet evenings aboard your yacht in picturesque anchorages are all part of what makes sailing in Tahitian waters so appealing. Relatively short passages between the islands (see Tahiti maps) integrate open-ocean sailing. The longest passage to windward is about 18 nautical miles. The open-water passages downwind from Huahine to Tahaa and from Tahaa to Bora-Bora are simply spectacular, South Pacific sailing at its very best.

• 10 Day
• 7 Day
• Free Roam

Popular 10-Day Itinerary

 

 

Day 1, Apu Bay

Uturoa to Apu Bay – 3 nm. It’s just a short hop north inside the barrier reef to the exotic island of Tahaa and Apu Bay. As you draw near, the unmistakable sweet scent of vanilla carries to you on the balmy wind. Tahaa is nicknamed the Vanilla Island because of its vanilla plantations. Pick up a mooring at the Taravana Yacht Club, a French restaurant and hotel with a convivial bar. The food is excellent at the restaurant. Moorings are free of charge for diners.

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Day 2, Bora-Bora Yacht Club

Apu Bay to Bora-Bora Yacht Club – 23 nm. Your mooring off the Taravana Yacht Club puts you in an excellent position to begin a splendid off the wind sail from Tahaa to fabled Bora-Bora. In an easterly, the wind will be off the starboard quarter, ideal for fast sailing the way it’s supposed to be. Off the starboard bow, the heights of Mt. Otemanu soar 2,362 feet above an azure sea, with impressive Mt. Pahia nearby. It’s about 18 nautical miles on the open water, then you head through the reef pass into the calm waters of Bora-Bora’s lagoon. The Bora-Bora Yacht Club is about one nautical mile to the east, a famous gathering place for world cruisers. Enjoy cocktails in the casual and colorful island bar

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Day 3, Taurere

Bora-Bora Yacht Club to Taurere – 8 nm. Set sail for a beautiful passage through Bora-Bora’s magnificent lagoon, the ever-changing color of the calm waters captivating to the eye as you pass miles of barrier reef to port. Between Motu Piti Aau and Taurere are good overnight anchorages near an exquisite coral formation popular for snorkeling. On the way there you can stop to experience the wonders of the Lagoonarium, where you can swim with all kinds of intriguing sea creatures, including sharks!

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Day 4, Pt. Raititi

Taurere to Pt. Raititi – 10 nm. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you watch the birds on the nearby motus, then set sail back around the top of Bora-Bora within the calm waters of the lagoon. It’s off the wind all the way. Pt. Raititi is near the Bora-Bora Hotel, shops, and art galleries. Fine swimming and snorkeling abounds at the nearby beaches.

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Day 5, Faaroa Bay

Pt. Raititi to Faaroa Bay – 37 nm. Set sail early for your 18-nautical-mile open-water passage from Bora-Bora to Tahaa. Once you’re through the pass at Tahaa, it’s 12 nautical miles or so to beautiful Faaroa Bay on the east side of Raiatea. Faaroa Bay is highly recommended for two reasons: There’s much to see on the east side of Raiatea inside the reef, and you’ll be ideally positioned for your upcoming sail to Huahine. You can pick up a mooring in Faaroa Bay or anchor. Alternatively, you can stop at the Moorings base to reprovision and stay the night.

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Day 6, Opoa Bay

Faaroa Bay to Opoa Bay – 5 nm. After you explore the Aopomau River at the head of Faaroa Bay, a definite must when visiting Raiatea, a short sail southward takes you to the village and bay of Opoa. This is an excellent day stop. Ashore are a little village and the magnificent archaeological site of Taputapuatea Marae, the most important in all of French Polynesia. Return to Faaroa Bay for a good night’s rest.

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Day 7, Fare Village

Faaroa Bay to Fare Village – 21 nm. The passage to Huahine is usually a close reach. The island is plainly visible as you head out of Passe Irihu ou Maire, its mountain heights covered in green, its peaks sometimes cloaked in puffy white clouds. Once you are through the pass at the northwest end of Huahine, Fare Village is directly ahead. This is the island’s main town, with a variety of restaurants, some small hotels, and general stores. Of particular interest to sailors is the Huahine Shack, a casual tropical bar catering to world cruisers.

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Day 8, Bay d’Avea

Fare Village to Bay d’Avea – 9 nm. Sailing along the west coast of Huahine inside the barrier reef takes you past a number of beautiful anchorages, with tall mountains off the port beam, the blues, greens, oranges, and browns of the reef to starboard. The rich scent of tropical flowers carries on the breeze. One of the more scenic places to spend the night is at Bay d’Avea, at the southern end of the island’s western shore. The snorkeling in the area is excellent. There are also restaurants and other attractions.

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Day 9, Haamene Bay

Bay d’Avea to Haamene Bay – 35 nm. Get an early start for your open-water passage to Tahaa. You’ll be off the wind the entire way, sailing fast and loving every minute. The soaring heights of Raiatea and Tahaa rise from a cobalt sea, cottony puffs of white cloud stark against a brilliant blue sky. This is South Pacific sailing at its best. Once you’re through the pass at Tahaa, the fjord-like expanse of Haamene Bay is just a couple of miles away, scenic and secure. If you’re yearning to dine ashore, the Hibiscus Restaurant is a nice place to eat dinner.

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