Take a long-distance tour that includes polynesian islands, enjoying breathtaking beauty with skippers who know the wind, so you can easily pick which stops fit pace and make the most of each tour.
Most itineraries are accessible to a wide range of travelers. In a typical day you’ll visit two or three islands, with a stone arch beside craggy mountains and a viewpoint that rewards a short climb. Skippers like vini and others brief on safety and offer a traditional polynesian cook demonstration, so you can enjoy a sample of local dishes after the tours.
Weather notes help set expectations: wind isnt always calm, so routes may shift based on gusts. For smoother seas, plan mornings and follow the crew briefing; changes still keep coastline scenery accessible and give chances to take solid photos.
Culture-focused stops highlight hiva experiences: cook shows traditional preparation, artisans explain weaving and tattoo motifs, and legends from polynesian heritage enrich every stop. These moments have been shaping appreciation about islands beyond beaches.
To maximize value, pick a trusted operator that shares itineraries with tours of varying length. For families and first-timers, choose shorter routes; for those seeking depth, a longer loop can cover islands and mountains, with reliable safety briefings and clear transfer plans. Reach out to them ahead of time to align schedules and expectations.
Islands of Tahiti: Sailing, Packages, and FAQs
Recommendation: book a 6-night crewed sailing package departing from vaitape, Bora Bora, with a tahitian crew that lead daily on-water activities and a cook on board for authentic dining, while you dream over amazing lagoons and crystal-clear waters.
Packages provide two meals daily, guided snorkel tours, and fixed mooring at official sites; prices start from $3,200 for a 2-person cabin on 6 nights, with additional days or private tours from $450 per person. The sailing craft measures about 15 meters in length and is crewed by 2 to 3 sailors who themselves handle navigation and safety.
Onboard dining features tahitian specialties such as poisson cru and coconut curry; the cook curates menus to guest preferences, while the crew lead shore excursions and cultural experiences, including a povai tour and a short tahitian cultural performance.
Stops use fixed mooring on calm waters; swimming and snorkeling off the stern is common; daily sailing hours run 3 to 5 hours, depending on wind and sea state.
Flights into Papeete connect with domestic hops to Bora Bora; packages include airport transfers to Vaitape or a pre-cruise hotel stay, ensuring a smooth start. Although travel to some continents can be lengthy, planning ahead keeps the schedule tight.
Rent snorkel gear and optional paddle boards are available on board; the crew provides snorkeling gear and safety equipment, so you can skip heavy luggage.
For a cultural touch, povai bay on Moorea can be included as part of a combined Tahiti itinerary; guests appreciate the chance to meet local artisans and hear traditional stories from Tahitian guides.
To maximize the experience, book in the shoulder season to secure better mooring slots and reduce prices; bring reef-safe sunscreen, a lightweight rain jacket, and a compact camera; the itinerary provides maps and a simple tour outline for planning ashore.
In summary, these islands deliver a dream blend of sailing, culture, and streamlined logistics for cruisers seeking a balanced package; the mix of tahitian cuisine, striking lagoons, and easy transfers makes every sunset feel amazing.
Where are the Islands of Tahiti and how to reach them
Start with Fa’a’ā International Airport in Papeete and plan a quick inter‑island hop to Raiatea or Bora Bora. PPT connects to Raiatea in about 45 minutes or to Bora Bora in roughly 50–60 minutes by Air Tahiti; Moorea is reachable in 30–45 minutes by air or a 30–45 minute ferry from Papeete. For long-distance itineraries, allocate 7–10 days to sample multiple stops, and build in buffer time between air legs and sea transfers.
Tahiti lies at the core of the Society Islands, split into Windward and Leeward groups. The Leeward cluster includes Raiatea and Tahaa, with Bora Bora, Huahine, and Maupiti as other popular stops. Raiatea (raiatea) serves as a practical hub for reef voyages and cultural sites, while top destinations on the Windward side include Moorea. That arrangement makes three or more day sails or flights a very reasonable plan for a first visit.
On a sailing‑charter, a skipper handles the routing and boarding routine. Most itineraries last three to seven days and pivot around sheltered leeward lagoons and reef passes. Cabins are standard aboard modern catamarans or monohulls, and full‑board options often include meals and water toys. For pers traveling solo or in small groups, a skipper‑driven charter simplifies logistics and maximizes time on the water.
Seasonality centers on the dry season from May to October, when steady trade winds and clear skies boost visibility and sailing comfort. The coral reefs stay busy year‑round, but the wet season (November to April) brings higher humidity and bigger swells; taravana folklore aside, a sensible plan is to target calmer periods for long crossings and reef‑edge snorkeling.
Reefs and lagoons around Raiatea and Tahaa offer extraordinary snorkeling and sailing opportunities. Leeward passes provide sheltered entry points, while turquoise liquid water reveals coral gardens and wildlife just beneath the surface. If you’re ready to linger, you’ll find perfect leisure anchors where reefs ring lagoons, and sunsets over Topua passages become memorable every evening.
Logistics and gear: booking a multi‑island route often includes airport transfers, onboard cabins and onboard entertainment, and a skipper who can tailor the schedule to conditions. A few operators publish films and itineraries to help you choose, while persistent signal on cell networks tends to be patchy offshore. For a first-hand feel, consult a veteran skipper such as Vini, who emphasizes three core islands–Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora–and keeps a shared calendar so pers can coordinate boarding times and shore visits.
Tips to optimize the trip: choose a route that blends cultural sites–Taputapuatea on Raiatea–with lagoon‑driven days on Bora Bora and gentle beach swims on Tahaa. If you’re keen on a full experience, include a night aboard a cabin charter and a reef‑side sail along the leeward isles. Films about Tahiti’s lagoon life often capture the iconic light, but real‑world sailing reveals everything: reefs, currents, and the calm of a well‑planned schedule.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Islands of Tahiti
Best time to visit is May through October, with dry-season days offering the clearest liquid lagoons and calm seas. June to August deliver the very best snorkeling and reef visibility, and daytime highs sit around 28–30°C (82–86°F) with water near 26–29°C (79–84°F). Expect abundant sunshine and minimal rainfall, making inter-islands hopping between Tahiti, bora, and Moorea comfortable. If you want fewer crowds, consider late May or early October, taken into account that conditions remain favorable for coast and leisure activities, and you can still rent gear or open-air dining options throughout the islands either for a quick bite or a full dinner.
Logistics for exploration: plan long-distance transfers with domestic flights or reliable ferries; inter-islands trips between Tahiti and each atoll run daily, with durations from 15–60 minutes by air and 90–150 minutes by sea, depending on route. Dockage and mooring are accessible at major ports; hidden coves often require local guides or private mooring arrangements. You can rent gear or vehicles at most hotels, which open throughout the dry season; dining venues span casual beach-bars to fine dining with scenic views along the coast. If you rent a boat, ensure you have proper permits and checking procedures in advance; many operators provide safety briefings and on-board life jackets. This approach shows how following a structured plan will help you hit both inter-islands highlights and long-distance hops.
Practical tips: book well in advance for peak months; check hotels for open-access coves and moorings; some resorts provide mooring for guests and can arrange scenic sunset cruises along the coast. If you’re seeking hidden coves, hire a local captain to navigate reefs; travel insurance that covers liquid activities is advised. For leisure travelers, the following plan works: spend 4–5 days on Tahiti with a side trip to bora, then 3–4 days in Moorea or another inter-islands stop. The moana experiences can include spa, sailing, and gentle hikes that enrich leisure time across the archipelago. Be mindful of wind shifts and local notices; always check with dockage operators and the hotels’ guest services before setting out.
What You Can Expect on a Tahiti Sailing and Cruising Vacation
Book a 7- to 9-day yacht charter that balances Tahiti’s renowned islands with Tuamotu lagoons for a rich blend of culture and scenery at an affordable price.
Onboard, a typical yacht carries three cabins for guests, with a full crew handling provisioning and dining. Each cabin includes a private head and climate control. Expect a daily crew-led service and smart, efficient handling of meals. Dining features a signature dish such as poisson cru, plus grilled fish and fresh tropical fruit. An island hop links key harbours. Breathtaking sunsets on the west side of islands and pleasant nights under starlit skies invite relaxation. Between anchorages, enjoy shore visits to cultural sites or a calm swim in turquoise lagoons while the captain leads operations to keep the schedule smooth.
The sequence centers on three pillars: yachting comfort, pristine lagoons, and cultural encounters. You’ll explore lagoons between reef walls, snorkel in crystal-clear water, and visit villages that preserve Polynesian traditions. Boarding starts early in port; bring a note about dietary requests or special needs; keep a smartphone handy for photos and maps; cell service is strong in Tahiti but may weaken between atolls. The west side offers beautiful scenery, and a bora stop can be a memorable highlight. Affordable options exist by choosing shared sails or off-peak dates, making the voyage accessible to more guests.
Practical tips help maximize satisfaction: pack compactly, check weather for short squalls, and plan a flexible schedule with the captain. The three cabins on board are typically arranged as two doubles and one master, with common deck spaces to relax on the side or above the salon. Capture memories with a smartphone, but switch to airplane mode during long passages to conserve battery. For dietary preferences or special requests, submit a heads-up before boarding, and the crew will tailor menus and excursions accordingly.
| Day | Lokalita / Ostrov | Zameranie / Aktivita | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tahiti / Papeete | Úvodná inštruktáž; nástup na palubu | Príďte 30 minút skôr; majte pripravené cestovné doklady |
| 2 | Moorea alebo blízky ostrov | Šnorchlovanie; výlet na pobreží | Prineste opaľovací krém bezpečný pre útesy; zabezpečte cennosti. |
| 3 | región Bora Bora | Plavba po lagúne; ikonické výhľady | Spýtaj sa posádky na najlepšie kotvisko a časy kŕmenia. |
| 4 | atol Tuamotu | Plytké lagúny; kultúrne prvky | Rešpektujte miestne zvyklosti; majte poruke malé vrecko bezpečné pre útesy. |
| 5 | Tuamotu | Ďalšie objavovanie lagúny | Žiadam tiché kajuty pre hlbší spánok |
| 6 | Tahiti západná strana / prístavy | Plavba pri západe slnka; stravovanie na palube | Na konci dňa nabite zariadenia |
| 7 | Tahiti / návrat do prístavu | Vylodenie a ukončenie | Poskytnite kapitánovi spätnú väzbu, aby prispôsobil ďalšiu plavbu |
Aktivity a dobrodružstvá na ostrovoch Tahiti
Rezervujte si štvordňovú dovolenku na mieru pozdĺž pobrežia Leeward Coast, aby ste maximalizovali plachtenie, scenériu a pláže.
Na jachte skúsená hosteska riadi program so štyrmi základnými možnosťami pre cestovateľov, ktorí túžia po rozmanitosti. Motor ticho vrní, ako sa vietor mení a pobrežie míňa. Posádky, ktoré si uvedomujú obmedzenia signálu, sa často spoliehajú na offline mapy a dbajú na bezpečnosť, pohodlie a súkromie. Každý deň, vrátane plávania v lagúne, piknikov na pláži a grilovačiek na palube, prináša skvelé momenty, ktoré odhaľujú panenský svet Tahiti.
- Záveterne slučky a pláže motu: cez pokojné lagúny sa zastavte na malých ostrovčekoch, kde si užijete čas na pláži, šnorchlujte a pokochajte sa výhľadom na pobrežie; plavba pozdĺž strany ostrova, keď sa vietor zmení; v prípade pokojnejšej vody sa môžete plaviť alebo nechať ťahať motorom. Hosteska koordinuje starostlivosť o breh a bezpečnosť pre hladký priebeh dňa.
- Zážitky nad vodou a luxusné pobyty: ubytujte sa v bungalovoch nad vodou alebo si dajte večeru na palube jachty; vrátane osvetlenia pri západe slnka, priameho prístupu do vody a grilovačky na palube pri západe slnka.
- Scenérie ostrovov a kultúrne ponorenie: jednodňové výlety na Mooreu a do vnútrozemia vrcholov Tahiti; túry odmeňujúce panoramatickými výhľadmi, zatiaľ čo miestne trhy ponúkajú remeselné výrobky a hudbu. Buďte pripravení na teplé dni, množstvo opaľovacieho krému a možnosť spojiť sa s ostrovným životom po celom pobreží.
- Možnosti plachtenia a dobrodružstva: prenajmite si plán s možnosťami šnorchlovania na útese alebo potápania bezpečného pre útesy; plachtenie v špičke pozdĺž náveternej veternej zóny prináša hladký postup, skvelé osvetlenie a trvalé výsledky pre milovníkov vetra a rodinné skupiny.
Plánovanie Vašeho dokonalého úniku nad vodou na ostrovoch Tahiti

Otvorte dvere do pokojného útočiska na záveternú stranu Tahiti, kde pokojné lagúny pozývajú na šnorchlovanie a chladný vánok udržiava paluby pohodlné. Na začiatok si vyberte štvornočný pobyt v bungalove nad vodou a naplánujte si program, ktorý by vyvážil odpočinok s ľahkými dobrodružstvami. Táto prehliadka farieb a svetla definuje tahitský pobyt. Rozložte si mapu a označte miesta na šnorchlovanie, čas na kúpele a plavby pri západe slnka.
Pre presnejšie doladenie prevádzkujte prieskum o stredisku: pýtajte sa na zážitky na mieru, súkromné jedlá, večere kurátorované šéfkuchárom a flexibilné časy príchodu. Stravovací plán na mieru vás udrží sýtych bez toho, aby ste museli opustiť bungalov; personál vám môže priniesť uteráky, nápoje a dokonca aj chladený vozík s nápojmi priamo na vašu terasu.
Prílet na Tahiti začína na medzinárodnom letisku Faa’a (PPT). Po pristátí vás na miesto určenia dostane krátky vnútroštátny let (približne 50 – 60 minút na Bora Bora, 35 na Moorea) alebo pohodlný transfer katamaránom. Príďte za denného svetla, aby ste si užili bezproblémové ubytovanie a pripravené privítanie, ktoré navodí príjemnú náladu pre vaše prvé šnorchlovanie alebo návštevu kúpeľov.
Tipy priamo na mieste: majte so sebou kompaktný zoznam vecí, ktoré sa nedajú ľahko nahradiť; zbaľte si opaľovací krém bezpečný pre koralové útesy, vodotesné puzdro na telefón a ľahkú bundu na veterné večery. Rezorty zvyčajne poskytujú dennú výmenu uterákov; často si môžete vyžiadať ďalšie uteráky na terasu a niekoľko si nechať bokom na výlety loďou. Nádoby na triedenie odpadu sú bežné, takže odpad separujte rovnako ako doma.
Nápady na aktivity: pokojné ranné šnorchlovanie s mantami, prehliadka lagúny so sprievodcom a súkromná plavba pri západe slnka. Ak to vietor dovolí, pre skupiny so štyrmi a viac osobami je možné zabezpečiť lekcie kitesurfingu na plytkom útese s inštruktormi. Pre filmový zážitok si objednajte súkromnú filmovú noc na palube, ktorá vzdáva hold nádhernej tahitskej oblohe a svetu kinematografie, vrátane filmov, ktoré máte radi. Je to úžasný spôsob, ako si oddýchnuť po dni plnom pádlovania a objavovania; hlavná sezóna ponúka spoľahlivé podmienky pre vodné športy a prechádzky po pobreží.
Stravovanie: vyžiadajte si stravovací plán šitý na mieru, ktorý vyhovuje vašim stravovacím potrebám; mnohé rezorty ponúkajú raňajky vo vašom bungalove, obed pri bazéne a večeru na terase. Vybrané menu je možné upravovať denne; tento flexibilný prístup prináša spokojnosť a znižuje potrebu hľadať iné možnosti.
Ceny a komu to vyhovuje: balíky strednej triedy zahŕňajú transfery, raňajky a niektoré aktivity; prémiové možnosti garantujú súkromných sprievodcov a plne prispôsobené itineráre. Ak cestujete ako pár, so štyrmi priateľmi alebo ako štvorčlenná rodina, rezort sa dokáže prispôsobiť štyrom alebo viacerým hosťom v jednom apartmáne nad vodou. Cena na osobu sa líši v závislosti od sezóny a Tahiti ponúka rafinovaný únik, ktorý je oddychový aj dobrodružný; bol by to nezabudnuteľný, na mieru šitý zážitok, ktorý otvára nové obzory a osvieži vás. Tešia sa na váš príchod; tento únik je živý zážitok s otvorenou mapou.
Frequently Asked Questions – Quick Answers to Your Top Questions">