With an international airport and superyacht marinas, the largest of the Society Islands, Tahiti is an ideal place to begin your French Polynesia yacht charter. The scent of fragrant tiare flowers, friendly smiles, and the dramatic volcanic landscape bordered by clear waters will greet you. 

As a typical jumping-off point for the surrounding islands, exploring Tahiti can sometimes fall to the wayside. However, we recommend spending a day here to soak up the island’s unique blend of natural beauty and energy. Wander through the capital city, Papeete, and its lively local market is well worth a visit. Explore the handcrafted goods, fresh flowers, local produce, and souvenirs. 

To combat jet lag and further stretch your legs, Tahiti offers numerous hiking opportunities within its landscape, from exploring lava tubes to summiting peaks. One trail that begins in Papette, in the Fautaua Valley, is ideal for enjoying the refreshing waterfalls and ancient ruins along the way. Tahiti is also renowned for its surf, with the annual Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition held annually at Tahupo’o. Only professionals should try their hand at this world-renowned surf break, but it’s still an excellent spot for watching. For surfers who want to catch a wave, there are plenty of places around the island, depending on weather and ability. 

A short, scenic cruise west brings you to Moorea. Enjoy the views on deck of the dramatic jagged peaks in front of you, while leaving behind Tahiti in the distance. The island has remained unspoiled, and little has changed since the British explorer Captain Cook landed here in the 18th century. Named after him, Cook’s Bay is one of the most scenic spots on the island, with the clear and shallow waters framed by Mount Rotui in the backdrop. 

Spend your day getting adventurous and exploring the island’s interior, hiking or taking an ATV tour through rainforest trails and pineapple plantations to the famous Belvedere Lookout, where you will be treated to panoramic views. To cool down and get below the surface, Moorea’s waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. At Opunohu Bay, you can swim at the shallow sandbar within the lagoon, which is a popular spot for stingrays and reef sharks. During July through November, you may also be lucky enough to spot the migrating humpback whales.

As you island-hop throughout French Polynesia, you will think each is as beautiful as the next, but Huahine is a showstopper. Often referred to as the ‘Garden Island,’ this exceptionally green island is brimming with coconut plantations, vanilla orchids, banana groves, and watermelon fields. Divided into two, Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti are connected by a sandspit at low tide with a small bridge. 

Huahine is home to just eight small villages scattered across the jungle and beach landscapes, and with fewer visitors than its more famous neighbors, this island offers a more authentic and laid-back atmosphere. Take exploration at your pace, explore the bays by tender, or get ashore for some leisurely cycling or walking. 

Head to explore the traditional small villages. In Faie, you can spot the famous and sacred blue-eyed eels, or, if you’re feeling brave, swim with them. Meanwhile, you can discover the rich Polynesian heritage at the Maeva Archaeological site, home to ancient Polynesian temples. Nearby, there are the 400-year-old stone fish traps to spot, take note of the centuries-old ingenious design, which are still in use today. Back onboard, enjoy watersports, visit the beaches, and relax into the island lifestyle.

This island is considered to be the birthplace of Polynesia. To learn more about the indigenous Polynesian culture, visit the UNESCO-listed Marae Taputapuatea temple. Located on the southeastern side of the island, it is considered the largest and most significant religious site in the South Pacific. 

While exploring Raiatea, especially on Mount Temehani, keep your eyes peeled while hiking for the rare Tiare Apetahi flower, which is only found on this island. Back at sea level, enjoy relaxation onboard and dive into the clear lagoon waters. 

Here, there is also a chance to visit one of French Polynesia’s most famous pearl farms, Anapa Pearl Farm, to learn about the secrets of the Tahitian pearl culture, from the production to the classification of pearls – there is also a chance to snorkel or dive in the lagoon to see the pearl oysters in their environment. 

Located to the north of Raiatea and in the same lagoon is the smaller sister island of Taha’a. In comparison to the high, imposing Raiatea, this flower-shaped island is low-lying, and shallow waters make it perfect for enjoying water-based activities. 

As well as incredible drift diving and coral garden snorkeling here, this is the island known for its vanilla plantations. Take a guided tour of a family-run vanilla plantation, where you will see the orchids, learn about the cultivation and processing of vanilla, and sample and purchase products to enjoy back onboard or at home. Taha’a also has two rum distilleries, where you can visit the plantations and learn how they use ancient practices to transform the cane into rum. 

An evening on anchor here can be spent onboard relaxing with island views, or with a barbecue beach setup on a nearby motu for your own evening castaway experience.

A yacht charter itinerary in French Polynesia isn’t complete without experiencing Bora Bora’s world-famous and postcard-perfect lagoon, which exceeds expectations. The mirror-like calm waters and iconic overwater bungalows are the epitome of paradise, and it’s not hard to see why it’s such a popular honeymoon destination. 

Spend your day enjoying the bright blue and turquoise waters, swim with the manta rays at the cleaning stations, and enjoy more snorkelling at the iconic ‘Aquarium’ spot. The clear waters are ideal for a variety of water sports, such as paddleboarding and kayaking around the lagoon.

On your final morning, spend a leisurely morning with another swim off the yacht, paddle around the motus, or enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the aft deck. 

If you are concluding a one-way charter, soak up the last hours with a private beach lunch picnic or a spa treatment at one of Bora Bora’s famous resorts before a short flight back to Tahiti for your international connection. For those with more time to spare, consider extending your adventure into the remote Tuamotu atolls, a cluster of low-lying, untouched coral islets with world-renowned diving spots.