Seven days cruising the exotic paradise of Tahiti

Seven days cruising the exotic paradise of Tahiti

Cruise Tahiti from Raiatea and discover one of the most beautiful gems of the Pacific and also one of the most exotic bareboat, all-inclusive and crewed cruise areas in the world.

The French Polynesia is made up of hundreds of islands spread over five archipelagos, including the Gambier, Austral, Tuamotu, Marquesas and the Society Islands. The Leeward Islands of Bora Bora, Raiatea, Tahaa and Huahine within the Society archipelago are among the most popular islands for cruising vacations.

Leeward Islands 7-day cruise

Day 1: From Raiatea to Tahaa to discover turtles and pearl farms

Day 2: From Tahaa to Bora Bora

Day 3: Explore Bora Bora and the beautiful Coral Garden in the south, a great snorkeling spot, and the impressive underwater world at the Lagoonarium in the east. Do not miss the famous Bloody Marys

Day 4: Get to know the Bora Bora lagoon and hike Mount Pahia, south of Vaitape, for breathtaking views of the lagoon and the island

Day 5: From Bora Bora to Tahaa with its magnificent anchorage in front of the motu Tautau

Day 6:From Tahaa to Motu Ceran. Get away from it all with this underwater paradise, which is perfect for a final dive or last sunbath before you depart.

Day 7: Arrive early morning in Raiatea

Vacation highlights

• Visit a pearl farm, such as Anapa
• Swim with manta rays, sharks, dolphins and green turtles on coral reefs
• Snorkel the Tahaa corals
• Watch humpback whales in Rurutu
• Enjoy an organized dive and swim among 500 species of fish
• Kayak or paddleboard at your anchorages to get close to marine life

Travel tips

Have a look around Tahiti’s capital Papeete before boarding a local plane to reach Raiatea. Limit your luggage to two bags per person to avoid paying excess on the connecting flight between Papeete and Raiatea.

High season weather

The region has two seasons and the perfect times for sailing are:

• May to November – Go for September and October in the dry and cool season, when the temperatures are between 25-28°C
• December to April – Go for April and May during the wet, hot season

The Leeward Islands enjoy easterly winds around 15-20 knots with gusts at 25 knots. The navigation alternates between calm waters protected by coral reefs and open water between the islands and canals. There is little swell and it is important to follow the markings to avoid local hazards. We advise leaving anchorages early in the morning for calmer navigation.

Provision planning

Prepare your shopping before you start your cruise to avoid waste and because supplies can be hard to find among the islands. Buy your fish, crabs, lobsters directly from the fishermen and enjoy local fruits and vegetables, such as papayas, vanilla and coconut. Supplies can often be delivered to your boat.

Find out more

To book your bareboat yacht charter or all-inclusive cruise in Tahiti, give our team a call on 01227 479 900 or request a quote.