Tahiti skippered sailing vacation, yacht charter and sailing charter with the Manhattan Sailing Club. More than a sailing trip.

We will be sailing the Society Islands in French Polynesia in Tahiti and you can choose one, two of three weeks at you convenience. See our discount policy for multiple weeks.

NOTE. This sailing vacation is open to all Members and non-members, Students, their Friends and other sailors or non sailors who want to work on their suntan in one of the most exclusive spot of the world at a time when the rest of us are freezing...

Note also that we have negotiated air fare with Air Tahiti Nui (an American Airline Partner) starting at 800 Euro from JFK and 668 from LAX. Note also that you do need to book a hotel unless you intend to spend more time on one of these islands.

During the sailing vacation if requested, Skippers will be providing sailing education during the trip. Taking a sailing class is not mandatory.

Tahiti specific links

Weather Tahiti

Lonely Planet Tahiti

Wikipedia Tahiti

Guide to The Society Islands

State Dept. Tahiti French Polynesia

Geological info Society Islands

Boat for Tahiti

Airlines for the Grenadines

Air Tahiti Nui

American Airlines and Northwest

Air Tahiti

Hotel info

Pension Damyr

Sofitel Maeva Beach

Tahaa Relais & Chateaux

Bora Bora Pearl Beach

How to declare your interest and register for charter?

Declare your interest or register by clicking the links on the right side of this page. If you are not quite ready to sign up but would like more information, please fill out the declare your interest form on the right and Thierry will contact you by email. Please remember that Thierry has worked out a special packaged deal with an Air line to get the cheapest possible rate and that there is a time limit to it. After that you will have to deal with much more expensive airfare at a very busy period. In other words the earlier you register, the better it is.

The Yachts

So far we have booked a Catamaran Bahia 46 from Raiatea an Island NW of Tahiti

Itinerary of the Vacation.

This sailing vacation takes you to the Superb Society Islands, one of the most exclusive sailing areas in the world. The itinerary of this yacht charter is only indicative. Thierry likes to discuss options with the crew depending on the weather and the interests of each others.

What to do? There is so much: From sailing these magical waters and regular trade winds, to snorkeling or diving in the lagoons on unique coral reefs, wind surfing or surfing amazing waves, sun tanning under the coco trees on the white sand beaches on your own "motu" (tiny islet in the lagoons), showering in the fresh water falls, visiting the vanilla plantations and the pearl farms, discovering the local villages, open air markets, the luxury resorts and ancient archeological sites, climbing above the sea giant boulders, getting lost on deserted hard to access by land lagoons, drinking at the most remote bars in the middle of the atolls and eating at superb restaurants (remember this is France), attending traditional celebrations and dances...

Let us know what you are interested in and we will adjust the sailing itinerary accordingly.

Tahiti sailing vacations 07 itinerary map

Tahiti -- Typical 7-day Itinerary :

Day 1 Fri. Dec 21st

With Air Tahiti Nui from JFK

Dep. JFK at 18.45 - Arr. in Papeete on Sat. Dec 22. at 06.30 am

Note that it might be cheaper and more convenient to fly to LA and then take Air Tahiti Nui.

Hotel stay if you want to relax or take the fist flight to Raiatea with Air Tahiti.

Schedule for departure is:

Note that you need to book these flights asap as they tend to get quickly overcrowded at the peak of the season.

In Raiatea you will be picked up by our mini bus and taken to the boat, where you can sleep a little more before departing.

Day 2 Sat. Dec 22nd

Sailing from Raiatea to South Raieta - 10 to 12 NM

Due to the long trip we will simply sail to a Nice lagoon SE of Raieta. A short trip, a long bath in the blue waters and dinner on the beach. Raiatea is the second largest island in French Polynesia, and is located 120 miles north-west of Tahiti. Tahitians believe Raiatea to be the sacred birthplace of their gods and their religious and cultural beginnings. In fact, the most important and well-preserved religious site in all of Polynesia is here, and we hope to get to visit it. With the large protected lagoon around Raiatea and her charming sister island of Tahaa, the area has naturally become one of our top locations for sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving, which can be arranged anywhere during this trip.

Day 3 Sun. Dec 23th

Sailing from Raiatea to Huahine - 20 to 25 NM

Huahine is a spectacular island. The people are friendly, the forests are lush, and the mountains are beautiful. It’s as beautiful as Bora Bora or Moorea but far less crowded. Visitors have just recently discovered this quaint island, where you can experience a more traditional Polynesian way of life. The beaches are unmatched in beauty and the anchorages welcome you with charm and enchantment. With its deep water bays and lagoons bordered by motus, mountainous Huahine is ripe for an exploration. The lagoon, bordered by white sand beaches, is rich with sea life, and Maeva Village is a wealth of archeological sites. The principal village of Fare slumbers under the shade of almond and acacia trees. If surfing’s your thing, don’t miss the renowned waves of Avamoa Pass. Scenic views abound whether one wades along the coast or climbs in the mountains. With more than thirty miles of roads to explore, Huahine, unlike other islands, can take several days to discover. Make it an alternative or a perfect complement to legendary Bora Bora or lush, tropical Moorea. We will visit the tiny, picturesque port of Fare when it really comes to life on shipping day, and visit the sleepy village of Parea, where Polynesians live a happy, peaceful life, little changed over the generations. The historic, former royal village of Maeva is like an open-air museum, where restored sacrificial temples (marae) and other ancient sites tell of a civilization the existed over 1,000 years ago.

Day 4 Mon. Dec 24th

Sailing from Huahine to Tahaa - 25 NM

Tahaa is often called the Vanilla Island for its numerous plantations of this black gold. The rich and puissant aroma of vanilla perfumes the breeze as you drive around the 42 mile coastal road, through small villages and up into the hills for panoramic views of the deeply indented bays all around the island. Tahaa produces about 80% of all vanilla in French Polynesia. While fishing and farming are its main livelihoods, what seduces visitors are its pretty beaches, coral gardens, and the sandy motus which pepper the lagoon it shares with Raiatea. Tahaa is slowly awakening to tourism, yet still maintains an authentic flavor of Polynesia. The beautiful deep bays and small deserted motus make Tahaa an ideal island to escape. There we will visit a vanilla farm and get along a river by dinghy to a waterfall to swim in the crystal like waters.

Day 5. Tue. Dec 25th

Sailing from Tahaa to Bora Bora - 10 to 12 NM

Anchor at Motu Tupe, swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful lagoon. Early in the morning, discover the traditional Lagoonarium where you can swim with turtles, friendly rays, sharks and different kinds of fish. In the afternoon, sail down to the southern shore of Bora Bora and explore the magnificent coral garden. Xmas dinner in Bora - on a motu with a band fire or at the Hotel Bora Bora

Day 6. Wed. Dec 26th

Bora to Maupiti - 30 NM.

Maupiti is the quintessential island of the society archipelago. Inhabitants have refused the construction of any resorts, making this little village one of the most charming, isolated and welcoming island in the whole area. Inhabitants will invite you to their garden, or will cook for you at home a traditional meal, we visit of pearl farm and tour of the island by bike, and in the evening we will attend the "not for tourist" local dance and singing festival. This is one of the most amazing place in the world.

Maupiti dance festival with friends Xmas 2006

Day 7. Thur. Dec 27th

We stay in Maupiti. Unwind, breath, disappear, overdose on mangos...

Day 8. Fri. Dec 28th

Maupiti to Tahaa 35 NM.

Early in the morning, explore the Apoomao river by dinghy. Enjoy an afternoon sail to Tahaa island and anchor in Hurepiti bay on Tahaa's western shore. sailing inside the reef to Motu Mahaeafor, a good snorkeling afternoon. Anchor in Apu Bay for the night and dinner at the Tahaa Yacht club by the water, in the middle of the lush vegetation

Day 9. Sat. Dec 29th

Sailing from Tahaa to Raiataa- 5 NM

Back to Papeete via Air Tahiti.

Visit of Pappete and dep to LAX (JFK) at dep. 23.30 arrive Sunday morning Dec 30 in JFK or LA. A little nap, a quick shower and let's keep the party going!

The second week and third week will take us to other islands nearby and we will also go to Morea, Papeete and spend time going with the wind to find the best spots.

Flights and Airfare. Book it ASAP!

We have worked out a amazing agreement with Air Tahiti Nui (ATN), to fly at the cheapest rate possible. Right now if you try to book a JFK Tahiti Papeete PPT the cheapest flight is at $1897.00 at this period ! Go through us before the due date (TBA) and Air Tahiti Nui will fly us Direct from JFK to Papeete (Tahiti) for 808 Euros plus airport taxes. This is about $1100.00 + about $150.00 of US taxes. You might also want to combine another carrier to LAX and then use Air Tahiti Nui as their return schedules are not convenient for JFK.

It may sound like a lot but please remember that this destination at any time of the year will cost you at least the same price and that at this period of the year you will not find anything for much less. As an example the cheapest flight to the Grenadines that I know of with Air Jamaica from JFK to Grenada which is normally available for $480.00 is ON SALE for Xmas at $1057.00!!!

This rate is unique and you will not be able to get it through any travel agency nor web site... Well try it and let me know... Air Tahiti Nui do have code share with American Airlines and Northwest and you might be able to use your frequent flyer. There is no black out period with Northwest. Nevertheless the problem with this type of rate is that we have until no later than the end of November (with a possible extension of few days in December to confirm our tickets. Then you will have to pay the regular price which will make this trip probably impossible for most of us.

Tahiti sailing vacations 07 and yacht charter aerial view

Air Tahiti (not Air Tahiti Nui) flights between Papeete and Raieta are 21 600 CFP/Persons, including taxes about 181 euros that is about $210.00 round trip. These prices are also negotiated and you won't find a better deal at anytime during the year.

The Air Tahiti flight between Bora and Tahiti is 218 Euros round Trip and half the price for a one way.

Hotels and Accommodations prior and after the charter

As we land in Papeete, we have 3 possibilities :

a) Stay at the airport until the first flight to Raiatea with Air Tahiti at 9.20 AM and get to the yacht charter company directly.

b) Go to a inexpensive small Bed and Breakfast - Pension Damyr -, near the airport (3 minutes). Cost is 96 euros for 4 persons in a studio (24 euros/pp), including round trip transfers and breakfast or 55 euros (27 euros/pax) for 2 person in a double room, including round trip transfers + breakfast and taxes. The pension has "zero star" ! It's comfortable but simple...Payment is in CFP (French Polynesian Francs) only so you would have to get some change.

c) Or go to one of the international hotels : for example, from 150 euros/pax in a double lagoon view standard room, including breakfast and round trip transfers at the Sofitel Maeva Beach. We have more hotel possibilities but they are further away and more expensive.

Option B and C would allow to get some rest in decent conditions before the 9.20 AM Air Tahiti flight, arrival 10.10 in Raiatea. A bus ready to pick us up for the hotels and to take us to the boat.. As for Thierry he will be on the boat snoring while waiting for you...

Tahiti sailing vacations 07 papeete sailing charter

Hotels if you wish to stay beyond the sailing trip.

In Tahaa (sister island of Raiatea where we could drop you on the way back), there is the gorgeous Relais & Chateaux (about $800 for a double per night), and in Bora-Bora, all the international hotels : St Regis, Aman Resort, Intercontinental, Sheraton etc...and my favorite the Bora Bora Pearl Beach (about $600 a double room per night). Let us know if you are interested. We can get the best rates available thanks to local travel agency but you are also more than welcome to check out and to book by yourselves.

Weather tides and currents

Check out this link for local weather information in Tahiti.

In brief the weather is warm and dry, although we might encounter few localized showers. The water temperature varies between 80 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit.

The outside temperature is between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is very little tide from 1 to 1.5 feet.

We have no specific currents except at the tip of the islands, between coral reefs and in the narrow entrance of the lagoons where semi tidal waves can induce a very strong current (up to 10 knots!). Skippers, stay in the middle of the channel and work in transit with the marks. Do not look at your GPS or you will be on the reef!

Winds are mainly from NE at this time of the year between 15 and 25 kt. During the day. Katabatic winds also occur close to islands covered with mountains.

Day light is 14 hours per day! Sunrise is roughly at 5.00 am and sunset at 7.00 pm.

We will have a waxing crescent moon growing to a near full moon at the end of the sailing vacation.

Tahiti sailing vacations sailing charter wheather

Tahiti sailing vacations barometric pressure yacht charter

Sailing courses available for this trip

ASA Basic Sailing Class

ASA Coastal Cruising Class

Cost of a Sailing Vacation - Provisioning and menus.

The yacht charter Cost with one or two classes is $1,650 + classes cost.
Charter cost without class is $1,750; This is a $100.00 more than we usually do due to the fact that we are in PEAK season.

All classes are available at a special price of $300 per person (discounted of $300.00 versus normal rates at the school in New York).
Packaged classes (2 classes) are available at a special price of $550.

In addition to the skippered yacht charter, food and drinks, airport transfers from the airport to the boat and back at the destination, mooring and harbors costs are also included for the destination that are part of the itinerary.

In the cost of the yacht charter are included 7 breakfast/lunches and 4 dinners. It is called split provisioning. It is organized 1 weeks before departure and you need to tell Thierry about your preferences and food allergies⁽¹⁾ prior to this date. Thierry or the Skipper in charge of your boat will prepare the provisioning before your arrival.

Alcohol, ice and others liquids such as juices and water are also included. Although the cost doesn't include wine and bier (except for the first day) that each crew will have to pay separately.

Why? Because not everybody drinks 12 biers a day, because not everybody drinks red wine or white, because some don’t like what Thierry buys… Because we don’t like to throw things away, because it’s much nicer to go to a restaurant after a long day of sailing allowing us to discover together OR independently (some of us do need a break sometimes) the areas AND the people around… Because we have done it … and it works.

menu and food Tahiti sailing vacations 07