Sailing in Raiatea & Tahaa

Cruise Ship in front of Raiatea taken from Taha'a

Sailing in Raiatea & Tahaa is a great experience as both these islands offer some marvelous scenic vistas along the way. Take a glass bottom boat ride to see the plethora of underwater treasures out here, or go for a river cruise on the Faaroa, the only navigable river in French Polynesia. With half day and full day cruise options available, a river sailing expedition is a great idea to go with family or by your self. Winding through a lush rainforest, the Faaroa is said to have been the launch pad for many prehistoric adventures to far off lands such as Hawaii and New Zealand.

If sailing the ocean is more your thing, than there are a number of charter sail boat operators on Raiatea and Tahaa that will help you sail the region. Boats can be chartered on a daily basis as well as for the full week, if they are available. If you would like to charter a boat from here for a longer period of time, it is advisable to do so well in advance of your trip, so as to avoid any problems. The Moorings (the world's largest sailboat charter company) and Sunsail Yacht Charters are two excellent sail boat rental companies on Raiatea.

Since Raiatea is the main nautical transport hub for both islands, the port here is very busy. Uturoa harbor is always full as there is also a huge cruise ship terminal here. From here many sailing voyages are launched to the Windward Islands as well as the Tuamotu Archipelago, enjoying a fantastic climate along with some wonderful sunsets on the way. There are also three marinas on Raiatea, where you can dock your ship for the day or for repairs. If you wish to stay overnight, it’s best to come early as these marines work on a first come first serve basis. Two of the marinas are publicly owned, while the third is a private, and is often used by people staying in Raiatea for an extended period of time.

There is just one harbor in Tahaa, located in Tapuamu Bay in the northwestern part of the island. Offering great protection from strong trade winds, this bay has been a key sailing port for many years now.

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