French Polynesia
Not verified with the agencyRule not yet confirmed on the agency’s own pages; ask the agency or the rental company
· checked Oct 14, 2026
Seasons, weather, and charter demand
June to August is the charter high season, while January to March is the low season with more competitive rates, according to Tahiti Charter. April–May and September–October are shoulder periods with moderate pricing. Compare the same yacht type and crew arrangement across your possible departure months.
May to October is the dry season, with a low risk of tropical storms, according to Tahiti Travel Services. November to April is cyclone season, so lower-season pricing comes with a different weather consideration. April overlaps the shoulder period and cyclone season; a pricing label is not a weather guarantee.
The Moorings describes easterly trade winds averaging 15–20 knots. Check Météo-France forecasts and discuss conditions with your charter operator before departure. The captain or operator decides whether conditions are safe for the planned passage.
Weekly rates and added expenses
The Moorings lists a skipper supplement of $250 per night regardless of season. Keep that charge separate from the weekly yacht rate when comparing bareboat and skippered quotes. For fully crewed quotes, ask which crew services are included rather than treating the skipper supplement as the complete crew cost.
Use the table above to compare the yacht type, season, and crew option, then enter your selection in the calculator. Ask for a written breakdown of charter tax or VAT, any advance provisioning allowance, cruising permits, marina charges, and provisioning. The weekly charter cost guide explains how to separate the rental price from trip expenses.
Sunsail lists a French Polynesian City Tax of XPF 400 per person aged 12 and over for non-resident guests. It also lists Bora Bora mooring balls at XPF 4,000 per night and says anchoring there is prohibited. Ask your operator how these charges will be collected and which other overnight stops carry fees.
The Moorings and Sunsail describe a full fuel tank at departure, with the option to return full or pay for fuel used at the local marina price. Starting with a full tank does not mean your fuel consumption is free. Ask whether provisioning and crew gratuity are separate, and use the crew tipping guide when planning that part of the budget.
Bareboat experience and certificate checks
Sunsail requires at least 20 days or 400 miles as skipper on an equivalent-size yacht, together with appropriate licenses, for a bareboat charter. It describes this as Level 3 sailing experience. Send your sailing record and certificate details before committing to a boat.
That is Sunsail’s charter acceptance policy; confirm the legal requirements separately with the relevant maritime authority. Ask Sunsail which certificate it will accept for your chosen yacht and whether your experience meets its requirements. The bareboat sailing certificate guide helps you frame those questions.
An added skipper is an alternative to taking responsibility for the yacht yourself. Compare that arrangement with a fully crewed charter using the bareboat, skippered, and crewed comparison. Ask who handles provisioning, route planning, and onboard duties under each quote.
Raiatea and other departure points
Sunsail’s French Polynesia base is Marina Apooiti in Raiatea, near the airport. Confirm that your booking names this marina as the handover point before arranging transfers. A search for a Tahiti charter does not necessarily mean the boat departs from Tahiti itself.
The Moorings describes itineraries beginning in Raiatea and visiting the Leeward Islands. Tahiti Charter also lists bases in Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, and the Society Islands. Ask which departure point applies to the specific yacht quoted and where it must be returned.
Planning a week from Raiatea
A week’s route can start in Raiatea and include Tahaa, Bora Bora, and Huahine, following the itinerary pattern described by The Moorings. Treat these as possible stops, not a promise that every island fits your booking. Ask the operator to recommend an order that matches your yacht and expected conditions.
Sunsail says night sailing is not permitted and requires boats to be moored at least one hour before sunset. Have the operator set passage lengths and departure times around that restriction. Confirm overnight moorings before settling the route, particularly in Bora Bora, where Sunsail lists paid moorings and prohibits anchoring.