Tahiti Yacht
Charter Information

An extremely popular yacht charter destination, Tahiti is often called the “Island of Love” and it’s easy to see why. The largest of the 115 islands and atolls that constitute French Polynesia, Tahiti has lush forest peaks, translucent waters revealing colorful coral reefs and ebony sand, and volcanic peaks that tower over rainforests filled with cascading waterfalls, rivers and streams. Tahiti-Nui and Tahiti-Iti, and the connecting Plateau of Taravao isthmus, are the large and small land masses that create Tahiti.

Tahiti

Papeete is the cosmopolitan port and capital city of Tahiti. This modern, bustling city of 70,000 has a variety of chic boutiques that offers French fashions as well as native handicrafts, shell leis and woven hats. There are plenty of fine restaurants as well, featuring native, French, and Asian cuisine.

However, the allure and romance of French Polynesia is really found along the coast and the island’s interior. Tahiti-Nui, the larger area, features towering peaks with Mt. Orohena reaching 7339 feet, while Tahiti Iti is a rural area dotted with small coastal villages. A must for yacht charter visitors is to take a round-the-island tour, along the 73-mile (117km) road encircling the island, passing historic monuments, museums, beaches, ruined temples, waterfalls, gardens and dramatic scenery.

The island's best white sand beaches are between Punaauia and Papara, but most charter yacht visitors get more of a thrill out of visiting the famed black sand beaches on the east coast, particularly renowned Pointe Venus. Besides enjoying the seaside, Tahiti also offers some interesting sightseeing, including magnificent Botanical gardens, museums, archaeological sites, the tomb of the royal family Pomare, a lake containing unique eared eels, lava tubes, and a host of other unusual experiences.

Beautiful White Sand Beach in Tahiti

Activities

Tahiti offers something for everyone including hiking, golf, snorkeling and diving, and of course, relaxing. Many island tour operators offer guided 4x4 excursions. They usually take charter yacht visitors to Mount Marau for panoramic views, Arahoho Blow Hole, which is a sea water geyser, and the Fa’aurumai Valley with beautiful waterfalls and hutu and mape trees. The Botanical Gardens and Gauguin Museum houses an exhibit highlighting the famous artist’s last 12 years of his life, which were spend in French Polynesia and includes sculptures, wood carvings and engravings. The Maraa Fern Groto off the Paea shore line is, according to local legend, the home to evil spirits lurking in its depths.

The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands in Punaauia features exhibits on Polynesian history, culture, environment and ethnology ranging from tattoos to thatched roofs and fishing. Hikers will enjoy the easy trek through the west coast area of Vaipohe Valley to see the beautiful flowers, birds and lush vegetation that has inspired artists and soothed souls. Le Marche, the vibrant heart of Papeete, is a fascinating public market. For more than 150 years traders have sold a vast array of exotic goods including locally made arts and crafts, fragrant oils, flowers, fruit, straw hats, seashell jewelry and pareus (sarongs). Cultured pears, particularly the famed Tahitian Black Pearl, are French Polynesia’s main export and the best buy for visitors to the islands. If planning on purchasing pearls, it is wise to first stop by the Pearl Museum in Papeete where yacht charter visitors can learn to judge quality.

"People really do wear flowers in their hair and play the ukulele, and everyone is nice. I think Bora Bora is now our favorite island. We spent hours in the huge lagoon snorkeling and swimming." 
--Mr. N