In general, yacht charter in this area is available in the Society Islands, however occasionally charter is available in the Tuamotus or the Marqueses. International flights are all into Papeete, the largest city in French Polynesia, located on the Society Island of Tahiti. From there, domestic flights are available throughout all of the island groups.

Many yachtsmen who have cruised from the North America in a westerly direction have made landfall first in French Polynesia in the Marquesas and have explored this area before moving on to other island groups. As the Marquesas are open to the Pacific Ocean, this can be a challenging sailing area, with constant rolling waves and few protected anchorages. In fact the wave action can be so intense that dinghy landing on the beach may not be possible, and many swimmers to tie a line from themselves to the yacht for help against the strong currents. As the waters are somewhat turbulent, they are often mixed with sand and visibility can be limited. Diving is for expert divers and generally organized around viewing the extensive Pacific marine life found in the waters. On shore the vegetation varies from dry on one side to tropical on the other side and the Marqueses are famous for their herds of wild horses that run free on various islands.

The Tuamotu Archipelago is more widely travelled and more yacht charter is available in this location. The Tuamotus are a series of volcanic islands, where the center of the volcano has slipped into the sea, leaving the series of coral barrier reefs, many of which are sandy cays ringing an interior shallow lagoon. The interior lagoons are filled with coral and marine life and offer hours of water fun. On shore, the area is still vastly undeveloped, with small settlements of local people on certain islands. In general, your charter yacht will probably offer better accommodations and food than anything offered on shore in this location. However, snorkeling and diving are unparalleled. The Tuamotus also have an international reputation for excellent bone fishing, and Black Pearl Farms. Indeed some of the best Black Pearl prices can be found in the Tuamotus.

The Society Islands are the most well traveled and well known, however still here there are very few tourists in comparison to other tropical locations. The Society Islands are divided into the Windward and the Leeward Islands. Tahiti and Moorea are several of the more well known of the Windward Islands, and Papeete on Tahiti is the largest city by far in all of French Polynesia. A charter can start and end in Tahiti, to sail both the Windward and the Leeward Islands or you can fly to the Leeward Islands to cruise. The sailing distance between the Windward and Leeward Islands is about 12 hours in unprotected waters with large rollers that create the determination for some cruisers whether to cruise throughout the area or fly and cruise in the Leewards only. No matter what the decision, all of the Society Islands still reflect their unique Polynesian culture and heritage. Cruising is through heavily vegetated islands full of fruit trees, surrounded by lagoons full of fish. The local population is generally very friendly and relaxed, having the luxury of a constant food source at their fingertips, which they are happy to share. Each island has a full history, with historical ruins to be seen, and each island has a unique feel. There are coral beds throughout the lagoons for snorkeling and diving, and surfing is often seen along the barrier reefs surrounding each island. On shore in the Society Islands are nice resorts to visit for a cocktail or meal, and settlements with shops. And, of course, Black Pearl Farms exist throughout the area, many of which will offer an explanation of growing Black Pearls inside the indigenous oyster, for an interesting Shoreside activity. The area has constantly been equated with Paradise, and is an exceptional charter location.

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