Tahití charter company recs

[Peregrine1983]

Hi all,

We’re looking into a 7-10 day charter in Tahiti in January. Im looking for recommendations for any of the smaller, local companies offering bare boats.

I have priced out Moorings. I’m staying away from Dream based on the numerous bad reviews.

We are just two people and would be very happy with a 42ish monohull or a small cat.

We are experienced cruisers, but this will be our first time in Tahiti.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[patja]

We did a monohull charter with Sunsail in July 2023. Monohulls are a bit hard to find there. Had a great experience overall but there were some issues/disappointments with the boat. For example when you say it features an inverter I expect more than a 100 watt cigarette lighter device but maybe that's just me.

[Peregrine1983]

Hah. Good to know. Thanks so much, patja. Are monohulls hard to find there because a lot of it is shallow draft sailing?

[fxykty]

We chartered with Sunsail Raiatea on a 40’ cat and 7 people. For two people a surfeit of room. A cat is nice for level sailing and no rolling at anchor. A monohull will be less expensive and 40’ still plenty big.

Cats are more popular for chartering as you can fit more people easily to spread out the cost of the charter. But shallow draft is not an issue because even the shallow areas are 2+m deep.

Except for the big city and the iconic Cook’s Bay, if you haven’t been to French Polynesia before you won’t be disappointed with a Raiatea charter vs Papeete charter. Of course, a cyclone won’t make it fun and is a small risk. We chartered in December and had one day of cloud and rain out of 14.

[AndyOz]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

Hah. Good to know. Thanks so much, patja. Are monohulls hard to find there because a lot of it is shallow draft sailing?

In the Societies, there are three types of anchorages:

(1) Too deep
(2) Too shallow (especially for a monohull)
(3) Overcrowded

On top of that, there is the knowledge of which areas you actually *are* allowed to anchor in. There's:

(1) The official rules, frequently amended
(2) Local opposition to anchoring (either from local residents bothered with their ocean views being disturbed, or locals, meaning non-French, who object to the colonial oppression they perceive of the French yacht owners)
(3) What actually happens/is possible in practice.

And on top of that again, there's the acute shortage (mostly Tahiti) of marina and mooring places, and the near or actual monopoly of same. Oh, and Bora Bora, even more restrictive.

[patja]

We were pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds in anchorages around Raiatea and Taha'a. Other than Apu bay there were often only 2 or 3 other boats in many locations. I think a lot of people just head out for Bora Bora.