2025 TAHITI FLOTILLA SAILING CRUISE
DISCOVER ENCHANTING POLYNESIA WITH COLGATE SAILING ADVENTURES®
April 5-12, 2025
Smell the beguiling fragrance of Frangipani flowers. Feel the allure of Polynesian drumbeats echoing across the water. Envision yourself on a big, spacious catamaran as it glides through the crystal-clear waters of an island atoll. This and so much more is waiting for you in Tahiti.
UNRIVALED TROPICAL BEAUTY ON A TAHITI SAILBOAT CHARTER IN THE SOCIETY ISLANDS
The beauty and unique character of the exotic Society Islands are totally amazing. In April, balmy easterly winds average between 15 and 20 knots. Air and waer temperatures hover around 80°F. Cruising here is on most sailor’s bucket list. Join us next April and fulfill your bucket list dream. Many of the photos on this page were provided by participants on a Colgate Sailing Adventures® French Polynesia cruise several years ago. Enjoy!
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THE TAHITIAN LEEWARDS BECKON
Situated midway in the Pacific Ocean between South America and Australia, French Polynesia is actually 118 islands spread out in an area roughly the size of Europe. This Tahiti catamaran charter takes you to the Society Islands where Papeete on Tahiti is the capital. Within the Society group are Bora-Bora, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Huahine. Because the islands are downwind from Tahiti they’re known as the Tahitian Leewards. The views are spectacular. Mountains rise from the sea on the remains of ancient volcanoes. Crystal clear waters with amazing barrier reefs provide reveal sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, colorful hard and soft coral, and more than 500 species of fish.
RELAXED SAILING INSIDE REEFS AND SPIRITED OPEN-WATER PASSAGES
You can experience lots of variety on this cruise: Sailing inside reefs where the water is calm and navigation is line-of-sight from one marker to the next and exciting, spirited sailing on open-water passages. With tidal ranges less than one foot, currents are usually weak except in narrow passages from open-water through the reefs. Snorkeling on the reefs, swimming and sunbathing on white-sand beaches, enjoying the delights of luxury resorts, shopping, and fine restaurants, and spending quiet evenings aboard in picturesque anchorages are all part of what makes bareboat Tahiti sailing so appealing.
WHAT DOES A 7-DAY TAHITI VACATION PACKAGE COST?
Special discounts are available for Offshore Sailing School graduates who hold US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification (BCC), and the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC). To participate everyone must fill out the Required Flotilla Cruise Resume before your cabin is confirmed.
CATEGORY 1: Offshore Sailing School Graduates with US Sailing BCC and US Sailing IPC, Willing to Be a Designated Skipper if Asked
- $5,995 single in a private cabin
- $5,495 per person, sharing a cabin
CATEGORY 2: Offshore Sailing School Graduates with US Sailing BCC Only (No US Sailing IPC or Unwilling to Skipper if Asked)
- $6,295 single in a private cabin
- $5,795 per person, sharing a cabin
CATEGORY 3: Other Qualified Sailors
- $6,495 single in a private cabin
- $5,995 per person, sharing a cabin
If one person in your party holds US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification and the other does not, the discount applies only to the person with that certification. To reserve your cabin, a 30% deposit is required when you sign up. Final or full payment is due by December 1, 2024. If you cancel December 1, 2024 or later, no refunds of monies paid are allowed. Please buy trip insurance – click here to find out more.
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS SPECTACULAR TAHITIAN LEEWARD ISLANDS CRUISE
Bora-Bora, Raiatea, Tahaa and Huahine are not far apart, yet each has its own special features. They all have fantastic reefs to snorkel, beautiful white beaches, and sandy islands called “motus.” There are many stops one can make while bareboat cruising in these fabled islands. Your cruise leaders will determine the best places to visit on this 7-day adventure. Described below are many options they will consider when outlining the itinerary during the meet and greet dinner the night before your cruise starts.
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
Book Your Cabin
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MEET YOUR CRUISE MATES AT THE MOORINGS/SUNSAIL BASE ON RAIATEA
The boats are located in Marina Apooiti on Raiatea, just 1.3 miles from the town of Uturoa, and close to the airport. Raiatea, the, the cultural heart of Tahiti, is the largest of the Tahitian Leeward islands. An important port on ancient Polynesian routes, traders traveled to and from Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and present-day French Polynesia. The yachts will be ready to board at noon on April 4, 2025. Then this very special bareboat flotilla cruise begins to some of the most exotic islands in the world! The cruise ends back at Marina Apooiti at 10:00 am on April 12, 2025.
APU BAY ON TAHAA
Tucked in the south end of Tahaa is Apu Bay, where the Taravana Yacht Club offers free moorings to those who dine with them ashore. The bay is well-protected except in southerly winds, with gorgeous views of the mountains on Raiatea and Tahaa. Enjoy a great meal at the yacht club’s French restaurant after a stroll along the beach, or just stay aboard for cocktails and dinner under a star streaked sky.
THE ISLANDS OF BORA-BORA
A single barrier reef encircles the two islands that make up Bora-Bora. Mt. Otemanu’s black basalt rock face rises 2,362 feet above the sea, with impressive Mt. Pahia nearby. Both provide breathtaking views from lagoon anchorages with wonderful snorkeling and swimming. Bora Bora was a U.S. military base during World War II, and a number of armaments are still visible today. It’s only town is Vaitape, with cafes, local handcrafts, boutiques and jewelry shops that carry black pearl jewelry.
BORA-BORA YACHT CLUB
Fabled Bora Bora is home to the popular Bora Bora Yacht Club. North of the main island town of Vaitape Village, Bora Bora YC is world famous among long-distance cruisers, with many burgees from distant lands hanging from open air rafters. It’s quite a treat to sip a cool drink at the yacht club bar and listen to stories told by long-distance sailors. In the Village are restaurants and shops where you should be able to find locally hand-made Batik pareos, which seasoned sailors and islanders (women and men) wear as skirts and cover ups. Moorings here are free of charge if your boat decides to dine at the yacht club.
TAURERE
Motus (islands) dot the Bora-Bora barrier reef and at the far edge of the lagoon on the southeast side of the island is Motu Piti Aau and Taurere. This beautiful anchorage has fabulous views of lush green mountains. On the way to Taurere you might anchor for lunch at Motu Tape. Ashore is the Lagoonarium where you can swim with fish, sharks and rays without fear. There are also resorts ashore where you can have dinner. By dinghy, you can visit an incredible coral garden for snorkeling around Point Faaroone and explore many inlets of nearby motus. Or just stroll to the beach on the ocean side for swimming and shelling.
POINT RAITITI
To the east along the Bora-Bora shore is Povai Bay, north of Point Raititi. Here the lagoon is wider, with several hotels and restaurants. The small island to the west is Topua where you can see the only remaining ruins of the massive volcano that formed Bora-Bora. In Povai Bay is the famed Bloody Mary restaurant featured in the musical South Pacific. Moorings are available if you dine there. There are several nice beaches and reef snorkeling, accessible by dinghy. A stroll ashore takes you to shops, art galleries and more restaurants.
FAAROA BAY
To get here you sail over the north end of Raiatea Island, then southeast along the eastern coast. After entering a well marked channel, to starboard is the fjord-like anchorage called Faaroa Bay, set deep into the shoreline. It’s an amazing place to spend the night, with lush vegetation, tall palms, steep mountains on both sides, and the valley of Mt. Tefaatuaiti beyond. The main attraction here is to explore the Aopomau River by dinghy. As you make your way slowly up river, you’ll pass jungle-like shore lines and cultivated lands of working plantations.
OPOA BAY
This lovely anchorage is steeped in history. Eons ago this was a major starting point for long-distance voyages to New Zealand, which is how the Maori people were established there. A major religious center at Opoa was built because of its great importance as a port. Today there is a small village on the shore, vanilla plantations inland and pearl farm buoys that must be avoided where you anchor. Ashore is Taputapuatea Marae, an archaeological site dating back to before 1000 AD, restored in 1994, and still being worked on today. This was a place of sacrifices to the gods and a place where seamen passed their knowledge to students. There’s a great stone alter, and stone figures called Tikis for interesting photo ops.
FARE VILLAGE AND BAY D’AVEA
This is the largest settlement on the island of Huahine, where most of the villagers gather when the inter-island freighters dock at the town wharf. Huahine is a large, agricultural islands with many plantations in the valleys and lowlands, and a mountainous interior. The village has several restaurants, shops and small hotels. A small passage between Maroe Bay on the east side and Port Bourayne on the west side separates Huahine into two islands. You can rent cars here to roam the island on quiet roads that weave through the valleys and hills, where vanilla plantations are prevalent. At the wesern passage behind Huahine’s barrier reef is a nice anchorage and many activities to do ashore.
HAAMENE BAY ON TAHAA
Tahaa is the “little sister” island to Raiatea, known for its many vanilla plantations in valleys surrounded by beautiful mountains. Black pearls, grown on aquatic farms (some open to the public) are crafted by local artisans into beautiful bracelets, necklaces and rings for sale in shops all over the islands. Tahaa also has a sea turtle preserve, and many fjord-like inlets, with superb reef snorkeling and white-sand beaches. You will likely pick up moorings at Hibiscus Restaurant in Haamene Bay, the largest protected body of water on the island. Or you might drop anchor at lovely Motu Mahea for a picnic lunch, swimming and snorkeling. You can also hike the trail through the dense tropical forest over Mt. Taira to the head of Hurepiti Bay and visit the Vanilla House where raw beans are processed before being exported and the fragrant scent of vanilla fills the air.
HOW TO GET TO THIS TAHITI LEEWARD ISLANDS PARADISE
Fly to the Capital of Tahiti, Papeete, and then catch a direct flight to Tahiti/Faa’a airport on Raiatea via a commuter flight. The Moorings/Sunsail base is 5 minutes from the Raiatea airport. The Tahiti vacation package’s Meet and Greet Welcome Party, hosted by your cruise leaders, will likely be held Friday night prior to boarding the boats so plan to arrive at least one day before the cruise starts. To make travel plans, we recommend the Moorings/Sunsail travel desk: 866.649.2003 or flights@thlmarine.com. When you sign up you will receive a complete handbook, with a ton of information including hotels recommended by The Moorings and Sunsail.
THE COLGATE TAHITI SAILING VACATIONS FLOTILLA FLEET
Everyone on this Colgate Sailing Adventures Flotilla Cruise will enjoy sailing on 45′ Moorings and Sunsail catamarans, each with spacious cabins and private en-suite bathrooms (heads) with showers. There are also fresh water showers on the stern to rinse off after a swim. The spacious main salons have a wrap around settee and dining table, with a large galley and navigation station. The large aft cockpit has plenty of space to gather for dinners and fun. Forward, you can sit on bow seats or the trampoline for impressive views underway. There is ample room for storage of your luggage once you unpack, but don’t bring too much! You will be in a swimsuit and pareo or cover-ups most days. 
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HERE’S WHAT YOUR TAHITI FLOTILLA CRUISE PACKAGE INCLUDES . . .
- Your shared or private cabin aboard one of the Moorings or Sunsail catamarans
- Provisions aboard including all breakfasts, lunches and three dinners
- Two dinner parties organized during the cruise: the Meet and Greet dinner before cruise starts and Flotilla Group dinner during the cruise or on last night
- All local and VAT taxes
- Damage waiver
- Full water and fuel tanks when board before leaving base
- Commemorative Tahiti Flotilla Cruise shirt and hat
- Comprehensive booklet with all the details you need to know to plan your trip
- Offshore Sailing School cruise leader who organizes each day while sailing on one of the boats with the fleet throughout the cruise
Not Included in Your Cruise Package:
- Travel and transfers to and from home to Tahiti and base where boats are located
- Accommodations ashore before or after the cruise
- Beverages you wish to have aboard including extra water, juices, wine, beer and other libations
- Additional provisions you buy to have aboard
- Drinks and meals ashore before, after and during the cruise not specified above
- Fishing equipment, kayaks or other “toys” you might be able to rent at the base to take with you
- Shore excursions you take on your own or organized by the cruise leaders during the cruise
- Mooring, docking and park fees (shared by crews on each boat)
- Any other expenses you incur before, after or during the cruise
STAYING CONNECTED WHILE THERE
There are several options if you have a smart phone: (1) Check with your provider to get an extension for French Polynesia; (2) use Skype to call internationally as Wi-Fi coverage is good in all most main villages; (3) buy a SIM card that works off the VINI network, which can be purchased in VINI shops Papeete or at the airport when you arrive.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAHITI
- Time difference is 10 hours UTC/GMT
- Currency is the French Pacific franc (CFP)
- Euros and US dollars are accepted throughout the islands
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most of the larger restaurants and supermarkets
- Cruising permits are not required in Tahiti
- A valid passport is required, with expiration date no earlier than 6 months after your planned return
- There is no departure tax
- Internet access is available in the briefing room at the base; in internet cafes near the Marina, and on Bora Bora and Huahine
- WiFi zones are on each island
- Electricity throughout the region is 220 volts, with European-style plugs
