Yacht charter in Polynesia

The classic Society Islands week: one lagoon shared with Taha'a, then two open crossings. Legs are short and every one finishes in daylight.

1. 1

   Marina Apooiti, Raiatea

   Saturday handover; the buoyage briefing matters here. Short move inside the lagoon.

2. 2

   Taha'a — Baie Hurepiti or the coral garden

   North inside the shared lagoon; no pass needed.

3. 3

   Taha'a motu

   The reef-rim islets on the west side; shallow and sheltered.

4. 4

   Bora Bora

   Twenty miles west in open water; one pass into the lagoon.

5. 5

   Bora Bora, second night

   The lagoon circuit. Anchoring is regulated — take a mooring where one is laid.

6. 6

   Back east — Taha'a or Raiatea north

   The return crossing, usually with the trades on the beam.

7. 7

   Apooiti

   Inside the lagoon to base. Watch the reversed marks on the way in.

From the Tahiti base. Fewer islands and one serious crossing if you push on to Huahine; many crews simply work Moorea and Tahiti properly instead.

1. 1

   Papeete, Tahiti

   Handover in the city; cross to Moorea in the afternoon.

2. 2

   Moorea — Opunohu Bay

   Deep bay under the ridges; the stingray shallows are nearby.

3. 3

   Moorea — Cook's Bay

   The next bay east; village, market and the Belvedere walk inland.

4. 4

   Moorea north-west motu

   The reef-rim anchorages; shallow water and clear sand.

5. 5

   Tahiti west coast — Papeete or Taapuna

   Back across the channel.

6. 6

   Tahiti Iti

   The smaller peninsula south-east, with Teahupo'o's reef pass — spectacular, and a look rather than a stop.

7. 7

   Papeete

   Return for handover.