Sailing times at a glance: 30 minutes to 24 hours
Between the Leeward Islands, allow 30 minutes to 6 hours of sailing. No leg on a typical loop is longer than about 30 nautical miles. Crossing between the Leeward Islands and Tahiti or Moorea takes 12 to 24 hours, usually overnight.
The Society Islands, in French Polynesia, are split into two groups: the Windward Islands to the east, with Tahiti and Moorea, and the Leeward Islands to the west, with Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine, Bora Bora and Maupiti.
Sailing times between the Society Islands
Filovent estimates for a cruising catamaran sailing at 6 knots in typical trade wind conditions (October 2026).
| Route | Distance | Average time |
| Raiatea ↔ Taha’a | 2 to 10 nm | 30 min to 2 hrs |
| Raiatea ↔ Huahine | 20 to 25 nm | 4 to 6 hrs |
| Taha’a ↔ Bora Bora | 20 nm | 4 to 5 hrs |
| Raiatea ↔ Bora Bora | 25 nm | 4 to 6 hrs |
| Huahine ↔ Taha’a | 28 nm | 5 to 6 hrs |
| Bora Bora ↔ Maupiti | 25 to 30 nm | 5 to 6 hrs |
| Tahiti ↔ Moorea | 12 nm | 2 to 3 hrs |
| Moorea ↔ Huahine | 85 nm | 12 to 15 hrs |
| Tahiti ↔ Raiatea | 120 nm | 18 to 22 hrs |
Raiatea and Taha’a are the only islands in the archipelago to share a lagoon, so you can sail from one to the other without heading out to sea, on calm, sheltered water that is ideal for snorkelling and diving.
What affects sailing times?
- Wind direction: the trade winds blow from the east to south-east. Legs heading west (Huahine to Taha’a, Taha’a to Bora Bora) are sailed downwind (with the wind behind you), so they are quick and comfortable. Return legs heading east (Bora Bora to Raiatea, Raiatea to Huahine) are sailed upwind (against the wind, tacking back and forth) and take longer.
- Type of boat: a power catamaran cuts passage times considerably, up to halving them depending on its cruising speed, while a small monohull takes slightly longer.
- Sea state: from June to August, the maramu (a strengthened south-easterly trade wind) can build up a swell that slows down passages outside the lagoons.
- Entering the lagoons: each island is reached through a pass in the reef, such as Teavapiti Pass off Raiatea. Allow time for the approach and for eyeball navigation to the anchorage, off a motu (a small islet on the reef) or on a mooring buoy, bearing in mind the boat’s draught.
How many days do you need to sail the Society Islands?
| Duration | Islands visited |
| 7 days | Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine, Bora Bora |
| 10 days | Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine, Bora Bora, Maupiti |
| 14 days | Leeward Islands, Moorea and Tahiti |
A week is enough to sail around the four main Leeward Islands, with two to four hours of sailing a day on average, leaving time for swimming, snorkelling and stopovers. It is the most popular itinerary for catamaran hire in French Polynesia, starting from Raiatea, where most charter boats are based, near the main town of Uturoa.
Frequently asked questions about sailing between the islands
Which route keeps sailing hours to a minimum?
From Raiatea, the most comfortable route is to:
- head to Huahine first, while the crew is fresh, to get the upwind leg done early on;
- sail downwind to Taha’a and then Bora Bora;
- sail back upwind from Bora Bora to Taha’a (4 to 5 hrs), then finish in the sheltered lagoon of Raiatea and Taha’a before returning the boat.
Can you sail from Tahiti to Bora Bora?
Yes. Papeete to Bora Bora is around 140 nautical miles, or 20 to 24 hours at sea, usually overnight. This passage suits trips of 14 days or more, such as some Tahiti cruise itineraries that link the Windward and Leeward Islands. Depending on the boat, you can set off from Papeete and drop the boat off in Raiatea (or vice versa) on a one-way charter, so you only make the crossing once. For a first trip, starting directly from Raiatea lets you spend all your time on board exploring the Leeward Islands.
Can you sail at night between the islands?
Longer passages (Moorea to Huahine, Tahiti to Raiatea) are sailed overnight to arrive in the morning. On a bareboat charter, check your contract to make sure the charter company allows night sailing. Entering the passes and navigating inside the lagoons, however, should only be done in daylight, as coral heads need to be spotted by eye. Ideally, reach your anchorage before 4pm, while the sun is still high and the seabed is easy to read.
Can every boat reach Maupiti?
Not in all conditions. Onoiau Pass, to the south of Maupiti, is narrow and becomes dangerous in a southerly swell. The stop is decided the day before, depending on the weather, and must be approved by the charter company. Allow at least 10 days of sailing to include it.
Do you need a skipper to sail between the Society Islands?
Legs are short and anchorages are well marked, so an experienced crew can sail independently. If no one on board has skippering experience, a cruise in French Polynesia with a skipper or full crew takes care of navigation and anchoring for you. Monohulls are also available for sailing boat hire in French Polynesia.
When is the best time to sail the Society Islands?
- April to October: dry season, steady trade winds, the ideal time for sailing.
- November to March: hot, humid season with lighter winds and tropical showers. Sailing is still possible, but it is also cyclone season, so keep an eye on Météo-France forecasts.
