Rent a sailboat or catamaran in Raiatea, the gateway to the Leeward Islands

Types of boats to charter in Raiatea

Depending on your budget and your sailing plans, several types of boats are available:

• Catamaran charter: by far the most popular option in Raiatea. Our French Polynesia catamaran charter fleet stands out for its stability, generous living spaces and shallow draft — ideal for anchoring close to the motus and white sand beaches.
• Monohull sailboat charter: rarer in the area, it is the most affordable option and best suited to seasoned sailors looking for genuine sailing sensations. Its size makes some anchorages easier to reach.
• Yacht charter: to sail in luxury, Filovent offers fully crewed yachts departing from Raiatea.

The services available for your boat charter in Raiatea

Four formulas available from Raiatea: 

• Bareboat charter — ideal if a member of your crew can demonstrate sufficient sailing experience. The boat is fully privatized and you enjoy your cruise in complete freedom, at your own pace.
• Boat with skipper — the right option if no one can skipper the boat or if you simply want a relaxing vacation. The professional skipper handles the boat and shares his knowledge of the lagoons to take you to the most beautiful anchorages.
• Boat with crew — service included on luxury boats and optional on some catamarans. The crew usually consists of a skipper and a hostess-cook, ensuring attentive service on board.
• Cabin cruise — you book a cabin on board a high-end, human-sized boat, shared with other travelers and a professional crew in charge of navigation, cooking and service. A good option to travel as a couple or without the budget needed to privatize a boat.

How much does it cost to charter a boat in Raiatea ?

The table below gives you a ballpark of the average prices for a one-week charter in Raiatea. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat...

The price includes : the boat charter and the main equipment on board (sails, dishware, wifi, dinghy, bedding and outboard engine).

The price does not include : insurance, port and mooring fees, skipper, hostess, cleaning often included in a mandatory pack, extras (kayak, stand-up paddle…) and provisioning.

If you wish to charter a yacht in Raiatea, please contact us directly to obtain the pricing grid. The price range on this type of model is indeed very wide. Lina, our specialist for the crewed & luxury boat segment, will be able to send you the best offers.

We recommend taking out our cancellation insurance for your boat charter in Raiatea. It covers the entire crew — unlike an individual or credit card insurance, limited to the holder only.

We also encourage our clients to subscribe to the deposit waiver insurance. At sea, damage can happen to even the best sailors. This insurance allows you to recover a significant part of your deposit in the event of sailing-related damage.

Where to sail from Raiatea ?

Located in the heart of the Leeward Islands, Raiatea is the ideal starting point to explore the most beautiful islands of the Society. Discover our sailing itinerary in Polynesia to picture a typical one-week cruise. Here are the main stopovers within reach:

• Taha'a, the vanilla island (about 15 nautical miles). It shares the same lagoon as Raiatea and is reached in just a few hours of sailing. You will discover its vanilla plantations, its coral garden between the motus and its turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling.
• Bora Bora, the pearl of the Pacific (about 20 to 25 nautical miles, 4 to 5 hours of sailing). It is the legendary stopover of any Polynesian cruise, with its spectacular lagoon dominated by Mount Otemanu and its rays and reef sharks.
• Huahine, the wild and authentic island (about 25 to 30 nautical miles). Renowned for its preserved landscapes, deep bays and archaeological sites, it attracts sailors looking for calm and nature.
• Raiatea itself, the sacred island. Don't miss the Taputapuatea marae, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the trip up the Faaroa river, the only navigable river in Polynesia, and the ascent of Mount Temehani.

When to sail in Raiatea ?

The tropical climate of French Polynesia allows sailing all year round. There are two seasons: the dry season (May to October), cooler and ventilated by the trade winds, considered the ideal period for sailing, and the wet season (November to April), warmer and more humid. The air temperature remains pleasant all year round and the sea temperature is around 79°F to 84°F.

Please note: the period from November to April also corresponds to the cyclone season in Polynesia. The risk remains statistically lower than in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean, but we strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance covering this type of event.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in Raiatea:

Sailing conditions in Raiatea

Sailing in the Leeward Islands is known to be accessible and pleasant. The distances between the islands are short (15 to 30 nautical miles) and crossings are made during daytime, on sight. The dominant wind is the trade wind, generally blowing from east to south-east, at a force of 10 to 20 knots in the dry season.

The lagoons offer calm and clear water, but sailing inside the reefs requires vigilance: reading the seabed (the famous coral "patches") and respecting the channel markers are essential. Reef passes must be crossed at suitable times, taking the current into account. The base provides a complete briefing before departure.

Documents required to charter a bareboat in Raiatea

For a bareboat charter in Raiatea, you must justify sufficient sailing experience. A member of the crew must present a sailing resume detailing his crossings and, where applicable, his licenses and certificates. The base will assess your level to ensure that you are able to sail independently in the area.

Useful information for your boat charter in Raiatea

What language is spoken in Raiatea ?

The official languages are French and Tahitian. French is spoken everywhere, and English is commonly understood in tourist facilities.

What currency is used in Raiatea ?

The currency used in French Polynesia is the Pacific franc (XPF), also known as the CFP franc. It has a fixed parity with the euro : €1 is approximately 119 XPF (about $1.08 = 119 XPF).

How to get to Raiatea ?

Raiatea has its own airport (RFP), connected daily to Tahiti (Papeete) by domestic flights of approximately 45 minutes. Tahiti is itself served from the US by international flights, generally via Los Angeles or San Francisco depending on the airlines.

How do I finalize my boat booking in Raiatea ?

Once we receive your charter request, an advisor will contact you by phone to understand your sailing project. He will then send you boat proposals by email. Once the boat is found, you will be able to pay a deposit on your client area to validate the charter and secure the boat.

What is the cruising area from Raiatea ?

The charter base is located in Raiatea. Your cruising area covers Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Huahine, accessible within a few hours of sailing. This concentration of islands within a small perimeter makes Raiatea one of the best starting points for a cruise in Polynesia. If you prefer to start your trip directly from the most iconic island, you can also explore our Bora Bora boat charter options.