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5 minutes to book. Best day of our entire trip. Everything felt effortless from pickup to sunset.
Port guide
Raiatea — at a glance
20 boats are available to book in Raiatea from 2 bases; the largest are Apooiti Marina (14), Marina de Uturoa (6). The most common models are Leopard 42 (5), Nautitech 47 (5), Leopard 45 (3), Leopard 50 (3), Saba 50 (1) — 8 models in all. Built 2008–2026, 12.7–15.4 m long, 1–6 cabins, up to 12 guests. Day rates start from €2,912, and every price on this page is the boat’s own listed rate before extras.
Raiatea is the charter base of French Polynesia: the marinas at Uturoa and Apooiti hold the bareboat fleet of the Leeward Islands, inside the lagoon it shares with Taha’a, with Bora Bora a morning’s passage and Huahine a day. Every night is inside a reef, the trade wind is steady from May to October, and the airport is ten minutes away.
Charter bases in Raiatea
- Apooiti Marina 14 boats
- Marina de Uturoa 6 boats
Getting there
By air. Raiatea Airport (RFP) is about 3 km from Uturoa — ten minutes by taxi, with several flights a day from Papeete (45 minutes).
Raiatea before you cast off
Taputapuatea, the most important marae in Polynesia and a UNESCO site, on the island’s east coast; Uturoa’s market; the Faaroa river by dinghy. Taha’a’s vanilla farms and the coral garden are the first day by boat.
Supermarkets in Uturoa; provisioning through the charter companies; the marinas have water and fuel.
A week from Raiatea
Day 1 — Raiatea → Taha’a, Hurepiti or Tapuamu (8 nm). North inside the lagoon to Taha’a’s bays.
Day 2 — Taha’a → the coral garden and the motu (5 nm). The reef islets on the north-west side of Taha’a.
Day 3 — Taha’a → Bora Bora (20 nm). Through the pass and across to Bora Bora’s lagoon.
Day 4 — Bora Bora. A day around the lagoon: the motu, the rays, the view of Otemanu.
Day 5 — Bora Bora → Raiatea, Faaroa bay (25 nm). Back to Raiatea’s east coast and the river.
Day 6 — Faaroa → Taputapuatea → Nao Nao motu (10 nm). The marae and the motu at the southern pass.
Day 7 — Nao Nao → Uturoa (12 nm). Up the west coast to the marina.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yacht charter in Raiatea cost?
Day rates on the boats listed here start from €2,912; a week (7 nights) starts from €20,386. Prices are the boats’ own listed rates; fuel, marina fees on the route and local taxes are paid separately.
What kinds of boats can I charter in Raiatea?
20 boats are available to book in Raiatea: 20 catamarans. The most common models are Leopard 42, Nautitech 47, Leopard 45, Leopard 50.
Which marinas do charters leave from in Raiatea?
Charters in Raiatea leave from 2 bases: Apooiti Marina (14 boats), Marina de Uturoa (6 boats).
How far is the airport from Raiatea?
The nearest airport is Raiatea Airport (RFP), under 10 km away as the crow flies; Bora Bora Airport (BOB) is about 45 km. Transfer times by road are longer; most charter companies arrange a transfer to the base on request.
Do I need a licence to charter bareboat in Raiatea?
A recognised skipper’s certificate or a solid sailing résumé is required for a bareboat, and the base checks it; the lagoon passes need care with the swell. A skipper is booked as an extra on the boat page.
When is the best time?
May to October is the dry season with the steady trade wind; November to April is warmer and wetter.
Other ports in French Polynesia
Papeete, Tahiti (20) · All boats in French Polynesia