Best of Land & Sea: French Polynesia Private Yacht Charter Itinerary

The richness of Raiatea emanates from the emerald jungles and jagged mountains overlooking the sapphire and indigo colors of the South Pacific. Legend states the island was the birthplace of Polynesia, adding a layer of mystic and majestic ambiance to the unprecedented landscape. Coconut palms line the seaside and mango trees grow along the edges of hidden villages set in the jungle hills. Your flight lands at Raiatea Airport, located near the town of Uturoa. The stoic sea brushes against the shallow sands along the edges of the runway. The aroma of the salt water blends with the sweet air carrying the scent of coconut.

The island is the second largest, after Tahiti, encompassing nearly 65 square miles. The steep mountains slope down, nearly touching the reefs fringing the lagoon. Images of dangling fish caught fresh that morning fill the market in Uturoa. Produce shimmers with vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows against the lush greenery of the island trees. Your private transfer escorts you from the airport to your yacht situated in Marina Apooiti. Take your time settling into the island with a visit to the Taputapuatea, with the best-preserved historical site on the island located on the southeastern coast. The Marea had established themselves on the island before the 11th century, utilizing their navigators to travel across the Pacific. The archaeological complex features remnants of stone structures and a central temple in view of the glowing sea.

The island of Taha’a is located less than 10 miles away from the shores of Raiatea. In the morning, you find the aromas of mango and orange accompanying breakfast on your private Yacht. The refreshing breeze sweeps over the table carrying the scent of the sea and a hint of vanilla emanating from the plantations on the island. Hibiscus flowers blossom in the jungle terrain, and pearl farms glint in the returning tropical sunlight. White sand beaches shimmer against the water, protected from the waves by the fringing reefs.

Step ashore at Hamene Bay and make your way to the Hibiscus Hotel to visit the local sea turtle sanctuary. The staff helps rescue and rehabilitate turtles that had been caught in commercial fishnets. The community effort has helped 1,300 turtles return to the ocean. The green turtles wade in the shallow salt-water pools in view of the open ocean. They can grow up to five feet long and weigh nearly 875 pounds. Their shells shimmer an olive hue in the sunlight.

Continue to a family-owned and operated pearl farm located on the shoreline. Your guide leads you through the techniques of grafting the area to ensure cultured pearls and the distinctive characteristics of the various types of the precious stone. The scent of vanilla overtakes the island with an increasingly intriguing intensity. You reach a plantation that has been cultivating vanilla on the island for decades, utilizing traditional techniques to grow and dry the pods, adding to the sensual aroma sweeping across the shores.

Bora Bora is considered the “Pearl of Polynesia,” due to its spectacular natural beauty shaped by the volcanic activity of the extinct crater rising out of the heart of the island. Colorful coral reefs shimmer against the shoreline, leading to atolls and the tranquil lagoon. After mooring at the Bora Bora Yacht Club, you meet your guide, who is eager to lead you inland on a magnificent 4x4 excursion through the jungle terrain. The open-air vehicle allows the refreshing breeze and scent of hyacinth to follow you on the journey. The roadway traverses the dense rainforest and hills at the center of the 11 square mile island. Women in secluded villages hand dye their sarongs. Mango trees bloom with vibrant red, yellow, and green fruit.

You reach the coastal defense guns that once protected the island from possible Japanese invasion during the Second World War. The metal continues to glisten against the surrounding trees. You continue up the slopes of Mt. Pahia, one of the two iconic summits soaring above the island shores. The peak reaches a height of nearly 2,200 feet above sea level. The jeep carries you along the arduous climb to a plateau for an unforgettable view of the protruding silver granite of the Mt. Ohue and the panoramic view above the jungle canopy and over the blue waters of the horizon.

In the morning, you find the familiar image of the towering peaks crowning Bora Bora. The scent of papaya accentuates the colors of dragon fruit at breakfast. You set out into the water on a snorkeling excursion around the island’s coral garden. The water is warm and inviting. You can feel the salt crystals forming on your skin as you submerge yourself in the South Pacific. The crystal-clear water allows you to see up to 20 feet ahead, finding the radiant colors of blossoming coral and schools of tropical fish. The coral gardens provide sustenance for more than 700 different species of fish, including ornate butterflyfish.

They can grow up to nearly eight inches long with vibrant yellow stripes and black lines outlining their body. Sea fans wave in the gentle current that softly nudges you over the garden. A drop off leads to an opening along the seafloor. A school of manta rays glides over the sandy bottom. Their wingspan can grow up to 23 feet long. They move their bodies with the water and look as though they’re flying through the sea. They resemble a flock of birds rather than a school of fish. You linger in the beauty of their movement before noticing a blacktip reef shark circling over the coral garden. The shark is intimidating but harmless. It grows to more than five feet in length and exudes a strong presence with its rounded snout.

In the morning, you find the sweet scent of coconut emanating from the galley of the boat. At breakfast, you relax with a refreshing, frothy cappuccino and enjoy the view of the dazzling shores of Bora Bora. The water continues to shimmer with radiant indigo hues against the backdrop of white sand and emerald trees. The boat sails to the shores of Motu Topua, a paradisiacal isle known for its relaxing ambiance. Palm trees sway in the gentle breeze. The sunlight warms the powdery white sand.

You have a view across the bay to the peaks of Bora Bora. The silver and black rocks along the summits dominate the skyline, emphasized by the bright, clear waters in the foreground. Dip your toes into the welcoming water to cool your body from the tropical heat. You can take a snorkel to the fringing reef or lay out on the sand bathing in the warm light. In the afternoon, you board your private yacht to enjoy the pleasures of a sunset cruise. The streaks of orange, red, and purple layer the sky as a backdrop to the peaks of mountains Pahia and Otemanu. The aroma of grilling fish accompanied by sweet pineapple fills the air.

You relish the sweet aroma of passion fruit in the morning air. The boat moors near the shores of Taha’a along the islet of Motu Tau Tau. The secluded paradise looks towards Bora Bora to the west, offering a view of the familiar summits crowning the horizon. To the east, you find the white sand beaches and shading coconut palms of Taha’a. After breakfast, you follow the fish along the reef, diving into the water to snorkel around the shimmering crystal-clear lagoon. The coral becomes a kingdom of sea creatures, from schools of red snappers to captivating barracuda. A hermit crab strolls along the protruding rocks with a shell resembling a boulder.

The coral turns into a garden, blossoming with orange, red, and pink hues. You search in the small crevices between the mounds to find moray eels peeking their heads out from the rocks. The ridges dig deep into the brain coral, shaping unique formations. Above the surface of the sea, you find the soothing aroma of vanilla drifting from the shores of Taha’a. Under the water, you focus on the intricate ecosystem harboring schools of bannerfish. You venture along the sea passage between the reef and the lagoon where leopard rays glide along the seafloor. They grow to nearly six feet wide with a diamond shape. Their upper skin shows solid darks pots, giving credence to their name.

The sea breeze carries the delightful aroma of vanilla from the shores. The fresh citrus of the guava at breakfast adds a vibrant and luscious mixture to the familiar, sweet scent. After breakfast, the boat weighs anchor and sails to the secluded shores of Motu Ceran. The white sands of the beaches shimmer with ivory hues. Coconut palms rustle in the breeze amidst the rainforest canopy. Boulders protrude from the trees to create a distinctive skyline on the sheltered island southeast of Taha’a. The deserted island provides a peace of quiet paradise consisting of ample hot sand, swaying palms, and lively coral reefs set in the indigo South Pacific.

You find more barracuda swimming in the shallow waters. You let the refreshing water lap around your toes to cool your skin from the hot sand. East of the island, you find the water glowing with sapphire hues past the barrier reef. The waves break in the distance. You return to the boat and make your way along the water in search of dolphins whose pods often congregate near the shores of Motu Ceran. Your skipper points to the deeper water where spinner dolphins leap from the sea. They can grow longer than seven and a half feet and have a triangular dorsal fin. Their playful nature brings them closer to the boat, wanting to jump in the wake.

Wake up in the final morning of your time in French Polynesia to find the gentle movement of the water rocking the boat to a soothing rhythm. At breakfast, the aroma of fresh coffee lingers beneath the delicious fragrance of pineapple and papaya. You return to the shores of Raiatea to find the central market brimming with colorful fruits and vegetables. Artisan craftsmen showcase their handmade shell necklaces or scented oils. You find the spiced aroma of hyacinth overtaking the sweet produce of the island. The cool, refreshing waters of Les Trois Cascades rushes into a swimming hole in the rainforest canopy in the hidden hills. Your private transfer escorts you from Marina Apooiti to Raiatea Airport for your flight home.