Trans Pacific Holidays in the South Pacific - French Polynesia

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Home > Destinations > French Polynesia > Archipels Yacht Cruises

If you want to experience the idylic islands of French Polynesia just the way the crew of the Bounty did almost 300 hundred years ago, with a deck rising and falling beneath your feet with the swell of the waves, with the sails singing in the wind and the smell of salt spray in the air, then small ship cruising aboard one of Archipels catamaran sailing boats could be an ideal choice.

There are 3 options for these boats, depending on your sailing experience and type of trip you are looking for. If you are competant sailors, you can charter the catamarans privately for you to sail, or they can provide you with a skipper to captain for you, and/or a hostess/cook to help you with with the sailing, and prepare fresh, delicious food each day for you. You can also join a organised cruise with other guests, for a set duration and itinerary, or you can privately charter the whole catamaran fully crewed, and cruise wherever or whenever you want.

Cabins are simple and modest in size, as you would expect on a smaller sailing ship, but still spacious enough for a double bed or 2 twin beds, ensuite head (bathroom) with shower and towels, ample storage for personal items and 2-3 windows.

There are several itinerarys to choose from of differing durations, covering the Society Islands, the northern islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Marquesas Islands. There is plenty of time for aquatic pursuits, such as swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and beachcombing, and also lots of relaxing time aboard, when cruising between islands and motus, when you can catch up with your reading or top up your tan on deck. On several of the itinerarys, there are optional halfday guided excursions you can take, if you want to see a different side of the islands, other than the beaches and lagoons!

Hotel Facilities (Click to expand)

State of the art Navigational Equipment
GPS System
Autopilot
4-5 Double Cabins
Ensuite Bathrooms
Air Conditioning
Solar Panels
Full Sails & Outboard engine
Swimming Ladder
CD Player
iPod/MP3 jack & USB sockets
Lounge
Sundeck
17-18 meters Length

room Facilities (Click to expand)

1 Double or 2 Single beds
Ensuite bathroom
Shower
Bath Towels
Storage
2-3 Windows

Activities (Click to expand)

Swimming
Snorkeling
Diving
Island Tours
Beach Barbecues
Beachcombing
Sunbathing

Child Policy

Children are welcome but we do not recommend these cruises for young children, due to the lack of child-friendly facilities or activities.

Airport Transfers

Transfers to the dock for boarding can be arranged on request. Please contact us for further details.

Check-in Details

Check-in and registration will be at the departure dock minimum 2 hours before departure.

Flights (Click to expand)

Although there are frequent international flights into Tahiti, French Polynesia's international gateway to the World, there are limited airports of embarkation to choose from, with currently only Paris, Los Angeles, Auckland and Tokyo offering one plane air service to Tahiti.

The international airline for French Polynesia. is Air Tahiti Nui who operate daily flights from Paris and Los Angeles to Tahiti and on many days there are additional fights to/from Los Angeles. In addition they operate two weekly flights to/from Auckland and they serve Tokyo twice a week. Their service to New York has been temporarily suspended.

Air France currently offered service from Paris, three times a week via Los Angeles

Air New Zealand operates twice a week from/to Auckland with it's own aircraft, it also operates a codeshare arrangements with Air Tahiti Nui providing seats on their two weekly fights from Tahiti to Auckland.

Air Cali, operate a weekly flight between Noumea and Tahiti.

Hawaiian Airlines, provide a weekly service between Honolulu and Tahiti, currently operating on a Saturday/Sunday schedule.

LANChile, operate a flight twice a week from Santiago to Tahiti via Easter Island, providing the availability to do a great side trip from Tahiti to Easter island.

Air Tahiti, is French Polynesia's domestic airline operates an extensive domestic flight network covering all the countries main islands, with at least a daily service. With the main Society islands receiving a number of flights a day, and between Tahiti and Moorea there are departures hourly between 6am and 6.45pm Monday to Thursday with later evening flights over the weekends.

The less populated islands get a restricted service, so sometimes a night stop in Tahiti may be required when connecting between these islands.

Air Tahiti is providing the only air service between Tahiti and the Cook islands, which they currently do twice a week on a Tuesday and Saturday.

There are a number of aircraft and helicopters available for private charters, but they all tend to be based in Tahiti so arranging charters between the outer islands can be expensive as the aircraft will originate and terminate in Tahiti, also at this time there are no seaplanes operating in French Polynesia, which is a little disappointing!

Pricing Policy

Prices are per cabin per cruise, on a limited all-inclusive basis (some meals are taken on shore as part of an optional excursion and there may be an additional charge). Prices and sailing dates available on request.

PRICING INFORMATION

Archipels Yacht Cruises Itineraries

Below is a selection of cruise itineraries that Archipels Yacht Cruises offer for 2011-2012. These itineraries are available for many different dates throughout the year, so please contact us directly to discuss your requirements, and we will build the best itinerary around the cruise you wish to take, including flights, transfers and additional island hotels to expand your trip. There is also discounts throughout the year on certain cruises, sometimes from 30-50%. Please contact us with your selected dates and we will check what discounts are available at that time. Please note, itineraries are intended as a guideline, and any itinerary, or part itinerary may be changed at short notice, due to but not limited to, port restrictions, weather conditions or ship requirements. Although, changes are exceptional, and few and far between, we recommend that you plan a few days stay on other islands, either side of your cruise dates, just to make sure connections to international flights are not disrupted, in case of changes to your cruise itinerary.

Rangiroa Dream Cruise

A 4 Day/3 Night cruise around the Tuamotu Atoll of Rangiroa

Day 1. Saturday - Rangiroa. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon. Lunch is served while you sail south east, towards the Pink Sands area. The afternoon is spent at several moorings for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Dinner is served on board and the ship anchored for the night.
Day 2. Sunday - Rangiroa. After breakfast, a short navigation takes you to a wild, uninhabited part of the Atoll, where the ship moors for you to explore, snorkel, fish, beachcomb or kayak with the option of a local beach barbecue (extra fee) on a private beach. Dinner back on board in the evening and night at anchor.
Day 3. Monday - Rangiroa. A short cruise to the south of Rangiroa, stopping at Otepipi village, for exploring and discovering traditional Rangiroa. The afternoon is spent with various water activites, or take the optional guided halfday excursion to visit one of the famous balck pearl farms. Dinner is served as the sunsets over the lagoon.
Day 4. Tuesday - Rangiroa. Cruise back to port to arrive around 8.00am for disembarking.

Atoll Dream Cruise

An 8-day/7-night cruise around Rangiroa, Tikehau and Rangiroa.

Day 1. Saturday - Rangiroa. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon. Lunch is served while you sail south east, towards the Pink Sands area. The afternoon is spent at several moorings for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Dinner is served on board and the ship anchored for the night.
Day 2. Sunday - Rangiroa. After breakfast, a short navigation takes you to a wild, uninhabited part of the Atoll, where the ship moors for you to explore, snorkel, fish, beachcomb or kayak with the option of a local beach barbecue (extra fee) on a private beach. Dinner back on board in the evening and night at anchor.
Day 3. Monday - Rangiroa. A short cruise to the south of Rangiroa, stopping at Otepipi village, for exploring and discovering traditional Rangiroa. the afternoon is spent with various nautical and water activites, with dinner served as the sunsets over the lagoon.
Day 4. Tuesday - Rangiroa. After breakfast, a short cruise takes you to the Green Lagoon, at Avatoru Pass. After lunch, spend the afternoon enjoying the nautical activities, kayaking, snorkelling and beachcombing, or take the optional guided halfday tour to visit the Rangiroa Chateau, the Tuamotu coral winery, followed by an evening aboard with dinner.
Day 5. Wednesday - Tikehau. An early morning sailing, while you have breakfast, takes you to Tikehau. Your anchorage for the day is at Tuheiva Pass, where you can spend the rest of the morning snorkelling over the natural coral garden in the lagoon. In the afternoon, you sail across the Tikehau Lagoon, to the overnight mooring at the Ohihi motu, and spend the rest of the day and evening enjoying the lagoon and relaxing on board.
Day 6. Thursday - Tikehau. After breakfast, you can spend the whole day exploring the pink sand atoll, and swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and beachcombing, or you can take the optional guided tour across the lagoon to Bird Island, followed by a traditional Tuamotu barbecue on a private motu beach (extra fee). Later in the afternoon, the catamaran sails to the main village of Tikehau, Tuherahera. After dinner, a short navigation takes you to your overnight anchorage at Tavania motu, just south of Tikehau.
Day 7. Friday - Tikehau. An early start and a 6 hour cruise back to Rangiroa, just in time for lunch in the lagoon, near the village of Tiputa. After lunch, you are free to explore or enjoy the aquatic activities, to take the optional guided halfday tour to Avatoru Village and a visit to a Pearl Farm. Back on board for the evening and dinner, then a short sail back towards port.
Day 8. Saturday - Rangiroa. At 8.00am, it's time for disembarking.

Polynesia Dream Cruise

An 11-day/10-night cruise, around Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. This cruise can be taken in either direction, starting at Tahiti and ending in Raiatea, or vice versa, depending on which suits your itinerary best.

Day 1. Tuesday - Tahiti, Marina Taiana. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon. Lunch is served aboard as you sail to Moorea, and spend a few hours in Vaiare Bay enjoying the aquatic activities and the beach. Dinner and evening aboard with a fabulous view!
Day 2. Wednesday - Moorea, Opunohu Bay. After a short sail to Opunohu Bay, spend the morning exploring the preserved lagoon or take an optional halfday guided safari excursion to Belvedere, the pineapple road and a selection of Polynesian archealogical sites. As dinner is served aboard, you start the long cruise to Huahine.
Day 3. Thursday - Huahine. Arrive in Huahine in time for breakfast, as the ship moors in Fare Lagoon, for a morning of swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, beachcombing and generally relaxing. After lunch, the ship moves to the western part of Huahine Lagoon, where you can relax and explore, or take the optional guided tour of Huahine's archeological sites, traditional fish traps, vanilla plantations and the sacred eels.
Day 4. Friday - Huahine and Raiatea. After breakfast, the morning is spent on board, with a leisurely sail to Raiatea, to arrive in time for lunch with sweeping views of Faaroa Bay. Afternoon activites are very relaxing, snorkelling, swimming, kayaking and exploring the beach, or you can take the optional excursion to explore the Faaroa River by dinghy followed by a visit to a botanical garden. Dinner is served aboard while you watch the sun set over Faaroa Bay.
Day 5. Saturday - Raiatea. After breakfast, take a short cruise around the coast to the main village on Raiatea, Uturoa. Stroll through the local market and shopping area, or take the optional guided tour to visit the temple at Taputapuatea and the green valleys, botanical gardens and picturesque waterfalls on the island. After lunch aboard, a short sail takes you to Meri Meri Pass where you spend the afternoon enjoying all the marine activities the bay has to offer. Dinner aboard and the night at anchor here.
Day 6. Sunday - Raiatea and Bora Bora. After breakfast, you say goodbye to Raiatea and sail to Bora Bora. After lunch at anchor, discover the most famous lagoon in the South Pacific, and enjoy the stunning scenery and crystal clear water and sealife. Dinner and the rest of the evening is spent at anchor in Matira Bay.
Day 7. Monday - Bora Bora. A full day dedicated to exploring and experiencing this stunning Pacific pearl. Short navigaions from one motu to the next, or the next, where you can watch the sharks, turtles and other sealife around this beautiful paradise. Evening and overnight anchorage is at Toopua Motu, is the main lagoon.
Day 8. Tuesday - Bora Bora and Taha'a. After breakfast, you take the short sail south east, to the Island of Taha'a. Lunch on board, while are anchored over the coral gardens. The afternoon is spent in Tao Tao bay, enjoying the many water-based activites. Dinner in the evening can be on board, or you can take the option of dinner in a local restaurant with a traditional Polynesian show.
Day 9. Wednesday - Taha'a. Spend the morning doing anything you fancy in the water, on the beach or on the boat, or take an optional guided tour to visit a pearl farm. In the afternoon, after a short sail, you anchor in Haamene Bay, on Motu Ceran, and spend the afternoon and evening exploring and relaxing.
Day 10. Thursday - Taha'a and Raiatea. Staying at Motu Ceran for the morning, enjoying all the aquatic activities. As an option for lunch, you can enjoy a Barbecue lunch on a private motu and enjoying a Robinson Crusoe day, snorkelling over the coral garden, sea kayaking, beachcombing and swimming. After lunch, a leisurely sail back to Raiatea, mooring on the west coast.
Day 11. Friday - Raiatea. Time to say goodbye and disembark at 8.00am, at the Uturoa Marina.

Tikehau Dream Cruise

A 5-day/4-night cruise around the Tikehau atoll.

Day 1. Tuesday - Rangiroa. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon. Lunch is served while you take a short cruise to the Green Lagoon, at Avatoru Pass. Spend the afternoon enjoying the nautical activities, kayaking, snorkelling and beachcombing, or take the optional guided halfday tour to visit the Rangiroa Chateau, the Tuamotu coral winery, followed by an evening aboard with dinner.
Day 2. Wednesday - Tikehau. An early morning sailing, while you have breakfast, takes you to Tikehau. Your anchorage for the day is at Tuheiva Pass, where you can spend the rest of the morning snorkelling over the natural coral garden in the lagoon. In the afternoon, you sail across the Tikehau Lagoon, to the overnight mooring at the Ohihi motu, and spend the rest of the day and evening enjoying the lagoon and relaxing on board.
Day 3. Thursday - Tikehau. After breakfast, you can spend the whole day exploring the pink sand atoll, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and beachcombing, or you can take the optional guided tour across the lagoon to Bird Island, followed by a traditional Tuamotu barbecue on a private motu beach (extra fee). Later in the afternoon, the catamaran sails to the main village of Tikehau, Tuherahera. After dinner, a short navigation takes you to your overnight anchorage at Tavania motu, just south of Tikehau.
Day 4. Friday - Tikehau. An early start and a 6 hour cruise back to Rangiroa, just in time for lunch in the lagoon, near the village of Tiputa. After lunch, you are free to explore or enjoy the aquatic activities, to take the optional guided halfday tour to Avatoru Village and a visit to a Pearl Farm. Back on board for the evening and dinner, then a short sail back towards port.
Day 5. Saturday - Rangiroa. At 8.00am, it's time for disembarking.

Bora Bora Pearl Dream Cruise

A 4-day/3-night cruise around one of the most famous lagoons in the South Pacific, the Bora Bora lagoon.

Day 1. Saturday - Raiatea. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon, at the Dream Yacht Charter base, at the Uturoa Marina. A short cruise inside the Raiatea Lagoon, to Meri Meri Pass, to enjoy all the aquatic activities, Snorkelling over the coral garden, sea kayaking, beachcombing and swimming.
Day 2. Sunday - Raiatea and Bora Bora. After breakfast, you say goodbye to Raiatea and sail to Bora Bora. After lunch at anchor, discover the most famous lagoon in the South Pacific, and enjoy the stunning scenery and crystal clear water and sealife. Dinner and the rest of the evening is spent at anchor in Matira Bay.
Day 3. Monday - Bora Bora. A full day dedicated to exploring and experiencing this stunning Pacific pearl. Short navigaions from one motu to the next, or the next, where you can watch the sharks, turtles and other sealife around this beautiful paradise. Evening and overnight anchorage is at Toopua Motu, is the main lagoon.
Day 4. Tuesday - Raiatea. Time to say goodbye and disembark at 8.00am, back in Raiatea, at the Uturoa Marina

Bora Bora Dream Cruise

An 8-day/7-night cruise around Raiatea, Bora Bora, Taha'a and Huahine, some of the most beautiful islands in French Polynesia.

Day 1. Saturday - Raiatea. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon, at the Dream Yacht Charter base, at the Uturoa Marina. A short cruise inside the Raiatea Lagoon, to Meri Meri Pass, to enjoy all the aquatic activities, snorkel over the coral garden, sea kayaking, beachcombing and swimming.
Day 2. Sunday - Raiatea and Bora Bora. After breakfast, you say goodbye to Raiatea and sail to Bora Bora. After lunch at anchor, discover the most famous lagoon in the South Pacific, and enjoy the stunning scenery and crystal clear water and sealife. Dinner and the rest of the evening is spent at anchor in Matira Bay.
Day 3. Monday - Bora Bora. A full day dedicated to exploring and experiencing this stunning Pacific pearl. Short navigaions from one motu to the next, or the next, where you can watch the sharks, turtles and other sealife around this beautiful paradise. Evening and overnight anchorage is at Vaitape Bay.
Day 4. Tuesday - Bora Bora and Taha'a. After breakfast, you take the 5 hour sail south east, to the Island of Taha'a. Lunch on board, while are anchored over the coral gardens. The afternoon is spent in Tao Tao Bay, enjoying the many water-based activites, or you can take the optional tour to visit a black pearl farm. Dinner in the evening can be on board, or you can take the option of dinner in a local restaurant with a traditional Polynesian show.
Day 5. Wednesday - Taha'a and Raiatea. A short cruise back to Raiatea, and the port town of Uturoa, where you can stroll through the local market and shopping area, or take the optional guided tour to visit the temple at Taputapuatea and the green valleys, botanical gardens and picturesque waterfalls on the island. Another short sail to the Motu Ceran for the afternoon, enjoying all the aquatic activities. As an option for lunch, you can enjoy a Barbecue lunch on a private motu and enjoy a Robinson Crusoe day, snorkelling over the coral garden, sea kayaking, beachcombing and swimming.
Day 6. Thursday - Huahine. An early departure for your 4 hours cruise to Huahine, to arrive by mid morning. The ship moors in Fare Bay Lagoon, for a morning of swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, beachcombing and generally relaxing, or visit the locals in the traditional Polynesian village. After lunch, the ship moves to the western part of Huahine Lagoon, where you can relax and explore, or take the optional guided tour of Huahine's archeological sites, traditional fish traps, vanilla plantations and the sacred eels.
Day 7. Friday - Huahine. After breakfast at Avea Bay, spend the morning swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, beachcombing and generally relaxing, then a short sail around the West part of Huahine Lagoon. After a panoramic lunch, relax as you sail 4 hours back to Raiatea island, to arrive around sunset at this sacred island.
Day 8. Saturday - Raiatea. Disembarkation at 08.00 am, at the Dream Yacht charter Base, in the Uturoa Marina.

Huahine Dream Cruise

A 4-day/3-night cruise around the small islands of Taha'a and Huahine.

Day 1. Tuesday - Raiatea and Taha'a. Welcome, registration and boarding at noon, at the Dream Yacht Charter base, at the Uturoa Marina. A short cruise to the Motu Ceran for the morning, enjoying all the aquatic activities. As an option for lunch, you can enjoy a Barbecue lunch on a private motu and enjoy a Robinson Crusoe day, snorkelling over the coral garden, sea kayaking, beachcombing and swimming.
Day 2. Thursday - Huahine. An early departure for your cruise to Huahine, to arrive by mid morning. The ship moors in Fare Bay Lagoon, for a morning of swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, beachcombing and generally relaxing, or visit the locals in the traditional Polynesian village. After lunch, the ship moves to the western part of Huahine Lagoon, where you can relax and explore, or take the optional guided tour of Huahine's archeological sites, traditional fish traps, vanilla plantations and the sacred eels.
DAY 3. Friday - Huahine. After breakfast at Avea Bay, spend the morning swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, beachcombing and generally relaxing, then a short sail around the West part of Huahine Lagoon. After a panoramic lunch, relax as you sail 4 hours back to Raiatea island, to arrive around sunset at this sacred island.
DAY 4. Saturday - Raiatea. Disembarkation at 08.00 am, at the Dream Yacht charter Base, in Marina of Uturoa.

If you have any questions regarding the islands of the Pacific Ocean or you would like us to provide a quote for your planned itinerary, then please contact us, we will be more than happy to help.

Phone: 01473 610666

Fax: 01473 610599

Email: enquiries@holmestravel.co.uk

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