6-DAY ITINERARY IN TAHA’A AND RAIATEA

A short lagoon leg to settle into the cruising rhythm, keeping you inside protected water while the reef line remains visible off the beam. The shoreline shifts to low motu edges and shallow shelves, so careful eyeball navigation is part of the day’s character. Technical note: plan the approach with high sun so bommies and sand lanes read clearly, particularly if there is surface chop from the trades.

Daily Highlights:

• Easy departure and a calm first anchoring routine
• Swim and snorkel over sand and coral contours close to the point 
• Tender exploration along the motu edge for a quiet beach landing
• Sunset aperitif with the yacht set in clear, sheltered water

A longer repositioning run that transitions from open lagoon lanes into a more structured harbour setting. This is a practical day for water, fuel planning, and provisioning, without losing the sense of place. Technical note: tidal movement through the lagoon is usually subtle, but it can increase near passes and channel markers, so keep an eye on set and drift during final approach.

Daily Highlights:

• Mid morning cruise through buoyed lagoon channels
• Shore access for provisioning and local shopping
• Lunch with an easy marina rhythm and clean logistics
• Evening ashore, then return to a quiet onboard night

A measured lagoon crossing back toward Tahaa, finishing in a bay known for reliable shelter and a calm, enclosed feel. The coastline becomes more textured, with small inlets and a tighter land profile that reduces wind fetch. Technical note: set the anchor for a modest swing radius, as the bay can be busy at peak season and depths rise quickly toward the middle.

Daily Highlights:

• Smooth afternoon arrival and a relaxed swim off the stern
• Tender run for shoreline views and a short village style visit
• Optional pearl farm stop arranged by timing and preference
• Dinner aboard with the bay holding steady through the evening breeze

Cruise back across to Raiatea and enter one of the island’s most distinctive bays, where steep green slopes narrow the waterway and the atmosphere turns noticeably still. Faaroa feels inland rather than coastal, with reduced swell influence and a protected surface even when trades are active outside. Technical note: holding is often best on sand and mud patches, with care taken to avoid weed, which can reduce anchor bite.

Daily Highlights:

• Morning passage timed for clean reef visibility
• Quiet anchorage with a sheltered, fjord like character
• Tender exploration into the bay for close shoreline perspective
• Optional paddleboard session in flat water before dusk

A longer south coast run that reveals Raiatea’s more open profile, with headlands that catch wind and create a slightly livelier sea state in the afternoon. Opoa Bay is well positioned for a composed final anchorage, with space to settle and easy access to the island’s cultural centre. Technical note: the southeast trades can funnel around points on this coast, so an earlier departure often yields the calmest water.

Daily Highlights:

• Coastal cruising with clear changes in shoreline shape and exposure
• Arrival swim with the yacht anchored in a calm bay setting
• Shore visit to Taputapuatea and its ceremonial landscape
• Sunset deck service timed to the last light over the bay

A final day designed for unhurried shore time and water access without repositioning. The bay is a stable base for a slow morning, a structured cultural visit, and a composed departure plan. Technical note: morning glass off conditions are common before the trade wind strengthens, making early snorkelling and tender work the most comfortable.

Daily Highlights:

• Early swim or snorkel session before the breeze rises
• Curated shore experience focused on Raiatea’s history and navigation heritage
• Long lunch onboard with a simple, quiet service flow
• Final afternoon at anchor for reading, spa style downtime, or a short tender loop