Quick answer
- Crewed catamaran, 8 guests: roughly $29,000 to $96,000 per week base, plus expenses — the Society Islands workhorse.
- Motor yachts in Tahiti: from about $25,000 to $420,000 per week base, before APA and fees.
- Add on top of base: expect 25 to 50% more for APA (fuel, food, drinks), a 5% French Polynesia charter tax, and 15 to 20% crew gratuity.
- Best window: May to October dry season — steadier trade winds for the Bora Bora, Raiatea and Taha’a loop. June to August is peak and priciest.
- Book early: at least 6 months ahead, 9 months for July and August. The suitable fleet is small.
- Confirm the licence: every yacht needs a valid Grande Plaisance charter licence before it can legally carry you.
The short answer on cost
For most guests chartering the Society Islands, a well-equipped crewed catamaran sleeping 8 is the sensible starting point, and the yachts we place in Tahiti run from $29,000 to $96,000 per week in base rate. Motor yachts span far wider — from around $25,000 to $420,000 a week — depending on size and pedigree.
That base rate is only the beginning. Once you add the Advance Provisioning Allowance, French Polynesia‘s charter tax, mooring fees and crew gratuity, the realistic all-in figure lands 25 to 50% above the headline number. Budget for the total, not the sticker.
Marcelle Hailwax, Charter Broker at DMA YachtingWhat the base rate covers — and what it doesn’t
The weekly base rate buys you the yacht and its crew, insurance on the vessel, and the water toys already aboard. It does not cover the cost of running the boat while you’re on it, and this is where first-time charterers get caught out.
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): a working fund for fuel, food, drinks and mooring fees, paid before you board. Expect 20 to 25% of the base rate on a sailing yacht or catamaran, and 30 to 35% on a motor yacht. Unspent APA is refunded.
- French Polynesia charter tax: 5% of the gross charter rate, collected before each charter.
- Crew gratuity: 15 to 20% of the base rate, given to the captain at the end. In practice crews often expect the higher end.
- Provisioning: roughly $50 to $75 per person per day, drawn from your APA.
- Mooring fees: around $1 to $3 per foot, plus a small per-person city tax.
The levers that swing the bill
What actually changes the total
A handful of decisions move your number by tens of thousands. Season is the first. Peak runs June to August in the dry season, when the trade winds are steady and humpbacks pass through — and rates are at their highest. The April–May and September–October shoulders give you similar conditions with lower pricing and fewer boats around the Bora Bora anchorages.
Vessel type is the second lever. Sailing catamarans are plentiful and well-supported here — Raiatea is a major catamaran base — so they offer the best value for the Society Islands loop. A motor yacht buys you speed and range for the Tuamotus or Marquesas, but you pay for it in both rate and fuel.
| Option | Best for | Not ideal for | Typical base/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran (3–4 cabins) | Families, couples doing the Society Islands loop | Long Tuamotu/Marquesas passages, 12+ guests | $29,000–$96,000 |
| Motor yacht (under 40m) | Range, speed, air-con comfort | Budget-focused groups; higher fuel burn | $70,000–$250,000 |
| Motor yacht / superyacht (larger) | Large groups, full service, remote itineraries | Most first-time charters; small groups | up to $420,000 |
Louis Lamprell, Charter Broker, Active CYBA Member at DMA Yachting
What a realistic all-in budget looks like
Take a family of 8 on a mid-range crewed catamaran at $45,000 for the week — around $800 per person per day. Add 20% APA (about $9,000), the 5% charter tax ($2,250), and an 18% gratuity ($8,100). Your all-in sits near $64,000, or a little over 40% above the base rate — right in the middle of the 25 to 50% uplift range you should be budgeting for.
Where your boat sits inside our Tahiti range depends on size and crew. A 3-cabin catamaran near the bottom of the $29,000 to $96,000 band suits a couple or small family keeping the budget tight. Step up to a larger, more heavily crewed catamaran and you move toward full-service territory at the upper end of that range. We’ll match the boat to the group size and the itinerary once we know your dates.
If you want to shop by budget, our yachts under $30k and yachts under $100k lists cover most of the Society Islands fleet, while the wider French Polynesia yacht charter pages show what else is relocating into the region for the season. Sailing purists should also glance at the dedicated catamarans selection.
What we’d avoid — and where clients get caught out
Don’t compare a low-season rate on one yacht to a peak-season rate on another and assume the boat is cheaper. January to March gives the lowest rates, but it’s the wet season — more rain, more humidity, occasional storms. We’d only build a January charter for guests with no other window.
The single most important check is the charter licence. Every yacht carrying paying guests in French Polynesian waters needs a valid Grande Plaisance licence — it’s free and granted for six months. We confirm a yacht’s licensing is in place before we ever hold a boat for you, so there’s no last-minute surprise on legality.
Daniel Asmus, Owner, Charter Broker, Active CYBA Member, IYBA, ECPY at DMA YachtingFAQ
How much is a crewed catamaran charter in Tahiti per week?
The crewed catamarans we place in Tahiti run from $29,000 to $96,000 per week in base rate, typically sleeping 6 to 8 guests. Add 25 to 50% on top for APA, the 5% charter tax and crew gratuity.
What does APA cover on a Tahiti charter?
APA is a working fund covering fuel, food, drinks and mooring fees. It runs 20 to 25% of base on a catamaran or sailing yacht and 30 to 35% on a motor yacht. Whatever the crew doesn’t spend is refunded to you.
When is the cheapest time to charter a yacht in Tahiti?
January through March offers the lowest rates, but it’s the wet season. For the best balance of price and conditions, target the April–May or September–October shoulders — steady weather at below-peak pricing.
How far in advance should I book?
At least 6 months ahead, and 9 months for the July–August peak. The suitable fleet in the Society Islands is small, and the best catamarans go first.
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We put these shortlists together because most travellers don’t need to weigh up every yacht on the water — just the handful that consistently get this kind of trip right. Each guide below digs into the boats, the best months to go, and the trade-offs worth knowing before you book.
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