Tahiti Yacht Charter Costs: What You’ll Actually Pay in 2026

How much does a yacht charter in Tahiti cost?

For most guests, a fully crewed sailing catamaran sleeping 8 across the Society Islands runs $60,000 to $120,000 per week all-in during the dry season. That covers the boat, the crew, and usually your food and drink, which is how many crewed catamarans in French Polynesia are structured. Step up to a motor superyacht and the base rate alone starts around $150,000 per week and rises fast.

The catamaran is the right call for the large majority of first-time guests here. It matches the reef-and-lagoon geography, it draws less water for the coral passes, and the price gets you the same islands a superyacht visits. We only steer clients toward a large motor yacht when the group is 10-plus, wants hotel-grade service, or has the budget where the base rate is not the deciding factor.

What the base rate includes, and what it doesn’t

On the crewed catamarans common in the French Polynesia charter fleet, the weekly rate typically bundles the boat, the crew, and provisioning. That is why an all-inclusive cat looks simple next to a superyacht quote.

Larger motor yachts usually run on MYBA terms instead, where the base rate is just the boat and crew. On top of that you pay:

• VAT / local tax on the charter fee
• APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), usually 25-35% of the base, covering fuel, food, drink and dockage
• Fuel, which on a big motor yacht cruising between Bora Bora and the Tuamotus can exceed the entire APA
• Crew gratuity, increasingly expected at 17-20% of the base

The levers that move the bill

What changes your total

Four things swing the number by tens of thousands. Season is the first: the dry season from May to October is the prime window and priced accordingly, while the wet season brings rain and the occasional storm at a discount most guests should not chase.

Vessel type is the second. A well-supported sailing catamaran like Catamaran Zen Quest or Bundalong delivers the Society Islands at a fraction of a superyacht’s cost, and both are the kind of boat we place families and couples on. A large motor yacht such as this Thailand-based cruiser represents the other end, where fuel and crew scale up with size.

Group size and itinerary length do the rest. Adding the Tuamotu atolls, Fakarava or Rangiroa, to a Society Islands loop means longer passages and more fuel than a tight Bora Bora, Taha’a and Raiatea triangle. If diving the coral passes is the point of your trip, budget for the extra days.

The one thing that ruins a Tahiti charter: the licence

Before you fall for a boat, confirm it holds a valid French Polynesia charter licence. We have seen yachts relocate to Tahiti, take bookings, and still not have the local operating licence in hand. One recent example was a Saba 50 catamaran booked for Tahiti with no charter licence yet in place.

Papeete is your international gateway, so most guests fly into Tahiti and connect to the embarkation point at Raiatea or Bora Bora. Build a day of slack into that transfer rather than connecting the same afternoon.

Concrete examples

A family of 6, late June, Society Islands loop. A crewed sailing catamaran, all-inclusive, Raiatea to Taha’a to Bora Bora to Moorea and back, lands in the region of $70,000 to $100,000 for the week. That is the trip we recommend most often for first-timers.

A group of 8 who want to dive the Tuamotus, August. Add Fakarava and Rangiroa and expect the upper crewed-catamaran range, $100,000-plus, driven by the longer passages and fuel between archipelagos.

A group of 10 wanting superyacht service, September. A motor yacht base rate from $150,000 per week, then VAT, APA at 25-35%, and fuel that on a boat this size can top the APA on its own. Compare this to the Maldives or Indonesia if you want similar water at a different price point.

Wondering whether a broker adds cost? It does not. Charter commission is paid by the yacht, not added to your bill, and a broker is who catches the licence problem before it becomes your problem. See our charter insights and South Pacific fleet for the next step.

How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Tahiti for a week?

A crewed sailing catamaran for 8 guests runs roughly $60,000 to $120,000 all-in during the dry season. Motor superyachts start around $150,000 per week for the base rate, before VAT, APA, fuel and gratuity.

Is a catamaran or a motor yacht better for French Polynesia?

A catamaran suits most guests. It draws less water for the coral passes, Raiatea is a major catamaran base with strong support, and it reaches the same Society Islands as a superyacht for far less. Choose a motor yacht for groups of 10-plus who want hotel-grade service.

When is the best time to charter in Tahiti?

May to October, the dry season, for steadier trade winds, less humidity and calmer passages. The wet season from November to April is cheaper but brings more rain and occasional storms, which is why we do not build most trips around it.

What is not included in the base charter rate?

On MYBA-terms motor yachts, the base covers only the boat and crew. VAT, APA (25-35% for fuel, food and dockage), extra fuel and a 17-20% crew tip are on top. All-inclusive catamarans bundle more, but fuel and gratuity are still your responsibility.

Do I need to check the yacht’s charter licence?

Yes, this is the most important check. Some boats relocate to Tahiti and take bookings before securing a valid French Polynesia operating licence, which can mean cancellation or a boat that cannot legally carry guests. A broker verifies this before any deposit.