Blue water sailing charters

Makatea & Tetiaroa – hidden gems

(approx 120 nm)

Beginning and ending in Tahiti, this itinerary takes you to some of French Polynesias hidden gems.

Makatea is the only uplifted atol in the Tuamotu. Despite the now abandoned phosphates activity, this atol remains a paradise – climbing, caving, coconut crab hunting and some magnificent diving – it’s all here and just an overnight sail from Tahiti. On the return trip we’ll stop in Tetiaroa, a classic atol in pristine condition, where you can see nesting sterns, explore the lagoon and practice watersports.

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Tahiti Makatea Tetiaroa 5 day charter experience

5-7 day Makatea & Tetiaroa sailing experience

Makatea is a ‘rising atol’ meaning that it’s cliffs grow slightly higher each year

Tetiaroa’s bird island, a sanctuary for breeding colonies

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive on your boat …. choose to relax or have us arrange scuba diving or some holopuni sailing for you! Leave late afternoon for the sail to Makatea.

Day 2

Arrive in Makatea mid morning and get your first taste of snorkelling along a deep blue reef. Arrange to go coconut crab hunting in the evening if there’s not too much moonlight or simply enjoy a sundowner and meal on your boat.

Day 3

Discover this hidden atol’s history as a phosphatre mine. Explore the cliffs and if you’re daring in nature you can organise some rockclimbing with Makatea Escalade.

Day 4

Enjoy a last snorkel or walk on the island and then set sail to Tetiaroa atol. This SW sail is almost always downwind, so set the gennaker and enjoy sailing through the afternoon and into the night.

Day 5

Arive in Tetiaroa a pristine atol belonging to the Brando foundation. Tetiaroa atol is a bird and turtle sanctuary, and while you won’t be able to see breeding turtles, you can visit bird island where there are active breeding colonies.

Day 6

Enjoy the Tetiaroa lagoon with a lazy snorkel in the coral gardens, or a more adventurous spearfishing outing. The waters of the anchorage or the lagoon are a kite foil or wind surfing paradise.