French Polynesia: A sailor’s Dream

French Polynesia has always captivated sailors from around the world.

The beauty of its lagoons, its idyllic atolls, its majestic ancient volcanic landscapes, and the rich ancestral culture of its people all combine to make your adventure truly unique.

Five archipelagos, each unique:

• Society Islands: volcanoes surrounded by lagoons—a true postcard scene. This is also the archipelago where most of the shipyards are located.
• Tuamotu: atolls dotted with motus, immense and crystal-clear lagoons, and incredible marine life.
• Marquesas: steep mountains plunging into the sea, green valleys, and wild horses; hunting and fishing shape local life.
• Austral Islands: cooler, further south, almost timeless, and regularly subject to subtropical depressions.
• Gambier Islands: vast, uncrowded lagoons, the historic heartland of pearl farming.

Sailing remains relatively easy thanks to the trade winds blowing between 10 and 25 knots for much of the year.

Due to its remoteness, it is essential to take great care in preparing for your voyages, particularly:

• Carefully note the tide schedules to enter or exit the atolls through the passes.
• Bring a substantial supply of provisions due to the isolation and scarcity of stores where you can stock up.
• Bring a suitable supply of spare parts and appropriate tools.

There are two seasons in Polynesia:

The cool season, which runs from April through early November, is when the trade winds are steady, making it easy to travel wherever you please.

From July through September, be mindful of episodes of the Maraamu, a cool, powerful wind that generally blows from the southeast.

The warm season, from early November through April, is a time of abundance, both in terms of local fruits and vegetables and the tropical rains brought by the famous South Pacific Convergence Zone, which extends slightly further into our region. The winds are lighter and less predictable.

We will also keep an eye on potential depressions and cyclones developing in the southwestern part of the South Pacific, even though Polynesia is relatively spared, with low to moderate risks depending on the archipelago.

Sailboats flying the French flag or those from outside the European Union may sail freely under the temporary admission regime for a period of 24 months from the date of entry clearance.

Beyond that, you will need to pay local fees and taxes (“la papeetisation”) to remain in the area or leave the territory for a period of 6 months.

Our agent Ludovic will be your dedicated contact to advise you on the sale or purchase of your used sailboat throughout French Polynesia.