As you plan your dream trip to Polynesia, you probably want to discover several islands and maximize your stay in Paradise. To visit several islands, it can be interesting to book a sailing cruise. I had the opportunity to realize this dream with Bora Bora Cruise and Dive and the experience was worth it. We left Bora Bora to go to Taha’a and Maupiti. If you are still hesitating to book I invite you to read this post.
GOOD REASONS TO TAKE A SAILING CRUISE
Good value for money
This is one of the advantages of opting for a catamaran cruise to discover Polynesian islands. The trip between the islands, the accommodation onboard and, depending on your choice, the full board are included in the price. This will allow you to reduce your expenses while enjoying the lagoon of each island. Airfare between the islands is quite expensive and a day of cruise can quickly pay for itself. For instance, a complete day of cruise with Bora Bora Cruise and Dive on a full catamaran (8 people based) will cost you almost the same price as a round trip by plane from Bora Bora to Huahine. It all depends on the time you want to spend on each island and on your program.
A La Carte Program
You have the possibility of discovering the islands that make you dream. A program will be proposed to allow you to visit them and not to miss anything on the spot. The charters companies have a great knowledge of the different islands. They can advise you and even organize your visits. Moreover, you will not depend on the flight schedules so you can spend more time on a specific island if you wish. In Maupiti, for example, flights are not daily. The flexibility of a cruise will allow you to discover this island as long as you want.
Privileged
Arriving on the islands directly by boat is a great experience. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about shuttles or transfers to and from the airport. Once you drop anchor, you can explore. The fact that you won’t run into many tourists during arrivals and departures will give you the feeling of being alone in the world. By arriving by boat you will already have a very nice view of the island you are visiting. You will be able to swim whenever you want to. Imagine waking up in the morning surrounded by a turquoise lagoon with a beautiful island and its lush vegetation, an islet or the immensity of the ocean on the horizon. And if the boat is equipped with a stand-up paddle you can explore the lagoon quietly. I had the opportunity to paddle in Maupiti on a flat calm sea with a sky studded with stars. Truly magical!
Rainbow in Taha’a 
Sunset in Taha’a with a view on Bora Bora 
Maupiti channel on a calm day
The Nature
The unpredictability of the weather will give you a taste for adventure. You will have to be flexible and there may be disappointments, but you will see that nature also offers us beautiful surprises. In my case, whales accompanied us while arriving in Taha’a, dolphins welcomed us in Taha’a and Maupiti, stingrays came to greet us in each lagoon. A little rain gave way to a rainbow. And the Maupiti channel, known for its difficulty, was very calm when we arrived and left. Nature offered us its most beautiful show.
ITINERARY AND ORGANIZATION
The itinerary will be decided with the charter company before the cruise. Here is an example of what can be visited from Bora Bora. During our cruise with Bora Bora Cruise and Dive, we decided to visit Taha’a, the vanilla island, which shares its lagoon with the beautiful island of Raiatea, and then we headed to Maupiti.
It was a 3 nights and 4 days program.
Day 1 : We left Bora Bora in the morning and arrived in Taha’a in the early afternoon (4 hours and a half crossing). The duration of the crossing will depend on the weather but also on the beautiful surprises you may encounter. Our captain, Pepito, caught a bluefin tuna during the crossing and we came across a small family of whales.
Night in Taha’a
Day 2 : We spent the day in Tahaa and left in the evening after dinner for an overnight crossing to Maupiti under a starry sky.
Night on the ocean
Day 3 : We arrived early in the morning and spent the day and night on Maupiti.
Night in Maupiti
Day 4 : After our lunch on Maupiti, we returned to Bora Bora (about 5 hours crossing).
WHAT TO SEE IN TAHA’A ?
Vanilla plantation
Taha’a is nicknamed the vanilla island for its numerous vanilla plantations. The vanilla of Taha’a is unique in the world and of good quality (Vanilla tahitensis). You can’t miss a visit to the Vanilla Valley. The process of vanilla production and what makes Taha’a vanilla unique will be explained to you. Of course, you will have the opportunity to buy vanilla directly from the vanilla plantation.
Rum
For rum lovers (and to refill the stock on the boat ;)) you can visit the Mana’o Rum factory and the Pari Pari Distillery. During our stopover, we visited the Pari Pari distillery and discovered the process of making Pari Pari Rum from the harvesting of the sugar cane to the distillation. Then we had a small tasting.
Coral Garden
The Coral Garden in Taha’a is known for its natural current that allows you to let yourself be carried between the corals and admire the different fish, corals, anemones, … It is something not to be missed during your visit and will leave you with good memories as a couple, with friends or with family.
Pearl farms
There are several pearl farms in Taha’a. All of them offer a free tour of the farm and the possibility to buy pearls. During our stay in Taha’a, we visited the Love Here Pearl Farm. They explained to us how the pearls were produced and then carefully selected. The work is very meticulous and very interesting to know before buying your pearls in Polynesia.
WHAT TO SEE IN MAUPITI ?
Manta rays
As soon as we arrived in Maupiti, our captain Pepito accompanied us to the manta ray spot. After a short briefing to be able to observe them without harming them, we went in the water. After a few minutes, we could observe a manta ray and then a second one. The lagoon is very clear and it is very easy to see them and let them move majestically under our eyes. Manta rays are very big and can measure up to 7 meters (22 feet). It is a real pleasure to observe these magnificent and majestic living beings.
Keep in mind that nature has its surprises and sometimes the rays will not be there.
Tour of the island by bike or on foot
It is possible to go around the island of Maupiti by foot or by bike because the island is only 10 km (6,2 miles) in circumference. The island is really preserved and known for its authenticity. You will pass by a small handcraft market that offers beautiful creations to bring back as a souvenir of Maupiti.
Hiking Mount Teurafaatiu
The highest point of the island of Maupiti is Mount Teurafaatiu which reaches 372 meters (1 220 feet). It is possible to climb it and admire the beautiful view of Maupiti surrounded by its lagoon and motus.
The hike takes about an hour and a half and the view is really magnificent. We did the hike with my parents and if you don’t want to climb the last part, the view on the previous point is already magnificent.
Palace of the sea (Palais de la Mer)
How can we not talk about the “Palais de la Mer”? The most entertaining and friendly visit we could make in Maupiti. The “Palais de la Mer” was created by the artist, singer and composer Ahky. He will introduce you to his handmade palace in a joyful and good mood. During several hours you will not only visit the palace but rather visit an incredibly jovial person, generous and full of surprises. Moreover, you will get the chance to hear Polynesian songs and the sound of the ukulele.
Photo by : Bora Bora Picture 
Motus (islets)
The motus in Maupiti are beautiful and really wild. During our visit we had lunch on a motu and enjoyed the paradisiacal site offered by nature.
It is possible to walk to a wild motu from the island of Maupiti crossing a sand bank that allows you to walk in a shallow water.
The charter companies
The charter companies in Bora Bora are Bora Bora Cruise and Dive and W Bora.
If you want to cruise on a more spacious boat, other companies based on other islands will also be able to offer you customized catamaran cruises such as Tahiti Yacht Charter or Dream Yacht Charter.
Tips
If possible, take full board because you will not have to prepare anything or worry about grocery shopping. It would be a pity to have to go to the grocery store because you forgot to bring what you need on board during your cruise. Keep in mind that on some islands there are few stores.
Have some cash on you. On Maupiti for example, there is no ATM.
If you can, plan to use ecological products (soaps, sun creams, …) to avoid damaging the lagoon. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses because the reverberation on the water is very strong. In case of burns, you can use tamanu oil (do not apply in the sun). It is produced locally in Polynesia and is known for its healing properties. You can find it for instance at the vanilla plantation of Taha’a or in the stores of Bora Bora (or other islands).
