Waking up early (due to the time change) we were greeted with clear skies and a beautiful breakfast of fresh fruit, cheese, scrambled eggs and French pastries (croissants and pain au chocolats). Then we set off to Fare, the main town of Huahine, for a few items we’d forgotten to bring along.
Fare is a very small port town, but does have a grocery store, internet access and a few food trucks. We pulled directly up to the dock, went ashore, and were quickly back on the boat.
Fare is known for its view of a pregnant lady on her back – use your imagination!
We then anchored in a quiet spot just south of Fare for a beautiful fresh fish lunch prepared flawlessly by Clara.
After lunch cruised over to Raiatea, which took about 3 hours – 22 natuical miles. We anchored in a stunningly beautiful bay near Motu Iriru, on the east side of Raiatea, and got out all the water toys. The water in this bay was amazingly clear and the views of the island were spectacular. We saw lots of manta rays serenly swimming around the boat and launched the drone we brought for some great arial photos. Everyone truly enjoyed themselves on the kayaks and paddleboards!
We stayed in the bay for the night and celebrated our second sunset aboard DIVA on the flydeck.
Getting to Tahiti is not as far as you might think. While, yes, it is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is a smooth, 7-hour flight from Los Angeles. Closer than flying to Europe! Our Air Tahiti Nui Flight left LAX at 5:15 and arrived at around 11 PM at the main Airport on Tahiti Island.
After going through customs (everyone had to take a COVID Antigen test in the Airport), where a band was playing welcoming Tahitian Music, we simply walked across the street to the Tahiti Airport Motel and slept for a few hours before returning to the airport for our short, beautiful flight to Huahine, where our charter was to begin.
No need to arrive for flights 2 hours in advance in Tahiti, an hour or so will do! Our flight to Huahine took about an hour.
Approaching Huahine
We arrived at Huahine at around 8 in the morning – too early to board the charter. So Boatbookings arranged that we would taxi to the south island (Huahine-Iti), and swim and have lunch at the pretty Hotel Le Mahana. Our Boat, DIVA, arrived promptly at 1 pm, and we were whisked by tender to our boat, and of course, given leis as soon as we boarded the boat!
Tahitian Welcome
We had our obligatory Captain’s Safety Briefing and off we went to our first anchorage, close to the town of Fare, but pristine with amazingly clear water.
Our first sundowner drinks
Drinks on the flydeck, then dinner – fresh meka (from the swordfish family) with a French sauce – amazing!
Our family of 5 recently enjoyed a 7-day Tahiti Yacht Charter on a 56-foot Lagoon 560 crewed catamaran. The entire trip was idyllic! In this series of blog posts, we will take you through the arrival, departure, itinerary, cuisine, crew, and lots of other observations to give you a clear picture of what it’s like to charter in Tahiti and the brilliance of being on a crewed catamaran.
We chartered a Lagoon 560 crewed catamaran through Boatbookings. Lagoons are fantastic catamarans – they offer great open spaces both inside and out, and the cabins are roomy and comfortable. The 560 has a very large flydeck with seating for 8, where we spent a lot of time, especially at sunset, because you get a 360-degree view of the incredibly beautiful surroundings. We ate most of our meals on the spacious and comfortable aft deck, because it is never windy and offers easy access to the galley.
The crew had their own quarters so that each of our children could have their own cabin and bathroom, what a luxury! See the layout below.
The main salon is large, well lit and comfortable, although we honestly never spent one minute in it – there was too much to do outside!
The boat had 2 paddleboards, 2 kayaks, and plenty of snorkeling gear. We used them every day!
The Crew
We had a fantastic crew who took care of all of our needs, set the daily itinerary, and produced world-class cuisine (a mixture of french and Tahitian cooking) three meals a day.
Jerome was our captain – he is French and has lived in the Tahitian Islands for 20 years. He knows where the best snorkeling spots are and always moored the boat in quiet, beautiful anchorages so that we had amazing views and sunsets!
Clara served three fantastic meals a day, plus sundowner drinks and hors d’oeurvres so we could fully enjoy the sunsets. She cooked meals to meet our dietary specifications – Tahitian food is, of course, centered around amazing fresh fish, but one of our party didn’t eat fish so she always had a great substitute.
A masterpiece of design, this 2018 Custom Line 120 is the epitome of luxurious charter yachting. Such innovation declared motor yacht NEVER BLUE winner of Boat International’s Best New Production Yacht Design 2019.
NEVER BLUE is a sight to behold. Blending cutting edge technology with the utmost comfort and performance, both Ferretti and Francesco Paszkowski Design have effortlessly succeeded in bringing the outside in.
Chartering the Bahamas, NEVER BLUE is the perfect vessel on which to experience the ultimate island retreat. At Boatbookings, a care for the environment is particularly important and NEVER BLUE’s carbon offsetting standards following each charter makes her particularly appealing.
Exterior
NEVER BLUE’s striking, sporty super-structure profile is only the start of her appeal. Designed for a celebration, guests tend to spend most of their time on the sundeck.
Also featuring a jacuzzi, this area creates the perfect celebratory alfresco dining spot, whilst swinging at anchor in the calm of the Exuma Islands.
Interior
Her striking ‘glass lounge’ created by large 45-degree glass doors leading from the main salon to aft deck, creates quite the welcome spectacle.
NEVER BLUE hosts up to 10 guests in 5 elegant staterooms. Her main deck master suite boasts a beautifully appointed His & Hers ensuite with shower, an office area for remote working, and walk-in closet.
Tenders & Toys
An astonishing fleet of water toys onboard NEVER BLUE allows you to explore further afield and enjoy endless entertainment, both above and below the surface. A few favourites include: 2 Waverunners, an Aqua glide malibu island, Williams jet tender and a hotdog towable for youngsters.
A large, shaded swim platform offers the perfect viewing area to watch your family and friends enjoy everything the ocean has to offer.
Following the hype of Thanksgiving, the excitement of Christmas and New Year is swiftly approaching. At Boatbookings, we are beginning to dream up extraordinary charter vacations ahead of Winter 2022/2023.
Special island festivals unique to the Caribbean will provide you with a vibrant Christmas and New Year getaway. Alternatively, the Indian Ocean offers glorious anchorages for private beach celebrations in areas only accessible by yacht. If you are looking to celebrate the festivities in style, then now is the time to begin planning your bespoke getaway with our Charter Advisors.
Scroll for a little inspiration on where you could be celebrating next winter.
Foxy’s, British Virgin Islands
See in the New Year in style. Jost Van Dyke is the destination, and Foxy’s the venue. Be welcomed ashore by the affable Foxy, an iconic character across the BVI, for 48 hours of rum and reggae and fireworks at the iconic beach bar in the shade of a tamarind tree.
Although making a name for himself hosting events since 1968, Foxy’s Old Year’s Night is renowned across the BVI and is the only place to make an appearance – although his Thanksgiving Feast is as equally renowned.
Anchor early to reserve a highly sought-after spot in the bay and either enjoy a special dinner onboard or tender ashore early for the famed Foxy Caribbean beach BBQ. Local area bands provide non-stop steelpan music; homage to the Caribbean islands, from dusk till dawn.
Soak up the legendary Bagatelle atmosphere under the Caribbean sun, celebrating South of France’s “joie de vivre” and epicurean spirit in the beautiful St Barths.
Bagatelle is a prestigious establishment renowned for offering a luxury French Mediterranean dining experience, however with a dose of winter warmth in the heart of Gustavia.
A day at this beach club is necessary of you are looking for the ultimate celebration whilst chartering a yacht in St Barths. As an indulgent island entirely dedicated to glamorous yacht parties, boho boutiques and blissful spa treatments, St Barths is certainly worth incorporating into your celebratory yacht charter.
Celebrate the festive season in style alongside locals as you party across the beautiful Bahamian island chain onboard your luxury crewed catamaran.
Float southwards through the Exumas towards the Staniel Cay Yacht Club in time for their famed New Year’s Eve “Masquerade” tradition, complete with Bahamian pig roast and midnight fireworks. A unique addition to your suitcase, this New Year you will need a mask to attend the Staniel Cay Yacht Club party on their sandy shore.
The Staniel Cay Cruising Regatta is always great fun on New Year’s Day, although at the northernmost end of the Exumas, Nassau hosts the traditional Junkanoo Parade. In a celebration of Bahamian art and culture, Bay Street is abuzz with vibrant carnival-goers, elaborately costumed dancers and the sound of horns, drums and bells.
Grenada has no trouble in delivering the most zealous celebrations of all the Windward Islands. Although prided for its remote island rejuvenation and relaxed atmosphere, the Grenadines come alive with plenty of entertainment during the festive season.
A favourite of ours to ring in the celebration is the landmark and cultural heartbeat of Mustique, Basil’s Bar. From Tacos & Tequila Thursdays to Sunday Sunset Sessions, Basil’s Bar is an indispensable part of island live on Mustique with a longstanding reputation for attracting yacht guests for over 50 years; particularly crewed sailing boats thanks to the consistent winds.
For those who prefer the more relaxing celebrations in total island bliss, the Seychelles and Maldives offer the perfect cruising grounds to do just that. If floating from island to island onboard a fabulously chic yacht takes your fancy, jet off to the Southern Hemisphere for an exclusive celebration in the utmost privacy amongst a string of paradisical islands peppered across the Indian Ocean.
Your Captain and crew are experts in remote areas and have a talent in taking you to the most secluded bays, only accessible by yacht and perfect for a private beach setup or yacht-based celebrations, often the perfect atmosphere for the ultimate celebration with your family or friends.
