If your bucket list includes Tahiti, you’re going to need a bigger bucket. Legislators have increased the amount of time that visiting megayachts are permitted to stay.
For years, French Polynesian law stipulated that yachts could only remain in their waters for 24 months. After that, the yachts needed to depart for international waters. Now, however, megayachts making their way to the South Pacific islands can stay an extra 12 months.
The news is welcome for owners of both private yachts, wishing to cruise the area with their own friends and family, and owners of charter yachts. Given the distance that Tahiti is from the major other cruising areas, visits there are not short-term.
Megayachts such as Hemisphere and Askari have made Tahiti part of their itineraries in recent years. They did so under charter, too. Note that if you do operate a charter yacht there, she’s subject to a five-percent charter tax. Charter licenses are also required, but reportedly relatively simple to get. The Tahiti tourism department recommends working with a local yacht agent. He or she will in turn contact the tourism and maritime-affairs officials. If your yacht complies with international charter regulations, you’ll receive a license for six months. Licenses are renewable, too.
The peak cruising season in Tahiti is from May to September. Yachts visit outside of these months as well, of course. Regardless of when you plan to visit, be sure your crew have the proper documentation. If they are European Union (EU) nationals, they do not need visas. If they are non-EU nationals, however, crewmembers require a long-stay visa. It permits remaining in Tahiti for six months. French embassies and consulates in many nations issue these visas. Your crew should obtain the visa well before your yacht’s arrival in Tahiti, too.
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