French Polynesia
Ten Year Anniversary Flotilla
August 2027
Departing from Raʻiātea in the Society Islands archipelago, a flotilla in French Polynesia offers some of the best cruising experiences in the South Pacific, with steady winds, pleasant temperatures, and a perfect mix of short hops between motus and longer passages to the atolls. Volcanic coasts and white sand beaches, fringed with coconut palms and tropical vegetation, invite exploration and adventure. Among the iconic stops, Bora Bora in particular draws visitors with its turquoise lagoon, coral reef, and over-water bungalows, while the isolated motus and the peaks of the Society Islands offer stunning natural scenery. The abundant marine life around the islands — manta rays, blacktip sharks, parrot fish, and sea turtles — makes the area a paradise for diving and snorkeling.
Each day we drop our mooring balls or raise anchor, set our sails, and embark on our next adventure. Afternoons can be spent leisurely enjoying the sun, swimming, snorkeling, or exploring the local vanilla and pearl farms. As the sun sets, crews have the option to prepare dinner on board or dine at local restaurants, and the flotilla comes together for social gatherings. You’ll encounter fellow sailors from across the world who share a love for exploration and camaraderie in a laid-back, inviting environment. No prior sailing experience is required.
We have a full line up of special events planned throughout the sail, to celebrate ten years of new friendships and camaraderie through the most extraordinary sailing flotillas, in the most stunning locations around the globe. At the conclusion of our sail we are offering an optional, once in a lifetime, opportunity to swim with humpback whales off the coast of Mo’orea.
Where
The flotilla will explore the stunning Society Islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Our sail will include stops at several beautiful anchorages offering the best of the archipelago’s famous beaches, marine parks and local hospitality. Please note the sailing itinerary is subject to change right up to and during the sail based on weather and sea conditions.
When
Our sailing adventure begins August 23rd, 2027 and lasts for 9 days. You'll spend just over a week aboard your vessel (Monday to Tuesday the following week). A hotel stay either side of the sail is optional should you wish to start your adventure early or continue exploring French Polynesia after we return the boats. Those wishing to participate in our private tour to swim with humpback whales will require their own accommodation.
Travel
We begin our sail at Apooiti Marina, located 10 minutes by taxi from Raiatea Airport (RFP). You get there by flying to Faa’a International Airport on Tahiti then taking a local flight to Raiatea. All travel from the US east coast will require at least two connections before arriving in Raiatea. All crew must schedule travel to ensure being onsite at the marina by the morning of August 23rd, 2027. We recommend arriving at least the day before to shake off any travel tiredness.
Who
This trip is open to anyone who has found or is yet to discover their love of sailing and adventure! DC's sailing and boating community are particularly encouraged to join us and may invite friends and family members. You must be easy going and drama free! DC Sailing Community skippers have the right to refuse crew for any reason. Sailors interested in advancing their training have a unique opportunity to attain ASA certification as a part of this flotilla.
Boats
We have seven Robertson & Caine Leopard catamarans booked for this flotilla, all chartered through The Moorings and Sunsail. All boats offer excellent sailing characteristics with a high degree of space and comfort. View the Skipper List.
Registration and Costs
All seven boats booked for this flotilla are Tier 1 catamarans, each with four cabins and eight berths. All cabins are double occupancy, meaning two berths per cabin. A deposit or payment in full books your berth on a boat. Provisioning and mooring fees incurred during the sail are split among the crew of each boat. You are responsible for your own travel and insurance costs. Sailors interested in ASA certification have an additional fee. Participation in our private tour to swim with humpback whales will also incur an additional fee, details coming soon.
Tier 1 Fee - $2949 per person
Choose from our flexible booking options:
Spread the cost over time with a deposit now and pay the balance later. No discount is applied.
Pay a $500 deposit now to secure your berth
Spread the balance with two further payments over time:
Pay a further $1000 by December 31st, 2026
Pay the final balance of $1449 by April 30th, 2027
Or save on the berth fee with a one-time payment in full:
Pay in full with a single payment before December 31st, 2026 and take 10% off the berth fee! $2949 $2654
Pay in full with a single payment between Jan 1st and April 30th, 2027 and take 5% off the berth fee! $2949 $2802
Deposit payments are non-refundable. The deposit payment and both subsequent balance payments are not subject to any discounts being applied. Discounts are only applied to a single one-time payment in full when payment is made by the specified date. A deposit payment is an alternative option offering more flexibility and is not discounted. Deposits will not be accepted after December 31st, 2026. After December 31st, 2026 only a payment in full will be accepted. If a deposit is paid and the balance not settled by April 30th, 2027 the reserved spot on the Flotilla will be forfeited and the deposit will not be refunded. A subsequent decision to remain on the Flotilla will require payment of the full berth fee. See below for additional payment disclosures.
ASA Training
We are pleased to offer those wishing to further their sailing education a fantastic opportunity to attain certification to the America Sailing standard for Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), Bareboat Chartering (ASA 104) and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114). You may sign up for one of the three courses offered or combine the 103 and 104 courses, or the 104 and 114 courses. The practical element of the course will be taught during the week we are sailing, while at the same time allowing you to enjoy the thrills and camaraderie of the flotilla. Your ASA affiliated instructor is deeply knowledgeable and holds all applicable ASA Instructor qualifications. ASA training is an additional cost to the berth fee and varies by course or combination of courses. Indicate when you register for the flotilla which courses you wish to take and we will respond with guidance on the fees involved.
DC Sailing Community, at it’s sole discretion, reserves the right to remove participants from the flotilla for any reason.
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Payments Non-refundable
Berth payments are non-refundable, whether paid in full or as a deposit, unless another person is found to take your spot. Berth fees are calculated based on the total cost of all boats within a specific Tier divided by the total number of double occupancy cabin berths in that Tier, so that everybody within a Tier pays the same to join the flotilla (excludes Skippers), subject to discounts offered at DC Sailing Community’s discretion.
Additional Crew
Any additional crew added by a Skipper that exceeds the advertised number of berths available on a given boat are added at the Skippers sole discretion and DC Sailing Community bears no responsibility for the additional crew management that may be required or higher crew expenses that may be incurred as a result. The per person cost for additional crew remains as originally calculated for the advertised available berths.
Boat Cancellations
If multiple boats are cancelled for any reason and we are unable to sail, refunds are not typically issued by the charter company except under extreme circumstances. If such circumstances arise and the charter company refunds the costs of the boats, refunds to crew will be applied based on the same average cost model, less handling fees. If we need to replace the boats with those from another vendor for any reason, and the total cost is cheaper, partial refunds will be calculated based on the same average cost model, with no exceptions. If the trip is cancelled by the charter company and refunds are not issued, monies paid will be held by the charter company and used for a future charter. Each crew member will have first refusal on that next charter. If a crew member is not able to attend a credited charter they will be refunded only when another sailor is found to take his/her place. These terms are applied equally across the flotilla fleet. Registering for the flotilla constitutes acceptance of these terms.
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Last Updated June 24th, 2025
All participants are strongly encouraged to be fully up-to-date in having received the Covid-19 vaccine and boosters. While we no longer require proof of vaccination, local requirements at our destination may still do so.
Covid-19 can still be a quickly changing situation. We are subject to whatever restrictions or precautions are in place at the time of departure, which are impossible to predict today.
Note that the berth fee is non-refundable, as has always been the case. The policy remains that refunds can only be issued if another sailor can take your place. If we have to cancel the entire trip, for Covid-19 or any other reason, each participant will have first option to join the next subsequent Flotilla. If they are unable to do that they will be refunded their money if another crew member takes his/her place on that next trip.
The charter companies do not issue refunds except in very rare cases. Usually only credit or a re-booking is offered. Therefore DC Sailing Community can only offer the same terms.
You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance that includes Covid-19 coverage, for cancellation of flights, medical emergency, etc. DC Sailing Community does not provide travel insurance.
Each person that signs up for a sailing charter does so according to their own risk tolerance. DC Sailing Community cannot be held liable for illness picked up in traveling to, from, or during a trip. Whether that's Covid-19, Dengue, Zika, or other infectious diseases that may be prevalent in our cruising grounds.
DC Sailing Community charters its boats exclusively from The Moorings and Sunsail, subject to availability for our chosen location and dates.
