Contacte nous ici pour préparer ton futur voyage en Polynésie
Apetahi Express Ferry —
Schedule 2026, Fares
& Tuatea Pass
The Apetahi Express is the inter-island ferry connecting Papeete to the Leeward Islands — Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Maupiti. It is the affordable, authentic alternative to inter-island flights for exploring the islands at your own pace. This guide covers everything: the complete 2026 schedule, fares (flat rate 7,000 XPF per trip), the Tuatea Pass 30-day unlimited, baggage allowance, and how to book.
Islands on the route
Apetahi Express ferry routes — French Polynesia Leeward Islands
The Tuatea network (Apetahi Express + Tauati Ferry) serves 7 islands in a loop. The Apetahi Express operates the Leeward Islands route — from Papeete all the way to Maupiti — while the Tauati Ferry handles the Tahiti–Moorea crossing. You board and disembark wherever you like along the loop.
The Apetahi Express loop — board and disembark freely at any island along the route
| Route segment | Approximate duration |
|---|---|
| Papeete → Huahine | ~3h10 |
| Huahine → Raiatea | ~1h |
| Raiatea → Taha'a | ~45 min |
| Taha'a → Bora Bora | ~1h |
| Bora Bora → Maupiti | ~1h15 |
| Papeete → Bora Bora (full journey, 4 segments) | ~6h50 |
The Maupiti pass is notoriously dangerous in heavy swell. The Bora Bora–Maupiti crossing can be cancelled without notice in rough conditions. If Maupiti is non-negotiable on your itinerary, always allow a buffer day — and check sea conditions before leaving Bora Bora.
Apetahi Express fares 2026 — flat rate regardless of distance
One of the great things about the Apetahi Express: the fare is a flat 7,000 XPF per trip, regardless of distance. Whether you travel Papeete–Huahine (3h) or Bora Bora–Maupiti (1h15), the price is the same.
Apetahi Express — Tahiti to the Leeward Islands
| Ticket | Adult & Child (+2 yrs) | Baby (-2 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| One way | 7,000 XPF | Free |
| Return | 14,000 XPF | Free |
Apetahi Express — Between Leeward Islands
Same flat rate applies for all inter-island segments:
| Ticket | Adult & Child (+2 yrs) | Baby (-2 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| One way | 7,000 XPF | Free |
| Return | 14,000 XPF | Free |
Tauati Ferry — Tahiti to Moorea
| Ticket | Adult & Child (+2 yrs) | Car | Motorbike |
|---|---|---|---|
| One way | 1,100 XPF | 4,400 XPF | 1,300 XPF |
| Return | 2,200 XPF | 8,800 XPF | 2,600 XPF |
Both Apetahi Express and Tauati Ferry tickets are non-refundable. If your dates are uncertain, the Tuatea Pass (24,000 XPF / 30 days unlimited) offers more flexibility with no risk of losing money on unused tickets.
The full Papeete → Bora Bora journey covers 4 segments at 7,000 XPF each = 28,000 XPF total. With the Tuatea Pass at 24,000 XPF, you already save on this single journey — and can keep travelling for 30 days.
Apetahi Express schedule 2026 — valid from June 2026
The ferry runs 7 days a week. Two directions: outbound (Papeete → Maupiti) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; return (Bora Bora → Papeete) on Mondays, Thursdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Outbound — Papeete to Maupiti · Tuesday · Friday · Sunday
| Route segment | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| Papeete → Huahine | 06:30 | 09:40 |
| Huahine → Raiatea | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Raiatea → Taha'a | 11:20 | 12:05 |
| Taha'a → Bora Bora | 12:20 | 13:20 |
| Bora Bora → Maupiti | 13:40 | 14:55 |
| Maupiti → Bora Bora (evening return) | 15:15 | 16:30 |
Return — Bora Bora to Papeete · Monday · Thursday · Saturday
| Route segment | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| Bora Bora → Maupiti | 06:00 | 07:15 |
| Maupiti → Bora Bora | 07:35 | 08:50 |
| Bora Bora → Taha'a | 09:10 | 10:10 |
| Taha'a → Raiatea | 10:25 | 11:10 |
| Raiatea → Huahine | 11:30 | 12:30 |
| Huahine → Papeete | 12:50 | 16:00 |
The Apetahi Express runs on Wednesdayshalf day only.
Official Apetahi Express 2026 schedule — valid from June 2026 (source: apetahi-express.pf)
Booking ahead is mandatory for trips between Tahiti and the Leeward Islands (Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Maupiti) to guarantee a seat on board. Book in person at a Papeete agency or by email: contact@tuatea.com — Tel. +689 40 50 57 57. Between Tahiti and Moorea (Tauati Ferry), no advance booking is required.
The Tuatea Pass — 30 days unlimited on all 7 islands
- Unlimited trips for 30 days
- Valid on all 7 network islands
- Apetahi Express + Tauati Ferry
- Worth it from your 4th trip
- Activated on first trip taken
- Personal — non-transferable
- Valid 1 year from purchase date
- Children +2 yrs: same price
Is the Tuatea Pass worth it?
At 7,000 XPF per segment, the pass pays off from your 4th trip. Example: Papeete → Huahine → Raiatea → Bora Bora → Maupiti = 4 segments = 28,000 XPF in individual tickets vs 24,000 XPF with the pass. And you can keep travelling freely for 30 days. The real value, beyond price, is total freedom — take the ferry whenever you want, change island on a whim, no budget anxiety at every boarding.
Important conditions
The pass is personal and non-transferable. Valid for 1 year from purchase date — the 30 travel days start from your first trip taken and must end before the pass expiry. Babies under 2 travel free without a pass. Children over 2 pay the same price as adults.
How to buy the Tuatea Pass
Purchase in person at a Papeete agency or contact the company directly. Buy it as soon as you arrive if you plan to use it right away — the 30 days start on your first trip.
📧 contact@tuatea.com · 📞 +689 40 50 57 57 · BP 9031 – 98715 Papeete · Website: apetahi-express.pf
Inside the Apetahi Express — a comfortable ferry for crossings ranging from 45 minutes to over 3 hours
Baggage allowance on the Apetahi Express
The Apetahi Express is far more generous than Air Tahiti inter-island flights (limited to 10 kg) — a significant advantage if you're travelling with normal luggage.
| Baggage type | Allowance | Max dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Small cabin bag | < 5 kg | — |
| Cabin hand baggage | < 15 kg | Sum of dimensions ≤ 120 cm e.g. 55 + 45 + 20 = 120 cm |
| Hold baggage | < 23 kg | Sum of dimensions ≤ 160 cm |
| Baby (-2 yrs) | Travels free | No ticket required |
Air Tahiti inter-island flights include only 10 kg hold baggage vs 23 kg on the Apetahi Express. If you're travelling with a standard suitcase (20-23 kg), the ferry is not only cheaper but also saves you baggage surcharges. A strong argument for longer stays in the Leeward Islands.
What about Moorea? And can you go from Moorea to Bora Bora by ferry?
Moorea is not served by the Apetahi Express. The Tahiti–Moorea crossing is handled by the Tauati Ferry (sister company, same Tuatea group) or other operators: Aremiti, Vaeara'i or Terevau. Around 20 crossings per day, 45 minutes each way, 1,100 XPF one way. No advance booking required.
Can you go from Moorea to Bora Bora by ferry?
Not directly. There is no direct ferry from Moorea to Bora Bora. You need to return to Papeete first, then take the Apetahi Express the following morning (departures are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays). So the journey is: Moorea → Papeete (Tauati Ferry, 45 min) → overnight in Papeete → Papeete → Bora Bora (Apetahi Express, 6h50). Plan at least one night in Papeete between the two crossings.
For a direct connection from Moorea to Bora Bora without an overnight in Papeete, the Air Tahiti or Air Moana inter-island flight is more practical. The ferry makes more sense for travellers who want to visit the Leeward Islands in sequence from Papeete.
FAQ — Apetahi Express ferry & Tuatea Pass
Plan your French Polynesia transport
Inter-island flights Air Tahiti Pass & Air Moana — Complete Comparison 2026 For islands not served by the ferry — the full comparison of both inter-island airlines. Premium alternative Private Catamaran — Leeward Islands French Polynesia Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Maupiti by catamaran — the premium alternative to the ferry. Itinerary 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary — Moorea, Bora Bora & More The ferry transport strategy applied to a concrete 10-day circuit from the US. On the ground Car Rental in Tahiti — Comparison 2026 Getting around each island once you arrive — car rental options and tips.
À propos
BIENVENUE !
Ici, on partage nos plus belles expériences, nos bons plans, nos coups de cœur et conseils authentiques pour explorer la Polynésie avec passion 💙 (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Marquises, Tuamotu…)
