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Tetiaroa Day Trip —
Poe Charter, Herevai,
Mokai Vaka : Full Comparison 2026
Tetiaroa is one of the most spectacular day trips from Tahiti — a private atoll of white sand and turquoise lagoon just 60 km from Papeete, former retreat of Tahitian royalty, made famous by Marlon Brando. Four operators run day trips by catamaran from Papeete marina. Same basic programme for all — but real differences in boat size, comfort and atmosphere.
At MyLittlePolynesia, we've been there several times with different operators. This guide honestly compares the four options and gives you our exclusive discount codes.
Tetiaroa Day Trip — Operator Comparison
| Operator | Adult price | Boat | Atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mokai Vaka Premium | €208 | Large catamaran · Brand new | Premium · Comfortable group | Best comfort, sail + motor, superior service, brand new boat |
| Poe Charter Popular | €140 | Maxi-catamaran ~65 ft | Convivial · Large group | Maximum stability, many dates available, well-run operation |
| Herevai Charter | €140 | Medium catamaran | Intimate · Small group | Trolling fishing, authentic atmosphere, small groups |
| Escapade Charter | €140 | Medium catamaran | Semi-private · Small group | Good balance, easy online booking |
Tetiaroa atoll from the sea — 12 motu encircling a closed turquoise lagoon, no navigable pass.
Mokai Vaka — Our Top Pick for Tetiaroa
The largest catamaran in French Polynesia — brand new
Launched in early 2026, Mokai Vaka has quickly become our number one recommendation for the Tetiaroa day trip. It's the largest and most modern catamaran running this crossing — and there's a real technical difference: Mokai Vaka combines sails and motor, giving it superior power and a faster crossing. A concrete advantage on the water.
The boat is brand new — a genuine feat of construction. Capacity of 150 people at anchor, 50 underway for Tetiaroa. In practice, that translates to significantly more space aboard: indoor salon, upper deck outdoor terrace to enjoy the crossing in the open air. Clean toilets, attentive service — the standard of a premium new boat, far from tired old catamarans.
One major additional plus: the August–October period coincides with whale season, and on the route to Tetiaroa, you very often spot humpback whales. A spectacle in itself — even without having booked a dedicated whale-watching excursion. We've personally had whales just metres from the catamaran, anchored in the lagoon, circling around us. Extraordinary.
Get 10% off your Mokai Vaka booking via our exclusive partner form.
Largest catamaran in French Polynesia · Premium service · Comfortable group size
Book Mokai Vaka -10% →
Mokai Vaka — the largest catamaran in French Polynesia for the Tetiaroa day trip.
Full review · All details Mokai Vaka — Complete Guide & Review Full schedule, photos, what's included, our honest first-hand review.
On board Mokai Vaka — generous space, premium service, the crossing in the best conditions.
Poe Charter — the Historical Reference
The maxi-catamaran, maximum stability
Poe Charter is the historical operator and best-known name for Tetiaroa day trips from Tahiti. Its maxi-catamaran of approximately 65 feet is the largest boat in the classic fleet — maximum stability, particularly valuable if you're prone to seasickness or if this is your first time on the sea in French Polynesia.
As the biggest company in the sector, Poe Charter offers many available dates throughout the year — making booking easy even at the last minute. The operation is well-run, the programme smooth. The downside: groups are larger, which reduces the intimate feel of the experience.
The reliable choice for those who want the established reference, flexible dates, and maximum stability on the crossing.
Get 10% off your Poe Charter booking via our exclusive partner form.
Maxi-catamaran · Many dates available · Well-run operation
Book Poe Charter -10% →Herevai Charter — the Authentic Experience
Small groups, trolling fishing, local atmosphere
Herevai Charter offers a more authentic, intimate approach with a medium-sized catamaran taking small groups. The atmosphere is more local, less "tourist excursion" — and if you want to try trolling fishing during the crossing, Herevai is where you can do it.
Herevai doesn't have a built-in booking calendar on their website. You need to send a request form to check availability — which means booking a bit further in advance, but also gives access to more flexible dates.
Ideal for those who want to avoid large groups and prefer a more intimate, authentic atmosphere on the water.
Bird Island — the unmissable guided walk included in all Tetiaroa day trips.
Escapade Charter Tahiti — the Best of Both Worlds
Semi-private, online booking, flexibility
Escapade Charter Tahiti is an excellent middle ground between Poe Charter and Herevai. The boat, similar in size to Herevai, offers a semi-private experience with small groups — while providing simple, fast online booking, unlike Herevai which requires a request form.
The ideal option if you want a human-scale atmosphere without sacrificing the convenience of online booking, and without going all the way to Mokai Vaka's premium offering.
Tetiaroa Day Trip — Full Schedule
All four operators follow a similar programme with close timings. Here's a typical Tetiaroa day:
Landing at Tetiaroa is done by small dinghy from the catamaran. You have to wait for the wave to pass before the dinghy can accelerate and clear the reef. One of French Polynesia's most adventurous arrivals. Keep your belongings dry — water shoes strongly recommended.
Lunch on board included in all day trips — Tahitian raw fish and BBQ after a morning on the atoll.
How to Get to Tetiaroa
By catamaran day trip — the option for everyone
The main access to Tetiaroa is by catamaran day trip from Papeete marina. There is no public boat service, no ferry, no scheduled transport to the atoll. The only options are the four catamaran operators listed above, or The Brando Resort (private plane for hotel guests only).
"Flights to Tetiaroa" is a common search — but there are no commercial flights to the atoll for day visitors. The only flight access is The Brando Resort's private plane, exclusively for their guests. For everyone else, it's catamaran from Papeete.
From Moorea
There is no direct excursion from Moorea to Tetiaroa. All operators depart from Papeete marina (Tahiti). From Moorea, you take the ferry to Papeete (30 min) the evening before and stay overnight near the marina, or take a very early morning ferry and rush to the 5:45am boarding — not ideal. Most people organise the Tetiaroa day trip on a day based in Tahiti.
What to bring
- Water shoes — essential for the dinghy landing
- Reef-safe sunscreen — required in protected areas
- Mask and snorkel (often provided but better to have your own)
- Waterproof camera or dry bag
- Seasickness medication if sensitive (5 hours of boat in one day)
- Towel, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses
Cancellations
All operators cancel automatically if weather or sea conditions are not suitable. If you're going, conditions are fine — no need to worry about that. Rescheduling is handled directly with the operator.
Approaching Tetiaroa by catamaran — the atoll gradually reveals itself after 2h30 from Papeete.
Free guide Plan Your French Polynesia Trip — 10 Steps The complete checklist to organise your trip, including your Tetiaroa day trip.FAQ — Tetiaroa Day Trip
Other Activities from Tahiti
July–November Whale Watching from Tahiti Dedicated humpback whale tours from Papeete — combine with your Tetiaroa day trip. Multi-day · Sleep aboard Catamaran Cruise in French Polynesia Experience Tetiaroa over several days — wake up at dawn on the atoll before the day trips arrive. Plan your trip Best Travel Agencies in French Polynesia Local agencies to build your complete French Polynesia itinerary including Tetiaroa.
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