Destination comparison

Bahamas vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.

Quick Comparison

Dimension	Bahamas	French Polynesia (Tahiti)
Region	Caribbean	South Pacific
Peak season	Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr	Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Shoulder	Nov, May	May, Nov
Sailing difficulty	moderate	moderate
Recommended level	intermediate	intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer)	16 / 11 kn	14 / 15 kn
Hurricane risk	Aug, Sep, Oct	Jan, Feb, Mar
Currency	BSD (1:1 with USD)	XPF (pegged to EUR)
Mid-tier price (7 days)	$10,500	$16,000
Luxury tier price	$40,000	$70,000
Detail page	View →	View →

At a Glance

Caribbean

Bahamas

Hurricane season June-November. Cold fronts bring Nor'westers November-March. Abacos are bareboat heartland. Short crossing from Florida (~50nm).

• 3 base marinas
• 5 must-visit anchorages
• 31 boats in our fleet database for this region

South Pacific

French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Cyclone season December-April (most charter companies halt). Tuamotu archipelagos reachable by ~150nm passages. Society Islands (Tahiti/Raiatea/Bora) easier. Reefy anchorages.

• 3 base marinas
• 5 must-visit anchorages
• 4 boats in our fleet database for this region

Sailing Conditions

Bahamas averages 16 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.

French Polynesia (Tahiti) averages 14 knots in winter and 15 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Jan, Feb, Mar.

In terms of sailing difficulty, Bahamas is generally rated moderate and French Polynesia (Tahiti) is moderate. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.

Cost Comparison

For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):

Bahamas

Low season: $4,000
Mid season: $10,500
High season: $20,000
Luxury / crewed peak: $40,000+

French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Low season: $6,500
Mid season: $16,000
High season: $30,000
Luxury / crewed peak: $70,000+

Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.

Anchorages & Must-Do

Bahamas

Exuma Cays — Pig Beach (Big Major Cay); swimming pigs
Thunderball Grotto — Made famous by James Bond film
Eleuthera - Glass Window Bridge — Dark Atlantic meets calm Bight
Abacos - Hope Town — Lighthouse; candy-striped; quaint
Andros - Androsia Batik — Largest island; blue holes

French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Bora Bora — Iconic lagoon
Fakarava — UNESCO biosphere; hammerhead dives
Rangiroa — Tiputa Pass dive; drift snorkel
Taha'a — Vanilla-scent; same lagoon as Raiatea
Huahine — Less-touristy; vanilla plantations

Which Should You Choose?

If you've never chartered before

Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Bahamas or French Polynesia (Tahiti).

If you want warmer / tropical water

Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Bahamas vs French Polynesia (Tahiti). Read the must-visit lists above.

If you want history / culture / food

Bahamas has 2 cultural anchorages vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)'s 3. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.

Captain's Take

"The pigs of Big Major Cay have become a global phenomenon — and crowds have grown accordingly. Arrive before 10 AM or after 2 PM for a more intimate visit. The pigs are real, but they're fed by guides and boats — please don't feed them human food (alcohol, in particular, has reportedly made some ill). For ethical wildlife encounters, look at Andros (blue holes, native parrots) or Inagua (40,000+ flamingos at Union Creek Reserve). These islands also need visitors more than Pig Beach does."

— Captain S. (Bahamas Out Island), local captain · all note · verified 2026-09-01

Timing and Budget: Bahamas vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bahamas or French Polynesia (Tahiti) better for a first-time charter? ▾

Neither is a "first-charter" pick — both lean intermediate. Consider starting in BVI or Greece before tackling Bahamas/French Polynesia (Tahiti).

Which is cheaper to charter — Bahamas or French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾

Bahamas is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$10,500/week vs ~$16,000/week for French Polynesia (Tahiti) (mid-size catamaran, shoulder season). Bareboat low-season starts around $4,000 in Bahamas vs $6,500 in French Polynesia (Tahiti).

When is the best time to visit Bahamas vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾

Bahamas: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder Nov, May; off Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. French Polynesia (Tahiti): peak Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct; shoulder May, Nov; off Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Both are Caribbean-style (peak = Dec–Apr).

How do sailing conditions compare — Bahamas vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾

Bahamas: typical winter winds 16 knots, summer 11 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct. French Polynesia (Tahiti): typical winter winds 14 knots, summer 15 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Jan, Feb, Mar.

Which has better flight access — Bahamas or French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾

Bahamas: Lynden Pindling (NAS), Nassau, also Exuma International (GGT), Marsh Harbour (MHH) - Abacos. French Polynesia (Tahiti): Tahiti Faa'a (PPT), also Moorea (MOZ), Raiatea (RFP).

Which is more beginner-friendly, Bahamas or French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾

Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.

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