Modern Sailing Global Destinations participants enjoyed a remarkably vivid 11-day expedition through the Society Islands of French Polynesia from August 21 - 31, 2026. Suspended over lagoons so brilliantly turquoise they almost didn't feel real, our fleet of six catamarans (four skippered club boats and two bareboats) sailed between Raiatea, Taha'a, Huahine, and Bora Bora, balancing technical, high-wind seamanship with admirable crew camaraderie. Here's a look back at the highlights, challenges, and key takeaways from the South Pacific voyage.
Watch the French Polynesia 2026 Flotilla Highlight Video Here:
Even for seasoned global cruisers, French Polynesia sits at the top of their favorite places. Captain Carmen Maio, skipper of one of the Moorings 5000 Club catamarans explains, "The land is lush and beautiful, the people are welcoming and happy. My first time at Polynesia exceeded expectations on many different levels."
The sailing itself proved both technical and exhilarating, pushing our participants to practice their training in dynamic conditions. "Our passage from Huahine to Raiatea was the highlight of the trip; we sailed a port broad reach for over 20 miles at 7 to 8 knots with double reefs," shared Capt. Tyler Cobbett, who skippered another Moorings 5000 Club yacht.
Modern Sailing member Anne C., who is no stranger to practicing sailing maneuvers ad nauseam on the San Francisco Bay, appreciated putting her skills to the test, sailing in 9-10' swells, attaching mooring balls, and untangling a mooring ball on departure.
Between passages, crews explored the rich history and stunning landscapes of the Society Islands, from sacred cultural sites like Marae Taputapuatea to mountain trails rising behind Raiatea and fleet dinners at Opoa Beach Hotel.
As Anne recounted, the memorable moments of the trip lay in these immersive experiences onshore and in the tenders:
"Snorkeling Bora Bora, exploring Marae Taputapuatea, climbing the mountain trail on Raiatea, and enjoying dinner at Opoa Beach Hotel were incredible. Even making it back under a full moon in a dinghy through Fa'aroa Bay in windy chop, soaking us all, became an unforgettable part of the adventure."
The group had unusually high sustained winds of 20 to 30 knots and heavy seas, and temperatures were cooler some days than expected. Karen M. explains, "Mother Nature interfered with our itinerary and caused many changes, but I felt crew safety was always put first by the Trip Leader and my skipper, Robert Bivin."
The crew encountered several teachable moments to learn how to adjust under pressure, part of what makes a sailing vacation an adventure. On the passage back from Bora Bora, Capt. Philip Strause described a popped second reef line while tightening down to motor-sail upwind. The crew adapted instantly by using reef 1 before re-rigging it as reef 2. On that same passage, when a mainsail batten worked its way out of its forward box, the crew calmly went on deck, safely removed it, and secured it on deck, proving that a successful sailing adventure relies on composed problem-solving in active conditions.
Sailing large modern catamarans, whether aboard the 5-cabin Moorings 5000 club boats or the fleet's bareboat catamarans, a Moorings 4200 and a Moorings 4500L, can be quite a challenge. It requires active management of complex onboard systems alongside challenging mooring operations. Onboard amenities like fresh-water flush toilets required diligent daily oversight of the generator and watermaker to keep guests comfortable.
Tyler Cobbett guided helpful crew to apply their ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising troubleshooting skills to handle real-world challenges, including untangling stubborn mooring lines on departure, clearing electric winch overrides on traveler lines, resetting windlass breakers, and anchoring in 70 feet of water with limited chain. The challenges always gifted a feeling of accomplishment, granting another transcendent sunset or a well-earned cocktail to wash down the day's tales and triumphs.
Our skipper leaders are also our Modern Sailing School instructors, and they reflect on what makes cruising in tropical destinations a success. Philip Strause noted a journey like this relies heavily on tender operations. He recommends practicing the core competencies covered in ASA 116 Outboard & Dinghy Endorsement to move towards mastering wet beach landings, managing outboard engines, and executing safe boardings in choppy water. All proved vital for executing safe shore excursions and navigating nighttime rides back to the anchored yachts.
A successful global sailing flotilla requires expert leadership and supportive crew. Trip Leader Robert Bivin established a high standard for fleet safety by designating a "caboose" vessel on long passages to bring up the rear, hosting daily morning skipper calls via VHF, and made changes to itineraries to keep the fleet sheltered during extreme weather.
Capt. Tyler reflected on the value of observing that leadership firsthand:
"I particularly appreciated that Robert arrived in Raiatea early enough to greet the skippers... Throughout the trip, he ensured that boat and crew issues were addressed... I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from his example of leadership, communication, and calm decision-making."
These passages also provided powerful developmental moments, such as watching newer sailors confidently take the helm to skillfully navigate large catamarans through tricky channel passages (Way to go, Angie!). For sailors aspiring to skipper or travel on future flotillas, local preparation remains the best foundation. Capt. Carmen offers timeless advice for future skippers:
"The best advice I feel is to not jump into something too big, yet. Take the time to gain experience locally and sail with as many different people as possible before challenging yourself. It really takes a team effort, under expert guidance."
Ready for Your Next Global Destination Sailing Adventure?
Flotilla sailing offers the perfect blend of expert leadership, shared camaraderie, and bucket-list destinations, thoughtfully planned out by our Global Destinations team of captains and sailing instructors. Whether you want to gain confidence at the helm of a large yacht or explore world-class waters with a community of passionate sailors, we have the courses, clinics, and information sessions to guide you each step of the way. Join Trip Leader Capt. Tyler Cobbett for our next Global Destinations Info Session:
RSVP for our December 13 Info Session (3:00 - 4:30pm) at Modern Sailing Sausalito Clipper to learn all about our upcoming 2027 Flotillas:
Sail Belize & The Western Caribbean - May 1 - 11, 2027 (join the waitlist for cabins aboard our skippered club boats or bareboats)
Sail Greece & The Northern Ionian Sea - September 25 - October 2, 2027 (enrollment opens December 14, 2026)
INFORMATION SESSION
Sunday, December 13, 2026
3:00 - 4:30pm
Location Modern Sailing Sausalito - Clipper Yacht Harbor
400 Harbor Drive, Suite D
Sausalito, CA
RSVP Required
Secure your spot: RSVP for the Info Session
Enrollment for the Greece 2027 flotilla opens to the public on December 14, 2026 following the Sausalito Information Session.
Visit our Sail Society Islands of French Polynesia August 21 - 31, 2026 page for information to inspire a custom flotilla or help us create a future trip itinerary.
