A number of Pacific islands are looking to cash in as superyachts venture further afield in search of new cruising areas. Tahiti in French Polynesia is one such island offering not just a beautiful cruising location but presenting a package which caters for most of the needs for a superyacht. The local tourism organisation sees superyachts as holding growth potential not in big numbers but more a gradual increase over a period of years.

The port of Papeete, which serves the capital, has made specific investments designed to attract superyachts to the area. The Papeete Yachts Quay is able to accommodate craft up to 80m. This offers a convenient central location in the port for visiting yachts. In another investment The port authority in conjunction with the local shipyard have jointly invested in a 300 tonne capacity travel lift. The port also has a drydock which can cope with yachts up to 140m and 3,800 tonnes. There are plans to build a larger dock, reportedly by 2012, for vessels up to 150mx25m.

In addition to the Papeete Yacht Quay, not far from Papeete is the Tania Marina which offers some 25 berths for yachts between 35m and 60m. This is the first international standard marina in Tahiti and offers visiting yachts an appropriate range of services. With the growth in superyachts visits, which have included Maltese Falcon, an appropriate development of charter and brokerage services has also occurred.

As the number of superyachts cruising these locations increases, other islands will be watching with interest to see how Tahiti fairs.

Superyacht Business / David Robinson, 3 March 2010