South Pacific regions coordinate lifting restrictions for luxury yacht charters

By Nina Done 25 May 2022

It will now be possible to enjoy year-long cruising around the vast blue playground of the South Pacific as its four major yachting hubs of New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tahiti have coordinated the removal of all Covid-related border restrictions with effect from August 2022.

Arrival procedures for owners, crew and guests have also been closely aligned across these regions, with a number of benefits conferred under the new Temporary Import Entry (TIE) scheme.

Along with a number of tax-free perks, yachts will now be able to stay in the South Pacific for 2 years or more on a revolving basis, with Tahiti announcing an extended cruising allowance of up to 60 months, making it possible to stay in the region indefinitely.

As well as an array of new marinas opening up in the region with enhanced superyacht infrastructure, yachts planning on cruising the South Pacific will be able to enjoy a year-long summer climate, as the summer seasons for Tahiti and Fiji (May-October) line up with the summer seasons for Australia and New Zealand (October-May).

New Zealand also hosts a variety of refit and repair services which will ensure greater peace of mind while cruising the area.

To make things easier, Superyacht New Zealand has produced a summary of the entry rules for each South Pacific country and a fact sheet for superyachts visiting New Zealand.

Yacht charters in the South Pacific

Each regions offers its own unique cruising grounds and attractions; from the sublime archipelagos and tropical paradises of French Polynesia to the cosmopolitan capital of Sydney and majestic living corals of the Great Barrier Reef, not to mention the formidable peaks of New Zealand's South island, which also happens to lay claim as the adventure capital of the world; there is a yacht charter destination to suit everyone.

To find out more about chartering in the region, check out our South Pacific yacht charter guide. For some inspiration, browse our selection of itineraries handpicked by experts with in-depth knowledge of the region.

If you are interested in booking a luxury yacht rental in the region, please speak with a recommended yacht charter broker who will be able to walk you through the finer details.