Australia Tahiti Rendezvous 2026 levels up
Australia Tahiti Rendezvous 2026 levels up
Rivergate Marina & Shipyard attended the 2026 Australia Tahiti Rendezvous which achieved new heights this year, in record attendance, number of vessels and positive outcomes.
Held 25 & 26 June at Marina Taina, this edition attracted more than 150 representatives from the Australian superyacht industry and crew, as well as local suppliers and agents.
The Australian delegation included Rivergate, Australian Superyachts, Carter Marine Agencies, Chapman, d’Albora, Integ Marine Group, Pacific Provisions, Main Beach Superyacht Marina, Melanesian Yachts, Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef, The Yard Brisbane and Yachtsmiths.
Celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2026, Rivergate was proud to once again host and sponsor the VIP Captains’ Lunch, held at idyllically situated Yellowfin restaurant with a frontline view of the spectacular yachts at the marina.
The lunch brought together more than 40 superyacht captains, Tahiti industry representatives and the Australian Deputy Consul General for French Polynesia, which affirms the government’s recognition of the superyacht sector as a meaningful driver of bilateral trade and tourism in the Pacific.
“It was one of our largest events to date, since we started sponsoring the event in the mid-200s,” asserted Steve Bay, Rivergate’s Director of International Business and former superyacht captain.
“We were pleased to see so many captains and crew who we’d welcomed at Rivergate, many of them planning to return to Australia in 2026. In our business, relationships, trust and consistency are the foundations. It’s vitally important to nurture these bonds among industry to ensure every step of the experience is a pleasure for crew and cost-effective for owners.”
During lunch, discussions ranged from crew training to port logistics and provisioning. The hot topic in everybody’s mind is the array of opportunities in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, highlighting the sector’s increasing role in supporting trade and tourism across the Pacific.
Two of the most colourful parts of the program were the Crew Cooking Competition, sponsored by Pacific Provisions. This year, crew were briefed on creating delicacies that used a fusion of Australian and local French Polynesian ingredients. All entrants concocted delectable dishes, and the winner was the chef and crew of 100-metre M/Y Pi.
Next up was the much-anticipated social event, the dockside BBQ and party for over 120 crew, with live entertainment featuring traditional Polynesian dancers and a DJ. The festivities continued well into the night for an evening that combined Australian-style hospitality with the soul of French Polynesia.
David Good, CEO at Superyacht Australia commented on the event, saying “After working collaboratively with South Pacific destinations in the Northern Hemisphere at events such as Monaco Yacht Show it was pleasing to see the size and number of new yachts visiting Tahiti.
“The Australian Tahiti Rendezvous is the next important step in encouraging visitation to Australia where we can service and maintain these vessels, which allows them to spend longer in the region.”
He continued, “The Rivergate Captains Lunch brings the Australian delegation together with the visiting captains and local agents and builds relationships and trust. As the founding partner of this event, Rivergate remains the backbone of this event, arguably the most influential event in the annual marketing calendar.”
Sarah Toxward, General Manager at Carter Marine, described the 2026 Australia Tahiti Rendezvous as an “excellent experience”.
“It had a really good feel this year. There was a great mix of captains, crew, and Australian colleagues who had not been present in the past. It was a nice chance to catch up with familiar faces while also meeting a few new ones.
She continued, “The event always has a relaxed feel, which makes it easier to have proper conversations. A lot of the value comes from the chats that happen naturally, whether that’s over lunch, at an event, or just catching up with someone in between. It is a good opportunity to hear what vessels are planning, where they are heading next and how Australia may fit into that.”
The Rivergate VIP Captains’ Lunch was a highlight, according to Sarah.
“These lunches are valuable because they give everyone a chance to connect properly, not just through emails or when something urgent needs actioning. For us, these industry gatherings are really important. Yachting is built on relationships, and being present at events like this helps build trust and keep Australia front of mind for vessels looking at cruising, refit or support options.
“It is about understanding what captains and crew need, what their plans are, and where we can genuinely help. From there, we follow up with practical support whether that is clearance advice, visas, berthing, freight, contractors, itinerary help or general shore-side support.
“Many of the strongest working relationships we have started with a casual conversation at events like this, and that is exactly why Carter Marine continues to make the effort to be there.”
For Captain Richard Morris and Anthea Woodhill from Australian Superyachts, 2026 marks a return after several years.
“The number of yachts was really impressive,” said Richard. “And the calibre of the vessels! It was amazing to see new and larger yachts. The fact that these US and European-owned yachts have chosen to be there rather than cruising the Mediterranean is significant. That’s excellent for Australia as a destination and for our refit yards.
For Australian Superyachts, the event yielded new business and stronger alliances among Australian colleagues.
“We had two client yachts there who we were visiting – a 100m and 50m coming to Australia – and as a result of attending the Rendezvous we now have another yacht on our books. It was also good to interact with the cream of the Australian superyacht industry, spending some quality time with them – even our competitors – in a neutral environment. We’re working together on some projects that we wouldn’t have secured had we not attended.
“All of us Australians being there en masse created a strong impression and that’s where the product is greater than the sum of its parts. We put on a good show, and we were very happy with it!”