Douce France: diving and sailing through Polynesia’s waters
The 42.2-metre Douce France, the world's largest schooner sailing catamaran, transforms the South Pacific into a realm of endless possibility. Two qualified dive instructors, equipment for twelve divers, and an arsenal of water toys mean the ocean's depths are as much yours to explore as its surface.
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The Douce France sits anchored in pellucid Polynesian waters, her twin hulls casting shadows across turquoise depths that invite immediate exploration. Bright yellow kayaks bob alongside, their cheerful geometry a striking counterpoint to the vessel’s cream and navy hull and the dramatic volcanic peaks that rise from the lagoon beyond. This is what a serious charter experience looks like: purposeful, beautifully equipped and entirely open to the whims of the ocean.
At 42.2 metres, the Douce France holds the distinction of being the world’s largest schooner sailing catamaran, a claim that translates into genuine practical advantage. The twin hull design provides remarkable stability whether you are under full sail or drifting above a coral shelf at thirty metres. The engineering matters less than what it enables: scuba diving as central to your journey as the sailing itself, with two qualified dive instructors among the permanent crew and apparatus for twelve divers. The water toys collection extends beyond diving gear to include fishing equipment and dinghies, each inviting a different way of engaging with the ocean.
Days unfold according to appetite. Morning might find you dropping beneath the surface to explore the remarkable submarine architecture of Pacific reefs; afternoons could belong to sailing across open water with the wind filling the sails, or casting a line into deeper channels where game fish move. The boat’s catamaran form means she can anchor in shallower waters than conventional monohull yachts, opening access to remote atolls and protected bays that larger vessels cannot reach. When the day’s exertion ends, the Douce France becomes a floating sanctuary, her spacious saloons and deck areas designed for genuine rest rather than merely passing time.
The South Pacific from June through October offers the finest conditions, with settled weather and calm seas. The Douce France is available for weekly charter at €115,000, a price that reflects both her technical sophistication and the calibre of crew and facilities aboard. Contact Boat International for availability and bespoke itinerary planning.
Imagery courtesy of Boat International (@twwyachts).