Superyacht Australia conveys strong industry engagement at 2025 Australia Tahiti Rendezvous
by AIMEX 5 Jul 12:55 AEST
26-27 June 2025
Superyacht Australia successfully hosted the 12th annual Australia Tahiti Rendezvous at Marina Taina, Papeete from Thursday 26 to Friday 27 June 2025.
The event brought together a 15-strong delegation of Australian and South Pacific marine industry representatives who travelled to Tahiti to engage with the captains and crew of 30 visiting vessels in the region.
With many yachts planning their cruising itineraries for the next 6 to 12 months, the event created a platform to engage captains and crew, sharing updates on Australia's world-class infrastructure, including shipbuilding, refit and maintenance facilities, service providers and cruising routes across Australia and throughout the broader South Pacific.
An invitation was extended to all cruising vessels in the region to attend the two-day event, which featured a Morning Tea Expo, a VIP Captain's Lunch sponsored by Rivergate Marina and Shipyard and a Crew BBQ Cooking Competition and Networking Party sponsored by Pacific Provisions.
The Morning Tea Expo offered a relaxed setting for one-on-one conversations between visiting cruising yachts, superyacht crew and industry representatives, enabling each company to share detailed insights into the specific services they provide. Followed by the VIP Captain's Lunch at Yellow Fin Restaurant, where captains were ablet to explore in greater depth the region's infrastructure and extended cruising routes through Australia, Indonesia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Steve Bay, Director of International Business, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, commented; "It was a pleasure to connect with so many captains at the Rivergate VIP Captains' Lunch. Events like these are vital for fostering relationships with the international superyacht community and showcasing the incredible capabilities Australia offers as both a destination and a service hub. From world-class refit and maintenance facilities to unforgettable cruising experiences, Australia is well-positioned to support and welcome visiting superyachts. We were also pleased to be joined by representatives from across the Pacific reinforcing a united message: the Pacific is open, connected and ready to support the needs of the global fleet. We're grateful to everyone who joined us and look forward to seeing more vessels make the journey down under."
The ever-popular dockside Crew BBQ Cooking Competition, had crews fully embracing the spirit of the event, donning Australian-themed outfits and creating vibrant displays while grilling BBQ steak, blending cocktails and creating culinary meals using a mix of Australian and Tahitian ingredients.
With strong competition it was M/Y Nilaya who wowed the panel of experienced judges with their penne pasta corkscrew hats complementing their Aussie steak and delicious cake that received a chef's kiss. M/Y Cloudy Night secured the award for Best Australian Theme with a surf and turf Aussie sanga, pinecone flavoured smoked steak and a beautifully handmade Tahiti Outrigger canoe display.
In second and third place respectively, M/Y Teleost supplied the fun with the inflatable shark man and green cocktails whilst M/Y Bundalong delivered their true-blue Aussie Captain and a creative tribute to Irukandji jellyfish whilst conjuring up a vegemite sourdough and coconut cocktails.
The evening flowed into a social dockside Networking Party where captains, crew and sponsors celebrated with a Tahitian dance performance and a taste of Australian wines, including a Victorian Shiraz and Viognier Marsanne.
Andy Brown from Pacific Provisions and Melanesian Luxury Yachts commented; "The Tahiti Rendezvous was once again a tremendous success. The opportunity for face-to-face interaction with Captains and crew, many of whom are already halfway to Australia, is invaluable and cannot be overstated. Yes, we recognize that Tahiti can be a long journey and a more costly destination. However, from our perspective, the Rendezvous remains one of the most worthwhile events to attend. It continues to prove its value year after year, which is why it's always the first event we lock into our marketing calendar. We're proud to support and be part of such a unique and impactful gathering for the superyacht community."
The 2025 Australia Tahiti Rendezvous concluded with strong engagement across all events and enthusiastic participation from captains, crew and industry representatives. With Australia and the South Pacific continuing to gain momentum as key destinations, the Rendezvous once again proved to be a vital for strengthening relationships, promoting regional capabilities and supporting captains as they chart their next course through the Pacific.
Superyacht Australia extends its appreciation to Rivergate Marina & Shipyard for hosting the VIP Captain's Lunch and Pacific Provisions for sponsoring the Crew BBQ Cooking Competition and Networking Party. In addition, our gratitude to the attending Members who contributed to the success of the Australia Tahiti Rendezvous; Carter Marine Agencies, Coral Sea Marina, Eighth Degree South, Integ Marine Group, Melanesian Yachts, Port Denarau Marina, Southport Yacht Club, The Yard Brisbane and The Superyacht People.