LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran Bora Bora : Full-Day Trip

Bora Bora is best seen from the water, and this private catamaran puts the whole day in your hands. You can sail with the engine off, stretch out on the forward nets, stop for swimming and snorkeling, or simply listen to music while Mount Otemanu rises behind you. The private setting makes it easy to match the pace to your own group.

I especially like the included hotel transfers and the generous drinks service, including alcohol. I also like that the crew can shape the outing around your group instead of running everyone through a fixed schedule. The main drawback is time: six hours can feel short when swimming, sailing, and lunch all compete for the same afternoon.

Key points at a glance

• Private for up to nine people: You share the catamaran only with your own family or friends.
• Sailing without the engine: Your captain can hoist the sails and let the boat glide quietly across the lagoon.
• Wildlife from the nets: Sting rays and eagle rays may pass beneath you as you relax at the front of the boat.
• Mount Otemanu views: The route gives you time to photograph Bora Bora’s most famous peak from the water.
• Drinks and snacks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are provided.
• Lunch is separate: The day includes refreshments, but a restaurant lunch is not part of the price.

A private catamaran gives you Bora Bora on your terms

This is not a large boat excursion with strangers and a fixed script. The catamaran is reserved for your party, with room for up to nine people. That matters in Bora Bora, where the pleasure is often in slowing down rather than racing from one stop to the next.

You can spend more time swimming if that is what your group wants. You can stay on deck with a drink if some people prefer not to get wet. Couples get privacy, families can keep different ages happy, and a group of friends can enjoy music and drinks without having to fit into another party’s mood.

The boat is described as a 40-foot catamaran, with sunbeds arranged on the nets for extra comfort. These forward nets are one of the best places to sit. You are close to the water, and the view changes constantly as the boat moves around the lagoon.

The private format also helps with the social side of the day. A family with grandparents, parents, and children can spread out and set its own rhythm. A couple can keep the outing quiet. A group of friends can make better use of the sound system and the onboard bar service.

Setting sail across Bora Bora’s lagoon

The day starts at 9:00 a.m., with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Once aboard, your captain can raise the sails and switch off the engine. That simple change makes the boat feel less like transport and more like a floating place to relax.

Under sail, the pace is gentle. You hear the water, feel the boat move, and get wide views instead of watching the same shoreline from a road. Music is available through the catamaran’s sound system, so you can choose between a quiet stretch of sailing and a livelier mood.

Your hostess is available during the trip and can take photos for you. That is useful on a private charter, since you do not have to ask another passenger to capture a group picture. The hostess also shares information about Bora Bora as you go, giving the scenery some context without turning the day into a formal lecture.

The route includes views of Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora’s unmistakable volcanic peak. From the water, the mountain is framed by the lagoon, the reef, and the low green shoreline. I would keep your phone or camera ready during the sailing portions, since the best photo may come while the boat is moving rather than during a formal stop.

The reef edge and the best swimming bay

One of the most appealing parts of the route is the move toward the reef, where the lagoon meets the open ocean. This gives you a different view of Bora Bora. Inside the lagoon, the water feels sheltered and calm. Near the reef, you get a stronger sense of the island’s position in the Pacific.

The catamaran also stops in a bay for swimming and refreshments. The exact time spent there can be adjusted to suit your group, which is a real advantage over a shared excursion. If everyone wants a long swim, you can use more of the stop for water time. If the sun, wind, or energy levels change, you can return to the boat and relax.

Snorkeling is part of the appeal, but the experience is not only about putting on a mask and chasing fish. You can sit on the nets and watch the water below, swim in the bay, or remain on deck with a snack. That range makes the outing work well for mixed groups, especially when not everyone has the same comfort level in the water.

You should also remember that this is a six-hour trip, not an all-day outing from early morning to evening. Sailing, swimming, photo stops, and refreshments can fill the time quickly. If you want a long restaurant meal as well, you will need to plan carefully or accept less time in the water.

Sting rays and eagle rays beneath the catamaran

The nets provide a special viewpoint for wildlife. From the front of the boat, you may see sting rays and eagle rays moving through the water below. You are not limited to watching from a distant shoreline or a crowded snorkeling site. The catamaran itself becomes part of the viewing platform.

These sightings are not a guaranteed performance, and the animals are not there on command. Still, the chance to spot them while lying back on the nets adds a calm, memorable element to the sailing. It also gives non-swimmers something worthwhile to do while others are in the water.

For children, the net area can be a highlight, though parents will need to supervise them as they would on any boat. For adults, it is a good spot to stretch out with a drink and watch the lagoon pass underneath. The design of the catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the water without spending the entire day in it.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is a major part of the day. Names connected with this experience include captains and crew members such as Thelma, Nick, Alex, Clement, and Perla. David, one of the owners, has also handled dock transfers for some departures. Your exact crew may differ, but the service is built around a captain, deck help, and a hostess.

That setup gives you more than a person steering the boat. The captain handles the sailing and route, while the rest of the crew can help with drinks, photos, swimming stops, and general comfort. On a private charter, a good crew notices what your group wants without forcing everyone into the same activity.

The strongest praise has centered on the crew’s warmth and ability to make a family or friend group feel looked after. One family of eight, including grandparents and children, found the boat easy to enjoy together. That is a useful sign for larger parties: the experience is not limited to couples or young, active swimmers.

At the same time, the private format means the tone depends partly on your own group. If you want a quiet sail, say so. If you want music, more swimming, or extra time for photos, discuss that with the crew early in the day.

Drinks, snacks, and the missing lunch

Bottled water, other beverages, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are included. A rum punch called Kiki’s Rum Punch has become a memorable part of the experience for some passengers, so it is worth trying if it is offered during your outing.

The drinks service makes the boat feel comfortable for a long morning on the water. You do not need to bring your own refreshments or leave the boat every time someone wants a drink. Alcohol can also make the trip feel festive, but you should pace yourself, especially in the sun and on a moving boat.

Lunch at a restaurant is not included. This is the most important food detail to understand before booking. The trip provides snacks and drinks, but you should not assume that a full meal is part of the package.

If lunch matters to your group, ask how the day can be arranged before departure. A restaurant stop may be possible as part of a customized plan, but the supplied details do not promise one. At minimum, plan around the fact that six hours with swimming and sun can create a real appetite.

The price makes sense for a full group

The price is $2,917.48 per group of up to nine people. That is a large total for a boat outing, but it looks different when divided among a full group. With nine people, it comes to about $324 per person before any extra lunch costs. With four people, the per-person price rises to roughly $729.

That is the key value question. This is not a budget way to see Bora Bora, and it is not meant to be. You are paying for exclusive use of the catamaran, hotel transfers, a private crew, drinks, snacks, and the ability to shape the day around your own party.

For a family or group of friends already spending heavily on a Bora Bora holiday, the charter may be a sensible splurge. A full boat can be cheaper per person than booking several separate private activities, while also keeping the group together. For just two people, the price requires a stronger interest in privacy and comfort.

The experience earns its price best when you use the flexibility. If you only want a short boat ride and a quick swim, you may not get full value. If you want a relaxed six hours with sailing, views, snorkeling, drinks, and plenty of time on your own boat, the cost is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a private day rather than a standard shared cruise. It is particularly well suited to groups with mixed interests, since some people can swim or snorkel while others stay dry on the deck or nets.

Families should like the flexibility. A group of eight has enough room to include grandparents and children, though everyone should be comfortable spending several hours on a boat. The crew can adapt the rhythm, but the basic setting remains a catamaran at sea.

Couples may appreciate the privacy and the photo opportunities. You can spend the day close to Mount Otemanu, stop in a bay, and enjoy drinks without sharing the boat with a crowd.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed cultural tour on land, a guaranteed restaurant lunch, or a long evening excursion. The focus is sailing, scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxed time on the lagoon.

Timing, booking, and the small practical details

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this experience is often reserved well ahead of time, planning early is sensible, especially if your hotel dates are fixed.

The activity lasts about six hours. The description calls it a full-day trip, but six hours is the useful figure for planning your day. Do not book a late afternoon event immediately afterward unless you have allowed time for the boat ride back and hotel transfer.

Most people can participate, and this is a private activity for your group alone. The details do not give a full description of mobility access or specific equipment, so contact Sailing Bora Bora before booking if anyone in your party has particular access needs.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund. That policy is reasonable, but it makes it important to watch the weather and your schedule before the cutoff.

Should you book this Bora Bora catamaran?

Book it if you want the freedom of a private boat, have a group large enough to share the cost, and care more about a relaxed lagoon day than checking off many separate attractions. The sailing with the engine off, the views of Mount Otemanu, ray sightings beneath the nets, and the attentive crew create a strong mix of comfort and scenery.

Think twice if you are traveling as only two people and the price feels difficult to justify, or if a full restaurant lunch is essential. Also remember that six hours passes quickly, so agree with your group in advance about the balance between swimming, snorkeling, sailing, photos, and relaxing.

For a family or friend group of up to nine, this is one of the more practical ways to turn Bora Bora’s famous lagoon into your own private day out. Just budget for lunch separately, confirm the details of your preferred route, and book early.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and starts at 9:00 a.m.

How many people can join the private charter?

The catamaran can accommodate a private group of up to nine people. Only your group participates.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the experience.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water, beverages, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are included. Lunch at a restaurant is not included.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. The private charter can be adjusted to suit your group, including how you use the time for sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not refunded.