LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran : Full-Day Sail & Polynesian Motu Lunch

Bora Bora looks best from the water, and this private catamaran trip gives you six hours to enjoy it without sharing the boat with strangers. The captain can hoist the sails, shut off the engine, and let the boat glide across the lagoon while you stretch out on the nets.

I like the private crew and flexible pace, especially for couples who want swimming, snorkeling, photos, and quiet sailing in one outing. I also like the Polynesian lunch at a private motu, with drinks, snacks, and hotel pickup included. The main drawback is the price: $2,730.51 for up to two people is a major splurge, and six hours may feel short if you want a full day on the water.

Key points to know before you book

• Private catamaran for up to two people: You get the boat and crew to yourselves, with room to shape the day around your interests.
• Sailing with the engine off: When conditions allow, the captain hoists the sails and lets you enjoy the lagoon quietly.
• Mount Otemanu from the water: The best views come while sailing and during stops near the lagoon’s outer reef.
• Rays visible through the catamaran nets: Sting rays and eagle rays may pass beneath you as you rest above the water.
• Polynesian lunch on a private motu: Lunch is part of the experience, not an extra stop you need to arrange yourself.
• Pickup, gear, and refreshments included: Hotel transport, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and other beverages are covered.

Why this private Bora Bora sailing day costs so much

The price is $2,730.51 per group of up to two people. Split between two, that is roughly $1,365 per person, so this is clearly aimed at visitors marking a special occasion rather than anyone hunting for the cheapest lagoon cruise.

Still, the price includes more than a seat on a shared boat. You receive a private vessel, a captain, a hostess, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, snorkeling gear, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and other refreshments. You also avoid the fixed rhythm of a large group tour.

That private format is the key value. If you want to stop for a swim without waiting for a dozen other people, take photos at your own pace, or spend more time lying on the catamaran nets, you are paying for space and control. For a couple celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or major birthday, that can make the cost easier to justify.

The tradeoff is simple. This is not a budget-friendly way to see Bora Bora, and the six-hour duration means you should not think of it as an all-day outing from morning until sunset. The scheduled start is 9:00 am, giving you a full morning and afternoon on the lagoon, but the experience lasts about six hours.

Starting at 9:00 am with your own boat

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which removes one of the small but annoying chores of a water excursion. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the marina or work out how to return to your hotel after several hours in the sun.

Because the activity is private, only your group participates. That matters from the first few minutes. You can settle into the catamaran without joining a large briefing, and you can tell the crew what matters most to you: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, photos, or simply enjoying the scenery.

The crew includes a professional guide, a captain, and a hostess. The hostess is available to take pictures and share information about Bora Bora as you move around the lagoon. No individual crew names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a named guide or a particular captain.

The boat has sunbeds placed on the nets. These are the areas stretched over the water between the catamaran’s hulls, giving you a low view across the lagoon and a clear look below. Bring your willingness to be in the sun, since much of the appeal is sitting outdoors on the boat rather than retreating inside.

Sailing across Bora Bora’s lagoon

One of the most appealing parts of the day comes when the captain hoists the sails and turns off the engine. The quiet changes the mood at once. Instead of listening to a motor, you hear the movement of the boat and the water around it.

The catamaran moves across Bora Bora’s lagoon while music plays through the sound system. That combination of sailing, warm weather, and open views is the heart of the trip. You can lie on the sunbeds, sit on the hulls, or use the nets for a closer view of the water.

The scenery changes as you move. You may see the lagoon from broad open stretches, then get closer to the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean. The route also includes views of bays and Mount Otemanu, the volcanic peak that gives Bora Bora much of its visual drama.

I like that the boat itself becomes part of the sightseeing. On a standard transfer, you move from one point to another. Here, the time spent sailing is one of the main attractions. You do not need to fill every minute with an activity. A quiet stretch with the engine off can be just as memorable as a snorkeling stop.

Keep your expectations sensible, though. Sailing depends on conditions, and the supplied details do not promise a particular wind strength or exact route. The captain decides how to handle the boat safely and where to stop.

Swimming in a jaw-dropping bay

The itinerary includes a stop in a bay for swimming and refreshments. This gives you a chance to get off the sunbeds and into the lagoon after time spent sailing.

The bay is described as a particularly striking setting, but the exact location is not specified. That is useful to remember when comparing this trip with tours that advertise named snorkeling sites. Here, the attraction is the private format and the crew’s ability to shape the day, not a guaranteed list of named stops.

You receive refreshments during the outing, including bottled water and alcoholic beverages. Lunch is also included, so you are not expected to pack a full meal for the boat. Snacks are provided as well.

A swim stop sounds simple, but it helps break up the six-hour schedule. You can enjoy the water, dry off on the catamaran, and continue on without rushing from one fixed attraction to another. If swimming is your main goal, tell the crew early in the day so they understand how you want to use the available time.

Seeing sting rays and eagle rays below the nets

The catamaran nets offer one of the most unusual details of this outing. As you rest above the water, you may see sting rays and eagle rays moving below the boat.

You do not need to be in the water to enjoy every wildlife moment. That makes the nets a good option if you want a break from snorkeling or if one person in your group prefers to stay dry. The low position also gives you a different view than you get from a normal boat seat.

Snorkeling gear is provided for a closer look at marine life. The experience includes time near the reef, where the lagoon meets the ocean, but the supplied details do not promise a particular species list or visibility level. Marine conditions can change, so think of the snorkeling as an important part of the day rather than a guaranteed underwater show.

The private setting helps here. You can spend more time in the water if that suits you, then return to the boat when you have had enough. On a shared tour, the group schedule usually decides when everyone leaves a stop. This boat is better suited to people who value that personal control.

Lunch on a private Polynesian motu

The meal is served at a private motu, a small islet used for the lunch stop. This gives the outing a clear Polynesian touch and provides a change from eating aboard the catamaran.

Lunch is included, along with drinks and snacks. The supplied information does not specify the menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or a fully described tasting course. If food allergies or dietary needs matter to you, ask the provider before booking, since no special-meal details are given.

A motu lunch also adds a sense of place. You are not simply stopping at a restaurant that could be anywhere. You eat on a small island within Bora Bora’s lagoon, surrounded by the setting that brought you to French Polynesia in the first place.

The private-islet setting is a strong reason to choose this tour over a basic sightseeing cruise. It gives the day a natural pause: sail, swim, enjoy the reef and rays, then sit down for a meal before returning to the water.

Photos, music, and time on the catamaran

The hostess can take pictures during the outing, which is useful when you want photographs of both people in your group. You can also ask questions and learn more about Bora Bora as you sail.

The sound system adds music to the boat ride. That may suit you if you want a relaxed, festive mood. If you prefer silence, the engine-off sailing sections should provide quieter moments, but the activity is not presented as a silent sailing trip.

The boat offers several ways to spend your time. You can lie on the sunbeds, stretch out on the nets, sit on the hulls, swim, snorkel, or take in the view of Mount Otemanu. This variety matters because six hours is long enough for a narrow activity to become tiring. Here, the day has several gears.

Sun protection is important for any open-water outing, though the supplied details do not list specific equipment or shade arrangements. You should plan for strong sun and bring anything you personally need for comfort, while relying on the listed inclusions for gear and refreshments.

Who will get the most from this experience

This trip suits couples who want privacy more than a low price. It also fits anyone who prefers a relaxed day where the boat, crew, swim stops, and lunch all belong to one carefully arranged outing.

You will likely appreciate it if you want:

• A private boat rather than a shared excursion
• Time for both sailing and snorkeling
• A meal in a special outdoor setting
• Photos taken during the day
• Views of Mount Otemanu from the lagoon
• Hotel pickup and drop-off included

It may be less suitable if you want a large social group, a tightly scheduled list of named snorkeling locations, or the longest possible day on the water. Six hours is a good middle ground, but it is not an unlimited private charter.

Most people can participate, according to the available tour information. Still, the experience includes time on a catamaran, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbeds on the nets. If you have mobility concerns or need specific assistance, ask the provider before confirming, since detailed accessibility information is not provided.

Booking timing, confirmation, and cancellation

This experience is often reserved about 109 days ahead. That is a useful warning for anyone planning a peak-season Bora Bora visit or arranging a celebration around a particular date.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the boat is private and limited to one group of up to two people, you should avoid leaving it until the last minute if your schedule is fixed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start, as well as late changes, are not refunded. Read that cutoff carefully if your hotel plans or flights are still uncertain.

Should you book this private catamaran day?

I would book it if privacy, scenery, and a polished day on the lagoon matter more to you than keeping costs down. The strongest parts are the private crew, the chance to sail with the engine off, the views of Mount Otemanu, the rays beneath the nets, and lunch on a private motu.

I would skip it if $2,730.51 feels hard to justify or if you want a longer, more active snorkeling program. You can find less expensive ways to get on Bora Bora’s water. What you are buying here is not just transport to a reef. You are buying the boat for yourselves, a flexible pace, included food and drinks, and a setting built around two people.

For a special occasion, this is one of the more personal ways to spend a day in Bora Bora. For a budget-minded visit, it is a luxury rather than a necessity.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran experience last?

The outing lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The price covers one private group of up to two people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served at a private motu.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. The experience includes bottled water, other beverages, alcoholic beverages, and refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Can you see Mount Otemanu during the trip?

Yes. The sailing route provides views of Mount Otemanu from the water.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time in the local time zone. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.