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

Bora Bora is at its best from the water, and this private catamaran puts you right in the middle of it. You sail across the lagoon, pause near the reef, swim in a striking bay, and watch for sting rays and eagle rays beneath the catamaran nets. The big draw is privacy: your boat and crew work around your group, not a fixed crowd.

I like the chance to sail with the engine off, with music playing and sunbeds spread across the nets. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, lunch, alcohol, and hotel pickup are included. The main drawback is the price, $2,730.51 for up to two people, so this makes the most sense for a special occasion or for anyone who places a high value on having the boat to themselves.

Key points at a glance

• A private catamaran for two: You share the boat only with your own group and crew.
• Sailing without the engine: When conditions allow, the captain hoists the sails and lets the lagoon set the pace.
• Marine life below the nets: Sting rays and eagle rays may be visible as you rest on the front sunbeds.
• A Polynesian motu lunch: The day includes lunch on a private islet, along with drinks, bottled water, snacks, and alcohol.
• Otemanu from the lagoon: Water-level views give you a strong angle on Bora Bora’s famous mountain.
• Six hours with pickup: The experience begins at 9:00 a.m. and hotel transportation is included.

Six hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon

This is not a group boat outing with a set commentary and a crowded swim stop. You get a private catamaran for up to two people, a captain, and a hostess. That small scale changes the whole feel of the day. You can spend more time enjoying the water and less time waiting for other people to finish taking pictures or climbing back aboard.

The experience lasts about six hours, starting at 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which is useful in Bora Bora, where your accommodation may be on the main island or one of the small motu resorts. The exact pickup details are not provided, so confirm them when your booking is accepted.

The tour is offered by Sailing Bora Bora. Your captain handles the route and sailing, while the hostess serves refreshments, shares information about Bora Bora, and takes pictures for you. No individual guide names are provided, but the crew setup is clear: you have direct help throughout the day rather than a distant boat operator you see only at the start.

Starting under sail with the engine off

One of the nicest details is the change from powered transport to quiet sailing. The captain hoists the sails and turns off the engine, allowing you to hear and feel the boat moving across the lagoon. That pause matters. Bora Bora can look almost too perfect from shore, but the water gives you time to notice the changing blues, the reef edge, and the shape of Mount Otemanu.

Music plays through the catamaran’s sound system, and sunbeds are placed on the nets for comfort. You can stretch out on the front of the boat, enjoy the sun, or keep your eyes on the water below. I like this mix of comfort and movement. It is not a bare-bones sailing trip, but it also is not just a floating lounge.

The sailing portion depends on conditions. The supplied details say the captain will hoist the sails, but they do not promise a particular wind speed or sailing distance. If you want an active sailing lesson, this is not presented as one. The point is the sensation of moving quietly through the lagoon while the crew takes care of the boat.

Seeing Otemanu from the water

Mount Otemanu is one of Bora Bora’s defining sights, and the lagoon gives you a more open view than you get from many spots on land. As the catamaran moves around the island, you can photograph the mountain against the water and see how its outline changes from different angles.

The hostess can take pictures for you, a small but useful touch when you are traveling as a couple. You do not have to choose between being in the photograph and operating the camera. The activity details specifically highlight the views of Otemanu, so bring a camera or phone you can use safely around water.

The scenery is the main event here, but it is worth keeping expectations sensible. This is a six-hour outing, not a full island tour with a long list of land-based stops. The focus is the lagoon, the catamaran, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch on a private motu.

Snorkeling near the reef

The catamaran stops close to the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean. That location gives you a chance to see the contrast between the calmer lagoon and the open water beyond. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

The boat also stops in a beautiful bay for swimming and refreshments. This is a useful rhythm for the day: sail for a while, get into the water, then return to the boat for a drink and a rest. You can snorkel, swim, or simply enjoy the view from the deck. The activity is not described as a technical snorkeling trip, and no particular coral species or fish list is promised.

One memorable feature is the view straight down through the catamaran’s nets. Sting rays and eagle rays may pass below while you are lying on the sunbeds. You can see marine life without getting in the water, which is especially handy during a quiet sailing stretch or after snorkeling.

I would treat the wildlife sightings as a welcome possibility rather than a guarantee. Rays move freely, and the tour information does not promise that you will see a certain number or type. Still, the combination of snorkeling gear, a reef stop, a bay swim, and the open nets gives you several ways to experience the lagoon.

Lunch on a private Polynesian motu

The tour includes a Polynesian lunch on a private motu, or small islet. That setting is a major part of the appeal. Instead of eating at a restaurant with a fixed schedule, you break up the time on the boat with a meal tied to Bora Bora’s island setting.

The details do not provide a menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. You can count on lunch being included, along with beverages, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks. If you have allergies or food restrictions, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the included meal can be changed.

The motu stop also gives you a chance to get off the catamaran and enjoy a different view of the lagoon. Much of the day is spent afloat, so the private islet lunch provides a natural change of pace. It is also one reason the experience feels like a full day out rather than simply a boat transfer with a swim stop.

What the private format is worth

The listed price is $2,730.51 per group of up to two people. That is a large total, especially compared with a shared lagoon excursion. But it includes a private catamaran, crew, hotel transportation, food, drinks, alcohol, snorkeling equipment, and roughly six hours on the water.

The right comparison is not just the cost of a boat seat. You are paying for control over the day, space to yourselves, and a crew focused only on your group. If you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, proposal, or major birthday, those details may carry real value. You can relax on the nets without strangers beside you and enjoy the boat at your own pace.

For two people splitting the total, the experience remains expensive. I would choose it only if privacy and comfort matter more to you than keeping the lagoon outing economical. If your main goal is simply to snorkel for an hour or see Otemanu from the water, a shared trip may offer better value. If you want the boat, crew, food, drinks, and schedule centered on your pair, the private format is easier to justify.

The advance booking pattern also matters. This experience is booked, on average, 109 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last few days of a Bora Bora stay, especially if your dates are fixed. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Comfort, pace, and practical limits

The catamaran provides sunbeds on the nets, refreshments, music, and a hostess who can take pictures. You get comfort without losing the feeling of being outdoors on the lagoon. The front nets are likely to be the favorite spot, particularly during the sailing sections and wildlife viewing.

At the same time, this is a water-based day. You will spend most of six hours on or around a boat, under the sun, with swimming and snorkeling built into the schedule. If you prefer shade, ask the provider what sheltered seating is available before booking. The provided details do not specify shade, cabin space, restroom arrangements, or the exact catamaran layout.

Most people can participate, according to the activity information. That is a broad statement, not a detailed accessibility guarantee. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, medical concerns, or difficulty entering the water, contact Sailing Bora Bora before reserving. The information does not describe an adapted boarding system or a lift.

The tour is private, which is useful for families or couples who need a slower pace, but the listed rate covers only up to two people. Do not assume you can add a larger party at the same price. Confirm the maximum group size and any additional cost if your group includes more than two people.

How the day fits together

The schedule begins with hotel pickup and a 9:00 a.m. start. From there, the captain takes you onto Bora Bora’s lagoon, with time to settle on the catamaran and enjoy the first views.

The boat then shifts into sailing mode when the captain raises the sails and turns off the engine. Music, sunbeds, and the open view make this the slower part of the outing. Your hostess can take photographs and point out details about Bora Bora as you go.

The route includes views of Otemanu, a pass near the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean, and a stop in a scenic bay for swimming and refreshments. Snorkel gear is available, and you may see sting rays or eagle rays from the nets.

At some point during the day, you eat a Polynesian lunch on a private motu. Drinks, snacks, bottled water, and alcohol are included, so you do not need to plan a separate meal. The exact order of the stops is not stated, and the captain may adjust the timing to suit conditions and the group.

After the motu lunch and remaining time on the lagoon, the crew returns you to your hotel. The total duration is about six hours, making this a substantial part of your day rather than a short add-on.

Who should book this catamaran

I would recommend this experience to a couple who wants privacy, comfort, and a polished day on Bora Bora’s water. It is especially suitable when the boat itself is part of the occasion, not just a way to reach a snorkeling site.

It also suits you if you like a flexible feel. You can choose how much time to spend sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, taking pictures, and simply watching the lagoon. The crew is there to support the day rather than push you through a large group schedule.

I would think twice if your priority is low cost, a detailed marine biology program, or a guaranteed list of wildlife sightings. The tour promises access to snorkeling, reef scenery, rays, swimming, and a motu lunch, but it does not promise specific animals, a particular menu, or a formal instructional program.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refundable, so protect that cutoff if your plans are still moving around.

Should you book it?

Book this private Bora Bora catamaran if you want the day to feel personal from start to finish. The strongest reasons are the quiet sailing, private crew, Otemanu views, ray watching through the nets, and Polynesian lunch on a private motu. The all-inclusive setup also means fewer small decisions once you are aboard.

Skip it if $2,730.51 for two feels out of proportion to your holiday budget or if you mainly want a short snorkeling session. For the right couple, though, this is less about checking off a reef stop and more about having six unhurried hours in one of the world’s most striking lagoons.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price is for a private group of up to two people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes lunch, beverages, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks.

Will I see Mount Otemanu?

The route includes views of Mount Otemanu from the water, but the exact viewing conditions can vary.

Does the tour include swimming?

Yes. The catamaran stops in a bay for swimming and refreshments.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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