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

The best part of this Bora Bora outing is the combination of private sailing and flexible stops. Your captain can raise the sails, shut off the engine, and let the catamaran glide across the lagoon while you stretch out on the front nets. You also get time in the water, close views of sting rays and eagle rays, and a Polynesian lunch on a private islet.

I like the small-group setting for two and the attention built into the day: a hostess takes photographs, shares information about Bora Bora, serves drinks and snacks, and helps keep the outing relaxed. The main drawback is the price, $2,730.51 per group, so this makes the most sense for a special occasion or for couples who value privacy more than a lower-cost shared cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Private catamaran for up to two people: You avoid a crowded boat and can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and time in the sun.
• Sailing with the engine off: When conditions allow, the captain hoists the sails and lets the boat move quietly across Bora Bora’s lagoon.
• Otemanu views from the water: The mountain provides a memorable backdrop as you sail, swim, and stop near the reef.
• Polynesian lunch on a private motu: Your meal takes place on a small islet, giving the middle of the day a slower, more local feel.
• Snorkeling gear and refreshments included: You do not need to arrange basic equipment or bring drinks for the boat.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off included: The 9:00 a.m. start is easier to manage when transportation is handled for you.

A private morning on Bora Bora’s lagoon

This six-hour outing is built around one simple idea: give your group a catamaran, a crew, and enough time to enjoy Bora Bora without being pushed from one fixed stop to the next. The boat is operated by Sailing Bora Bora, and the experience is designed for a maximum of two people.

That small capacity matters. On a shared cruise, you usually accept the group’s pace and the captain’s set route. Here, your interests help shape the day. You can spend more time swimming, sit on the catamaran nets, listen to music while sailing, or focus on the reef and marine life.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m., with hotel pickup included. Since the experience runs for about six hours, you have a full morning and early afternoon on the water, plus lunch. You will want to keep the rest of your day reasonably open. This is not a quick lagoon transfer with a short swim attached. It is the main event.

Sailing aboard Vitamin Sea Bora Bora

The boat time begins with the catamaran itself. The front nets give you a place to lie back above the water, with the surface visible below. They are fitted with sunbeds for added comfort, which makes a real difference during a long day under the tropical sun.

When the captain raises the sails and turns off the engine, the mood changes. The noise drops, the catamaran moves with the wind, and you get the quiet rhythm that makes sailing feel different from a standard motorboat trip. Music can play on the sound system, but you still have the option to focus on the breeze and the water.

I like this part because it is not only transportation between stops. Sailing is one of the main experiences. You see Bora Bora from a low, open position on the lagoon, with the mountain and surrounding water changing as the boat moves.

The hostess stays involved throughout the day. She is available to take photographs and share information about Bora Bora, while also helping with drinks and snacks. That service is useful if you want photographs of the two of you without asking another group to take them. It also gives the day a more personal feel than a basic boat charter.

The exact sailing conditions will depend on the wind. The tour description specifically says the captain will hoist the sails and turn off the engine, but sailing is naturally controlled by weather and water conditions. If you are booking mainly for a long silent sail, keep that in mind. The catamaran experience includes other activities, so the value does not rest on wind alone.

Otemanu views from the lagoon

Mount Otemanu is one of Bora Bora’s defining sights, and seeing it from the lagoon gives you a different angle than viewing it from shore. The catamaran provides open views as you move across the water, so you can take photographs without buildings or land blocking the scene.

The view is especially useful for anyone who wants the mountain included in photographs of the day. The hostess can take pictures while you are on the boat, and you can also capture the changing view as the catamaran moves toward the bays and reef.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a long narrated tour. The emphasis is on being outside, moving through the lagoon, and stopping when the water looks right for swimming or snorkeling. The guide’s information about Bora Bora adds context, but the setting itself does much of the work.

Swimming and snorkeling near the reef

The water stops give the day its active side. You can swim in a bay and use the provided snorkeling equipment to look at marine life below the surface. The catamaran nets also offer an unusual viewing point, since sting rays and eagle rays may be visible through the netting as they move in the water beneath you.

That detail makes this more than a simple sunbathing charter. You can alternate between three ways of enjoying the lagoon: swimming in the water, looking below the surface with a mask and snorkel, or remaining dry on the catamaran while watching marine life from above.

The stop near the reef is also interesting because it shows the point where the lagoon meets the ocean. This gives you a sense of Bora Bora’s setting, not just a pleasant place to float. The reef creates a visual boundary, and the crew can bring you close enough to appreciate the change in water and surroundings.

The description does not promise a particular animal sighting or a specific snorkeling site. That is worth noting. You may see sting rays and eagle rays, but marine life is never a fixed schedule. The provided equipment means you can make the most of the stop without arranging gear separately.

If you are not a strong swimmer, the information says most people can participate, but it does not list flotation equipment or describe the swimming areas in detail. Ask the operator about water conditions and available support if that is important to you.

A private bay for swimming and refreshments

One of the stops is a striking bay selected for swimming and refreshments. This is where the flexible format pays off. Instead of rushing through a short water stop, you have time to get in, cool off, and return to the boat for a drink or snack.

The crew provides beverages, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks. That makes the day easier because you do not need to pack a full supply for six hours on the lagoon. Water is especially welcome after time in the sun and salt water.

The open design of the catamaran lets you choose your own pace. You can lie on the sunbeds, sit on the hulls, listen to music, or join the water activities. There is no need for everyone in your party to do the same thing at every moment, though the group limit of two means this flexibility is mainly valuable for a couple or two-person booking.

The likely trade-off is sun exposure. The tour is built around open-air sailing and sunbeds on the nets, so bring practical sun protection and expect much of the day to be outdoors. The supplied details do not specify shade arrangements, so ask if shade is a concern.

Polynesian lunch on a private motu

Lunch is served on a private motu, the Polynesian term for a small islet. This gives the day a clear change of scene. You leave the catamaran for a meal on land, then return to the water for the rest of the outing.

A private motu lunch feels more connected to the setting than eating quickly on the boat between stops. You have a chance to slow down, enjoy the islet, and make the meal part of the experience rather than treating it as a practical break.

The meal is described as Polynesian, but no menu is provided. I would not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement unless Sailing Bora Bora confirms it in advance. The tour includes lunch, but the supplied information does not list vegetarian, allergy, or other special-meal options.

The motu stop also helps break up the day. Six hours on an open catamaran can feel long if every minute is spent sitting on the boat. A lunch stop gives you a change of position and a chance to dry off after swimming.

What the $2,730.51 price really covers

At $2,730.51 per group of up to two, this is an expensive Bora Bora activity. The fair way to assess it is not to compare the price with a basic group snorkeling trip. You are paying for a private vessel, a captain, a hostess, hotel transportation, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and roughly six hours of use.

For a couple, the price buys privacy and control. You do not share the catamaran with a large group, and you can spend the day in a way that suits you. That is valuable if you are celebrating something, want photographs without strangers in the frame, or simply dislike fixed group schedules.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is only snorkeling. You can find less expensive boat outings that provide water time and gear. This experience earns its premium through the complete package: private sailing, personal service, the motu lunch, refreshments, and time around Bora Bora’s best-known views.

Booking patterns also matter. The experience is booked an average of 109 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if it is important to your plans. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so allow time for that before building your schedule around it.

Who will get the most from this catamaran day

This outing suits couples who want a private, polished day on the water without having to organize each part themselves. It also fits a special celebration, since the setting, photographs, lunch, and private crew give the day a clear sense of occasion.

You will probably appreciate it most if you enjoy a mix of activities. The day is not only snorkeling, not only sailing, and not only a scenic cruise. You move between sunbathing, sailing, swimming, looking for marine life, photography, refreshments, and lunch.

It is also a good match for people who want a slower pace. The crew can tailor the itinerary around your group’s interests, so you have more freedom than on a fixed shared excursion.

The experience may not suit a budget-minded visitor or someone who wants a long, demanding snorkeling session. The provided information does not promise a particular amount of time in the water, and the price reflects the private service as much as the marine activities.

Families or groups larger than two should also look carefully at the capacity. The booking covers up to two people, and this is a private activity. It is not designed as a private charter for a larger party.

Practical details that matter on the day

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which removes one of the usual transportation questions. The meeting time is 9:00 a.m., so confirm the pickup arrangement after booking and allow yourself time to be ready before the stated start.

A mobile ticket is offered, making the booking simple to keep on your phone. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the activity is popular enough to be booked well ahead, reserve early if you have a fixed travel date.

Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not describe accessibility arrangements, child policies, or exact swimming support. If you have mobility concerns, limited swimming ability, or a medical condition that affects time in the sun or on a boat, contact Sailing Bora Bora before paying.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The overall customer score is 5 out of 5 from nine ratings. One especially positive comment focuses on the staff’s attention to detail and the way the captain and crew made the outing memorable. With only nine ratings, I would treat that score as encouraging rather than as proof that every departure will be identical, but the praise points to the service element that helps justify the cost.

Should you book this Bora Bora sailing experience?

Book it if you want a private day for two that combines sailing, snorkeling, swimming, a Polynesian motu lunch, refreshments, and photographs in one carefully arranged outing. The private catamaran and crew are the real selling points, not just the chance to get in the water.

Skip it if your budget is tight or if you only want basic lagoon snorkeling. At $2,730.51, this is a premium experience. For a couple celebrating a special trip, the privacy and range of activities can make the price reasonable. For everyone else, compare it with a shared boat tour before committing.

FAQ

How long does the Bora Bora catamaran experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

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

How many people can join the private catamaran?

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

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The experience includes a Polynesian lunch served on a private motu.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.