LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran Bora Bora : Full-Day Trip

Bora Bora is best seen from the water, and this private catamaran puts you right in the middle of the lagoon’s big scenery. You’ll sail past Mount Otemanu, glide toward the outer reef, watch sting rays through the catamaran nets, and stop in a beautiful bay for swimming and drinks. The captain can hoist the sails and shut off the engine, giving you a quiet stretch of genuine sailing.

I like the private format and the freedom it gives your group. You are not tied to a fixed public boat, so a family can mix snorkeling with sun time, while friends can make the day more social with music, snacks, and rum punch. I also like that pickup, drinks, alcohol, water, and a hostess are included.

The main consideration is time. Six hours sounds generous, but it goes quickly once you add transfers, sailing, swimming, and relaxing. Lunch at a restaurant is not included, so ask about your meal plan before departure.

Key points at a glance

• A private 40-foot catamaran experience: Your group of up to nine people has the boat to yourselves.
• Sailing beneath Mount Otemanu: The captain can raise the sails and turn off the engine for a quieter ride across the lagoon.
• Swimming and snorkeling in a scenic bay: The day includes a stop for water time and refreshments.
• Sting rays visible from the catamaran nets: You may see sting rays and eagle rays while resting near the front of the boat.
• Drinks, snacks, and alcohol included: Bottled water and alcoholic drinks are provided, with Kiki’s rum punch earning special mention.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off: Transfers are included, making the 9:00 am start easier to manage.

Why the lagoon is the star of this six-hour trip

Bora Bora’s famous views make more sense from the water. From a catamaran, you are not looking at the island through a hotel window or from a crowded shoreline. You are moving across the lagoon with the green slopes of Mount Otemanu rising ahead and the reef marking the point where calm lagoon water meets the open ocean.

This is not a sightseeing cruise where every minute is scheduled. The idea is simple: sail, stop, swim, snack, and enjoy the boat. Your captain handles the route and sailing, while the hostess helps with drinks, photographs, and information about Bora Bora.

The private setup matters most here. A group of two can keep the day quiet and romantic. A family of eight, including grandparents and children, can spread out and choose different levels of activity without worrying about another group’s schedule. Up to nine people can share the charter, so the cost makes more sense when divided across a full group.

Boarding at 9:00 am with your own crew

The listed start time is 9:00 am, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. That removes one of the small headaches of a boat day: arranging your own way to the dock. You should still be ready on time, since a private charter has a set window and six hours passes fast.

The crew can vary. Names associated with this experience include captains Thelma, Nick, Alex, David, and Clement, along with deckhand Perla and hostess Kiki. Do not assume every person will be aboard your departure, but the personal, owner-operated feel is part of the experience.

One particularly useful detail is the transfer itself. David, one of the owners, has personally handled pickup from the dock, which suggests that your arrival may feel more direct than a large resort excursion. The exact transfer arrangement depends on your booking, so confirm the pickup point with the operator after receiving confirmation.

Once aboard, you can settle into the catamaran’s sunbeds and front nets. The nets are more than a place to lie down. From there, you may see sting rays and eagle rays moving through the water below, which gives the boat ride a wildlife element without requiring you to get wet.

Sailing past Mount Otemanu under a raised sail

The most memorable part of the trip may be the simplest: the captain raises the sails and turns off the engine. The boat then moves with the wind, and the noise drops away. That pause gives you a better sense of Bora Bora as an island surrounded by water, rather than a resort destination viewed from land.

Music can play through the catamaran’s sound system, so the mood can shift from peaceful sailing to a more festive afternoon. You can ask for a quieter stretch if your group prefers conversation and scenery. Since the boat is private, you have more control over the atmosphere than you would on a shared cruise.

The views are the reason to keep your camera ready. Mount Otemanu is the central visual marker, but the changing angle from the water is what makes the scenery interesting. You will see the mountain, the low outer reef, and the bright contrast between lagoon and ocean.

The hostess can take pictures of your group, which is useful when everyone wants to be in the frame. She also shares information about Bora Bora as you go. This is a small but valuable touch, especially if you want more than a quiet boat ride.

A bay for swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments

The boat stops in a scenic bay for swimming and refreshments. You can get in the water, snorkel, or stay aboard with a drink. That flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups. The strongest swimmers can be active while others relax on deck or in the catamaran nets.

Snorkeling is part of the appeal, but the experience is not sold as a dedicated marine-life expedition. The supplied details promise stops at good swimming and snorkeling spots, along with views of rays. Conditions can affect visibility and wildlife, so it is wise to treat marine sightings as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

The bay stop also breaks up the sailing. Six hours on a boat can feel long if you remain in one position, but a swim gives the day a natural rhythm. You might spend one stretch watching the scenery, another in the water, and another eating snacks with a cold drink.

Alcoholic beverages are included, as are bottled water, other drinks, and snacks. Kiki’s rum punch has become a particular part of the experience for some groups. Pace yourself, especially under the tropical sun, and keep water in hand as well.

What the catamaran feels like for different groups

For couples, the attraction is privacy. You can sit together on the front nets, watch the sails, and enjoy a scenic day without sharing every moment with strangers. The hostess can take photos, which helps preserve the experience without requiring one person to stay behind the camera.

Families get a different benefit. The boat allows grandparents, parents, and children to spend the day together while choosing different activities. A child who tires of snorkeling can return to the sunbeds, while adults continue enjoying the bay. The private boat also avoids the pressure of keeping up with a large group.

Friends can make the most of the music and drinks. The boat has enough space for a social day, and the private format lets your group set the tone. If you want a quiet sail, you can have one. If you want a more celebratory outing, the sound system and included alcohol support that too.

The six-hour length is both a strength and a limit. It is long enough to feel like a major part of your Bora Bora stay, but not so long that you lose an entire day. Still, one family group found the time too short, which is easy to understand. Once you include the best views, a swim stop, food, and time simply sitting on the boat, the end may arrive sooner than expected.

The value of the $2,917.48 group price

The listed price is $2,917.48 for up to nine people. That is a large total, but private boat pricing should be judged by the group cost, not just the headline number.

With nine people, the base price works out to about $324 per person. With six people, it is about $486 per person. For a couple, the same charter becomes a major splurge, but couples are paying for privacy, flexibility, and a boat reserved only for them.

The price includes the captain and professional guide, hotel transfers, snacks, bottled water, drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Those inclusions matter in Bora Bora, where private excursions and resort services can quickly add up. You are not paying only for transport across the lagoon. You are paying for a dedicated boat, crew, flexible pacing, and a six-hour setting for your own group.

Lunch at a restaurant is not included. This is the main cost detail to plan around. The tour provides snacks and refreshments, but you should not assume that a full meal is part of the day. Ask the operator how your group should handle lunch before departure, particularly if you are traveling with children or anyone who needs regular meals.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this experience is often reserved about 109 days ahead, planning early makes sense if your travel dates are fixed.

The activity is private, and only your group participates. The capacity is up to nine people, which makes it a good match for a family reunion, two couples traveling together, or a small friend group. If your party is larger, you would need to ask the provider about another arrangement.

Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not provide detailed accessibility notes, equipment lists, or specific snorkeling instructions. If anyone in your group has mobility needs or cannot easily climb aboard a boat, contact Sailing Bora Bora before paying.

The cancellation policy is straightforward but firm close to departure. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The strongest parts of the experience

The crew is central to the day. Captains such as Thelma, Nick, Alex, and Clement are repeatedly singled out for making the trip warm and enjoyable, while Perla and the hostess add to the sense of personal service. That human element matters on a private charter. A boat can have fine views, but a good captain shapes the pace and mood.

The other major strength is the mix of activity and rest. You are not forced to snorkel all day, and you are not stuck on a boat with nothing to do. You can watch for rays through the nets, photograph Mount Otemanu, swim in a bay, listen to music, or simply lie back with a drink.

The experience also feels suited to milestone days. People have used it as a major highlight of a Bora Bora visit, and the private setting gives birthdays, anniversaries, family trips, and group celebrations room to feel special without turning the excursion into a formal event.

The possible weakness is not poor quality, but limited time and the high total price. Six hours can feel brief, particularly if you want extensive snorkeling. And if your group is small, the per-person cost rises sharply. You should book it for privacy and the full boat experience, not because it is the cheapest way to see the lagoon.

Should you book this private Bora Bora charter?

Book it if you have a group of up to nine, want your own boat, and care about a relaxed day that can shift between sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and lounging. It is especially well suited to families with different activity levels and friends who want drinks, music, and control over the pace.

For two people, I would book it only if privacy is the point and the price fits your budget. For a larger group, the cost becomes easier to justify, especially with transfers, drinks, snacks, a crew, and alcohol included.

Plan for lunch, confirm your pickup details, and accept that six hours may leave you wishing for more. If those points work for you, this is a polished way to experience Bora Bora from the water, with the freedom to make the day as active or as lazy as you like.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How many people can join the private charter?

The charter is for a group of up to nine people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a restaurant is not included.

Are drinks provided on the boat?

Yes. Beverages, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The experience includes stops at swimming and snorkeling locations, including a scenic bay.

Can I see sting rays from the catamaran?

You may see sting rays and eagle rays through the catamaran nets.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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