REVIEW · CATAMARAN CRUISES WITH LUNCH & BBQ
LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran : Full-Day Sail & Polynesian Motu Lunch
Bora Bora is at its best from the water, and this private catamaran trip gives you six hours to enjoy it without sharing the boat with strangers. You sail past Mount Otemanu, stop to swim and snorkel, watch rays through the catamaran nets, and eat a Polynesian lunch on a private motu.
I like the fully private boat, which lets your group shape the day, and I like the quiet sailing time when the captain raises the sails and switches off the engine. The hostess also takes photos, serves drinks and snacks, and adds local context as you go.
The main drawback is the price: $2,730.51 for up to two people is a serious splurge. It makes the most sense for a special occasion or for two people who value privacy, comfort, and a custom day more than a lower-cost shared cruise.
Key points to know
- Private catamaran for up to two: You get the boat and crew to yourselves, with room to adjust the day around swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and relaxing.
- Six hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon: The 9:00 a.m. start leaves most of the day open for a slow, unhurried outing.
- Sailing without the engine: When conditions allow, the captain hoists the sails and lets the boat glide quietly across the lagoon.
- Private motu lunch: A Polynesian meal on a private islet breaks up the time on the water.
- Otemanu and reef views: The route includes views of Mount Otemanu and a stop near the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean.
- Pickup and refreshments included: Hotel pickup and drop-off, drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, lunch, snacks, and snorkel gear are covered.
A private catamaran is the main attraction

The appeal here is not simply getting from one snorkeling stop to another. You have a private vessel, a captain, and a hostess focused on your small group. That changes the pace of the day.
On a shared boat, you usually follow a fixed route and a fixed timetable. Here, the day can be shaped around your interests. If you want more time swimming, you can ask for it. If you want to lie on the nets and watch the scenery, you have the space to do that. The exact route can depend on the captain and conditions, so you should think of this as a flexible lagoon outing rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing circuit.
The catamaran has sunbeds set on the nets between its hulls. These are one of the nicest places to sit because you are close to the water, with a clear view below. The nets also give you a chance to spot marine life passing beneath the boat, including sting rays and eagle rays.
The boat is not just a transport platform. It is your base for the full six hours. You can move between the sunbeds, the seating areas, and the water, then return to the boat for a drink or snack.
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Sailing across Bora Bora’s lagoon

One special part of the outing comes when the captain raises the sails and turns off the engine. The mood changes immediately. Instead of listening to a motor, you hear the movement of the boat and the water around it.
That quiet sailing period is valuable because Bora Bora’s beauty is easy to rush past. From the catamaran, you get broad views across the lagoon and a different angle on Mount Otemanu. The mountain is one of the key sights on the island, but seeing it from a boat gives it more room and scale than it has from shore.
Music plays through the catamaran’s sound system, and the hostess is available to take photos. That can be useful if you want a record of the day but do not want to spend the entire outing holding your phone. She also shares information about Bora Bora as you go.
You should keep your expectations sensible. Sailing depends on conditions, and the tour description does not promise that the boat will sail under power for the entire day. Still, the chance to glide across the lagoon with the engine off is one of the details that gives this trip more character than a standard motorboat transfer.
Snorkeling near the reef and swimming in the bay
The snorkeling portion is designed to be easy to join. Snorkel gear is supplied, so you do not need to pack equipment for this outing. The boat stops near the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean, an area that provides a closer look at marine life and the change between the protected lagoon and open water.
A separate stop takes place in a scenic bay for swimming and refreshments. This gives the day a useful rhythm: sail for a while, stop to swim, return to the boat, and continue toward the next part of the route.
I like that swimming is not treated as a rushed add-on. Because the boat is private, you are not trying to get everyone back aboard at a set time for a large group. You can spend the available time in the water or remain on deck if you prefer to watch.
The snorkeling details are not highly technical. You are not promised a guided marine biology session or a particular species list. Instead, this is a relaxed chance to see the lagoon from below, with the added possibility of spotting rays from the catamaran nets before or after your swim.
If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep that distinction in mind. The experience is built around the entire day on the water, not just the time with a mask and fins. You are paying for the private boat, crew, sailing, scenery, lunch, and flexible pace as much as for the snorkeling itself.
Mount Otemanu views from the water

Mount Otemanu is one of the visual anchors of Bora Bora, and the catamaran gives you several chances to frame it from the lagoon. The boat moves through different parts of the water, so your view changes instead of staying fixed from one beach or hotel terrace.
The mountain views are especially useful for anyone who wants photographs that show both the peak and the lagoon. The hostess can take photos for you, which may help your group get pictures together rather than taking turns behind the camera.
The tour also brings you close to the reef line, where the character of the water changes. From the boat, you can appreciate the relationship between the calm lagoon and the ocean beyond it. That wider setting is part of what makes a private boat day worthwhile.
The route is not presented as a long list of named bays or exact coordinates. That may disappoint someone looking for a tightly defined sightseeing program. For me, it is better understood as a scenic sailing day with several planned activities and room for the crew to tailor the order.
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A Polynesian lunch on a private motu

The lunch stop gives the day a welcome pause. Rather than eating every meal on the boat, you go ashore at a private motu, the Polynesian term for a small islet. The setting is a major part of the experience.
Lunch is included, along with beverages and alcoholic drinks. Bottled water is also provided, and refreshments and snacks are available during the day. That means you do not need to build your schedule around finding food between swimming stops.
The information provided does not list the exact menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. What you can count on is the combination of a Polynesian lunch, a private islet setting, and a break from the boat.
This stop also helps explain the premium price. You are not buying only a boat ride. The package combines transport, crew service, a private island meal, drinks, equipment, and a full half-day on Bora Bora’s lagoon.
What the crew adds to the experience

The captain handles the boat and route, while the hostess stays available throughout the day. Her role includes taking pictures, serving drinks and snacks, and sharing information about Bora Bora.
That service matters more on a private trip than on a large cruise. You have someone paying attention to your group rather than trying to manage a crowded deck. If you want to change the pace or ask for more time at a stop, the private format makes that conversation possible.
The crew also helps the day feel less like a checklist. You can lie on the sunbeds, listen to music, watch for rays, or sit with your group while the scenery changes. There is enough structure to keep the day moving, but not so much that every minute feels assigned.
The available feedback is particularly strong on the care taken with details and the way the captain and staff make the outing feel memorable. That praise fits the setup: this is a service-focused trip, not a basic boat rental where you are left to organize everything yourself.
Is the $2,730.51 price worth it?

The listed price is $2,730.51 per group of up to two people. Divided evenly, that is about $1,365 per person. That puts this firmly in the luxury category.
The value depends on what you want from Bora Bora. If you simply need a way to get on the water, this is hard to justify. A shared cruise or a shorter boat trip would likely cost less, though no alternative price is provided here.
If you want privacy, the calculation changes. You receive a private catamaran, captain, hostess, hotel pickup and drop-off, drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, lunch, snacks, snorkel gear, and roughly six hours of use. You also avoid sharing the boat, route, and meal schedule with a larger group.
For a honeymoon, anniversary, proposal, birthday, or once-in-a-lifetime Bora Bora stay, the private format may be exactly the point. For a couple watching every part of the budget, the same features may feel excessive.
I would also consider how much time you have on the island. If you only have a short stay, a full six-hour private outing gives you a concentrated way to experience the lagoon. If you have many days and can book other water activities separately, you may prefer to spread the cost across several experiences.
Timing, pickup, and practical details

The start time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity lasts about six hours. That makes this a substantial part of your day, not a quick morning excursion.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The provided details do not state the pickup window or list specific hotels, so you should confirm the exact arrangements after booking. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.
The activity is private, and only your group participates. The stated capacity is up to two people, which keeps the experience intimate but also means this particular price is not designed for a larger family or group.
Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. Still, the day includes sailing, swimming, snorkeling, time in the sun, and boarding a catamaran. If you have a specific physical concern, ask the provider before committing.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time in French Polynesia.
Who should book this Bora Bora sailing day?

I would choose this for two people who want a private, polished day and do not want to compromise on space. It suits couples celebrating something, as well as anyone who sees the boat itself as part of the holiday.
It is also a good match if you want several kinds of activity in one booking: sailing, snorkeling, swimming, photography, scenery, lunch, and time to relax. You do not have to choose between a sightseeing cruise and a beach meal because the day includes both.
I would hesitate if your top priority is an intensive snorkeling program. The details emphasize the overall catamaran experience, not long guided sessions or a large number of named snorkeling sites.
I would also hesitate if the $2,730.51 group price would make you uneasy throughout the day. Luxury works best when you can enjoy the comfort without counting every drink or minute. If that price is manageable, the privacy and personal service are the strongest reasons to book.
Should you book this private catamaran tour?
Book it if you want Bora Bora from the water in the most personal way offered here. The combination of a private boat, sailing with the engine off, Mount Otemanu views, reef snorkeling, rays, a private motu lunch, and attentive crew gives you a complete day rather than a single activity.
Skip it if you want the lowest-cost way to snorkel or if you prefer a fast, highly structured sightseeing route. This is a luxury splurge, but it is a well-defined one: you pay for privacy, time, comfort, food, drinks, and the freedom to enjoy the lagoon at your own pace.
FAQ
How long does the private 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 tour?
The price covers one private group of up to two people.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkel gear is provided for the activity.
What food and drinks are included?
Lunch, beverages, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, refreshments, and snacks are included.
Does the tour include a private boat and crew?
Yes. The activity is private, and only your group participates with the captain and hostess.
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.
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