French Polynesia Catamaran Cruises: the 15 Best Days on the Water

1.Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 529 reviews · from $157Our pick

Spend four hours on Moorea’s lagoon aboard Taboo, a small catamaran limited to eight people. Snorkel at several sites, swim near blacktip sharks and stingrays, look for underwater tikis, and enjoy fresh fruit, juice and maitais. Guides such as Leo, Max, Louis and Mai provide local stories and help in the water.

“Wonderful time on the water and the snorkeling was awesome. We had good time making friends and learning about Tahiti”

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2.Sunset Cruise : Moorea Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · from $156

Sail Moorea’s northern coast aboard the compact catamaran Taboo, with Captain Leo or Neil sharing island stories as you pass Cook’s Bay, Ōpūnohu Bay, and the barrier reef. Enjoy a Mai Tai or fruit juice, then settle in for sunset with no more than eight people aboard.

“Our sunset tour was great. We learned a lot about Moorea and the lagoon, and sailed in the ocean a bit before checking out the sunset. We would do it again!”

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3.LUXURY Catamaran Bora Bora : Sailing, Snorkeling & Floating Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · from $327

Spend four hours aboard the 40-foot Vitamin Sea catamaran, sailing past Mount Otemanu, snorkeling a private coral garden, and stopping at Paradise Bay for drinks at a floating bar. Hotel or port pickup, beverages, and a professional guide are included. Crew names may include Tony, Alex, Clement, or Paula.

“Everything was great! Highly recommend this tour. Ocean time with floating bar allowed us to get to know others in the group as well as our hosts/crew.”

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4.From Tahiti: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 156 reviews · 11 hours · from $227

Meet your crew at 5:45 AM in Papeete for a catamaran ride to Tetiaroa. Enjoy breakfast, a guided walk to Bird’s Island, a Tahitian lunch, reef snorkeling, and punch on the return. The tour runs in English and French, though some island commentary may be easier to follow in French.

“Great catamaran, beautiful location, food was excellent. French speaking so missed a bit of the explanation by the guide on the island. The boat crew tried to explain to us separately which worked ok.”

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5.LUXURY Catamaran Bora Bora : The Sunset Escape

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 129 reviews · from $267

Set sail from your hotel dock aboard Vitamin Sea, a 46-foot catamaran with lounge music, shaded seating, front nets, chilled drinks, and snacks. Captain Thelma, Alex, Camille, or another crew member guides the evening around Bora Bora, with sunset views toward Mount Otemanu.

“We were picked up in a skiff and transferred to the catamaran. It was a beautiful boat with plenty of room for our group. The captain and first mate were both excellent. They gave lots of great insight into the history of and local lifestyle in the area. The sun was hidden by clouds but we still had a great trip.”

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6.PRIVATE Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews

Spend 3 to 4 hours aboard Taboo, a private catamaran for up to four people. Captain Leo, Flo, Max, Louis, and other crew members guide snorkeling with rays, black-tip reef sharks, turtles, tropical fish, coral gardens, and Moorea’s underwater Tiki.

“We had a really fun, interesting day with Jade and Max. What an incredible skill these two having navigating us around all the rainstorms yesterday showing us all the perfect spots with gorgeous fish, turtles, coral. And thank you for giving advice about restaurants and other things to do.”

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7.Excursion to Tetiaroa by Catamaran Visit Lunch Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 52 reviews · from $235

Sail from Papeete to Tetiaroa on a fast maxi catamaran limited to roughly 25 to 27 people. Your day includes breakfast, a guided island visit, lunch with raw fish and grilled tuna, reef snorkeling, and a punch before returning.

“Really excellent excursion! The departure point was easy to find, the boat was really nice, and the crew was kind. The food served on board was delicious!! The island itself was beautiful and it was really nice to have some free time to walk Read more”

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8.PRIVATE Sunset Cruise : Moorea Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews

Join Captain Leo aboard Taboo for a private 2-hour-20-minute sunset cruise from Moorea. You’ll sail through Cook’s Bay, pass the outer reef into open ocean, return by Ōpūnohu Bay, and enjoy cocktails or mocktails with panoramic coastal views.

“This was a highlight of our vacation. Conditions were spectacular with low wind and some clouds. Everyone on board had a fantastic experience (2 friends, adult child, my spouse and me. The meeting point is a little tricky but if you read thRead more”

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9.LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran Bora Bora : Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews

Spend four hours aboard Vitamin Sea, a former racing catamaran, with a private captain and host. Sail Bora Bora’s lagoon, stop to snorkel among tropical fish, then relax at Paradise Bay’s floating bar with chilled drinks, snacks, music, and hotel pickup included.

“Exceptional! This was one of our most favorite activities on our trip to Bora Bora. Captain Thelma and First mate Oceana were outstanding. The Vitamin Sea Too is an incredible boat with everything you need for a relaxing day on the water. ThRead more”

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10.PRIVATE Full Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews

Set out from Moorea at 7:25 a.m. aboard the private catamaran Taboo with guides including Léo, Liza, or Kevin. Shape the day around snorkeling, reef views, turtles, sharks, rays, underwater tikis, and a quiet beach picnic. Snorkel gear, tropical fruit, and refreshments are included, but bring your own lunch.

“Do not miss this trip!! If you want to enjoy the best sailing and snorkeling in Moorea, I fully recommend Captain Leo and the Taboo. We had such a fantastic time, thank you so much.”

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11.LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran Bora Bora : Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews

You’ll spend about six hours aboard Vitamin Sea, a private catamaran for up to nine people. Captain-led sailing includes Otemanu views, snorkeling, sting and eagle rays, snacks, drinks, alcohol, hotel transfers, and a stop for lunch at your own expense.

“Great captain and crew! We had an amazing day sailing around Bora Bora, taking in the sites, snorkeling, and soaking up the sun. A truly first-class private experience that we will remember for a lifetime!”

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12.Bora Bora: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Snacks and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $255

Board a small catamaran for a two-hour sunset sail around Bora Bora’s lagoon. Your English-speaking crew serves champagne, light snacks, towels, and hotel transfers by speedboat, while you enjoy lounge music, island stories, and photos with up to eight other guests.

“It was a wonderful sail and the captain and mate were very friendly. The sunset was gorgeous. The boat is brand new and very comfortable. Soft drinks like soda on board should be added. A few wanted soda and there wasn’t any. Over all a great experience. The mountain view from the Thalasso Intercontinental is the best and the boat didn’t go there. I would add this to the sail for guests that don’t get to see this view from other hotels. Overall we are glad we did it! Gorgeous place for sure!”

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13.LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran Bora Bora : The Sunset Escape

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews

Sail Bora Bora’s lagoon on a private catamaran for about two hours, with hotel pickup, sunset drinks, snacks, music, and photo help from the crew. Guides such as Nick, Candice, Thelma, and Alex have also helped guests sail the boat and mark special occasions.

“The crew was amazing and so was all of the spectacular scenery. The drinks were really good and Bora Bora is beautiful!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews

Spend about six hours on a private catamaran with a captain and hostess, sailing Bora Bora’s lagoon, snorkeling near the reef, swimming in a scenic bay, and enjoying a Polynesian lunch on a private motu. Hotel pickup, drinks, lunch, and snorkel gear are included.

“Attention to every detail. The captain and staff insure a memorable way to experience Bora Bora! Paradise in paradise!”

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15.PRIVATE Sunset Tour: Moorea Snorkeling on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Join Leo or Lucas aboard the private catamaran Taboo for snorkeling with blacktip sharks, stingrays, colorful fish, and an underwater tiki. You’ll have drinks, tropical fruit, shaded seating, mattresses, and an overwater net as Moorea’s sunset closes the trip.

“I did a half day sailing trio on Taboo and it was the best tour I have ever had anywhere in the world. I am not usually a fan of organized tours but this was different. You really have to have a boat tour of some kind to see around the islands propRead more”

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