LUXURY PRIVATE Catamaran Bora Bora : Full-Day Trip

Bora Bora looks best from the water, and this private catamaran puts you right in the middle of the show. You sail with the engine off, stretch out on cushioned nets, swim and snorkel in clear lagoon water, and watch for sting rays and eagle rays below.

I like the private format, which lets your group set the pace, and I like the easy handling of the day, with hotel transfers, snacks, drinks, and alcohol included. The main tradeoff is time: the outing lasts about six hours, not a full daylight day, and lunch at a restaurant costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to nine: You share the catamaran only with your own group, making it a good fit for families, couples, and friends.
• Sailing with the engine off: The captain hoists the sails so you can enjoy a quieter run across Bora Bora’s lagoon.
• Swimming near rays: Stops include places to swim and snorkel, with sting rays and eagle rays visible through the catamaran nets.
• Hotel pickup included: The experience starts with a transfer and begins at about 9:00 am.
• Drinks and snacks onboard: Bottled water, other beverages, alcohol, and snacks are provided.
• Restaurant lunch not included: Plan for a separate lunch cost if you want a full meal during the outing.

A private morning on Bora Bora’s lagoon

This is the kind of excursion that makes sense when you want Bora Bora to feel easy. You are not joining a large boat with a fixed routine. Your group has the catamaran, captain, and hostess to itself, with room to choose between swimming, snorkeling, taking pictures, listening to music, or simply stretching out on deck.

The boat is the 40-foot catamaran Vitamin Sea II, operated by Sailing Bora Bora. The group limit is nine people, which is generous for a private charter but still small enough for everyone to find a comfortable place. For a family with grandparents, parents, and children, that flexibility matters. One group of eight used the boat for exactly that mix and found the day worked well for everyone.

The start time is about 9:00 am, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. That removes one of the annoying parts of island planning. You do not need to arrange a separate boat transfer or figure out how to reach the departure point on your own.

Sailing past Mount Otemanu with the engine off

The best part of the trip is the sailing itself. At some point, your captain hoists the sails and turns off the engine. The sound changes at once. Instead of listening to a motor, you hear the water and the movement of the boat while Bora Bora’s dramatic scenery slides past.

You can settle on the sunbeds built into the catamaran’s forward nets. These nets give you a low, open view of the lagoon, and they are designed for lying down rather than perching on a narrow rail. You might see sting rays and eagle rays moving below the nets as the boat passes over the water.

Mount Otemanu is one of the major visual rewards. From the lagoon, the mountain gives you a changing backdrop as you sail, and the catamaran offers a better angle than a hotel shoreline or a quick road stop. The crew also takes photos, so you can enjoy the view without spending the whole outing holding a phone.

Music plays through the boat’s sound system, adding a relaxed holiday feel. This will suit you if you like some atmosphere while you sail. If you prefer complete quiet, you may want to ask the crew about the music during the calm sailing sections. Since this is a private charter, the setting is more flexible than it would be on a shared excursion.

Swimming and snorkeling in a striking bay

The boat stops in a beautiful bay for swimming and refreshments. This is where the private format earns its keep. You can spend more time in the water if the group wants to swim, or return to the deck if some people would rather sunbathe and watch.

Snorkeling is part of the experience, and the route includes a stop near the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean. That meeting point gives the trip a sense of variety. You are not just circling the same patch of calm water. You get open views, reef scenery, a bay stop, and changing angles on Bora Bora’s coast.

The rays are another memorable feature. Sting rays and eagle rays can be seen through the catamaran’s nets, and you may also see them while you are in the water. The available information does not promise a particular number of animals or a guaranteed wildlife sighting, so I would treat them as a likely highlight rather than a fixed part of the show.

The crew handles the day around your group’s interests. You can be active with swimming and snorkeling, or keep things quiet on the deck with a drink. That range is important for mixed groups. A child may want to get in the water, while a grandparent may prefer the shade or a comfortable sunbed. Couples can make the outing feel private and unhurried, while friends can use the boat as a floating base for the day.

What the captain and hostess add

The crew is a major part of the experience. Thelma has served as captain, while Nick and Alex have also received strong praise for making the day enjoyable. Clement and Perla have been part of another highly successful outing, and David, one of the owners, has personally handled a dock transfer.

Crew assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one specific person will be onboard. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: you can expect a captain to run the boat and a hostess to help with service, photographs, and information about Bora Bora.

The hostess is available to take pictures of your group. That is a practical benefit, especially on a private charter where you may want a good shot of everyone together. She also shares information about the island as you sail, giving the scenery some context rather than leaving you to identify everything yourself.

The crew also serves snacks and drinks during the day. Alcohol is included, and one particularly memorable item is Kiki’s rum punch. I would treat that as a fun extra, not the reason to book the trip. The core value is the boat, the route, and the freedom to shape the outing.

Six hours, with enough time to settle in

The listed duration is about six hours. That gives you a substantial stretch on the water, but the phrase full-day needs a little care. In practical terms, this is a half-day-to-most-of-a-day excursion rather than an all-day outing from morning until evening.

At a 9:00 am start, you have time to sail, stop for swimming and snorkeling, relax onboard, and enjoy refreshments. The day is long enough to feel like a main event rather than a quick add-on. Still, one group wished it lasted longer, which is easy to understand when the scenery is this good.

The short duration has one benefit: you can still use the afternoon and evening for another Bora Bora plan. The drawback is that you may feel rushed if your group wants long swimming sessions, extended sailing, and a full meal. If you want the boat to be the main experience of the day, six hours may feel just a bit tight.

The private setup helps. You are not waiting for a large group to board or follow a rigid schedule. The exact balance between sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and resting can be shaped around your group. That does not add more hours, but it makes the available time more useful.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The price is $2,917.48 per group of up to nine people. At full capacity, that works out to about $324 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the charter.

For nine people, the price can be reasonable for a private catamaran with a captain, hostess, hotel transfers, snacks, bottled water, other beverages, and alcohol. You are also paying for privacy and control. A couple or a small family will need to decide how much those benefits are worth compared with joining a shared boat.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A professional guide and boat crew
• Bottled water and other beverages
• Snacks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Use of the private catamaran
• Swimming and snorkeling stops

Lunch at a restaurant is not included. That is the most important budget detail to remember. Snacks and drinks can carry you through the outing, but you should not assume that a restaurant meal is part of the price.

I also like that the tour is listed with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, or make changes inside that window, you do not receive a refund. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not leave this until the last moment if your schedule is fixed.

Who will enjoy this boat most

I would recommend this for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. Families benefit from the ability to adjust the pace, especially when people have different energy levels. A private boat also lets children enjoy the water without the whole group needing to follow a shared tour schedule.

Couples can make the day feel special without booking a large dinner cruise or a crowded excursion. Friends will appreciate the music, drinks, open deck, and the chance to spend several hours together without splitting up.

The excursion is also a strong choice for mixed-age groups. The boat has sunbeds on the nets, and not everyone must swim or snorkel at every stop. The day can include active water time and restful stretches, which is hard to manage on a tightly timed group tour.

I would think twice if you want a full restaurant lunch, a long evening sail, or a very low-cost way to see the lagoon. I would also check the needs of anyone in your group who has mobility concerns before booking. The information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility information about boarding or moving around the catamaran.

Booking advice for your Bora Bora schedule

This experience is booked an average of 109 days ahead, so it is wise to reserve early, especially if you are visiting during a busy period or need a particular date. Confirmation remains subject to availability, and the group size is limited to nine.

Keep the 9:00 am start in mind when planning the rest of your day. Hotel pickup is included, but you should still allow the morning to unfold without scheduling another activity too tightly afterward. Six hours on a boat can feel longer if you add a rushed transfer or another fixed appointment immediately after it.

Bring the right attitude for a private charter. The value comes from time on the water and a flexible pace, not from a long list of formal stops. If your perfect Bora Bora day includes sun, swimming, photos, rays, music, and cold drinks, the format fits well.

Should you book the Vitamin Sea catamaran?

Book it if you want Bora Bora from the lagoon rather than from the beach, and if your group can share the cost. The combination of a private 40-foot catamaran, sailing with the engine off, ray sightings, snorkeling, hotel transfers, and included drinks makes this a polished and easy day out.

I would especially choose it for a family group of six to nine, a couple marking a special occasion, or friends who want the boat to themselves. I would skip it if your budget is tight, if a six-hour outing feels too short, or if a restaurant lunch must be part of the package.

For the right group, this is more than a boat ride. It gives you a comfortable base for seeing Mount Otemanu, getting into the lagoon, and letting Bora Bora set the pace.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How many people can join the private charter?

The catamaran can accommodate a private group of up to nine people.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Are food and drinks provided?

Snacks, bottled water, other beverages, and alcoholic beverages are included. Lunch at a restaurant is not included.

Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The itinerary includes stops for swimming and snorkeling, including a stop near the reef where the lagoon meets the ocean.

What is the cancellation policy?

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