The 15 Best Catamaran & Sailing Trips in Polynesia

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

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

Spend four hours aboard Taboo, a small catamaran limited to eight people, exploring Moorea’s lagoon near Ōpūnohu Bay. Snorkel with blacktip sharks, stingrays, tropical fish, and perhaps turtles, then enjoy fresh fruit, juice, and mai tais. Guides such as Max, Louis, Leo, Mai, Flo, and Meri may lead the outing.

“Great snorkeling and a great stop for lunch. The crew was great and very helpful. Enjoyed the music.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Spend about 2 hours and 20 minutes aboard Taboo, a compact catamaran limited to eight people. Captain Leo or Neil guides you along Moorea’s northern coast, through Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, inside and outside the reef. Expect island stories, fruit juice, and cocktails, with pickup available and free parking at Mareto Public Beach.

“My husband and I sailed with Leo at the end of December and had a lovely time. Leo is very knowledgeable of the area and sprinkled some facts throughout our tour. Although we had some rain, and it was cloudy, we were able to see the sun peak out while it set. Gorgeous views and all in all, a great time! Definitely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 Bora Bora’s lagoon with a small group of up to eight. Swim at a private coral garden, spot reef fish and eagle rays, enjoy drinks at a floating bar, and see Mount Otemanu from the water. Hotel pickup, drop-off, drinks, and a guide are included.

“Great sailing! Great crew! Beautiful day. Too rough to snorkel but the rum flowed and we had lots of laughs while we enjoyed the beautiful scenery!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

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

Leave Papeete at 6:00 AM aboard a Poe Charter Tahiti catamaran. After breakfast and a scenic crossing, a bilingual guide leads you across Tetiaroa to Bird’s Island. You’ll have time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and a Tahitian lunch before returning with fruit salad and punch.

“This was the best tour ever!! Would recommend this 10000%. All three crew members were AMAZING! They were experienced, so polite, took such good care of us, they made us feel like home. The food was delicious. We could not thank them enough. The island is absolutely stunning! Overall an unforgettable experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Introduction to sailing and discovering the lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · from $126

Spend four hours aboard DE Vaapiti, a handmade double sailing canoe limited to eight people. Your crew introduces you to traditional Polynesian navigation, lets you help raise the sail and steer, and stops at sandbanks, snorkeling sites, motu, underwater tikis, and quiet lagoon spots. Fruit, drinks, snacks, gear, and GoPro images are included.

“Un grand merci à Raphaël et à Jean Roland qui nous ont transmis leur passion pour leur lagon. Des pauses snorkeling qui nous ont permis de voir tortue, raies pastenagues immenses et requins pointe noire.. Dommage que le temps n'ait pas été au rendez-vous !”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.LUXURY Catamaran Bora Bora : The Sunset Escape

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

Sail around Bora Bora aboard the 46-foot Vitamin Sea catamaran for about two hours. Your captain and hostess serve drinks and light snacks as music plays, then position the boat for sunset views of Mount Otemanu. Hotel dock pickup and return are included, though some departures require a short speedboat transfer.

“This was a very relaxing experience. We had our kids with us age 13 and 17 and they also enjoyed it. Nice drinks and snacks, relaxed music and amazing views. The team was so helpful and friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.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, sailing around Moorea’s lagoon and coast. Captain Leo, Flo, Max, Louis, and other crew members guide guests to several snorkeling sites with rays, black-tip reef sharks, turtles, coral, tropical fish, and an underwater tiki. Gear, fruit, juice, water, and some alcoholic drinks are included.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Sunset sailing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $115Best value

Meet Vaapiti in Hauru at 3 p.m. for a three-hour sunset sail on a traditional-style canoe. Guides including JR, Rollo, Raphael, or RJ may lead you through Polynesian sailing stories, lagoon snorkeling, and wildlife stops with rays, turtles, sharks, and fish. Fruit, juices, local snacks, and a cocktail are included.

“Lots of fun snorkeling and cruising around the area, before watching the sunset. They pivoted quickly when the adventure started with rain, but turned out to be a beautiful night.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Moorea Discovery Half-day Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · from $115

Join captain Hervé of Polynesian Spirit for about three hours on Moorea’s lagoon. You’ll sail to Motu Tiahura, snorkel, look for sharks and rays, visit the motu, and enjoy fruit, snacks, water, and drinks aboard. Morning and afternoon departures, hotel transfers, and groups of no more than five make this a personal outing.

“Loin des bateaux au vous êtes dix personnes Ici Hervé et Comme Toujours super deuxième expérience Avec lui toujours le Même Après 6 ans et surtout ne change pas”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews

Spend about two hours and 20 minutes aboard Taboo, a private catamaran sailing from Cook’s Bay along Moorea’s coast and beyond the reef. Captain Leo shares island stories while you enjoy panoramic views, cocktails or mocktails, and the sunset. Pickup from your Moorea accommodation is offered.

“We had the absolute best time! The weather was a little tough (very windy) however we had a great time and were still able to sail beyond the reef. We enjoyed the sunset with mai tai cocktails. They were extremely easy to communicate with regarding our booking. I highly recommend this excursion.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews

You and your private group sail Bora Bora aboard Vitamin Sea, a 40-foot former racing catamaran. Your captain and host tailor the route, with time for snorkeling among coral reefs and a stop at Paradise Bay’s floating bar. Expect drinks, snacks, music, hotel pickup, and a relaxed four-hour morning on the lagoon.

“This tour felt like a piece of heaven in paradise. We were able to tour the waters of Bora Bora in total luxury. Kiki and Tony do a fabulous job pampering you and making everything easy. They are very polite and extremely friendly. They also do a Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews

Sail around Moorea aboard the private catamaran Taboo with Captain Léo, Liza, or Kevin. You choose the pace and stops, from reef views and lagoon snorkeling to a quiet beach picnic. Snorkel gear, tropical fruit, and refreshments are included. The tour starts at 7:25 am and lasts about 6 hours 30 minutes.

“The best boat day with the most amazing captain! He provided the most amazing experience by taking us to the best areas, teaching us about the history of the places we went too, and preparing a lovely snack and drinks & providing a peRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private sailing adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews

Join Vaapiti in Moorea for a private sailing trip aboard a traditional va'a, with room for up to eight passengers and two crew. JR and Nainoa tailor the outing around sailing, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, or quiet lagoon stops. Expect fruit, drinks, local snacks, sandbanks, rays, sharks, and a strong Polynesian cultural connection.

“We really had a good experience, we had good fruit, we were able to enjoy the swimming with Sting Rays and Sharks. I felt like Moana in a movie. The guys were really cool and made sure that we were safe, he even helped my aunt swim with sharks. Amazing 10/10 !!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews

Spend six hours on a private catamaran with your own group of up to nine. Captain Thelma, Nick, Alex, Clement, or another crew member may guide the day, with sailing, snorkeling, sting rays, eagle rays, music, snacks, drinks, and hotel transfers included. Lunch at a restaurant costs extra.

“We were on Vitamin Sea II as a family of 8 (grandparents, parents and kids). We had a wonderful day sailing around Bora Bora, snorkeling and relaxing. Thelma, our Captain, was amazing. We all enjoyed ourselves and would recommend this experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Snacks and Drinks

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

Join Sailing Bora Bora for a two-hour sunset cruise around Bora Bora’s clear waters. Your English-speaking crew serves chilled drinks and light snacks while lounge music plays. A hostess can take photos, and hotel pickup and drop-off by speedboat are included. The catamaran carries no more than eight participants.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review