Review · BOAT TRIPS IN RAIATEA AND THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
Catamaran Cruise Polynesia 7 Days PRIVATE – Leeward Islands
Seven days, four islands, one floating base. This private catamaran cruise links Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora through calm lagoons, small motu, coral gardens, and traditional island stops. I like the route because it shows you more than Bora Bora alone, and I like the private format because your group of up to eight can enjoy the boat without sharing it with strangers.
The main concern is price. At $8,548.49 per group, this makes the most sense for a full group of eight, not a solo traveler or a couple watching every dollar. Weather also matters, and the daily activities can change if conditions are poor.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- Why this seven-day route works
- Day one: wild Huahine and a gentle start
- Day two: seeing Huahine from south to north
- Day three: crossing from Huahine to Raiatea
- Day four: Raiatea, Taha’a, and lunch on Ceran motu
- Day five: Taha’a’s coral garden and island traditions
- Day six: crossing to Bora Bora with fishing on board
- Day seven: a full day around Bora Bora
- What the $8,548.49 price really buys
- Practical details that can affect your week
- Who should book this catamaran cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the catamaran cruise?
- Where does the cruise start?
- Where does the cruise finish?
- Which islands are included?
- How many people can join the private cruise?
- What is the price?
- What activities are included in the itinerary?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?
- Should you book it?
Key points to know before you book

- The route links four Leeward Islands: You begin in Huahine and finish at Bora Bora, with Raiatea and Taha’a between them.
- The catamaran is private for up to eight people: That gives your group more room for its own pace and shared time on the water.
- The trip mixes lagoon time with land visits: Expect swimming, snorkeling around coral gardens, island walks, cultural stops, and scenic cruising.
- Day four includes lunch on Ceran motu: You can eat with your feet in the sand, a small detail that captures the easy pace of the trip.
- The crossing to Bora Bora includes fishing: Gear is available on board, so this day adds an active touch to the sailing.
- The price favors groups: Split eight ways, the listed cost works out to about $1,068.56 per person before any separate costs not stated here.
Why this seven-day route works

French Polynesia is easy to picture as one perfect lagoon. In practice, each island has a different mood. Huahine feels more open and less polished. Raiatea connects the trip to Polynesian traditions. Taha’a brings coral gardens, vanilla, and pearl farming. Bora Bora supplies the famous mountain and lagoon views at the finish.
That progression gives this cruise more substance than a stay based only in Bora Bora. You get time on the water, but you also get reasons to leave the boat. The best days should feel varied rather than repetitive, with a mix of quiet sailing, swimming, shore visits, and local discoveries.
The private setup matters here. A seven-day shared boat trip can become tiring if the group does not agree on wake-up times, swimming stops, or shore visits. With only your own party aboard, you have a better chance of shaping the mood around your family, partner, or friends.
Still, private does not mean unlimited flexibility. The itinerary is shaped by weather, lagoon conditions, and the need to move between islands. Treat the plan as a strong outline, not a minute-by-minute schedule.
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Day one: wild Huahine and a gentle start

The cruise begins at noon from the ferry quay at Tahateao in Huahine. That start time is useful if you need a relaxed morning before meeting the catamaran, though you should leave enough time to reach the quay without rushing.
Your first day focuses on southern Huahine, known for its unspoilt coast and more rugged feel. The cruise is meant to be peaceful, with the boat carrying you along the shoreline while you take in the island’s quieter side.
This is a good opening because it does not throw you straight into a long crossing. You have time to settle into the boat, learn the rhythm of life on board, and begin with swimming or scenic stops as conditions allow.
Do not expect a packed sightseeing schedule. The appeal is the change of pace. You are watching the coast from the water, stopping to enjoy the lagoon, and letting the first day work as a gentle introduction.
Day two: seeing Huahine from south to north
The second day gives Huahine more attention, moving from the wild southern end toward northern villages and coastal areas. The mix of lagoon travel and land exploration makes this one of the more balanced days.
Huahine is a good place for this kind of slow travel. You are not simply ticking off a viewpoint. You are seeing how the coast, villages, and water fit together. The catamaran lets you approach the island from a different angle, while time on land adds a more grounded feel.
The exact stops are not fully specified, so you should not expect a fixed list of sights. That uncertainty can be a benefit if the captain adjusts the day to the weather, but it may disappoint you if you prefer a tightly detailed schedule.
I would use this day to settle practical questions with the crew. Ask how swimming stops work, what time you return to the boat, and how the next crossing will run. On a private cruise, clear communication early can make the rest of the week easier.
Day three: crossing from Huahine to Raiatea

Day three shifts from local exploration to island-to-island travel. You cross from Huahine to Raiatea through the turquoise waters of the Leeward Islands, with the catamaran itself becoming the main attraction.
A crossing day is not just transportation here. It gives you a long look at the open water and the changing colors of the lagoon. You can enjoy the motion of the boat, watch for changing weather, and take swimming breaks when conditions permit.
Raiatea adds a cultural layer to the cruise. It is presented as an island linked with Polynesian traditions, so the stop should appeal to you if you want more than beaches and photographs.
Keep your expectations realistic. A sailing day can be wonderfully calm, but it can also feel long if you need constant entertainment. Bring patience and enjoy the simple parts: sitting on deck, watching the water, and letting the distance between islands become part of the trip.
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Day four: Raiatea, Taha’a, and lunch on Ceran motu

The fourth day brings two islands into the picture. You discover parts of Raiatea and Taha’a before stopping at Ceran motu for lunch with your feet in the sand.
That lunch stop is one of the most appealing details in the itinerary. A meal on a small motu feels different from eating at a conventional restaurant, even though the information does not specify the exact menu or what is included. You should confirm meal arrangements before departure if food planning matters to you.
Taha’a is known for its scents and gentle lagoon setting. The day is designed to slow down, with time for clear water, shore relaxation, and the small pleasures that make a boat trip feel special.
This is also the point where the cruise begins to show its strongest value. You are not paying only for a boat transfer. You are paying for access to several kinds of setting in one trip, including a sand-fringed motu, calm water, and island scenery that would be harder to combine through separate day tours.
Day five: Taha’a’s coral garden and island traditions

Day five stays around Taha’a and focuses on natural and cultural stops. The coral garden is the centerpiece, described as an open-air aquarium filled with tropical fish and colorful coral.
You should expect this to be a snorkeling-focused day, though the supplied details do not state whether equipment is included. Ask before you go if you need masks, fins, or other gear.
The coral garden matters because it gives you a close look at the lagoon’s living side. Instead of viewing the water only from the deck, you can see the fish and coral below the surface. Conditions can affect visibility, so keep that in mind when judging the experience.
Taha’a also connects the scenery with local production. A shorter private cruise on this route has included a pearl farm and vanilla cultivation, along with the Fa’aroa Bay river. Those stops are not guaranteed in this seven-day plan, but they show the kind of island culture that may be included around Raiatea and Taha’a.
If you are interested in buying pearls or vanilla, take your time and ask about prices, origin, and shipping before making a purchase. A relaxed stop is enjoyable. A rushed purchase is less so.
Day six: crossing to Bora Bora with fishing on board

The sixth day carries you from Taha’a toward Bora Bora. The trip adds a fishing session, with gear available on board and the possibility of bringing back a catch.
This is a welcome change from sightseeing and swimming. You can take part actively, or simply enjoy the crossing while others try their luck. The activity depends on conditions and luck, so think of it as an opportunity rather than a promise of dinner.
Reaching Bora Bora late in the route makes sense. After several quieter islands, you arrive at the most famous destination with some context. You have already seen less developed areas, explored Taha’a, and spent time on the water. Bora Bora then feels like a grand finale rather than the whole story.
The transfer also means you should keep essentials close at hand. The operator does not provide a detailed packing list, so organize anything you may need during the crossing before bags are stowed.
Day seven: a full day around Bora Bora

The last day is devoted to Bora Bora, with panoramic views, natural sights, and cultural and historical points around the island. It is a fitting finish, especially if this is your first visit.
Bora Bora is famous for its dramatic central mountain and wide lagoon, but a full day gives you more than a quick photograph from the dock. You can take in the island’s shape from the water, then connect the scenery with its cultural story.
The itinerary does not name each stop or specify the order. That means you should ask the operator what is planned for your departure date. It also leaves room for weather-based changes, which is important in a place where the water controls much of the schedule.
The cruise ends at the main dock in Vaitape. Since the tour finishes there rather than returning to Huahine, plan your onward arrangements carefully.
What the $8,548.49 price really buys
The headline price is for the entire private group of up to eight people. At full capacity, the rough split is $1,068.56 per person for seven days, or about $152.65 per person per day. That makes the cost easier to assess, though you should remember that the listing does not spell out every included meal, transfer, or equipment item.
For eight friends or a family group, the value can be strong. You receive a private catamaran, a multi-island route, and a week in which transportation and sightseeing are combined. You also avoid arranging separate ferries, boat trips, and island excursions for each destination.
For two people, the calculation changes completely. You would be carrying most of the group cost yourselves, so the trip becomes a premium splurge. It may still be worthwhile for a special occasion, but compare it with a shorter private cruise before booking.
The private format is the main value point. If you care about quiet time, personal space, and choosing how much time to spend swimming or ashore, it offers something a larger group tour cannot.
Practical details that can affect your week
Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would wait for that confirmation before making nonrefundable plans around the cruise.
The meeting point is the Huahine ferry quay at Tahateao, with a noon start. The end point is the main dock in Vaitape on Bora Bora. The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.
Most people can take part, but the itinerary includes boat travel, swimming, snorkeling, shore walks, and a fishing session. If someone in your group has mobility or health concerns, ask the operator for current practical details before paying.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. After that point, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather is handled differently: the operator offers another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.
Who should book this catamaran cruise?
I would recommend it to a group that wants a private week rather than a quick boat outing. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups celebrating a special occasion are the natural audience.
You should also like unhurried travel. This is not a checklist tour with a new attraction every hour. It is a water-based holiday built around lagoon colors, quiet coves, local island stops, and time to sit still.
I would be more cautious if you dislike boat travel, need a fixed schedule, or are booking for only one or two people on a tight budget. The price, weather dependence, and limited detail about inclusions make it important to ask questions before committing.
FAQ
How long is the catamaran cruise?
The cruise lasts approximately seven days, with one main island focus or crossing scheduled for each day.
Where does the cruise start?
It starts at the Huahine ferry quay in Tahateao, French Polynesia, at 12:00 pm.
Where does the cruise finish?
The cruise ends at the main dock in Vaitape on Bora Bora.
Which islands are included?
The route includes Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora.
How many people can join the private cruise?
The private activity is for your group only, with up to eight people.
What is the price?
The listed price is $8,548.49 per group of up to eight people.
What activities are included in the itinerary?
The itinerary includes lagoon cruising, swimming, coral garden visits, cultural and island discoveries, a lunch stop on Ceran motu, and fishing equipment on the crossing to Bora Bora.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund.
What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?
If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Should you book it?
Book this cruise if you can fill the catamaran and want one private route through the Leeward Islands, not just a few hours around Bora Bora. The strongest reasons are the four-island progression, the mix of lagoon and land time, the sand-bottomed lunch stop, and the chance to see Taha’a and Raiatea before reaching the famous final island.
Before paying, confirm what meals, snorkeling equipment, and shore visits are included. If the answers fit your plans and your group can share the cost, this is a relaxed, memorable way to see French Polynesia from the water.
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