Polynesia by Catamaran — Sailing through the Society Islands
Sailing between the islands of French Polynesia aboard a private catamaran: Raiatea, vanilla-scented Taha'a, Bora Bora and Moorea. Lagoons, coral, whales and matchless sunsets. A dream made into an itinerary.
The Route
Day-by-Day Programme
Arrival in Papeete
Arrival at Fa'a'ā International Airport in Papeete. The first contact with French Polynesia is already an emotion: the warm humid air, the scent of tiare mahoi (the national flower), the garlands of flowers offered on arrival. Hotel transfer and first evening in the Polynesian capital. Dinner on the Quai de Moorea waterfront, with the heart-shaped island silhouette lit on the horizon.
Papeete — market and city
Morning at the Marché de Papeete, a labyrinth of stalls overflowing with tiare flowers, Moorea vanilla, scented monoi oil, cultured black pearls and mother-of-pearl crafts. The market is the most authentic place to understand everyday Polynesia. Afternoon visit to the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles to understand the history of Polynesian Pacific migrations and local culture. Free evening: aperitif at the roulotte trucks (Polynesian street food vans) along the waterfront.
Flight to Raiatea — catamaran boarding
45-minute flight to Raiatea, French Polynesia's second-largest island after Tahiti. Raiatea is the sacred island par excellence: according to Polynesian oral tradition, the gods were born here and the great navigators who colonised the Pacific by canoe to Hawaii and New Zealand set off from here. Board the catamaran that will be our home for the next few days. Dinner on board in Uturoa harbour as the sun sets over the mountains.
Raiatea — Marae Taputapuātea
Sail to Marae Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most important spiritual place in all of Polynesia — and arguably in the entire Pacific. The marae is a coral platform built by Polynesians as a gathering place for worship and ceremony. This is where inter-island alliances were decided, the most important ceremonies celebrated, and where navigators sought protection before setting sail. The site still preserves its mysterious aura. Afternoon sailing around the island with snorkelling in the coral gardens.
Taha'a — the vanilla island
Sail to Taha'a, the island that literally smells of vanilla. Taha'a and Raiatea share the same lagoon but have completely different characters: Taha'a is sweet, quiet, agricultural. It produces about 80% of Tahitian vanilla, the world's most prized for its unique floral aroma. Visit a plantation where vanilla grows as a vine on tree roots — it flowers once a year and each flower is hand-pollinated. Afternoon snorkelling on the outer coral reef among endlessly varied fish.
Taha'a — private motu
Day on a private motu in Taha'a's lagoon. The motu are small sand and coral islands rising from the lagoon around the main island: fine white sand beaches, palm trees, shallow and crystal-clear waters. Lunch on board the catamaran with fresh fish. Snorkelling among giant starfish (Culcita novaeguineae) resting on the sandy bottom. Late afternoon sunset aperitif on the catamaran deck: one of the journey's most romantic moments.
Sailing towards Bora Bora
Catamaran sail to Bora Bora. The crossing takes a few hours in open sea between the two islands. The first sighting of Mount Otemanu rising from the ocean as you approach is one of the journey's most moving moments: the volcanic mountain reflects in the lagoon creating a scene that looks painted. Entry into Bora Bora's lagoon through the main channel. Anchoring in the lagoon with resort views.
Bora Bora — snorkelling with rays and sharks
Lagoon excursion: the boat visits three distinct sites. First stop: the manta rays — both giant manta rays (Manta birostris) and reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) live permanently in this section of the lagoon. Second stop: the reef sharks — blacktip and whitetip, harmless but impressive up close, swimming among bathers in shallow water. Third stop: the coral gardens with tropical fish of every species. Lunch on a private motu. Free afternoon on the beach or aboard.
Bora Bora — 4WD tour and viewpoints
4WD tour of the main island. Bora Bora's main island has a perimeter of just 32km but conceals extraordinary history and landscapes. Climb to viewpoints on Mount Pahia (661m): from above, the lagoon reveals all its colours — pale turquoise over the reef zones, cobalt blue in the depths, emerald green in the sheltered bays. Visit to the WWII cannons: in 1942 the United States installed artillery batteries on the island that never fired a single shot. Villages of Vaitape and Faanui, pearl market.
Bora Bora — free day
Completely free day in Bora Bora. Options are endless: kayaking on the crystal lagoon, sunset paddleboarding, surf lesson, jet ski around the atoll, or simply relaxing on the white sand beach of the motu in front of the resort. Resorts offer traditional Polynesian massages with coconut and tiare monoi oil — the perfect way to recharge after days of sailing.
Disembark and flight to Moorea
Last breakfast on board the catamaran. Disembark and transfer to Bora Bora airport for the flight to Moorea. Moorea is 20 minutes by air from Papeete and is called the "heart island" both for its shape seen from above and for the special place it holds in Polynesian hearts. Moorea's lagoon is one of Polynesia's most beautiful, with its two iconic bays — Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay — framed by volcanic mountains.
Moorea — Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay
First day on Moorea dedicated to discovering the island. Moorea's two bays are the most photographed in Polynesia: Cook Bay is deep and intimate, with mountains mirrored in dark green water; Opunohu Bay is wider and brighter, surrounded by hills covered in noni, mango and hibiscus. Climb to the Belvedere (396m) for panoramic views of the whole island. Afternoon kayaking in Cook Bay at sunset: golden light, silence and the reflection of volcanic peaks on the water.
Moorea — rays and dolphins
Boat excursion in the channel between Moorea and Tahiti, one of the richest areas for marine wildlife in French Polynesia. First stop: swimming with giant manta rays in deep water — Moorea's manta rays are accustomed to human presence and approach out of curiosity. Second stop: dolphins. The channel is traversed by pods of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and common dolphins that often approach boats to play in the bow waves. A wildlife experience of rare beauty.
Moorea — free day
Last full day in Polynesia: free time to savour every moment. Options include snorkelling in the resort lagoon (stingrays, turtles and tropical fish easily approach Moorea's beaches), a quad bike tour of the island, or shopping for black pearls and vanilla before heading home. Farewell dinner at sunset.
Return to Papeete
Ferry or flight to Papeete (20 minutes). Free afternoon in the capital for last-minute shopping or a visit to Notre Dame de Papeete cathedral. Free evening for a farewell dinner in Polynesia. Transfer to the airport for the midnight flight.
Departure — End of Journey
Return flight from Papeete, usually via Los Angeles (LAX). The total flight time from French Polynesia is around 20 hours — the price to pay for the world's most distant paradise. End of one of the world's most dreamed-of journeys.
What's Included
- Private catamaran with professional skipper
- Overnight stays in double cabins with private bathroom
- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board
- Papeete → Raiatea domestic flight
- Guided lagoon excursion in Bora Bora
- Vanilla plantation visit on Taha'a
- Full snorkelling kit on board
- Half-day 4×4 in Moorea
- 1-night hotel in Papeete (first and last night)
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Anything not expressly listed in the included services
From
US$11,320
per person · land services · indicative price, subject to change
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