Private Catamaran Charter
on a Lagoon 46 —
Real Prices, Real Experience

What a Private Charter Actually Looks Like — 8 People, 8 Days, April 2024

8 days aboard a private catamaran in the Leeward Islands — from Raiatea to Bora Bora.

The Lagoon 46 — Specs & On-Board Life

The Lagoon 46 is one of the most popular cruising catamarans in the world — and for good reason. At 14 metres long with an 8.2-metre beam, it combines real stability with comfortable living space. This is not a racing boat or a bare charter vessel. It is a well-maintained, privately owned catamaran that the owner sails year-round.

The Lagoon 46 at anchor in the Raiatea–Taha'a lagoon — four private cabins, open saloon, and a cockpit made for watching sunsets.

8 guests: the ideal configuration

At 8 on a Lagoon 46, the setup is perfect: four cabins, four couples, one private space each. That's the sweet spot — everyone goes to their own cabin at the end of the day without negotiating a single centimetre. You could push to 10, but the two extra guests would sleep on the convertible sofa in the saloon — less privacy, less comfort over 9 nights. It works fine if those two people are children or young adults, but for a full group of adults it matters. At 8, everyone has a cabin. Simple, and it makes all the difference.

New boat vs old boat: a real difference

We have sailed on older catamarans — boats with twenty-plus years of charter use behind them. They are not bad boats, but the experience is simply not comparable. On an older boat, smells accumulate in the cabins, showers are more limited, equipment is more worn. These boats tend to be built for sailing rather than living: functional, but less generous in common space, cabin comfort, and bathroom quality.

Over 9 nights with 8 people, all of this adds up. The daily shower, the quality of the bedding, the space in the cabin — these are not small details. An older boat shows its age, often literally. The cabins feel narrower, the bathrooms less well maintained, and the overall atmosphere more spartan. For a night or two, it's fine. For a full week, the difference in comfort is significant. Our advice: don't cut corners here. We'd take 5 days on an excellent boat over 10 days on an ageing fleet vessel — and we'd make that choice again without hesitation.

Anchored in Bora Bora — arriving by private catamaran means choosing your own spot, away from the tourist moorings.

Our Experience — What Actually Worked

Eight people, one boat, nine nights — the ideal format for travelling together without getting in each other's way.

The comfort — a real luxury cabin for each couple

Having a double cabin with en-suite bathroom is what changes everything over the long run. Over 9 nights with 8 people, no one stepped on anyone's toes. Each couple had their own space, their own privacy, their own rhythm in the morning. The quality of the equipment — bedding, air conditioning, shower — was on par with a good hotel. We never felt cramped or like we were making concessions.

The logistical freedom — one bag for 4 islands

In 8 days, we visited 4 islands without taking a single flight, without renting a single car, without a single hotel check-in. You put your things down once at embarkation — at 5pm on day one in Raiatea — and that's it. The boat moves, not you. The time we would have lost in airports, transfers, and check-ins, we spent in the water.

The hostess cook — the quiet luxury that changes everything

We hesitated before we left. Is it really necessary? Nine nights later, the answer was yes, without a shadow of a doubt. Breakfast ready before we were awake, lunch cooked from what she'd found at the morning market, dinner served in the cockpit facing the lagoon. Fresh-caught fish, local fruit, Polynesian dishes we'd never have cooked ourselves. Managing meals for 8 people in a boat galley over 9 nights would have been a full-time job. With her, we never thought about it once. That's the kind of detail that means you come home genuinely rested.

The fuel cost — a negligible extra

Over 9 nights at sea, we spent between €150 and €200 on fuel in total for all 8 people — roughly €20–25 per person for the entire trip. The engine consumes around 7 litres an hour, but it's only ever used as a backup: for manoeuvring at anchor, entering passes, and the occasional windless stretch. The vast majority of navigation is under sail. Fuel is either included in the charter price or invoiced at cost at the end of the cruise — in both cases it represents a negligible amount at this group size.

Huahine — the trip's surprise

We almost put it on the schedule as an afterthought. It's the island we talk about most. No large hotel complexes, quiet streets, open faces. Hana Iti beach in the morning with no one else there. The sacred eels at Faie. A full day with no reason to hurry.

Real Prices — Season Simulations, 10 Days, 8 People

We paid around €185 per person per day, all-inclusive — boat rental, skipper, hostess cook, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner on board), fuel, snorkelling gear, wifi, and anchorage fees. That's approximately €1,480 per person for 8 days and 9 nights, in low season (April).

The charter price varies significantly depending on the time of year. The biggest variable is the boat rental itself — the crew and provisioning costs stay roughly the same regardless of season. Below are three real simulations on a 10-day charter for 8 people, illustrating the gap between low, mid, and high season. These figures are based on real quotes from local operators and are given as indicative estimates — they are not contractually binding.

These simulations are based on real quotes obtained from local operators. Prices are indicative, non-contractual, and may vary depending on the boat, operator, and booking conditions. For an up-to-date personalised quote, we connect you with recognised charter operators in French Polynesia — contact us here.

At anchor in the Raiatea–Taha'a lagoon — the starting point of every itinerary on this Lagoon 46.

Check-In, Check-Out & Getting to Raiatea

Raiatea is served by Air Tahiti from Papeete — 30 minutes, several departures per day. From Papeete's Faa'a airport, take a domestic flight to Raiatea's Uturoa airport, then 10 minutes by taxi to the marina. Book your Air Tahiti domestic flights as soon as your charter is confirmed — they fill up quickly in high season and prices rise close to departure.

Itinerary Options — 7 to 16 Days from Raiatea

The boat is based at marina Apooiti in Raiatea — you board directly after your Air Tahiti flight from Papeete (30 minutes). Every itinerary is tailor-made: the skipper adjusts the route day by day based on your preferences and weather conditions.

Leeward Islands itinerary map — from the 7-day short circuit to the 16-day grand tour including Maupiti.

Sunset at anchor off Taha'a — one of the best spots in all of French Polynesia to watch the sun go down.

The 5 Leeward Islands — What Each One Offers

Each island on the circuit has its own character. Here is what to expect at each stop — and why none of them feel alike.

The motu of Huahine — one of the most pristine and least-visited beaches on the entire Leeward circuit.

Maupiti and its peak Teurafaatiu — the most remote and unspoiled island on the circuit, worth every extra day at sea.

What's Included — and What Isn't

Understanding exactly what the charter price covers is essential for accurate budgeting. Here is a clear breakdown.

On board the Lagoon 46 — four en-suite double cabins, a fully equipped galley, and a saloon that opens onto the cockpit.

Request a Quote for This Charter

The best operators for this type of charter in French Polynesia are not always easy to find online. We work directly with recognised local operators — no agency markup, no fixed departure dates. Fill in the form with your dates, group size, and preferred duration and we'll come back to you with availability and a personalised quote.

At anchor in Taha'a — the typical morning view before the dinghy goes out for the Coral Garden snorkel.

Frequently Asked Questions