Reviewed · BORA BORA TOURS

Day on a private island in Bora Bora – alone in the world

★ 4.5 · 18 reviews Operated by Motu Only You - Bora Bora · Bookable on Viator
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The main draw is simple: for about seven hours, your group has its own small motu in Bora Bora. You arrive by private ride, hear ukulele music, eat with your feet in the water, and set your own pace on the beach. The day mixes quiet time with hands-on Polynesian touches.

I like the private setting and the lunch prepared by Ken, a Bora Bora native, especially the raw fish with freshly squeezed coconut milk. I also like the easy balance between activities and rest, from snorkeling and coconut crafts to a hammock nap. The main drawback is the price: at $1,587.58 for up to five people, it makes the most sense when shared by a full group.

Key points

  • A private motu for up to five people: Your group has the island setting to itself rather than joining a larger boat outing.
  • Local hosting by Vincent and Ken: Expect ukulele music, a coconut show, pareo demonstrations, and coconut-leaf hat weaving.
  • A Bora Bora-style lunch: Ken prepares raw fish with coconut milk, served alongside wine, Champagne, soft drinks, and water.
  • Time to snorkel or do nothing: You can explore the lagoon, rest in a hammock, or walk barefoot on the sand.
  • A seven-hour private outing: Hotel pickup is offered, with a listed start time of 9 a.m.
  • Optional special touches: Professional photography and a traditional Polynesian wedding can be arranged for an added sense of occasion.

A private motu instead of a standard Bora Bora excursion

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - A private motu instead of a standard Bora Bora excursion

Many Bora Bora outings give you beautiful water and a boat seat. This one gives you a place of your own for the day. That difference matters. You are not following a packed schedule from one shared stop to the next, and you do not need to fit your beach time around another group’s plans.

The setting is a private motu, the local word for a small island. The experience is designed for a couple, family, or group of friends, with space for up to five people. The phrase alone in the world is part of the mood rather than a promise of total isolation, since hosts are present to look after the day.

You begin with a private ride from your hotel. The listed start time is 9 a.m., and the full outing lasts about seven hours. That gives you most of the day for the island, lunch, water activities, and time under the palms.

I would choose this outing for travelers who care more about privacy and atmosphere than about packing in many separate sights. If your goal is to tour several parts of Bora Bora by boat, a wider lagoon cruise may give you more variety. If your goal is to slow down in one beautiful place, this plan is more focused.

A few more days out around Bora Bora

Meeting Vincent and Ken with ukulele music

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - Meeting Vincent and Ken with ukulele music

The welcome sets a clear Polynesian tone. You arrive to ukulele music, a welcome cocktail, and local demonstrations rather than a rushed transfer straight to the beach. Vincent and Ken host the day, giving the experience a personal face from the start.

The entertainment includes a Coco Show, a Pareo Show, and hat weaving with coconut leaves. These details are not just filler between activities. They give you a look at everyday materials and cultural traditions connected with island life, and they create something to do before lunch or during a break from the water.

The coconut-leaf hat activity is especially suited to families and groups of friends. It adds a hands-on moment to a day that could otherwise become a long stretch of swimming and sunbathing. Couples may prefer to watch the demonstrations, take photos, and keep the rest of the morning quiet.

You should also keep expectations in check. This is a private island day with local entertainment, not a full cultural program or museum visit. The demonstrations are part of a relaxed holiday setting, and the real focus remains the motu, the lagoon, and the meal.

Lunch with your feet in the water

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - Lunch with your feet in the water

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to book this experience. Ken, who was born in Bora Bora, prepares a Polynesian buffet, including the famous raw fish with coconut milk. The coconut milk is freshly squeezed in front of you, which adds a clear sense of place to the meal.

The setting is just as important as the menu. You eat with your feet in the water, a small detail that turns lunch into part of the island experience rather than a break from it. This is the kind of meal that works best when you slow down and pay attention to the surroundings.

Drinks include Champagne, red or white wine, soft drinks, and fresh water. That range makes the meal suitable for a romantic celebration as well as a mixed group. If you do not drink alcohol, fresh water and soft drinks are included.

The information provided does not list every dish in the buffet, so you should not book this expecting a complete menu in advance. The clearly identified feature is the raw fish with coconut milk, prepared fresh in front of you. If that dish does not suit your taste, the rest of the buffet may be harder to judge before arrival.

Snorkeling, hammocks, and barefoot time

After the welcome and meal, the day opens up. You can snorkel among tropical fish, rest on the beach, or lie in a hammock beneath the palms. This freedom is the heart of the outing. There is no need to rush from one scheduled activity to another.

The snorkeling is a good fit for anyone who wants a simple look at Bora Bora’s lagoon life. The description promises tropical fish, but it does not provide details about equipment, water depth, or the length of the snorkeling session. Ask about those points when you book if they matter to you.

The beach and hammock time may appeal even more to people who are not keen on water activities. A private island day does not require constant swimming. You can walk barefoot in the sand, take photos, read, nap, or simply sit near the water while the rest of your group explores.

The open schedule is a benefit, but it also means you should bring your own idea of a good day. If you need a packed program to feel that you received value, the relaxed pace may seem slow. If you enjoy having room to change plans, it is a major advantage.

Coconut crafts and simple island pleasures

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - Coconut crafts and simple island pleasures

The activities here are deliberately low-tech. You may paint your own pareo, open a fresh coconut, watch the coconut show, or learn about weaving with coconut leaves. These small tasks help keep the day connected to the island instead of turning it into a generic luxury beach package.

Painting a pareo can be a nice group activity because everyone leaves with a personal project rather than only photographs. The description does not specify how long it takes or what materials are provided, so think of it as one possible part of the day, not a formal workshop with a fixed lesson plan.

Cracking open a coconut offers another hands-on moment. It is a basic pleasure, but it fits the setting well. The experience works because it combines comfort with a few real details of local life: fresh coconut, woven leaves, pareo fabric, ukulele music, and food made on site.

I would especially recommend this style of day for families with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can rest in the hammock, and others can join the crafts or demonstrations. Because the group is private, you do not have to keep everyone on the same timetable.

A romantic setting for celebrations

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - A romantic setting for celebrations

The experience is presented as a strong choice for couples, and the setting supports that. A private motu, a welcome cocktail, Champagne, a meal by the water, and quiet time under the palms all give the day a celebratory feel without requiring a formal schedule.

A professional photo shoot is available if you want polished images of the occasion. A traditional Polynesian wedding can also be arranged, with ukuleles and the scent of tiare flowers. These options make the outing suitable for a proposal, anniversary, vow renewal, or wedding-style celebration, though the supplied details do not state the extra cost or exact arrangements.

You should ask for those details before committing to a special event. Find out how much time the photo session or ceremony takes, what is included, and how it affects the rest of the seven-hour program. The basic private island day is clearly described, while the celebration add-ons need more planning.

For couples who simply want quiet time, you do not need to add anything. The standard outing already includes private space, a meal, drinks, local hosting, and room to set your own pace.

What the $1,587.58 price really covers

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - What the $1,587.58 price really covers

The price is $1,587.58 per group of up to five people. That is a large total for a day out, but the right comparison is not the cost of one seat on a shared boat. You are paying for a private setting, private transportation from the hotel, hosting, food, drinks, entertainment, and several hours of exclusive use for your group.

For two people, the cost works out to about $793.79 each. For five people, it is about $317.52 per person. The value improves sharply when the group is larger, provided everyone wants the same kind of relaxed private day.

I would consider it expensive for a simple beach visit. I would consider it more reasonable for a special occasion or a group that places a high value on privacy. The meal, local demonstrations, and private motu help distinguish it from merely hiring a boat and finding a beach.

The experience also saves you from organizing several separate pieces yourself. Pickup is offered, the food is arranged, and Vincent and Ken guide the day. You are paying for ease as well as scenery. Still, confirm what is included for snorkeling equipment and any optional photo or wedding service before booking, since those details are not stated.

Timing, group size, and practical planning

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - Timing, group size, and practical planning

The outing starts at 9 a.m. and lasts about seven hours. That makes it a full-day activity rather than a short add-on before dinner. Plan your day around it, since you will likely return in the late afternoon based on the stated duration.

The private format is limited to your group, with a maximum of five people. That is ideal if you want to talk freely, rest without strangers nearby, or let children move between activities at their own pace. It also means that the price does not drop for a single person or a very small group.

Hotel pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not identify the pickup area, vehicle type, or exact return arrangements. Confirm those points when booking. You will receive confirmation at the time of booking, and a mobile ticket is available.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. Specific accessibility details are not provided, so ask in advance if anyone in your party has mobility, swimming, dietary, or other special needs.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change early. You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this private island day

Day on a private island in Bora Bora - alone in the world - Who should book this private island day

I would put this near the top of the list for:

  • Couples planning a memorable day in Bora Bora
  • Families who want several activities without joining a shared group
  • Friends splitting the cost among four or five people
  • Anyone who values a slow schedule and private beach time
  • Visitors interested in food, crafts, and local demonstrations as well as scenery
  • People marking an anniversary, proposal, or other special event

I would think twice if you want a long list of lagoon stops, a structured water-sports program, or a low-cost outing. The day concentrates on one private motu. Its strength is not variety across Bora Bora, but the quality of having one place and plenty of time.

The 4.6 rating from 18 reviews fits the experience as described: the strongest points are the setting, the food, and the gracious hosting. Vincent and Ken are important to the feel of the day, especially with Ken’s Bora Bora background and cooking.

Should you book Motu Only You?

Book it if you want privacy, a memorable meal, and a day that leaves room for doing very little. The private motu, fresh coconut milk, ukulele welcome, and lunch with your feet in the water give the outing a clear identity.

Skip it if the price is too high for your group or if you would rather spend the day moving around the lagoon. For the best value, bring four or five people, treat the outing as a special full-day occasion, and confirm the details of pickup, snorkeling gear, and any optional photography or wedding plans before you pay.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

The experience takes place on Motu Only You in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Your group has the private motu for the day.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9 a.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one group of up to five people. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel, though the supplied information does not specify the pickup area or vehicle details.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is a Polynesian buffet prepared by Ken, who was born in Bora Bora. It includes raw fish with freshly squeezed coconut milk, along with Champagne, red or white wine, soft drinks, and fresh water.

What activities are available during the day?

You can snorkel among tropical fish, rest in a hammock, walk on the beach, paint a pareo, open a fresh coconut, watch coconut and pareo demonstrations, and learn about weaving hats from coconut leaves.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.

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