If French Polynesia isn’t already on your travel bucket list, it should be! Gorgeous turquoise lagoons, crystal-clear water, vibrant coral reefs—this place truly is Paradise! Be sure to read this post to the end for a special discount for readers!
I’ll be honest – French Polynesia hadn’t been on my radar for a family vacation. I always imagined it more as couples’ or honeymoon destination. But when my longtime Instagram friend, Eleanor, DM’ed me that her family had purchased a catamaran and started hosting guests, we couldn’t pass up the chance to visit! We made incredible memories over a week with Eleanor and her family – aka Designed to Explore in Fakarava.
From snorkeling with reef sharks to scuba diving during grouper spawning, exploring remote pink sand beaches and hidden sandbars, to learning how to harvest a coconut – this trip was epic!
If you’re wondering whether a trip like this is right for you — I’ll share what it was really like to live on a boat for a week as a family, along with travel logistics, pricing, and everything else you might want to know to help you decide!
Getting There: 8 hours NonStop from LAX to Tahiti
One thing that surprised me when planning this trip? How easy it was to get to Tahiti from the West Coast! We flew nonstop from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete (PPT), Tahiti in about eight hours on Air Tahiti Nui. The plane was clean and comfy, the in-flight entertainment helped the hours fly by, and we even enjoyed a couple of tasty hot meals. Fleece blankets and pillows were also provided.
After a quick overnight in Tahiti, we hopped on a short local Air Tahiti flight to Fakarava, a tiny gem in the Tuamotu Islands with fewer than 900 residents. The views from that flight were jaw-dropping: turquoise lagoons, little islands (called Motus) and ring-shaped coral atolls below. Peaceful, remote, and unbelievably beautiful, Fakarava became our home for the next week.
We did hit a little travel hiccup on the way there. Strong winds delayed our landing in Fakarava, and our flight had to turn back to Tahiti. Thankfully, we were able to make it there later that day. Dave met us at the dock and shuttled us over to the catamaran where Eleanor greeted us with fresh fruit, cheese and charcuterie.
Our week on the Catamaran with Designed to Explore
We’ve previously stayed on a houseboat in Lake Powell, but this was our first time staying on a catamaran at sea. Since we stayed inside the atoll, in the lagoon, the waters were generally very calm.
There are a few ways to explore French Polynesia by catamaran, but the most family-friendly, adventurous and affordable option is with Designed to Explore. Yes, we’re a little biased — Eleanor and Dave are friends — but they’re also incredibly thoughtful hosts who made this trip smooth, special, and so much fun for our entire family.
Before we even stepped on the boat, they scheduled a Zoom call to learn more about us. They asked us what we liked to do and what we liked to eat. We filled out a food survey and arrived to find the catamaran fully stocked with our favorite snacks and meals. Eleanor and Dave planned each day around our interests : snorkeling in the famous South Pass, visiting pristine beaches and sandbars, harvesting coconuts, and more. They’re parents too (with kids ages 2 and 7), so they really understand what families need. Eleanor and Dave truly put their hearts into hosting.
Some of our favorite moments from the trip included:
- Snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks 🦈 (they are small and harmless) – link to video
- Exploring pink sand beaches that looked like something out of a dream – link to video
- Sunset paddleboarding in calm, warm water
- Watching the boys learn how to sail with Dave’s help – link to video
- Making meals together—Eleanor and Dave guided us, and made fresh bread, dips, and more from scratch! (see below FAQ)
- Having a bonfire on the beach under the stars
- Stargazing from the deck each night, with no light pollution—just the ocean and the sky
Here’s a reel summarizing our magical week!
Frequently Asked Questions: What’s it really like to stay on a boat for a week
Here, I’ll answer the most common questions I’ve been getting about the trip—covering cost, travel details, and more!
1. Did you get seasick?
Not at all! Catamarans are super stable, and Fakarava is a protected atoll, which means the water in the lagoon is generally very calm. There were a few times the waves got a little bumpy, but no one in our family got sea sick. However, it’s not a bad idea to bring motion-sickness medicine or try a relief band or patch. I wore one of the stickers for the first few days.
2. Did you get stir-crazy being on a boat for a week?
Nope! There were so many activities to choose from: snorkeling, paddleboarding, foil boarding, exploring beaches, sandbars and more! We sometimes split into groups as well. For example, my brother and nephew went spearfishing with Dave while Eleanor took my family out to snorkel. In the evenings, we played games, read books, or looked up at the stars. We anchored in two different spots during the week, so the scenery kept changing!
3. Tell me more about the catamaran. What are the guest quarters like?
The boat, named Sélavì, is a 46-foot catamaran designed for both comfort and adventure. It runs on solar power and has a freshwater maker, so it’s eco-friendly and self-sufficient. There’s Starlink internet onboard if you need it – but I highly recommend unplugging and disconnecting on this trip. Guests stay in one of the two hulls (port side). There are 2 double cabins, 1 small attached single berth, and 1 hallway berth. Each double cabin has its own bathroom, windows for fresh air, and a hatch where you can look up at the stars at night. It’s a cozy setup that works well for two couples or a family of up to 6, like ours (my brother and nephew joined us)!
5. Are there showers on the boat?
Yes! Each cabin has a private ensuite bathroom with a toilet and a shower. Water conservation is encouraged, but there’s enough to feel clean and refreshed daily. There’s an outdoor freshwater shower for rinsing off after sea activities
6. What’s the temperature like on the boat?
We found the weather to be very comfortable when we visited in June. Daytime temps averaged around 82°F (28°C) and nights in the mid-70s. The water is nice and warm too—perfect for snorkeling and swimming! While June is technically part of the wet season, when it rains, it is usually light and quick! The sea breeze and fans keeps things comfortable, and each room has windows or hatches that open for airflow.
7. What’s the food like onboard?
Delicious and thoughtfully planned. Eleanor and Dave ask guests to complete a detailed food questionnaire in advance to tailor meals to your preferences and dietary needs. Although the area is remote, they make an effort to obtain special ingredients. When they heard our son loved avocados – they had some flown in from another island! Our meals included a wide array of tropical fruits, freshly baked breads, and even treats including creme brûlée! You can choose from a shared cooking (recommended), chef or a retreat-style meal plan.
8. Is this trip kid-friendly?
Yes—with the right mindset and safety considerations! If your kids love the ocean and are comfortable with outdoor adventure, they’ll thrive on this trip. Our kids (ages 10 and 12) absolutely LOVED this trip. The hosts, Eleanor and Dave, have kids too (ages 2 and 7). They’ve welcomed families with kids from 8 months old to teens.
9. Can I go alone or as a couple without kids?
Absolutely! While I’m sharing our family’s experience, this trip isn’t just for families. You can go solo, as a couple, or with friends! Eleanor is hosting a women’s trip in Moorea this October 2025 with single spots available! Since the hosts’ kids live on the boat, guests should be comfortable being around little ones.
10. I’m scared of sharks and don’t know how to scuba dive. Is this still for me?
Yes! There is so much to do beyond snorkeling and diving. Swimming with reef sharks was a lot more chill than I anticipated —they were calm and weren’t interested in us. But if that’s not your thing, no problem! There are lots of other fun activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and exploring beaches. You also don’t need to be scuba certified to dive on this trip! There are tours that offer beginner-friendly “intro dives,” where an instructor guides you step-by-step. It’s a safe and easy way to get a taste of the scuba experience. Certified divers can do advanced dives, including nitrox. My brother and nephew did a dive around the grouper spawning event which occurs during the full moon each June and looks like this.
Cost Breakdown: How much does a trip like this cost, and how do I book?
A trip to French Polynesia is a splurge – but hear me out. These are some of the most remote islands in the world. There is no fresh water source and almost nothing is grown locally on Fakarava, so everything (food, water, fuel) has to be brought in by boat or plane.
What makes a trip with Designed to Explore such a great value is that it includes nearly everything: lodging on a private catamaran, all your meals, excursions, and personal attention from your hosts. Trips and activities are customized to your preferences. The sample trip dates on their website are placeholders – they’re happy to work with your schedule. We went for a week, and it felt perfect – but your trip length can be adjusted based on your interests.
*For bookings made through the end of 2025, they’re offering 30% off the cabin rate. And for my community, they’re extending an extra 15% off for a total of 45% OFF! Mention “EverydayAdventureFam” when reaching out to them to plan your trip!
Here’s a breakdown of what a week on the catamaran with Designed to Explore cost for our family of four (2 adults and 2 kids, ages 10 and 12) with the promotion and our special discount. Note: Children under 2 stay free. You can scroll to the pricing section on their website here to calculate your costs.
Cabin Pricing:
- Regular price: $650/day (double occupancy) x 2 cabins × 7 days = $9,100 for 4 people for a week
- Sale price with 45% off promo (valid through 2025): $5,005 for our family of 4 for the week
Food and Fuel:
There are three meal options: shared cooking (which we did), a private chef, or a retreat-style package. Shared cooking means you take turns helping with meals and clean-up. Eleanor and Dave will guide you and prep most things ahead of time. We loved this option – it felt fun and communal, and everything was so delicious.
- Adults: $80/day × 2 adults × 7 days = $1,120
- Kids (ages 2–12): $40/day × 2 × 7 days = $560
- Total for food and fuel: $1,680
Total for the week on the Catamaran: $5,005 (cabin) + $1,680 (food and fuel) = $6,685 for a family of four
What’s Included
- Lodging
- All meals, snacks, and non alcoholic beverages
- Daily activities (snorkeling, sandbar excursions, paddle boarding, sailing, etc.)
- Airport transfers and planning support
Not included:
- Optional local island dinner (about $35/person—we missed this due to heavy rain that evening)
- Optional scuba diving (Eleanor can help arrange this with a local dive shop). Our family did what’s called a baptism dive (shallow, doesn’t require any prior training or certification) Dave, and my brother and nephew did 4 dives and witnessed the incredible grouper spawning event.
Flights:
- LAX to Tahiti: Costs vary, but roundtrip economy tickets range from $700–$1,200 per person depending on season and how early you book. Our flights were just under $1000 pp.
- Tahiti to Fakarava Round trip = approximately $500 pp.
- Designed to Explore also docks in other locations in French Polynesia. For example, if you join a trip in Moorea, then you would only spend $30 pp RT for the ferry from Tahiti to Moorea.
Was it worth it? We’d say 10000% yes! This trip gave us incredible and unique experiences that we’ll cherish forever. French Polynesia was a dream, but this trip made it real. Sailing from atoll to atoll with Designed to Explore gave us time to reconnect as a family, unplug from everyday life, and soak in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Whether you’re dreaming of your next big adventure or just starting to build your travel bucket list—this is a trip worth saving for. If you have questions, feel free to message me on Instagram or leave a comment below. I’m happy to answer questions or help connect you with Eleanor and Dave at Designed to Explore.
Here are a few additional tips and things we’re really glad we packed:
- Pack light—you’ll mostly be in swimsuits, rash guards, and a pair of water shoes.
- Bring your own snorkel and fins. Snorkeling will likely be a highlight and key activity of the trip!
- Don’t forget sun protection: Hats, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen.
- Motion sickness bands or medication.
- Bring an underwater phone case, GoPro, or Insta360. Trust me, you’ll want to capture all the underwater magic! Be sure to check out #wongsvisitfakarava and saved story highlights on Instagram for more clips from our trip!
- Plan for at least one extra day on each end of the trip in Tahiti. Since the local flights don’t always line up perfectly, it’s a good idea to give yourself a cushion. One the way in, we spent one night at the Tahiti Airport Motel -which was super convenient for a quick rest before flying to Fakarava. On the way back, we spent one night in Tahiti here, and one night in Moorea here (more on that part of our vacation in my next blog post) before taking the red-eye flight back to LAX.
- Heads up: any taxi ride in Tahiti will cost at least $20 USD, even for the short trip from the airport up the hill to your hotel. You can withdraw local currency from the ATM inside the airport, and some taxi drivers do accept U.S. dollars.
Note: This trip was partially hosted and may contain some affiliate links, but all the opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.
Wow, your photos are so beautiful, and so is this part of the world. It looks like visiting French Polynesia is an amazing experience due to its stunning natural beauty, diverse activities, and rich culture. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx