Unique Airbnb Rentals – The Coolest Airbnbs

My absolute favourite Airbnb – nay, accommodation – was one that I booked in Tahiti. I found a catamaran that was somehow not priced obscenely, and it turned out to be my best stay ever.

Now, this particular catamaran isn’t one of your sleek, luxury boats that you imagine berthed in swank marinas swarming with ‘the yacht crowd’. It’s owned by an engineer, who personally embellished it with all the amenities. While it doesn’t look posh, you’ll want for nothing. The catamaran harvests both solar and wind power, has hot water, water filtration, and is kitted out to capture freshwater from the rain. And my host was still experimenting. So actually, as an environmental engineer by training, this particular boat suited me even better than a ‘typical’ yacht would have!

Anchored alone in the lagoon south of Tahiti, off of Vaira’o, away from other yachts, the location is peaceful, and often devastatingly beautiful. On my very first evening, we saw a giant rainbow spill down the hill towards the surfer’s beach of Teahupo’o. The full moon rises directly across from behind the island. On calm days, the lagoon is like mirrored glass. Even when it rains, cloudbanks stream dramatically from Tahiti like a wide foggy ribbon. And of course, the sunsets are incredible. Out on the lagoon, there were no mosquitoes or pests. The water is just a jump away. And there’s no sand getting into all your things.

Yes, this is a self-catering accommodation. And yes, washing up involves hauling water from the sea with a bucket, among other things. But to be perfectly honest, I rather enjoyed the shipboard chores. It was the only time I found it hard to leave someone else’s place.

Thanks to Nuraini @ Teja On The Horizon