SNORKELING · BORA BORA
The good bora bora snorkeling tours fill up weeks ahead and the small boats go first. Below: the 7 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Cruise Bora Bora’s lagoon with an experienced H2O guide such as Vincent, Mat, Wilson, or Rudy. In a group capped at seven, you’ll visit three or four sites, including manta ray areas, eagle ray spots, and a coral garden, with hotel pickup and time left for the afternoon.
“We didn't get to see any sharks everyone else we spoke to on our cruise ship saw sharks on their trips”
Spend about six hours with local guides such as Manu, Ari, Moana, or Rai, visiting manta rays, stingrays, black-tip reef sharks, and coral gardens. Lunch, snorkeling equipment, hotel or port transfers, coconut demonstrations, and live music are included, though fins may not be.
“Tour was great. The weather was not the best, water was choppy. Manu and Moana were great hosts and we ended up being able to see everything even if the stingrays stops were choppy and not as clear. 100% would recommend. I would recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear if you have it. I will not dock them for not having the best snorkeling gear since they provide for everyone. But I do feel the experience would have been better had I brought better gear. Manu was willing to record some underwear video for me when I was struggling without any floatation devices. Family dinner was good! Not best tasting…”
Spend about 2.5 hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon, visiting shallow waters where blacktip reef sharks and stingrays gather, then snorkeling over a colorful coral garden. Small groups, hotel pickup from select properties, gear, water, and guides such as Tane, Tema, Manu, and Captain T are included.
“It felt like a transportation service to the snorkeling locations. There wasn't much interaction between the boat driver and his passengers. He did announce the location name and the names of the the sharks and rays. Afterwards, you're on your own to do your snorkeling. He took us to two other locations looking for something in the water and after not finding what he was looking for, drove away without explanation. This was our first time snorkeling and, as wonderful as it was to see the marine life under water, we had expected more from this excursion.”
Spend about six and a half hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon, combining a guided single or double jet ski ride with a boat trip to sharks, stingrays, coral gardens, and fish. Guides such as Tema, Ali, Marama, and Tarepa are known for adding local stories, coconut demonstrations, and friendly help.
“We really enjoyed this experience. The Jet ski tour around Bora Bora was Amazing. We stopped at a private island to swim and learn about coconuts. Then lunch. I thought lunch was just okay. The wait time was a bit long before the next tour began to go see the sharks and stingrays. The current was very strong that day. Otherwise a Great Experience.”
Spend about three to three and a half hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon with guides such as Simon, Tom, Ben, or Hiro. Swim among manta rays, eagle rays, blacktip reef sharks, tropical fish, and coral gardens. Gear and pickup are included when the boat can reach your dock, with whale sightings possible in season.
“Terrible experience. They told us an appointment and they arrived one hour later, There weren’t the weather conditions to go out with boat, we didn’t see anything.”
Spend about eight hours seeing Bora Bora from land and sea. Guides such as Manu, Matu, Maui, and Ari lead the day, with 4WD viewpoints, WWII cannons, local crafts, a family-style motu lunch, and snorkeling with stingrays, black-tip reef sharks, and tropical fish.
“Our group of 10 people unanimously agreed this was one of the most special and amazing excursions we have ever done in our lives! Manu and his cousin Ari were so special, super real and so friendly! Incredible people at to spend a day in Bora bora”
Cruise around Bora Bora with guides such as Ari, Manu, Coco, or Rumi, then swim with rays, black-tip sharks, and reef fish. Snorkel equipment, towels, water, and a barbecue lunch are included, with a relaxed motu stop and coconut demonstrations adding local flavor.
“Fantastic tour with Coco and Rumi today. The guides were very friendly and fun. We had an awesome day and would highly recommend it.”
By the animal, the hull, or the kind of coast.
