SNORKELING · BORA BORA
The good bora bora snorkeling tours fill up weeks ahead and the small boats go first. Below: the 15 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”
Spend about six hours touring Bora Bora’s lagoon by motorized Polynesian outrigger canoe with guides such as Sam, Jean, Ruma, or Tarepa. Snorkel coral gardens, see reef sharks and rays, then enjoy a BBQ, poisson cru, drinks, music, and a beach lunch on a small motu.
“Ruma was such an amazing tour guide! She was knowledgeable and took us to see a coral garden, sting ray, sharks, tons of fish, eagle ray. The lunch was delicious on the private moto and she provided great entertainment with her amazing voice and ukulele. I would definitely do this again!!”
Cruise Bora Bora’s lagoon in a group of no more than 12, stopping at a fish-filled aquarium, a stingray site, and often a reef shark area. Guides such as Tau, Arii, Mike, and Rony add local stories, music, and careful help in the water. Gear and towels are included.
“This excursion was even better than when we hired private boat for snorkeling. I realize there are many great guides given French Polynesian locals are lovely people; however, Tau must be the best guide! What we saw & did was varied aRead more”
Spend four hours aboard the 40-foot Vitamin Sea catamaran, sailing Bora Bora’s lagoon with a small group. Snorkel at a quiet coral garden, look for eagle rays, pause at a floating bar, and enjoy drinks, hotel transfers, and crew service from guides such as Captain Tony, Alex, or Clement.
“This all female crew was the absolute best! They were welcoming, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun! My husband and I had a great time. This was my first catamaran trip and it was an amazing experience! DEFINITELY do this activity if you are in Bora Bora!”
Spend 150 minutes on Bora Bora’s lagoon with a live English- or French-speaking guide. Make several snorkel stops for black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, moray eels and coral gardens. Guides such as Will, Marama and Sam are known for strong safety support and easygoing local insight.
“Great group of guides, experienced and funny. An enjoyable time by all”
Start at 8:30 a.m. for a full lagoon day with guides such as Chris, Jeff, or Geff. Snorkel at coral gardens and ray sites, spot reef sharks, then enjoy a Polynesian lunch at Motu Fanfan with coconut demonstrations and beach time. The group is limited to 12 people.
“Our tour guide was great. We were worried about tge day being too long but it tge activities were diverse enough and it was not rushed. Highly recommend”
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.”
Cruise Bora Bora’s lagoon by private boat with a guide such as Hiro, Rudolph, Wilson, or Taki. Over about 3.5 hours, you can visit four or five snorkel sites, including coral gardens, manta ray areas, eagle ray spots, and the outer reef, with gear, towels, water, and refreshments provided.
“We had a really great time travelling around the island. The staff member is very experienced and friendly. Recommend this if you want to have a private session.”
Spend about seven hours circling Bora Bora by open-air 4WD, stopping for island views, World War II sites, local culture, and lunch at Bloody Mary's. Then join guides such as Toiki, Sam, or Glenn for lagoon snorkeling with stingrays, black-tip reef sharks, and coral gardens.
“The two snorkelling stops were great. the reef was spectacular and it was great to swim with sting rays and little sharks. unfortunately the second part (4WD) was not as good as expected”
Spend four hours exploring Bora Bora’s lagoon with guides such as Tau, Nico, Aro, and Faeta. Visit stingrays, a coral garden, and blacktip and lemon sharks, then enjoy coconut bread, fruit, and Mount Otemanu views from a shallow sandbank.
“Fantastic service and a wonderful experience!! After our first trip had to finish early due to a sudden change in the weather we were thrilled to be able to go again later in the week. Both guides we had - Tau and Aro - were awesome and a pleasure to be with. They clearly love their jobs and were very proud of their “home”. Would definitely go again!”
By the animal, the hull, or the kind of coast.
