Polynesia · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Polynesia

115 tours  ·  from $30

Catamarans, outriggers, glass-bottom skiffs and the crossings between islands, in one list. The 15 below range from a two-hour sail to a full day on the reef, each priced and honest about swimming time.

Half-Day Muri Lagoon BBQ Lunch Cruise including Snorkeling - Motu Koromiri turns lunch into the main event
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Half-Day Muri Lagoon BBQ Lunch Cruise including Snorkeling

1.Half-Day Muri Lagoon BBQ Lunch Cruise including Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,518 reviews · from $71Our pick

Start at Muri Beach with Cook Islands drumming, then cruise by glass-bottom boat to a marine reserve for guided snorkeling among fish, giant clams, and possibly turtles. On Motu Koromiri, enjoy a fresh fish BBQ, pareu tying, coconut demonstrations, and live island entertainment with Captain Tama’s crew.

“From the moment you arrive to the moment you board elegance divinity and superior relaxation hits you and waves on you like the rolling water that is so beautiful. The experience itself is breathtaking. Absolutely fantastic and so personaliseRead more”

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Half day Snorkeling Shared Boat Tour in Bora Bora - The boat ride from Vaitape to the lagoon
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Half day Snorkeling Shared Boat Tour in Bora Bora

2.Half day Snorkeling Shared Boat Tour in Bora Bora

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 688 reviews · from $130

Spend about 3.5 hours with H2O Bora Bora, visiting three or four snorkeling sites chosen for the day’s conditions. Guides such as Mat, Vincent, Wilson, and Rudy lead small groups of up to seven to coral gardens, manta rays, eagle rays, and other lagoon life, with pickup offered from your Bora Bora accommodation.

“This was an over the top experience that I truly enjoyed beyond belief. The sea life, coral, and fish along with manta rays and eagle rays were beyond my wildest dreams. Great tour guide....”

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Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays - Meeting black-tip reef sharks and stingrays
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Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

3.Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 630 reviews · from $158

Spend about six hours cruising Bora Bora’s lagoon with local guides such as Manu, Ari, Moana, or Rai. Snorkel with black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, manta rays, and tropical fish, then enjoy a barbecue buffet on a private motu with coconut demonstrations, music, and island views. Hotel and port pickup, lunch, and basic snorkel gear are included.

“The snorkeling is awesome. All the points we went is worthwhile. The guide is conscientious and funny. Even though I didn’t get refund cause my friend didn’t come, I still think this is a good trip.”

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Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo - Three snorkeling stops with different rewards
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Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

4.Half Day Tour : Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 529 reviews · from $157

Spend four hours aboard the Taboo catamaran in Moorea’s lagoon, with stops for blacktip sharks, stingrays, tropical fish, coral, and underwater tikis. The small group, capped at eight, gets snorkeling gear, fruit, juice, and maitais. Guides such as Max, Louis, Leo, Mai, and Flo are praised for clear instruction and warm service, though rough weather can affect visibility.

“Amazing. It was easy to find the pick-up spot, we loved how small the group was (7 total), and the guide was super informative. The boat had shelter, for those who didn't want to be in the sun, but we all enjoyed being at the front of the Read more”

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Bora Bora Eco Snorkel Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays - The Coral Garden is more than a second stop
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Bora Bora Eco Snorkel Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

5.Bora Bora Eco Snorkel Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · from $118

Spend about 2.5 hours exploring Bora Bora’s lagoon with guides such as Manu, Tane, Tema, or Captain T and Dan. Expect shallow-water shark and stingray encounters, a colorful Coral Garden stop, bottled water, gear, and groups capped at 12. Manta and eagle rays may appear when conditions are right.

“The captain is very kind. Since we couldn't swim, he took a lifebuoy and dragged us to see the corals. We played with sharks and saw manta rays. What an awesome experience!”

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Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour, & Eco Shark / Ray Snorkel Cruise - Mt. Otemanu and the motu stop
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Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour, & Eco Shark / Ray Snorkel Cruise

6.Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour, & Eco Shark / Ray Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 376 reviews · from $323

Spend about six and a half hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon with Moana Adventure Tours. Ride a single or double jet ski past Mt. Otemanu, stop on a motu for swimming and coconut lessons, enjoy lunch at Lucky House, then take a boat to shallow coral gardens with black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, and fish. Guides such as Ali, Tema, Marama, and Tarepa are known for warm, helpful service.

“The snorkeling with the sharks and rays was amazing. There were so many and the rays were friendly and you got to pet them pretty easily. It was a great time. There were not very many fish in the second stop at the coral garden but, the coral was pretty awesome. Lunch at the lucky house was terrific, wood fired pizzas to order and a great burger. Very welcoming staff and a pool to swim in if you are interested. The jet ski tour was great as well, the water is perfect and we got to stop and swim around and see some new fish and rays. They gave us…”

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Moorea Cruise Ships: 4x4, Belvedere, Pineapple, & Magic Mountain - Belvedere Lookout and Moorea’s interior
4WD Island Safaris, 4WD Safaris in Moorea, Boat Tours in Moorea, Cruise Ship Shore Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Magic Mountain & Belvedere Tours, Moorea Tours, Tour Reviews

Moorea Cruise Ships: 4×4, Belvedere, Pineapple, & Magic Mountain

7.Moorea Cruise Ships: 4×4, Belvedere, Pineapple, & Magic Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews · from $70

Spend three to four hours touring Moorea in a small open-air 4WD, with stops at Belvedere Lookout, Magic Mountain, Cook’s Bay, pineapple fields, a tropical garden, and a local distillery. Guides such as Ron, Mario, Tammo, and Dean share island history and customs. Expect big views, small tastings, and a very bumpy mountain road.

“The 4×4 safari tour is not for the faint of heart. When we saw tiny vehicles in the distance slowly climbing the treacherous mountainside from our cruise ship, I never imagined it was THIS same tour lol. Our guide (V) was extremely kRead more”

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Sunset Cruise : Moorea Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo - Sailing through Moorea’s reef waters
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Sunset Cruise : Moorea Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

8.Sunset Cruise : Moorea Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · from $156

Sail Moorea’s northern coast aboard Taboo, a compact catamaran limited to eight people. Captain Leo or Captain Neil guides you through Cook’s Bay, Ōpūnohu Bay, and waters inside and outside the barrier reef, sharing local history and geology. Cocktails, including Mai Tais, and fruit juice are served while you watch the sunset.

“This was a beautiful, relaxing, sunset sail with a couple of mai tai and amazing views. We had a beautiful night and were able to see the full mountains as Leo told us some of the history of the area. We were confused about the meeting area, Read more”

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Self-drive Bora Bora Boat Rental - A practical four-hour route around the lagoon
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Self-drive Bora Bora Boat Rental

9.Self-drive Bora Bora Boat Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews

Take the helm of a 13-foot Quintrex boat and explore Bora Bora’s lagoon without a license. La Plage Tours supplies fuel, safety gear, a map, cooler, phone, and GPS tracker. Choose a four-hour or full-day rental, then stop at coral gardens, sandbars, beaches, and ray-viewing spots at your own pace.

“We had a great time on this self guided trip! The wonderful staff picked us up at our rental home and drove us to the office, where the staff gave us a complete overview of the map of where we should and should not take the boat, and a gps locator, as well as a phone to call them should we need assistance. Paul, who was responsible for giving us the instructions on the beach/launch location about the boat and the motor and anchor. We really enjoyed being able to go at our own pace (which is for sure slow, as it is a tiny boat with a little motor)…”

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Bora Bora Combo Tour: Lagoon Cruise and 4WD Tour Including Snorkeling - The lagoon portion: rays, sharks, and three water stops
4WD Island Safaris, 4WD Safaris in Bora Bora, Boat Tours in Bora Bora, Bora Bora Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lagoon Tours, Lagoon Tours in Bora Bora, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Tours in Bora Bora, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bora Bora Combo Tour: Lagoon Cruise and 4WD Tour Including Snorkeling

10.Bora Bora Combo Tour: Lagoon Cruise and 4WD Tour Including Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 200 reviews · from $213

Spend about eight hours seeing Bora Bora from road and lagoon. Guides such as Manu, Matu, Maui, and Ari lead 4WD viewpoints, snorkeling with rays and black-tip reef sharks, a coral garden visit, and a local lunch on a motu. Pickup is available from hotels or Vaitape Pier.

“Got to experience land and sea in Bora Bora. Maui is an incredible guide. He took us to several places by boat. We saw and were among rays and sharks, an incredible coral garden, a special area where the sand was like no other place, just Read more”

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Private Boat Tour of Moorea Lagoon - Snorkeling with rays, sharks, turtles, and reef fish
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Private Boat Tour of Moorea Lagoon

11.Private Boat Tour of Moorea Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · from $293

Spend three private hours with guides Luna and Clem exploring Moorea Lagoon at your own pace. Swim over coral reefs, look for turtles, rays, sharks, dolphins and tropical fish, or stay aboard for the views. Snorkeling gear, chilled juice, local fruit and emailed GoPro photos are included.

“Luna and Clem were the most amazing guides on this trip! This is truly a must do activity. We snorkeled throughout the coral reefs feeding fish, swam with so many sea turtles, sting rays and sharks. It was truly an unbelievable experience. We were seamlessly picked up from the Hilton dock and they helped us arrange a taxi to pick us up to take us to the ferry station.”

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Bora Bora Snorkel Cruise by Polynesian Outrigger Canoe with BBQ Island Lunch - Coral gardens with fish and clams
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Bora Bora Snorkel Cruise by Polynesian Outrigger Canoe with BBQ Island Lunch

12.Bora Bora Snorkel Cruise by Polynesian Outrigger Canoe with BBQ Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $296

Spend about six hours circling Bora Bora’s lagoon by motorized Polynesian outrigger canoe. Guides such as Sam, Jean, Ruma, and Tarepa lead snorkeling at coral gardens, shark and ray sites, then serve a BBQ lunch on a motu. Expect music, local culture, swimming, hotel pickup, and a small-group setting.

“The boat was very nice. Our guide did not keep track of where we were and spent too much time socializing with other guides. He was going to quit after lunch, but we told him we wanted more snorkeling. I did not feel he made any effort to look for mantas. The lunch was very nice.”

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Half-Day Small-Group Cruise in Bora Bora with Snorkelling - Stingrays in shallow, warm water
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Half-Day Small-Group Cruise in Bora Bora with Snorkelling

13.Half-Day Small-Group Cruise in Bora Bora with Snorkelling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · from $142

Spend about four hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon with a maximum of 12 people. Guides such as Tau, Arii, Mike, and Rony lead you to coral gardens, stingray sites, and shark areas, while sharing island stories and sometimes playing ukulele. Gear, towels, and refreshments are provided, with pickup available.

“This was our second snorkeling tour with Lagoon Services and we were SOOO lucky to have Arii as our guide BOTH times. What are the chances! Arii is super personable, funny, kind and knowledgeable about the island of Bora Bora. He took us to snorkel in 3 amazing places. Snorkeling with the sharks, the sting rays and the gorgeous coral garden. Our memories after the first tour were so unforgettable that we knew we would have to do the same tour if we ever returned to Bora Bora. For our first time, we did the whole day tour with lunch (highly recommend). The second time we did a half day…”

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LUXURY Catamaran Bora Bora : Sailing, Snorkeling & Floating Bar - Sailing Past Mount Otemanu
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LUXURY Catamaran Bora Bora : Sailing, Snorkeling & Floating Bar

14.LUXURY Catamaran Bora Bora : Sailing, Snorkeling & Floating Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · from $327

Spend about four hours aboard Vitamin Sea, a former 40-foot racing catamaran, with hotel pickup, drinks, guided snorkeling, and a stop at a floating bar. You’ll sail past Mount Otemanu, swim above coral and fish, and relax with a small group. Captains and crew have included Tony, Alex, Clement, Ocean, Jane, and Dylan.

“Great sailing! Great crew! Beautiful day. Too rough to snorkel but the rum flowed and we had lots of laughs while we enjoyed the beautiful scenery!”

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From Tahiti: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran - The 2.5-hour catamaran crossing
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From Tahiti: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

15.Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 156 reviews · 11 hours · from $227

Leave Papeete at 6:00 AM for Tetiaroa aboard a large catamaran. Enjoy breakfast during the crossing, a guided walk to Bird’s Island, free beach time, Tahitian lunch, reef snorkeling, and a fruit salad with punch on the return. The tour runs in English and French and lasts about 11 hours.

“Great catamaran, beautiful location, food was excellent. French speaking so missed a bit of the explanation by the guide on the island. The boat crew tried to explain to us separately which worked ok.”

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