Snorkeling in Moorea: Catamaran sailing with sharks and stingrays
Swim with sharks and stingrays in water so clear you see the reef below
Snorkeling in Moorea aboard Taboo, a small sailing catamaran carrying a maximum of eight guests, with a live English or French-speaking guide. You sail from the boat mooring past Opunohu Bay along the north coast to Tiahura's motus, making several snorkeling stops in the lagoon where you swim with black-tip sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and colorful tropical fish around coral gardens and traditional tikis. Fresh tropical fruit and cocktails are included. Snorkeling gear is provided. The tour runs four hours and departs either early morning or afternoon, with pickup available from most Moorea hotels or the ferry terminal depending on which option you choose.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Moorea lagoon sailing and snorkeling
- Board the catamaran Taboo
- Sail past Opunohu Bay
- Sail along North coast of Moorea
- Stop for snorkeling at Tiahura's motus
- Swim with sharks, stingrays, and fishes
- Visit Tikis traditional statues
- Enjoy fresh local fruits and cocktails
- Relax on catamaran mattress and shaded area
What’s included
- Snorkeling gear.
- fresh tropical fruit plate.
- tropical juices and mai tai cocktails (or non-alcoholic drinks).
- water.
- a live guide in English or French.
- comfortable catamaran with mattresses, overwater net and shaded areas.
- pickup from your hotel or the ferry terminal (depending on which option you select).
Times
- Every day 06:50 07:00 07:10 07:25 07:45 11:30
Before you book
Operated by Voila moorea
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
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The experience
You arrive at the boat mooring and board Taboo, a catamaran built for small groups, never more than eight people, with mattresses on deck, an overwater net and a shaded area. The boat leaves the mooring and sails north along Moorea's coast, passing Opunohu Bay and heading toward Tiahura's motus (small islands). The guide navigates the route and points out the landscape as you go: the lush mountains rising behind the lagoon, the islets ahead, the water shifting from deep blue to pale green as you approach the shallows.
At the first snorkeling stop, you put on the provided gear and enter the water. The coral garden spreads below you in a few meters of visibility: black-tip sharks move through the shallows without aggression, stingrays glide across the sand, and schools of tropical fish in yellows, blues and oranges scatter as you swim. The guide stays in the water with you, pointing out details and keeping watch. Between stops, the boat drifts or sails slowly, and you rest on deck. Fresh tropical fruit and a plate of local specialties appear. Cocktails (mai tai or non-alcoholic) are ready. The guide speaks English or French depending on the group, and the afternoon or early morning timing means fewer boats in the water.
The tour also includes visits to traditional tikis (carved statues) in the lagoon, and the guide often spots sea turtles and dolphins on the way back. The whole experience runs about four hours from start to finish. If you're staying in the Hibiscus, Sofitel, Hilton Moorea or Manava areas, or arriving at the ferry terminal, pickup is included in your option. If you're on a cruise ship anchored in Opunohu Bay, the boat meets you there. A round-trip transfer from your accommodation costs extra if you choose one of the transfer options.
Is this one for you?Book the early morning departure if you want the calmest water and the fewest other boats. Choose the afternoon slot if you prefer a later start and don't mind slightly busier snorkeling stops. The small eight-person limit means you're never competing for space with a crowd, and the guide stays in the water with you the whole time, not calling directions from the boat.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What kind of sea life will I actually see while snorkeling in Moorea?
Black-tip sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and colorful tropical fish are common in the coral gardens where you stop. The guide swims with you and points out details. Dolphins are often spotted on the way back to the mooring, though sightings are not guaranteed.
How deep is the water where you snorkel, and do I need experience?
The snorkeling happens in the lagoon where the water is shallow enough to see the reef and sand below clearly. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
What's included in the four-hour tour besides snorkeling?
Snorkeling gear, fresh tropical fruit, water and cocktails (mai tai or non-alcoholic options) are all included. The guide is a live English or French speaker, and the boat provides mattresses on deck, an overwater net and shaded areas to rest between snorkeling stops.
Can I book this if I'm staying on a cruise ship in Moorea?
Yes, one of the purchase options is "Cruise Ship in Opunohu Bay," and Taboo will meet you at your ship's anchorage. If you're staying at a hotel, you can choose pickup from the Hibiscus, Sofitel, Hilton Moorea or Manava areas, or from the Moorea Ferry Terminal. One option includes no transfer if you arrange your own way to the boat mooring.
Why does Taboo limit the group to eight people?
The smaller group size keeps the snorkeling stops less crowded and allows the guide to pay closer attention to each swimmer. The early morning and afternoon departure times also help avoid the peak hours when larger tour boats are on the water.
What should I bring or wear for a morning or afternoon snorkeling tour?
Bring sunscreen (reef-safe if possible), a towel and a change of clothes. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. The boat provides snorkeling gear, so you don't need to bring your own. The shaded areas on deck offer some protection, but the lagoon sun is strong for four hours.
Snorkeling in Moorea: Catamaran sailing with sharks and stingrays
4h · EN · FR
from US$ 147 per person
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