Moorea: Glass Bottom Boat Snorkeling & Private Motu Lunch

Summary

Swim Moorea’s lagoon, see marine life, lunch on a family motu

You’ll float above Moorea’s reefs in a glass bottom boat, swim with turtles and rays (or watch them glide by from your seat), then share lunch on a private family motu with homemade Tahitian food and local drinks. It’s relaxed, personal, and gives you that rare feeling of being welcomed in — not just passing through.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a mask and I can smell the faint salt on my fingers — sunscreen, too. Our guide, Teva, is already grinning at something under the water. He taps the glass bottom of the boat with his knuckle so we all crowd around, peering down at these wild shapes drifting past: rays like flying carpets, a turtle moving so slow you’d think time works differently down there. I’m not much of a swimmer but the way Teva talks about the lagoon makes it hard to stay dry. So yeah, I went in (mask slightly crooked) and just floated for a while, listening to my own breathing through the snorkel and trying to keep up with everyone else spotting sharks — small ones, don’t worry. The water’s warm but there’s always that first shiver when you slide in.

There were only maybe ten of us — enough for some laughter but not so many you feel lost. At one point I tried to pronounce “tiki” correctly and Li (one of the crew) laughed so hard she nearly dropped her pineapple juice. We stopped by these underwater statues — Tikis — that look ancient and kind of mysterious under all that blue light. The coral here isn’t loud or showy; it’s just quietly alive, little fish darting everywhere if you look close enough.

Lunch happened on their family’s private motu — not some crowded beach but an actual little island just for us. You could smell coconut in the air even before we sat down. There was raw fish salad with coconut milk (I ate seconds), grilled chicken kebabs, local fruit cut up right there on a wooden table. Someone poured rum into my pineapple juice and said it was tradition; I didn’t argue. Everything tasted like it belonged exactly where we were sitting — feet sandy, sunburn creeping up my shoulders. Afterward we just sat around talking about nothing much until it was time to head back across the lagoon.

I still think about that slow drift back to shore, salt drying on my skin and everyone quieter than before — maybe just full from lunch or maybe letting it all sink in. Hard to say which part I liked best; probably that feeling of being let into someone else’s world for a few hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lagoon wildlife tour and island lunch

• Board glass bottom boat
• Discover lagoon wildlife
• Snorkel with turtles and rays
• View underwater tikis
• Visit private island motu
• Enjoy local lunch and drinks

Top questions

Is snorkeling experience required for this Moorea glass bottom boat tour?

No, you can enjoy marine life through the glass bottom if you prefer not to snorkel.

What wildlife might I see during this Moorea snorkeling day trip?

You may encounter green turtles, eagle rays, sharks, whip rays, colorful fish, coral gardens and underwater Tikis.

How many people are on each Moorea lagoon tour?

The group size is small—maximum 12 guests per tour.

Where is lunch served during this Moorea snorkeling tour?

Lunch is served on the family’s private motu (islet), not shared with other groups.

Are drinks included during the private motu lunch?

Yes—local rum, beer, pineapple juice and water are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this Moorea day trip?

Yes—all snorkeling gear is included in your booking.

How long does this Moorea glass bottom boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours total.

What’s included

Your day includes use of all snorkeling equipment aboard Moorea’s only glass bottom boat; three guided stops to swim or observe marine life; homemade Tahitian lunch served on a private family motu; plus drinks like local rum punch, beer, pineapple juice and water before returning across the lagoon together.