Moorea Lagoon Canoe Tour: Cook Bay, Rays & Motu Cooking

Paddle, snorkel and cook on a motu instead of watching from a boat

A 6-hour lagoon canoe tour in Moorea for up to 12 people, paddling through Cook Bay and Opunohu to snorkel with rays, sharks and sea turtles, then stopping on a motu island for a hands-on cooking class where you prepare and eat raw fish in coconut milk. Guides speak English and French. Pickup from your hotel is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Moorea lagoon and cultural workshop

• Discover Moorea lagoon
• Visit Cook Bay and Opunohu
• See pastenague rays and blacktip sharks
• Dive to admire fish and coral reefs
• Stop at underwater Tiki statue
• Visit Sea Turtle Spot
• Swim at Motu paradise
• Attend cooking class for raw coconut milk fish
• Enjoy dinner buffet

The experience

You arrive at the lagoon and board a rocker canoe built for the shallow, calm water. The paddle takes you through Cook Bay and Opunohu, where the guides share stories about the mountains and the islands' history. The canoe stops at a ray and shark spot where you can dive or snorkel to watch them move through the water, then continues to the sea turtle site if the current and weather allow. You'll also drift over a coral garden where fish and corals are visible from the surface or below.

The real work starts on the motu. A cooking workshop teaches you how to prepare poisson cru, the famous raw fish dish made with fresh coconut milk. You learn the technique, then sit down to eat what you've made alongside a small barbecue prepared by the cook. Between the lesson and the meal, you have time to swim in the clear water or join other cultural activities on the island.

The whole day runs 6 hours from pickup at your hotel to return. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own mask, fins and snorkel if you have them, or plan to watch from the canoe. Alcoholic beverages and snacks are provided throughout. Coffee and soft drinks are not.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• 6-hour canoe tour through Cook Bay and Opunohu.
• snorkeling stops at ray, shark, sea turtle and coral garden sites.
• hands-on cooking class on the motu island where you prepare and eat poisson cru.
• lunch and barbecue.
• snacks and alcoholic beverages throughout the day.
• bilingual guide in English and French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

AgesAdult (11 to 90 years) · Child (2 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TOREA NUI TRANSPORTS

Is this one for you?Six hours is a full morning and afternoon, so book this if you have a free day in Moorea and want to be on the water and in the kitchen rather than exploring the island by foot or vehicle. The canoe moves slowly through shallow bays, so it suits anyone comfortable sitting and paddling gently. It's not a fitness challenge, but it does mean six hours away from your hotel.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years).

What's the difference between snorkeling from the canoe and diving down to see the rays and turtles?

You can watch rays and fish from the surface by snorkeling, or dive down for a closer look if you're comfortable underwater and the guide signals it's safe. The sea turtle spot depends on weather and current, so the guide decides on the day whether diving is possible there.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins and snorkel) is not included, so bring your own if you have it. The canoe stops at spots where you can see marine life, but you'll need your own gear to get in the water.

How does the cooking class work on the motu?

A guide teaches you to prepare poisson cru, the raw fish dish made with fresh coconut milk, using the ingredients and technique used in Moorea. After the lesson, you eat the dish you've made with a small barbecue prepared by the cook.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to arrange separately?

The tour includes hotel pickup, the canoe ride, lunch, snacks, alcoholic beverages, and the cooking class on the motu. You'll need to bring or rent snorkeling equipment separately if you want to use it.