Snorkeling in Moorea lagoon: Stingrays and coral garden

Stingrays will approach you underwater, curious and unafraid.

A half-day snorkeling tour in the Moorea lagoon departs daily with a live guide, boat transport and all mask-and-fin gear included. You'll snorkel three separate sites: a bay where green turtles swim, a stingray and shark zone where the animals are accustomed to visitors, and the Coral Garden between two motus where the reef fish are densest. The tour runs about four hours from pickup to return, and drinks are provided throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Moorea lagoon boat tour and snorkeling

• Equipment and briefing
• Departure of the 4-hour tour
• Walk in the bay
• Walk in the bay
• Swim and dive in coral garden
• Swim with stingrays and black tip sharks

The experience

The boat leaves with equipment briefing and a safety rundown, then heads north along the coast toward Cook and Opunohu bays. The guide points out the volcanic peaks and tropical forest as you travel, but the real work starts when you enter the water. Your first stop is a shallow bay where green turtles graze. You'll snorkel here while the guide watches for activity. The second stop is the stingray and black tip shark zone. The animals are fed regularly by tour operators and have lost their wariness of humans, so they approach close enough that you can see the texture of their skin and the movement of their fins without chasing them.

The Coral Garden is the third and longest stop, a shallow reef between two small islands where the water clarity and fish density make the snorkeling feel like an aquarium. Schools of multicolored reef fish move around you in formation. The coral itself is the draw, not a single species. You'll spend most of your time here, drifting and watching. Drinks (water and juice) are offered between stops, and the guide stays in the water with you at each site, pointing out details and keeping an eye on the group.

The tour accepts children from age three, and infants can stay in a stroller during the boat portions. All masks, snorkels and fins are provided and fitted before departure. The half-day format means you're back by early afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free: useful if you've just arrived in Moorea or want to explore the island afterward.

What’s included

• Half-day boat tour with live English or French-speaking guide.
• hotel or port pickup.
• mask, snorkel and fins for each participant.
• drinks during the tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-day private boat tourGuide in English or French · 08:30 and 13:15Private tour (up to 12 people), pickup is included

Half-day boat excursion on the lagoon of MooreaGuide in English or French · 08:30Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 13:15

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

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 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Moorea Activities Center

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a half-day window and want to see turtles, rays, and reef fish in one outing. The boat handles navigation while you focus on water time.

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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 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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's the water like when you snorkel the Coral Garden?

The Coral Garden sits in shallow lagoon water between two motus, so visibility is clear and the bottom is close enough to see detail. The reef is dense with tropical fish in many colors, and the water stays calm because the motus shelter it from open ocean swell.

Will the stingrays actually come near me in the water?

Yes. The stingrays and black tip sharks in the second snorkeling zone are accustomed to tour groups and approach visitors regularly. The guide will be in the water with you and can point them out as they move through the area.

How long is the boat ride to each snorkeling spot?

The tour is four hours total from pickup to return. The first leg north to Cook and Opunohu bays takes the longest. The stops themselves and the travel between them make up the rest of the time.

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

Masks, snorkels and fins are all included and provided by the operator. They're fitted before the tour departs, so you don't need to bring your own or worry about sizing.

What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. All three snorkeling sites are in shallow lagoon water, and the guide stays with the group throughout. You can snorkel at your own pace and return to the boat whenever you need to.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Drinks and snacks are offered during the tour, but lunch is not included. Plan to eat before departure or bring food if you prefer.