Moorea Snorkeling Private Catamaran Cook's & Opunohu Bay

Set your own pace across two bays without sharing the boat with anyone else.

A private 50-foot catamaran snorkeling cruise in Moorea lets you anchor at sandbars, snorkel with rays and tropical fish, and paddleboard across Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay on a fully customizable schedule. Your bilingual captain and hostess tailor the route to weather and your interests, with stops timed to your preferences. Choose a full-day cruise (7 hours) or sunset departure, with all snorkeling gear, water, fruit and towels included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private luxury catamaran cruise

• Depart Vaiare marina
• Cruise past Temae Beach
• Spot spinner dolphins and humpback whales
• Snorkel at Moorea sandbar
• Cruise through Opunohu Bay
• Pass by Cook's Bay
• Return to Vaiare marina

The experience

What makes this different from a shared boat is the flexibility: you pick the departure time (morning or sunset), decide how long to linger at each bay, and change course if dolphins or whales appear. The catamaran leaves Vaiare marina and crosses the reef into deeper water, where the turquoise shallows give way to cobalt blue. On the way to Cook's Bay, spinner dolphins sometimes leap alongside the boat, and from July to November, migrating humpback whales pass through these waters on their way to breeding grounds.

Snorkeling happens at one of Moorea's sandbars in water so clear you see the white sand beneath you. Rays drift past without aggression, reef sharks move through the shallows, and schools of tropical fish scatter in color. The catamaran carries premium snorkeling equipment, so you don't bring your own. Non-swimmers are welcome: Coast Guard-approved life jackets are provided and required in or near the water. Between snorkel stops, you can paddleboard, swim, or simply rest in the shaded seating while the captain points out the mountains and ancient marae (ceremonial sites) along the shoreline.

Opunohu Bay sits ringed by towering green mountains and vibrant reefs. Cook's Bay, on the return, frames Mount Mouaputa rising 830 meters: one of the most photographed sights in the South Pacific. The boat is equipped with a marine restroom, freshwater shower, and Bluetooth sound system. Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, fresh tropical fruit and light snacks are complimentary. You're welcome to bring your own food and beverages, or arrange catering in advance. The captain and hostess are bilingual and share knowledge of Polynesian culture throughout the day.

What’s included

• Premium snorkeling equipment.
• stand-up paddleboards.
• bottled water, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
• fresh tropical fruit and light snacks.
• beach towels.
• freshwater shower.
• marine restroom onboard.
• customized itinerary.
• professional bilingual captain and hostess.
• exclusive use of the private 50-foot catamaran.
• Bluetooth sound system.
• comfortable boarding via wide built-in staircase.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private cruise in Moorea offering a luxury experienceUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Sunset CruiseUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English or French · 11:00Private sunset tour with a luxury experience

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 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TUATAU V

Is this one for you?Book the full-day cruise if you want time to explore both bays, snorkel multiple times, and paddleboard without rushing. Choose the sunset departure if you're short on time or prefer to end the day watching the sun drop over the water. The fixed group size, only your party, means the captain adjusts snorkel stops and paddleboard time to what your group actually wants to do, rather than keeping to a schedule set for strangers.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

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.

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Yes. Non-swimmers are welcome, and the catamaran provides Coast Guard-approved life jackets that must be worn in or near the water. The snorkeling happens in calm, shallow sandbars where you can stand, and the crew will guide you through the experience.

What's the difference between the full-day and sunset cruise?

The full-day cruise runs 7 hours (8 AM to 3 PM, 9 AM to 4 PM, or flexible times on request) and includes snorkeling at sandbars, paddleboarding, swimming, and visits to both Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay. The sunset cruise departs at 11 AM and returns at 6 PM, following the same route but timed to end as the sun sets over the water.

Will we see dolphins or whales?

Spinner dolphins are known to leap alongside boats in these waters. From July to November, migrating humpback whales pass through Moorea on their way to breeding grounds, and you may encounter them on the way to Cook's Bay. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the captain watches for them and adjusts course if they appear.

How many people will be on the boat?

This is a private catamaran reserved exclusively for your group: up to 12 guests maximum. No other families or groups join you, so the captain can customize the entire day around your preferences and timing.

What's included in the price?

The catamaran, bilingual captain and hostess, premium snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, beach towels, water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, fresh tropical fruit and light snacks, freshwater shower, and marine restroom are all included. Hotel transfers and catering can be arranged upon request for an additional cost.