Moorea Snorkeling: Sharks, Rays & Sunset Sail

You swim with sharks and rays in the same water, not behind glass.

Snorkel three stops along Moorea's north coast aboard the wooden catamaran Taboo, swimming with black-tip sharks, rays, tropical fish and searching for turtles in coral gardens and around underwater Tikis. After the snorkeling, sail to Cook's and Opunohu bays and the open ocean to watch the sunset over Mo'orea's landscape. The full day runs about 6.5 hours from midday onward, with a maximum of eight guests, snorkeling gear, fresh tropical fruit, maitai cocktails and round-trip transfers from your accommodation included.

The experience

Taboo is a wooden sailing catamaran built for small groups, never more than eight, and the day splits into two halves. The first is snorkeling: you'll motor along the north coast and stop at three separate sites to get in the water with black-tip sharks and rays, schools of colorful tropical fish, giant clams and traditional Polynesian Tikis carved underwater. The crew will look for turtles too. Between stops you'll pass Tiahura's coral garden motus and pristine shallows. If you'd rather stay aboard and watch, that's fine. The boat itself is the vantage point.

Once the snorkeling is done, Taboo sails to Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, then out onto the open ocean as the sun drops. This is the quiet part of the day: no more stops, just the boat moving through water and Mo'orea's ridgeline and peaks framed against the light. The crew serves fresh tropical fruit, maitai cocktails, fruit juices and water throughout.

Round-trip transfers are included from your hotel or accommodation area. You'll choose your pickup zone at checkout. Snorkeling gear comes with the booking. The day starts around midday and runs until sunset, so plan for the afternoon and early evening.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear for all three stops.
• round-trip shared transfer from your hotel or accommodation area.
• a plate of fresh tropical fruit.
• maitai cocktails, fruit juices and water served throughout the day.

Options for this experience

8 options

No transfers neededGuide in English or French · 11:15Meet us at the departure point: transfers are not needed; plan to meet us directly in front of the restrooms in the Tahiamanu beach parking lot

Transfers for the Tropical Garden areaGuide in English or French · 11:15Papetoai and Opunohu Bay area: collection from and return to Robinson Cove, Tropical Garden, Fare Hiva... Pickup is included

Transfers for the Hilton Moorea areaGuide in English or French · 11:15Pihaena area transfers: collection from and return to the Hilton Moorea, Motu iti, Vaipipiha residence, Fare Om... Pickup is included

See 5 more options

Cruise ship moored in Opunohu BayGuide in English or French · 11:15Boat pickup from Papetoai dock: collection by boat from and return to Papetoai dock if your cruise ship is anchored in Opunohu Bay on MOOREA (not Papeete dock on TAHITI ISLAND). Please note the finish time: this option is available if your cruise ship stays overnight in Moorea. The tour finishes between 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm depending on the season. Pickup is included

Manava area transfersGuide in English or French · 11:15Maharepa and Paopao area: your stay is between the Hilton and the Manava. Collection from and return to Manava, Cooks Bay Hotel, Kaveka... Pickup is included

Hibiscus area transfersGuide in English or French · 11:15Papetoai and Tiahura area: collection from and return to M. Beach Lodge, M. Island Beach, Hibiscus, Tipaniers, M. Sunset Beach, Fare Club, Niu Beach, Lagoon Dream... Pickup is included

Sofitel area transfersGuide in English or French · 11:15Pickup is included for the Maharepa, Tiaia and Temae area: collection from and return to Sofitel, Poerani, Bel Air residence, Golf... (Temae route: meeting point at the golf course)

Transfers for the Tiki Village areaGuide in English or French · 11:15Hauru, Varari and Nuurua area: collection from and return to Fare Tokoau, Tiki Village, Fare Edith, SCI Vainau, Linareva... Pickup 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 dayDeparts at 11:15

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (2 to 9 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 8 · max 4 per booking

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 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. 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 effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Voila moorea

Is this one for you?The small group size, maximum eight passengers, means the boat stays nimble and the snorkeling stops feel unhurried, so you're not competing for space or rushing between sites. Pick this if you want to actually get in the water and spend time at each reef rather than a quick dip-and-move itinerary.

Traveler reviews

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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 (2 to 9 years); Infant (under 2).

What's it actually like to snorkel with sharks and rays in Moorea?

Black-tip reef sharks and rays are common in these waters and accustomed to snorkelers. They're not aggressive. You'll see them moving through the same coral gardens where tropical fish school and clams sit on the sand. The three stops let you explore different underwater terrain (some sites have more fish, others more rays), so the variety keeps the snorkeling interesting across the full day.

Will I see turtles on this snorkeling trip?

The crew actively looks for turtles at the snorkeling stops, but sightings are not guaranteed. Turtles are present in Moorea's waters, but whether you encounter one depends on the day and the conditions. If you do spot one, it's usually while you're in the water at one of the coral garden sites.

What happens if I don't want to snorkel?

You can stay aboard Taboo for the entire day and still enjoy the boat, the views and the sunset cruise. The snorkeling stops are optional. The crew has designed the day so non-swimmers and observers get the full experience of the landscape and the sailing.

How does the sunset cruise part work?

After the three snorkeling stops, Taboo sails to Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, then continues out onto the open ocean. There are no more stops. You simply sit on deck, watch the light change, and sail as the sun sets over Mo'orea's mountains. This is the quietest, most contemplative part of the day.

What's included in the food and drinks?

The crew serves a plate of fresh tropical fruit, maitai cocktails, fruit juices and water throughout the day. These come at no extra cost and are served between the snorkeling stops and during the sunset sail.