Private Helmet Diving in Bora Bora: Walk the Lagoon Floor

Your head stays dry while you walk the ocean floor.

Private helmet diving in Bora Bora is a 2-hour activity where you walk 6 feet underwater in a specially designed helmet, breathing normally, surrounded by coral and tropical fish. A certified scuba instructor stays with you throughout. Hotel or pier pickup is included, and no swimming, diving or snorkeling experience is required.

The Experience

Can you walk underwater without getting your face wet? Yes—that's the whole point of helmet diving. You wear a yellow helmet that rests on your shoulders, keeps your head completely dry, and lets you breathe normally while you walk freely on the ocean floor for 30 minutes. A professional scuba diving instructor is by your side the entire time, making sure you're safe and comfortable at 6 feet deep in Bora Bora's lagoon.

Your private speedboat picks you up at your hotel pontoon or at the Vaitape pier in front of the Tourism Office. It's just you and your group—no strangers on the boat, no crowded tour. Once you reach the dive site, your instructor walks you through a safety briefing explaining what to expect and how to move underwater. Then you descend into a coral garden teeming with parrot fish, butterfly fish, clown fish, moray eels, and stingrays. If you're lucky, Coco Chanel—a resident stingray and local celebrity—might photobomb your souvenir photos. After 30 minutes exploring at your own pace, you board the speedboat back to your starting point.

The helmet itself becomes surprisingly light once you're underwater, and the whole experience works for couples, families, and friends who want to share something together. You don't need any prior diving, snorkeling, or swimming experience—just show up in your swimsuit. Bottled water and towels are provided, and you can choose to wear a swimsuit, water shoes, lycra, or a wetsuit depending on what feels right for you.

What’s included

• Bottled water and towels.
• private speedboat transfer from your hotel pontoon or Vaitape pier.
• diving helmet equipment and all gear.
• 30-minute underwater walk with a certified scuba diving instructor by your side throughout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Aqua Safari Helmet Dive

Is this one for you?The activity moves at a walking pace on the ocean floor with no swimming required, so it suits anyone who wants to see underwater life without the physical demands of snorkeling or diving—families with children, older travelers, and anyone who prefers to stay dry above the neck will find the helmet does exactly that.

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Top questions

What fish and sea life will I actually see at 6 feet deep in Bora Bora's lagoon?

The coral garden at the dive site is home to parrot fish, butterfly fish, clown fish, moray eels, and stingrays. A resident stingray named Coco Chanel is a local celebrity who sometimes appears in photos.

How does the helmet diving helmet work if I've never scuba dived before?

The helmet rests on your shoulders and keeps your head completely dry while you breathe normally inside it. You walk freely on the ocean floor instead of swimming, and a certified scuba instructor stays with you the entire time to guide you and answer questions.

Does the private boat mean it's just my group, or will there be other people on board?

The private speedboat carries only you and your group—no strangers join the trip. You get the full attention of your instructor and a dedicated boat for the entire 2-hour experience.

Where does the boat pick me up, and how long does the whole activity take?

Pickup happens at your hotel pontoon or at the Vaitape pier in front of the Tourism Office. The full experience is 2 hours, including the boat ride to the dive site, the safety briefing, your 30-minute underwater walk, and the return trip.

What should I bring or wear for helmet diving?

Show up in your swimsuit. You can also wear water shoes, lycra, or a wetsuit if you prefer. Towels and bottled water are provided, and all diving helmet equipment is included.