Snorkeling in Bora Bora: Small group lagoon tour with guide

Three hours in the lagoon: tropical fish, stingrays, reef sharks and a coral garden

A half-day snorkeling trip in Bora Bora's lagoon with a local guide, hotel pickup, and small-group access to shallow reefs where you swim freely among tropical fish, stingrays and blacktip reef sharks. Groups stay under 8 people, allowing personalized attention to the best snorkeling spots. Safety instruction and all gear are provided. Soft drinks, juice, fruit and coconut cake are served during the outing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bora Bora lagoon snorkeling tour

• Receive safety instructions
• Get snorkeling gear
• Cruise around Bora Bora lagoon
• Eco snorkel in shallow waters
• See tropical fish, stingrays, sharks
• Explore coral garden
• Learn about marine life and culture
• Enjoy refreshments and snacks
• Return to hotel

The experience

You arrive with a free afternoon or a morning to spare, and the lagoon is the reason you came. The guide picks you up from your hotel and takes you out by boat to the shallow waters where the snorkeling actually happens. After a safety briefing and a check of your gear, you're in the water on your own, swimming where the guide has pointed out the best spots. The reef here sits close to the surface, so you don't need to dive deep to see what lives there.

The marine life is the draw. Tropical fish move through the coral in schools; stingrays glide across the sand below; blacktip reef sharks cruise the deeper edges. A coral garden sits in water shallow enough that you can stand up if you need to. The guide stays nearby and can point out details or answer questions when you surface, but the swimming and the looking are yours to do. The boat circles the lagoon for the full 3 hours, so you're not stuck in one spot.

Between water time, the crew serves soft drinks, local juice, fresh fruit and coconut cake. The group maxes out at 8 people, which means the boat doesn't feel crowded and the guide can give real attention to each person. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment and safety instruction.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a local guide in English or French.
• soft drinks, local juice, fresh fruit and coconut cake.
• 3 hours of boat access to the lagoon and the snorkeling sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (19 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by BORA BORA ACTIVITIES CENTER

Is this one for you?The small-group format keeps the boat under 8 people, so the guide can point out the best spots and help you get the most from the shallow reefs without the chaos of a larger tour. Choose this if you want to snorkel independently but value having someone nearby who knows where to look and can answer questions when you surface.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

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 marine life will I actually see while snorkeling in Bora Bora?

Tropical fish, stingrays and blacktip reef sharks are the main draws. They move through the shallow coral gardens where the tour takes you. The guide points out the best spots to watch for them, and you swim freely to explore the reef at your own pace.

How deep is the water where I'll be snorkeling?

The snorkeling happens in shallow water where you can stand up if needed, so the reef and marine life are close to the surface. The boat cruises around different sections of the lagoon during the 3 hours, but all the snorkeling spots are designed for comfortable, shallow-water swimming.

Is the tour suitable for people who have never snorkeled before?

Yes. The tour includes a safety briefing and gear check before you enter the water, and the guide offers personalized attention to help you get comfortable. The shallow water and small group size make it accessible for first-timers, and the guide stays nearby if you have questions.

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

Snorkel equipment, hotel pickup and drop-off, soft drinks, local juice, fruit and coconut cake are all included. You just need to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel. The guide handles the rest.

How many people will be on the boat with me?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 8 people, so the group stays small and the guide can give each person attention. This also means the boat doesn't feel crowded while you're snorkeling.

What time does the tour start, and can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

The tour runs for 3 hours total and includes hotel pickup, so the exact start time depends on where you're staying. The guide will coordinate pickup with you when you book, and you can arrange a time that fits your schedule.