Snorkeling in Tahiti Lagoon: Sea turtles, rays and coral gardens

Swim past turtles and rays in three separate lagoon gardens, then float on a sandbank with a tray of tropical fruit at your feet

A 4-hour snorkeling trip in Tahiti Lagoon departing from Taina Marina with a small group, English or French-speaking guide, and boat transport to three separate sites: Ta'apuna Pass, La Source where sea turtles gather, L'Aquarium with coral and tropical fish, and a sandbank where pastenague rays move through crystal water. The boat includes fresh fruit, juices, coffee and Tahitian food. Snorkel kit, towels and shower are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour in Tahiti lagoon

• Board boat at Taina Marina
• Travel to Ta'apuna Pass
• Snorkel at La Source with turtles
• Snorkel at L'Aquarium with corals and wrecks
• Visit sandbar to see pastenague rays
• Enjoy fresh fruit and Tahitian specialties
• Return to marina

The experience

Four hours means you leave the marina, reach the first site, and return without the half-day commitment of a longer excursion. The boat departs Taina Marina with a small group, no crowded deck, and heads straight for Ta'apuna Pass. Dolphins sometimes travel alongside on the crossing, though the real draw is what waits at the three snorkeling stops themselves.

La Source is the first: a shallow area where sea turtles wake and feed in their natural rhythm, calm enough that you watch without chasing. L'Aquarium follows: a coral garden thick with tropical fish in colors that need no filter, plus the wrecks of old boats sitting on the bottom, adding a layer of history to the swim. The third stop is a sandbank close to the reef where pastenague rays glide through water so clear you see the sand ripples beneath them. This is where the boat serves fresh fruit, exotic juices and Tahitian specialities while you float with your feet in the lagoon, facing Moorea across the water.

Snorkel kit, towels and a shower are included. You bring only your swimsuit and sunscreen. The guide speaks English or French and stays with the group throughout. Cold and hot drinks come aboard, so thirst is not a factor across the four hours.

What’s included

• Small group snorkeling at three separate lagoon sites.
• boat transport from Taina Marina.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• snorkel kit with mask, fins, snorkel and buoyancy vest.
• fresh fruit platters, tropical juices, coffee and Tahitian specialities.
• towels and shower access.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 8

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ELOA - Tahiti Ocean Tour

Is this one for you?The boat leaves from Taina Marina, so you do not need a rental car or a ride to a distant pier. It settles the transport question if you are staying in the main part of Tahiti or relying on public options nearby.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

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 are the sea turtles like at La Source?

La Source is a shallow feeding ground where sea turtles gather to eat in their natural environment. The water is calm and the turtles move slowly enough that you can watch them without disturbing their routine.

Can I see dolphins on the way to Ta'apuna Pass?

Dolphins sometimes travel alongside the boat during the crossing to Ta'apuna Pass, though they are not guaranteed. The pass itself is the main destination. The dolphins are an occasional bonus.

What is L'Aquarium like underwater?

L'Aquarium is a coral garden populated by tropical fish with vivid colors, and it also holds the wrecks of old boats on the seafloor. It is a second snorkeling site after La Source, offering a different underwater landscape.

What happens at the sandbank stop?

The sandbank is a shallow area close to the reef where pastenague rays move through crystal-clear water alongside other marine life. The boat serves fresh fruit, juices and Tahitian food while you float there, making it a rest and meal stop combined.

Is the snorkel gear provided, or do I bring my own?

Snorkel kit (palms, mask, snorkel and vest) is provided on the boat. Towels and a shower are also included. You only need to bring your swimsuit and sunscreen.