Taha'a Island Boat Tour: Lagoon, Farms & Private Motu Lunch

Lunch arrives on an island you have to yourself, prepared by the motu owners while you stand in the sand.

A full-day boat tour of Taha'a lagoon from Raiatea with a French or English guide, including snorkeling in two coral gardens, visits to a vanilla farm and pearl farm, swimming with reef sharks, and a private lunch on a motu. The tour runs eight to nine hours and includes towels, snorkeling gear, a Tahitian meal, and drinks, plus a free photo report emailed after the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Taha'a Island

• Swim in Taha'a Lagoon with reef sharks
• Visit Vanilla Valley and learn about vanilla
• Snorkel at North East coral garden
• Lunch on private motu with island owner
• Tour pearl farm and admire creations
• Visit Paripari Rum Distillery and taste rum
• Swim at second coral garden with tropical fish
• Enjoy sunset with pineapple juice and rum
• Receive photo report by email

The experience

Eight to nine hours on the water means you move through the lagoon methodically, starting with reef sharks in the southeast before heading to Vanilla Valley for a presentation on cultivation and drying. The crew stays the same across departures (two people on long-term contracts, not day-hired pilots), which changes how the boat runs and what the rhythm feels like. You swim in a coral garden on the northeast side with a guided drift from the reef, then turn west toward lunch.

The private motu is the hinge of the day. It's an island the tour has secured for itself, away from the crowds, and the owners prepare a Tahitian meal while you're in the water. After lunch, you visit the pearl farm run by the Chan family, then the Paripari rum distillery: the operation won gold and silver at the Paris International Agricultural Show, and you taste what they make. A second coral garden swim finishes the afternoon, and the boat heads back at sunset with a pineapple juice spiked with Paripari rum. The crew photographs moments throughout the day and sends you the link by email afterward, at no extra cost.

Towels are provided. Bring water shoes or use theirs if needed. The guide speaks French and English. Children from age one are welcome, though infants must sit on an adult's lap. The rum distillery closes on Sundays, so that stop won't happen if you book for a Sunday departure.

What’s included

• French or English-speaking guide.
• snorkeling equipment and towels.
• swimming in two coral gardens.
• lunch on a private motu with Tahitian food.
• visits to a vanilla farm and pearl farm.
• rum tasting at the Paripari distillery.
• drinks including beer, Taha'a rum punch, pineapple juice and lemonade.
• tea if the weather turns cool.
• a free emailed photo report of the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 12

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 5 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by L' Excursion Bleue Day Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks French and English, so you choose the language that works for your group: either way, the commentary flows through the full eight to nine hours without translation delays.

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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 (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 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's it like to swim with the reef sharks in Taha'a?

The reef sharks move freely in their natural environment in the southeast lagoon, and you encounter them during the first water stop of the day. They're part of the reef ecosystem and accustomed to snorkelers.

How does the private motu lunch work?

The tour has secured a private motu, and the owners prepare a Tahitian meal while you're snorkeling in the coral garden. You eat on the beach with your feet in the sand, away from other tour groups.

What rum will I taste at the distillery?

Paripari rum is distilled on Taha'a and has won gold and silver medals at the Paris International Agricultural Show. You taste it on board and again at sunset as part of a pineapple juice.

Is the tour available on Sundays?

The Paripari rum distillery closes on Sundays, so the distillery stop won't be included if you book a Sunday departure.