Private Lagoon Snorkeling Experience

About This Experience

Your captain collects you from your resort or the Vaitape pier, then lets you choose the plan: a loop around the island, with stops wherever you want and for as long as you like inside the 3.5 hours. The listing sets no fixed stop times. Guests describe the guide asking what they most want to see and heading for those spots, typically eagle rays, the stingray and shark shallows and a coral garden.

At the shallow sandbank stops, stingrays and blacktip sharks gather in clear water you can stand in, and the photos show sharks circling the boat. Elsewhere, guests report snorkeling with schools of eagle rays, through coral gardens where you mostly float on the surface, and occasional manta rays. A turtle is a lucky extra. The guide gets in the water with you for comfort and safety, which nervous swimmers and parents of young children mention often.

This suits couples, families and small groups who want their own boat and a custom route. The trade-offs are cost and weather: $609 for the boat is good value for four, less so for two, and there is no food beyond drinks. The trip needs good weather; if it is cancelled for weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. One cruise passenger in port for a day was moved to other dates the day before, so leave room in your plans if you arrive by ship.

The $609 price covers the boat and guide for up to four people, snorkeling equipment, beach towels, soft drinks and bottled water, with pickup at your resort dock or the Vaitape pier. The boat is the operator's White Shark motorboat with a shade canopy.

Highlights

• Choose your own route around the island and how long to stay at each stop
• Stand among stingrays and blacktip sharks in the sandbank shallows
• Snorkel with eagle rays, often seen in groups at the guide's chosen spots
• Float over a coral garden with the guide swimming beside you
• Watch for manta rays and turtles, which some guests have seen

What's Included

• ✓ Private boat and Tahitian guide who swims with you, English or French
• ✓ Snorkeling equipment
• ✓ Beach towels
• ✓ Soft drinks
• ✓ Bottled water
• ✓ Pickup at your resort or the Vaitape pier

Not Included

• Snacks
• Lunch

What to Bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Hat and sunglasses
• Swimsuit and a light cover-up
• Any snacks you want on board
• Underwater camera

Good to Know & Caveats

• The $609 price is for the boat with up to four people; ask the operator about larger groups.
• The trip needs good weather; if cancelled for weather you get another date or a full refund.
• Cruise passengers with one day in port should keep a backup plan in case of rescheduling.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed; sharks and stingrays gather at the sandbank, while mantas and turtles are occasional.
• Infants sit on an adult's lap; the listing says it suits all fitness levels.

Meeting Point

Free pickup is offered at your resort or the pier in Vaitape. If your lodging has no dock, say so when booking and the operator will confirm a pickup place and time.