Snorkeling excursions in Tahiti, Bora Bora, or Moorea?

[Red Hat Cruise Cat]

Any suggestions for snorkeling excursions in Tahiti, Bora Bora, or Moorea?
We’re not strong swimmers, so we prefer to go on a smaller boat with fewer passengers, so the crew can keep an eye on us.

[Fletcher]

There is no snorkelling on Tahiti. Moorea is OK by the Hilton. Bora Bora isn't great anywhere but if you simply do a shark and ray trip all you do is basically stand in three feet of water while the fish swim around you and snuggle up real close. Wherever you go in Bora Bora it can be a bit of a zoo. The last time I did it was off the Clipper Odyssey with about 30 passengers in the water at around 7am before the crowds arrived. The best snorkelling in FP is in the Tuamotus - Rangiroa, Tikehau etc.

[FlightMedic555]

Snorkeling at the Hilton on Moorea was spectacular. The entire lagoon at the Hilton is not more than 5 feet deep so standing is easy. You can do this yourself as you can take a Taxi to the Hilton and pay to use the facility for the day. They even include snorkel gear and lunch.

On Bora bora we have used Reef Expections (Chris) twice and it was great. A small boat with 6 passengers.

[Trend]

Not sure how anyone can say the snorkeling in Bora Bora is not good. The water is clear and I have been the the GBR but it all depends on the tour you book. This time we are booked with Christopher's tour.

[stephenandrew]

Christoph in Bora Bora (Reef Discovery) offers a great half day of snorkeling. He is also a very conscientious guy, and works with everyone on the boat, regardless of their ability to ensure they have a great experience. On our trip, he basically pulled one person around in an inner tube contraption so she could comfortably see all of the undersea beauty. Having said, that, he made sure he gave adequate attention to everyone else on the tour. Remarkable.

[catsforkids]

Originally Posted by FlightMedic555

Snorkeling at the Hilton on Moorea was spectacular. The entire lagoon at the Hilton is not more than 5 feet deep so standing is easy. You can do this yourself as you can take a Taxi to the Hilton and pay to use the facility for the day. They even include snorkel gear and lunch.

On Bora bora we have used Reef Expections (Chris) twice and it was great. A small boat with 6 passengers.

We did the snorkeling with Terry (Reef Discovery) and he was wonderful too. Snorkeled at 3 different sites. No fancy lunch but a small group dedicated to snorkeling.

[jdechter]

snorkeling was great : moorea at the hilton very easy and clear, shallow.
motus exceptionally shallow, bora bora best lagoon with reef discovery but deeper and more exhausting (better variety though rays, eels, etc.)

[phillymaps]

I just returned from a cruise, and I used:
Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/
Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands)
Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1
Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4

Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches

[psyfi]

Originally Posted by phillymaps

I just returned from a cruise, and I used:
Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/
Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands)
Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1
Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4

Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches

I'm booked on 3 of the 4 you did, I would be interested in your review if you have time

[seetosea]

Originally Posted by phillymaps

I just returned from a cruise, and I used:
Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/
Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands)
Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1
Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4

Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches

we have done three of the four.. We did Marc's tour a few years ago and it was fabulous. This past April, we returned to French Polynesia and did Hiro's on Moorea and Patrick's 3/4 day tour on Bora Bora

Patrick's tour was the HIGHLIGHT of our 18 daycruise. I can't say enough great things about it. I arranged two 12 person outriggers for 24 people with Patrick. We were taken to an area where we swam with reef tip sharks first. From there we went to another location to feed stingrays. We then headed to a beautiful snorkel location where there was an abundance of fish. At another stop, we sat in waist deep water and covered ourselves with very fine sand that acts as an exfoliate (drinks were also provided). Then it was off to a private motu where a traditional Tahitian feast was being prepared.

THE FEAST: pig in the ground, lobster on the grill, tuna, poi, etc. We ate at tables in the water and the plates were banana leaves.

PATRICK'S TOUR was worth every penny. If you have any questions, please ask.

Hiro's tour was okay. A lot more people at each stop and snorkeling was just okay.

[sk8teacher]

We second the tour with Patrick on Bora Bora. Absolutely the best. The water is crystal clear, and Patrick ensures you will enjoy every minute.

Cheers,

[bloofer]

Patrick's tour (Bora Bora) is superb. I highly recommend it!

[cidymom]

What happens if you don't know how to snorkel? I hear so many people say wonderful things about their snorkeling experience and I really want to experience it too. Is it hard to learn? Will the tour operator have someone to assist if you don't know how to snorkel? I really want to do the shark and ray feeding excursion. Thanks for any help.

[HamburgAvonLady]

I snorkeled for the first (and only time, so far) a couple of years ago in the Caribbean. Not being the strongest swimmer, I used an inflatible vest and fins which I rented at the site but brought my own mask and snorkel (more hygenic, IMO). Picked up a set at our local Walmart.

You need to remember to breathe through your mouth (I do this anyway, most times) so that part was easy. Make sure the mask fits snugly around your eyes and nose. Start in shallow water, if possible, so you can stand, in case you get a little scared. Try to practice in a pool before you hit the islands. Either at home or in the ship's pool so you learn how to relax amd manage.

You are in salt water so "floating" is much easier --- I also found that if I kept my arms at my side and just let my feet/fins propel me --- I did alot better.

You will have others with you --- so you'll be fine in case you have some "anxious" moments.

Our next cruise is to Hawaii and the South Pacific where I plan to get alot of practice.

PLEASE give it a try ---- I was thrilled I did it (of course, DH has some hilarious videos of me putting on the fins and walking backwards into the water !!!!).

[psyfi]

If you can swim, you can snorkel!

[FlightMedic555]

You really don't even have to know how to swim in order to snorkel. On the boat they will give you a mask, fins, snorkel, snorkel inflatable vest and mesh bag to keep everything at no charge for the duration of the cruise. They have a snorkel "lesson" at no charge in the pool during the cruise but I am not sure how early in the cruise this happens. With the vest you simply float and look at the fish and coral. It is really pretty idiot proof as you breath through the snorkel and use your fins to "kick" to move around.

[psyfi]

Flight Medic, OP is on the Sapphire Princess, so no free snorkel gear or lessons.

[fishtown]

Originally Posted by phillymaps

I just returned from a cruise, and I used:
Huahine Marc's tour http://www.huahine-nautique.com/
Moorea http://www.hirotour.com/ (not as good as providers on the other islands)
Raiatea L’Excursion Bleu with Bruno http://www.tahaa.net/?p=-1
Bora Bora Patrick Tairua <patrick@maohinui.net> Lagoon Excursion & 4X4 Safari http://www.maohinui.net/en/lagon-et-safari-4x4

Had a great time on all 4 excursions. Good snorkeling and good motu lunches

Thanks for the great information. Will be cruising the South Pacific in October.

[gerena]

Originally Posted by stephenandrew

Christoph in Bora Bora (Reef Discovery) offers a great half day of snorkeling. He is also a very conscientious guy, and works with everyone on the boat, regardless of their ability to ensure they have a great experience. On our trip, he basically pulled one person around in an inner tube contraption so she could comfortably see all of the undersea beauty. Having said, that, he made sure he gave adequate attention to everyone else on the tour. Remarkable.

This is my vote for the day. He was amazing. I could have well been the person he pulled around, but I don't think so!!! He was awesome and took care of all of us regardless of our ability. He even took my camera underwater and took a pix. Wish I had had him do it sooner---as I had it on the wrong setting--and he fixed it and got wonderful pix after that!
We did not snorkel on Moorea or Tahiti. We did do the Helmut Dive in Bora Bora in the afternoon --after Christoph's tour. It was anticlimatic after Christoph's. But since we had OBC, it was fine!!!!
Enjoy--my DH and I are not strong swimmers at all and I won't go anywhere with out a vest, or the like--but with the vest, you don't need to be a swimmer.

[Mancora Girl]

If you are inexperienced and want a small-group tour, Christophe's is the one for you. No meals, just spectacular snorkeling at four sites, one of which had huge, beautiful manta rays, which I had not seen before in four trips to FP. As others have said, both long-time snorkelers and true beginners end up equally happy!