Pacific Islands · 2-DAY EXPERIENCES
Island days are the trip out here, not the filler between beach mornings. These 8 2-day experiences are the ones worth planning a week around, priced so you can decide before the ferry timetable decides for you.
Spend four hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon with guides such as Ramon, Ian, Alex, or Manu. Swim near blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, and rays, then snorkel through coral gardens filled with tropical fish. Small groups, hotel pickup, drinks, fruit, towels, and snorkeling gear are included.
“Fantastic afternoon of snorkeling, saw mantas, sharks, rays, and tons of fish. Would book again.”
From Raiatea, take a scenic boat ride to Tahaa’s famous coral garden. With guides such as Gony and Julian, you’ll float through a shallow channel among bright coral, clams, rays, eels, and tropical fish. The tour lasts about three hours, holds up to 10 people, and suits cruise passengers with basic swimming ability. Bring water shoes.
“Meet up was great at the Cruise Terminal and transfer to the speedboat went to plan. Company staff were great dive/snorkel well organised. Site was busier than expected, but a worthwhile trip nonetheless.”
Spend about four hours on Moorea’s north coast, cruising past Cook and Opunohu bays and snorkeling at Motu Tiahura, the Coral Garden, and a ray and shark site. Guides such as Kevin, Mahe, Tudor, Carlos, and Aree lead small groups of up to 12. Masks, fins, snorkels, and drinks are included.
“Best part of this excursion was deep water snorkel with black tip reef sharks. Beautiful blue clear water with magnificent creatures. Also seeing nurse sharks from boat was fun. But snorkel among coral was disappointing for so few fish (more in lagoon by hotel) and turtle channel was so-so. Worst part was our tour left one hour late due to family that was delayed (2 families that knew each coming from different points made up majority of boat). And everyone other than wife and I spoke only French - including boat captain. So while guide Drew did his best to speak to us in English, most of the conversation (and…”
Meet at Tiahura Beach at 8:00 a.m. for a 3.5-hour guided lagoon trip in a transparent kayak. Look for green turtles, rays, black tip sharks, coral, and tropical fish, then snorkel between two motus and enjoy fresh fruit juice on a sandbank. Guides such as Nicolas and Caro are praised for their care and local insight.
“Guides were awesome; always looking for where the exotic fish were so we could get to see them up close and personal. We were even able to touch a very friendly manta ray and swim close to black tip sharks. The tidbits of information about the area just added to the experience. Highly recommend!”
Spend three to four hours with Hava’i and Sea exploring Raiatea by boat. Guide Julien or Teiki leads you up the Faaroa River, French Polynesia’s only navigable river, then to a local pearl farm in Opoa. Expect lagoon views, cultural explanations, fresh fruit, drinks, and a small group of up to 12.
“We thoroughly enjoyed after afternoon with our captain/guide Julien. He arrived early at our meeting point with a sign that clearly showed our names. We first went to the pearl farm by boat. Most of the ride was parallel to the reef. So we enjoyed the beautiful colours of the water. The pearl farm was interesting and gave insights to this important cultural industry. The trip up the fresh water river was very serene. Julien served us fresh fruit, juices and water. He was good humoured and pleasant. We encountered some swells o. The return to port but the boat handled them well and Julien was very competent. We thoroughly…”
Join Tahiti Ocean Adventures for four hours aboard a traditional Poti Marara near Arue. Captain Vehiatua and his crew provide rods, lures, bait, safety gear, and a local snack while you try trolling, popping, jigging, and POITO fishing for mahimahi, tuna, bonitos, and marlin.
“The boat was small with a driver that only put out one line and boated us around for 3 hrs, the only water was a large bottle that was warm and already open. After three hours of nothing we went to the reef area and caught to small guppiRead more”
From Raiatea, Ben and the team at Te Mara Nui Plongee take your private group of up to three by boat to Taha’a for four hours. Choose a distillery visit, pearl farm, and coral garden snorkeling. The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, with pickup offered and morning or afternoon departures available.
“Awesome day!!! We went to the coral garden snorkeling and had the best snorkel experience of our lives! Incredible excursion!”
Join a small group of up to eight people with guide Yann, also identified as Ian or Jan in some tour details, for three snorkeling stops in Bora Bora’s lagoon. Learn how coral supports marine life, swim near manta rays and blacktip sharks when conditions allow, and enjoy hotel pickup, drinks, towels, and fresh fruit.
“Vraiment j'ai adoré : ce qui est génial c'est qu'on a découvert la barrière des coraux côté océan. Cette activité a été au-delà de mes attentes : j'ai pu nager et voir des raies manta et des requins à pointe noire, sur des spots incroyables ! J'ai appris beaucoup de choses sur ce si bel océan pacifique pour mieux le comprendre : Yann le guide est un passionné ! J'ai eu des réponses à mes questions. Il sait sensibiliser les gens sur la fragilité du milieu qu il nous fait découvrir.”
Pick a lagoon, a village or an island interior.
