12 Kayak Tours in French Polynesia Worth the Long Flight

1.Moorea Lagoon Tour by Transparent Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $51Our pick

Spend about two hours paddling a transparent kayak across Moorea’s lagoon with a local guide such as Hugo or Christel. Stop to snorkel with stingrays, sharks, and reef fish, hear about Polynesian customs, and enjoy fruit juice. Groups are capped at 10, with smaller groups possible.

“Stopping on the way in the kayak to enjoy some pineapple juice was great. Swimming amongst the sharks and stingrays was an amazing experience. Everything about this trip was good.”

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2.Bora Bora Snorkel Cruise by Polynesian Outrigger Canoe with BBQ Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $296

Spend six hours circling Bora Bora’s lagoon by Polynesian outrigger canoe, stopping at coral gardens, shark and ray sites, and a private motu for a BBQ lunch. Guides such as Sam, Jean, Tarepa, and Ruma add local stories, music, and help in English and French. Hotel pickup, gear, towels, drinks, and lunch are included.

“Sam our guide was so nice accommodating. We have French and English speaking guests and he made us all feel welcome and included. Each stop to swim and snorkel was great. Lunch was so delicious and the host was wonderful. Swimming with sharks and rays were the highlight of the trip.”

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3.Eco guided excursion to the lagoon of Moorea in transparent kayak 1/2 day morning

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $91

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!”

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4.The Vanilla tour of Taha’a in a comfortable outrigger canoe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $156

Set out from Raiatea at 8:30 am aboard Blue Lagoon, a modern outrigger canoe for up to 12 people. Jimmy, Fab, Hiti, or another Raiatea Blue Lagoon captain may guide you around Taha'a, with stops at a pearl farm, coral garden, rum shop, and vanilla plantation, plus a Polynesian buffet on a motu.

“Such a fun day! Pearl farm was our favorite and we were so impressed by the Polynesian buffet lunch!”

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5.Hauru Lagoon 3-hour Guided Kayak Tour with Snack

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 50 reviews · 3 hours · from $94

Meet Luca, Lukas, Omelia, or another bilingual Moorea Blue Paddle guide at Tiahura Public Beach for three hours on Hauru Lagoon. Your clear-bottom kayak may reveal turtles, eagle rays, reef fish, coral, and perhaps blacktip sharks. You’ll also snorkel between the motus and enjoy fresh juice or seasonal fruit.

“Bellissima esperienza, coppia di ragazzi molto disponibili, con un bimbo di 4 anni al Seguito. In sicurezza, senza problemi! Sorprendente. Avevamo giá fatto un tour della laguna in barca, con il kayak abbiamo visto motu differenti, siamo riusciti a vedere tartarughe, razze e squali. Snorkeling con un fondale stupendo! Consigliato!”

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6.Apetahi day trip around Raiatea on a modern outrigger canoe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $156

Spend 7 to 8 hours aboard Blue Lagoon, a modern outrigger canoe with shaded lounges and a trampoline. Guide Jimmy and his crew take you around Raiatea, with chances to see dolphins, snorkel at Nao Nao, visit UNESCO-listed Taputapuatea Marae, enjoy lunch by the water, and travel up the Faaroa River when weather allows.

“This was one of the best tours I have ever taken in my life and I’ve been around the world. He was very accommodating change the tour for us so we could follow our friends in another boat. The food was amazing beautiful boat specially on the trampoline so much fun”

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7.Activity/Excursion Lagoon Tour to Moorea by Canoe 6 hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $139

Spend six hours on Moorea’s lagoon in a canoe carrying up to 12 people. Visit Cook and Opunohu bays, swim near rays, blacktip sharks, turtles and coral, then learn to prepare raw fish with coconut milk at a motu lunch. Guides including Tavia, Stéphane and Mamaïa bring local stories and warm Polynesian hospitality.

“Fabuleux !! Bonne ambiance avec Stéphane et mamaïa Bon duo,une journée extraordinaire, raies, dauphins,et requins au rendez-vous”

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8.Eco guided excursion to the lagoon of Moorea in a transparent kayak Afternoon 2h

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $60

Spend two relaxed afternoon hours on Moorea’s lagoon in a transparent kayak. Guides such as Nicolas, Lucas, and Caro lead small groups toward turtles, rays, fish, and a snorkeling area, then serve homemade fruit juice on a sandy motu. Equipment, waterproof bags, life jackets, and fish ID slates are included.

“Nicolas and Lucas guided us through areas where rays and turtles inhabit as well as taking us to a shore to snorkel. The current was strong that day and we had to paddle hard but it was great exercise in such a scenic environment!”

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9.Tahaa Excursion in Electric Paddle Snorkeling Coral Garden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $128

Set out from Taha’a with guides Greg and Anais for a three-hour electric paddleboard and snorkeling trip. You’ll visit the Coral Garden, explore lagoon flora and fauna, pause for a homemade-style snack with your feet in the water, and use included snorkel gear, water shoes, and a waterproof bag. Groups are limited to six.

“We had a wonderful trip over to the Coral Garden drift spot. Not everyone in our group was able to use a SUP so we asked for a boat trip there and back instead. The owner was so friendly and helpful - he took us over and returned to collect us a couple of hours later. Had a great trip and the drift snorkel site is incredible. Highly recommend!”

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10.Discovery in Kayaking of the Faaroa River in Raiatea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $117

You’ll paddle the Faaroa River for about three hours with a local guide, using kayaks fitted with strapped backrests for extra comfort. Expect gentle physical effort, forested river scenery, and personal stories about Raiatea. Pickup may be available, but confirm your meeting details directly, especially for a late booking.

“This was a fun and beautiful experience! Our private group of 14 had a great time kayaking on the river, and our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the land. It was a highlight of our trip!”

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11.Private Electric Paddle Cruise in Bora Bora

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $55

Meet at Matira Beach for a private one-hour E-BOARD outing along Bora Bora’s lagoon. The electric paddle board moves quietly at up to 7 km/h, so you can explore without rowing while looking for fish, stingrays, and perhaps sharks. A vest is included, and the board is designed for beginners, couples, families, and children aged eight or older who can swim.

“This was a great experience. Although we weren't exactly sure what we were looking for (a person on the beach with paddle boards), we did find them and enjoyed the time using them. They worked great and the guide was really friendly Read more”

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12.Tahaa: Kayaking Rental – Coral Garden – Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $36Best value

You’ll launch from Taha'a E-Paddle Adventure on Taha'a’s lagoon, paddle about 45 minutes to the Coral Garden, and snorkel in a protected marine area. Stable single kayaks, optional quality snorkeling gear, and rod holders for permitted fishing give you freedom to set your own pace. The activity lasts about 3.5 hours and returns to the same base.

“We had a great time at our kayak rental. Welcoming is warm, the explanations are clear, the material is of quality, and the setting is simply exceptional.”

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