Pacific Islands · SAFARI
Good off-road safaris fill up weeks ahead out here and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Travel from Sigatoka by air-conditioned minibus to Nakaracia, then ride the Sigatoka River with guides such as Captain Laps, Captain Ace, or Fabulous Freddy. Visit a local village for kava, food, music, and a walking tour. Expect river scenery, cultural insight, and optional 360-degree spins.
“This was a wonderful experience with excellent staff - bus driver, boat captain & village guide. Would recommend.”
Cross Tahiti Nui’s rugged interior in a small 4x4 group with local guides such as Rainui and Hotu. Expect steep mountain scenery, waterfalls, plant lore, sacred places, a cold river swim, seasonal fruit, and a very bumpy road to Vaihiria Lake. Lunch is not included, and weather can change the route.
“Amazing way to see the natural beauty of Tahiti. My wife and I had a great time, and our guide was a very big part of that.”
Spend six hours circling Bora Bora’s lagoon with local guides such as Manu, Coco, Malaki, or Arii. Swim near blacktip reef sharks and stingrays, snorkel through the coral garden, look for manta rays, then enjoy a Polynesian lunch on a motu. Hotel boat pickup, equipment, drinks, towels, and lunch are included.
“The excursion was amazing! The snorkeling spots were absolutely wonderful, with so much to see. And especially our guide Manu, he was really kind, fun, and made the whole experience even better”
Spend about 3.5 hours exploring Bora Bora’s interior in a 4x4 with a local guide such as Tuarii, Adolph, Moana, or Tiba. Expect steep dirt roads, a 360-degree Mount Popoti viewpoint, Faanui Valley, local art, tropical gardens, and wide views of the lagoon. Hotel pickup is available.
“Loved it!! Adolph is an amazing tour guide, both witty & informative. Ride is very bumpy but thats all part of the experience which we now look back on & laugh :) Tupuna Safari is definitely a company to book with as it has access to Read more”
Travel from Sigatoka into Fiji’s rural interior by boat and custom off-road vehicle. Guides such as Sadam, Moses, Tia, and Una explain village life, local customs, and the Naihehe Cave’s wartime past. Expect a kava ceremony, wet cave passages, a substantial BBQ lunch, and a lively four-and-a-half-hour adventure.
“An excellent day out. Gives an authentic experience of Fijian culture and village. Hearing the stories of the cave was so informative. Big shout out to Moses and Saddam.”
Aqua Safari takes you by boat to a shallow Bora Bora coral garden, where you walk underwater for about 30 minutes in a special breathing helmet. No swimming, snorkeling, or scuba experience is needed. Guides such as Tama, JP, Rémi, Séverine, and Sebastian provide instructions, assistance, and underwater photos.
“Very unique experience. Did this tour specifically because my friend wears glasses and can never snorkel and this gave her the chance to finally do it! Your head stays dry which is great. Recommend to take a go pro so you can take awesome close up pics of the reef. This is a great opportunity for those that do not scuba dive.”
Spend about eight hours crossing Tahiti in an open 4WD, from the East Coast into Papenoo Valley and the island’s volcanic interior. Guides such as Noah, Hotu, Eric, and Pito share local stories, plants, and history while you pass waterfalls, rivers, archaeological sites, and mountain views. Lunch is extra, and the road is very bumpy.
“We had an amazing experience discovering Tahiti island from inside! The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and we made many great photos and videos I would highly recommend this tour!!”
Ride Moorea’s rugged interior in an open-air 4WD with a French or English-speaking guide such as Carlos or Gérard. You’ll see Belvedere Lookout, Cook’s and Opunohu Bays, pineapple country, marae, freshwater eels, local jams, juices, and fruit liqueurs. Hotel and ferry-terminal pickup make this a useful half-day introduction to the island.
“We visited several islands in FP and picked a different type of activity on each. So we chose the island safari on Moorea and truly think it was the best island for that. Views were spectacular and we got to see areas we would not have visited on our own (even if we had rented a car). Our tour guide was super fun, shared lots of information and history. We were also lucky with our fellow passengers who made the day more memorable. Plan on booking in advance (at least 2 days ahead should be good as tours fill up quickly). Albert Tours was helpful and well organised.”
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.”
Spend 150 minutes crossing Bora Bora’s lagoon by motorboat, with three snorkeling stops for black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays and a colorful coral garden. Guides including Will, Marama, Ruma and Sam are praised for clear safety help and good humor. Equipment and hotel pickup are included, but food and drinks are not.
“This activity is PERFECT if you want to see the coral gardens, sharks and rays!! No frills just straight to the destinations. Highly recommend. Check out my IG for videos of excursion @double_d1022”
Spend about three hours touring Moorea in a 4x4 with a local guide such as Ari, Gerald, Gerard, or JJ. You’ll reach the Belvedere Lookout, see Mont Rotui and pineapple plantations, visit Marae Titiroa, and taste local fruit, jam, juice, and liquor. Pickup is offered, though the ride includes some rough tracks.
“Nice to see some key sights with good company. Beautiful views. Good value. Mmmmmmhhhhdddduu iioooii jjhhhjj gggg i have said all i have to say it is really annoying if you wont let m3 submit unless i say more. It was a tour that did what it said it would do.”
Spend four to five hours touring Bora Bora’s lagoon with a small group of up to 12 people. Guides such as Ramon, Manu, Coco, Teiva, and Chris lead snorkeling stops at coral gardens and shallow areas where you may see blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, and tropical fish. Gear, towels, fruit, water, and soft drinks are included.
“Shark and stingray reef is wonderful, great viewing in shallow water! Boat trip around the island was enjoyable.”
Spend six hours seeing Bora Bora from two angles. An open-sided 4WD takes you to Matira Point, Faanui Cannon, and Amanahune Bay, plus a fruit plantation and craft workshop. After lunch at Bloody Mary’s or Fare Manuia, cruise the lagoon for stingrays, black-tip reef sharks, and coral gardens with an English- or French-speaking guide.
“La gita in mare è stata davvero emozionante, abbiamo visto una manta, le razze, gli squali e il giardino di corallo è spettacolare. Unica pecca forse è stato un po’ frettoloso (ma la giornata di vento forse rendeva difficile alcuni spostamenti). Il tour a terra ci è piaciuto tantissimo, la nostra guida Teva, era gentilissima, ci ha portato sulla cima, a vedere molti alberi da frutto, abbiamo assistito (e comprato) alla creazione dei parei e poi siamo andati sulla cima opposta dell’isola. Il pranzo al ristorante è stato ottimo (forse anche qui la cameriera era un po’ frettolosa nonostante ci fosse abbastanza tempo per fare tutto).”
Spend 5 to 6 hours exploring Bora Bora’s lagoon with Rohivai Tours. Swim near blacktip sharks and stingrays, snorkel coral gardens, search for manta rays, then enjoy a Polynesian lunch on a motu. Guides may include Coco, Manu, Chris, Maui, or Ramon. The shared boat carries up to 12 people.
“Great day, lovely small group, amazing snorkel spots and the motu lunch and demos were good fun. Overall a fantastic day”
Spend six hours exploring Bora Bora with a small group of up to eight. Ride a single or shared jet ski past Mount Otemanu, stop for coconut husking and swimming, eat at Bloody Mary’s, then search a shallow lagoon for black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, and fish without feeding the animals.
“Amazing trip! The best way to see Bora Bora. Very well organised and both trips were extraordinary, thank you!”
Pick a lagoon, a village or an island interior.
