The 13 Best Turtle & Ray Encounters in Polynesia

1.Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 630 reviews · from $158Our pick

Spend about six hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon with a local crew such as Manu, Ari, or Moana. Swim with stingrays and black-tip reef sharks, search for manta and eagle rays, snorkel above coral gardens, then eat a barbecue lunch on a private motu with coconut demonstrations, music, and wide island views. Hotel and port pickup are included.

“The tour stopped at the same snorkelling spots as several others and so it was rather crowded in the water and we also felt rather rushed, given that as soon as we reached the motu for lunch we had far too much time there with no snorkelling or anything else afterwards. There was a parao-making demo and coconut opening but we'd rather have spent more time in the water. The vibe wasn't really there on the boat compared with other tours we'd done on other islands. There was a lot of confusion with people being added to and removed from the group and the guide seemed somewhat nervous. There was…”

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2.Bora Bora Eco Snorkel Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · from $118

Spend about two and a half hours with Moana Adventure Tours exploring Bora Bora’s lagoon. Guides such as Manu, Tema, Tane, and Captain T help you find blacktip sharks, stingrays, manta rays, and reef fish before leading you through a colorful coral garden. The group is limited to 12, with equipment, water, and select hotel pickup included.

“It was a great experience to be close to the sharks and stingrays. I would recommend this to anyone.”

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3.Swim With The Turtles Rarotonga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 491 reviews · from $49Best value

At Snorkel Cook Islands in Avaavaroa Passage, Big T, Captain T, Josh, and the water-safety team guide you from the beach into clear reef water where turtles, rays, and tropical fish gather. The two-hour trip includes premium gear, a shallow-water check, local fruit, showers, storage, parking, and possible photos. Strong currents can affect the outing.

“Incredible tour! We saw loads of turtles and eagle rays. It was a truly magical experience. What a great tour company :)”

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4.Ariki Adventures: Premium Sea Scooter Turtle Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 455 reviews · from $112

At Ariki Adventures in Rarotonga, you’ll learn to use an eco-friendly sea scooter, then snorkel toward the reef in search of two native turtle species. Gear, guides, safety support, and return to the meeting point are included. The two-hour trip suits nature lovers and less-confident swimmers, though groups can feel busy in the water.

“We felt very safe and enjoyed our family day. Viewing the turtles off the beach of Rarotonga with the sea scooters was memorable. We will treasure the excellent photos.”

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5.Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour, & Eco Shark / Ray Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 376 reviews · from $323

Spend about six and a half hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon, combining a guided jet ski ride with shark, stingray, fish, and coral-garden snorkeling. Guides such as Tema, Marama, Tarepa, and Ali have been praised for making guests feel safe and engaged. Lunch, gear, water, hotel transfers, and a small group of up to eight are included.

“Amazing guide, top of the line jet skis, felt like we fully got our money's worth. We enjoyed the rides, the tours, and the friendly staff”

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6.Eco Friendly Sea Scooter Turtle Tour in Rarotonga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 345 reviews · from $111

Meet Dan and the Moana Sea Scooters team at YWAM Cook Islands for a 90-minute guided outing in the Avaavaroa passage. You will learn to use an eco-friendly sea scooter, swim near turtles, eagle rays, and fish, then receive high-resolution photos, fresh fruit, and coconut drink. Groups stay small at 4 to 6 people.

“Experience was fantastic, a bucket list item for us. Dan & his team were very helpful and made us feel safe. The sea scooters were easy to use & made it effortless to glide around to enjoy the turtles. Photos that we received at the end were excellent. Small group is definitely the best way to see the turtles. Thoroughly would recommend this tour.”

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7.Private Rarotonga Turtle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 188 reviews

Meet Snorkel Cook Islands at Avaavaroa Passage for a roughly two-hour guided beach-entry snorkeling trip. Your guides provide gear, safety instruction, and close support in the water, with turtles, rays, and tropical fish the main draw. A local fruit spread follows, and photos are taken when conditions and safety allow.

“This was the highlight of my holiday. Swimming with turtles, why wouldn't you. Our guide was awesome, very informative and him and his crew made me feel safe in the water. Highly recommend Snorkel Cook Islands. The experience itself in 2 words magically majestical”

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8.Eco Shark and Snorkeling Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 156 reviews · 2h 30m · from $112

Join Moana Adventure Tours for an afternoon motorboat trip across Bora Bora’s lagoon. With guides such as Will, Marama and Ruma, you’ll make several snorkeling stops for black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, moray eels and a colorful coral garden. Equipment and hotel pickup are included, but food and drinks are not.

“Great experience, very helpful guide, beautiful views and interaction with the fish, sharks, and stingrays! Highly recommend!”

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9.Bora Bora 4WD Tour & Eco Shark & Ray Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $260

Spend about seven hours seeing Bora Bora by open-air 4WD, stopping at World War II sites and high viewpoints, then eating at Bloody Mary’s before snorkeling with black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, and reef fish. Guides may include Jean, Santiago, Sam, or Toiki. Pickup is available from hotels and Vaitape Pier.

“This was my favorite excursion that we did on Bora Bora. Coral Gardens were gorgeous. Atmosphere & food at bloody Mary’s were perfection. 4WD tour had beautiful views.”

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10.Jet Ski, Lunch & Shark/ Ray Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 64 reviews · 6 hours · from $295

Spend six hours with Moana Adventure Tours exploring Bora Bora by jet ski and powerboat. Ride past Mount Otemanu, pause on a motu for coconut, eat lunch at Bloody Mary’s, then swim near black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, and tropical fish. The tour uses no feeding and protects the coral, with hotel pickup and a maximum of eight people.

“Esperienza spettacolare! La mattina ci hanno accompagnato nel pieno della laguna dove abbiamo potuto nuotare insieme agli squali e razze. Dopo una breve pausa pranzo in un noto ristorantino nei pressi di Matira beach siamo partiti con le moto d'acqua e abbiamo fatto il giro di tutta l'isola compresa la sosta in un motu sperduto. Che dire? Soddisfatto a pieno!!! Consigliato”

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11.Private Turtle and Ray Tour Rarotonga

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $179

Meet in Takitumu District for a private turtle and ray swim led with close attention to water safety. Your group receives snorkelling gear, optional flower crowns, and about 30 Canon ambassador photographs, including underwater and beach shots. Turtle sightings are guaranteed, but timing depends on tides.

“I recommend booking direct with the operators. Booked through viator and the times offered were not correct due to this being dependent on the tides. Now trying to contact someone for a refund.”

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12.Small group snorkeling (5 people max): Turtles at 7:30am

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $104

Meet Captain Benoit at Taina Marina at 7:30am for a small-group boat trip to The Source, a turtle snorkeling site outside Tahiti’s lagoon. With no more than five people, you’ll cruise 15 to 20 minutes, spend about 50 minutes in the water among turtles, coral, and reef fish, then return with tour photos sent by email.

“Amazing experience, once we get to the spot we saw a lot of turtles all the time. This was our last tour in Tahiti and we loved so much. The capitan was very fun and a good instructor.”

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13.Namua Turtle Island and Eastern Upolu Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $175

Spend 6 to 7 hours touring eastern Upolu with Tai, a Samoan high chief, or another guide from Tais Native Experience. Swim and snorkel near Namua Island, then visit Lalomanu Beach, Piula Cave Pool, To Sua Ocean Trench, Sopoaga Falls, and Faga-loa Bay in an air-conditioned vehicle.

“Our guide Chris was on time and an excellent host for our day of sightseeing and swimming. Well done.”

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