Private Boat Rental on Cap Camarat 17ft

Skip the crowded cruise. This private three-hour outing gives your own group a 17-foot Jeanneau Cap Camarat, a captain, and room to enjoy Bora Bora’s lagoon at your own pace. I like the personal setup and the easy access to swimming from the rear ladder. I also like that the captain can adjust the route for snorkeling, island views, and sea life. The main consideration is the price, €197.68 per person, which makes the most sense when shared by a group that values privacy.

You can stretch out on the front deck, sit under the canopy, or move around as the boat cruises. Captains such as Sam, Niko, Will, Terry, Ruma, and Tarepa have helped make these trips special, with light local commentary and hands-on help in the water. Still, this is a compact boat, not a large yacht, and the experience depends on weather and sea conditions.

Key Points To Know Before You Book

• Private 17-foot Cap Camarat: Only your group takes part, with a captain at the helm.
• Three hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon: The time can include a circle-island route, snorkeling areas, swimming, and scenic cruising.
• Easy water access: Use the rear ladder for a quick swim or snorkel stop.
• Sharks, rays, turtles, and reef fish: Sightings are possible at selected spots, along with coral gardens and smaller sea creatures.
• Hotel pickup is available: Pickup and drop-off are offered from select hotels and ports, with water included.
• Marine life comes first: The operator says it does not feed sharks or rays and works to protect coral and other aquatic life.

Why A Private Boat Changes The Day

A private boat gives you something a standard lagoon cruise cannot: control over the mood. You are not sharing the deck with a large crowd, waiting for strangers to finish a swim, or following a fixed group rhythm. Your captain can slow down, stop at a snorkeling area, or change the plan when wind and waves make one site less comfortable.

That matters in Bora Bora. The lagoon is beautiful from every angle, but the best parts of a boat day are often small moments: a quiet stretch of water, a sudden turtle sighting, or a few minutes floating near a coral garden. With only your own group aboard, you have more freedom to enjoy those moments without a loud soundtrack of other people.

I would not think of this as a formal sightseeing cruise with a long lecture. The captain provides light commentary and can share local history, as Will did for one group. The emphasis is on being out on the water, seeing the island from the lagoon, and getting into the sea when conditions are right.

The boat is a Jeanneau Cap Camarat measuring about 17 feet. That is large enough for a private outing with a captain, but small enough to feel close to the water. You get a front deck for relaxing and a canopy for shade, though the limited size means you should pack lightly and expect a more open-air experience.

Leaving The Resort Dock

Pickup and drop-off are available from select hotels and ports. Your captain may meet you at your resort’s main dock, and the supplied water is included. One captain arrived a few minutes early for a pickup, a useful sign that punctuality is taken seriously.

Because pickup locations are not universal, check that your hotel or port is covered before booking. This is especially important in Bora Bora, where accommodations are spread around the island and transport may be arranged through a resort dock rather than a roadside meeting point.

Once aboard, the captain handles the boat. You do not need to operate it or plan the route. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is described as suitable for most people, but you should still be honest about your swimming ability before entering the water.

The boat’s rear ladder makes swimming simple. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the captain at the start. Sam received special praise for staying close to a nervous swimmer and helping that person feel comfortable at a coral reef. That sort of support can make the difference between watching from the boat and enjoying the lagoon yourself.

Cruising Around Bora Bora’s Lagoon

The route can include a circle-island cruise, but the exact order of stops is flexible. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to choose a private trip. You can spend more time at a place your group enjoys, or move on if wind, rain, or water conditions are not ideal.

From the boat, you get a broad view of Bora Bora’s shoreline and the surrounding water. The captain drives while you relax on the bow or sit under the canopy. This is a good period for photographs, quiet conversation, and simply watching the island pass from a low position on the lagoon.

The experience is not only about checking off famous sights. The private format lets you pay attention to details that are easy to miss from a busy boat: reef edges, changing water color, birds, and the way the mountains frame the lagoon. Captains who know the area can also choose spots that feel different from those visited on another boat outing.

Sam was praised for taking a group to other areas after they had already been on a separate boat trip. That is a useful point for repeat visitors. If you explain what you have already seen, your captain may be able to shape the route around new parts of Bora Bora.

Swimming With Sharks And Rays

Sharks and rays are among the major draws. The trip can take you to areas where you might see reef sharks and stingrays, and several outings also included turtles. The sight of these animals in clear lagoon water is likely to be one of the day’s strongest memories.

The operator’s stated approach is important here. It says the crew does not feed sharks or rays and aims to protect coral and marine life. That means the encounter is intended to respect the animals rather than create a staged feeding show.

Conditions can vary, so sightings are not a guarantee. One group saw sharks and rays at its first stop, while another had to deal with pouring rain and still enjoyed the wildlife. Your captain may change the location if the water is rough or visibility is poor.

Use the rear ladder to enter and exit the water. If you are uneasy around larger sea animals, you can remain aboard or ask for guidance before getting in. Captains have been described as swimming alongside participants, pointing out sea life, and helping less confident swimmers.

The captain named Tarepa, known by the playful nickname Captain Jack Sparrow, also changed an original snorkeling plan when the first site had high wave swells caused by wind. That is exactly the kind of practical decision you want from a boat captain. A scenic location is not worth forcing if the conditions are uncomfortable.

Coral Gardens And Smaller Sea Life

The coral garden is a different experience from the shark and ray area. Instead of focusing on a few large animals, you look for many small details among coral and reef life. One outing included colorful tropical fish, sea cucumbers, and a seahorse, along with sharks and rays at another location.

You may want reef shoes. One group used them at its first snorkeling stop, and they can be useful around shallow reef areas. The provided information does not state that equipment is included, so confirm what you need to bring before departure.

The coral garden can also be a calmer place to snorkel, depending on the day. Will swam with participants and pointed out different fish. Terry was described as fun and well informed about the area, making the reef stop more than a quick swim.

Rain does not necessarily end the outing. A group enjoyed excellent snorkeling during heavy rain, seeing sharks and rays at the first site and a good mix of fish at the coral garden. Still, poor weather can lead to cancellation. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe, you are offered another date or a full refund.

A Three-Hour Pace That Goes Quickly

Three hours is enough time for several parts of the lagoon without turning the day into a tiring marathon. You can cruise, stop to swim, visit snorkeling areas, and return to your hotel or port with time left for another activity.

The trade-off is that you will not have unlimited time at every site. If your group wants a long, slow snorkeling session, three hours may feel short. One person noted that the time passed quickly, which is easy to understand when the trip includes several stops and boat travel between them.

The captain can help shape the pace. You might spend more time at the coral garden if the fish are active, or shorten a stop if the wind picks up. A private boat is most useful when your group communicates clearly. Tell the captain if you want more swimming, more cruising, or a stronger focus on sea life.

Niko added a ukulele serenade for one group, a pleasant personal touch that shows how different captains may bring their own style. Do not book this expecting a fixed performance, but be open to small local touches.

Comfort, Shade, And What To Pack

The Cap Camarat offers a front deck and a canopy. The bow is the place to stretch out and enjoy the breeze, while the canopy gives you relief from the sun. Since this is a small boat, shade may be limited compared with a larger vessel, so sun protection still matters.

Water is included. Lunch is not, so plan to eat before or after the trip unless you receive other instructions from the operator. The supplied details do not list snacks, so do not assume a meal is part of the price.

For a practical packing list, I would bring:

• Reef shoes if you have them
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A small waterproof bag for important items
• A change of clothes if you prefer not to return to your hotel in wet swimwear

Keep bags compact. The boat is designed for a private lagoon outing, not for carrying large luggage.

Is €197.68 Per Person A Fair Price?

At €197.68 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride. Its value comes from the private format, captain-led route, hotel or port transport, water, and access to snorkeling areas. If you are traveling as a couple, the total cost may feel high. For a family or small group, the price can be easier to justify because you are paying for exclusive use rather than a seat on a crowded cruise.

The three-hour length also affects the calculation. You are paying for a focused half-day activity, not a full-day charter with lunch. I think the price works best for people who care about privacy, personal attention, and the ability to adjust the route.

A private boat can also be good value when your group includes different comfort levels. A confident swimmer can spend more time in the water while someone else rests under the canopy. A captain can offer extra help instead of managing a large group.

The experience has a perfect five-star rating from 39 ratings and is recommended by 100 percent of the supplied feedback. That does not remove the practical limits: weather can cancel the trip, a small boat has limited space, and sea conditions can affect the planned stops.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would choose this outing for a couple celebrating a special occasion, a family wanting private time together, or a small group that dislikes crowded excursions. It also suits repeat visitors who want the captain to steer them toward different parts of the lagoon.

It can work for people who are not strong swimmers, provided they tell the captain and follow safety guidance. Sam’s care with a hesitant swimmer and the captains’ willingness to swim alongside participants are encouraging details.

I would think twice if your top priority is a full meal, a large shaded deck, or a guaranteed wildlife sighting. I would also reconsider if anyone in your group is uncomfortable with a small boat or with changing plans when wind affects a snorkeling site.

The marine-life policy may appeal to you if responsible encounters matter. The operator specifically says it does not feed sharks or rays and aims to protect coral, which is the right standard for a lagoon excursion.

Booking And Cancellation Details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or request changes during that period, and you should not expect a refund.

Since the experience requires good weather, a cancellation by the operator for poor conditions brings either a different date or a full refund. This policy is useful in Bora Bora, where rain and wind can change the quality of a water-based outing quickly.

Should You Book The Cap Camarat?

Book it if you want a private, flexible lagoon trip with snorkeling, swimming, and a captain who can adapt the route. The strongest parts are the small group setting, easy rear-ladder access, personal help in the water, and the chance to see sharks, rays, turtles, and reef fish without joining a packed cruise.

Before paying, confirm your pickup point, ask what snorkeling equipment is supplied, and make sure everyone understands that lunch is not included. If €197.68 per person fits your budget, this is a strong choice for a personal Bora Bora day on the water. If you prefer a longer outing or need extensive onboard space, choose a different boat experience.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

What type of boat is used?

The experience uses a Jeanneau Cap Camarat measuring about 17 feet.

Is a captain included?

Yes. The boat is always operated by a captain, who can guide the route and provide light commentary.

Can the tour include snorkeling?

Yes. The captain can take you to snorkeling spots around Bora Bora, including coral garden areas.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. Swimming is available from the boat’s rear ladder.

Which marine animals might I see?

You might see sharks, stingrays, turtles, colorful tropical fish, sea cucumbers, and seahorses. Sightings depend on local conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered from select locations. Port pickup and drop-off are also included where applicable.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though water is provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.