Private Full Day Lagoon Safari and Lunch on a Motu in Bora Bora

The lagoon is Bora Bora’s real star. Rohivai Tours’ private safari brings you close to coral gardens, rays, sharks, island scenery, and Polynesian culture, with guides such as Manu, Naki, Maui, and Chris adding plenty of personality. I especially like the careful choice of snorkeling sites and the fresh lunch on a motu, a small reef island. The main point to check before paying is the unusual pricing information: the experience is listed at $1,679.85 per group up to one person, while the tour description says it is for two people.

This is sold as a full-day outing, yet the stated duration is about four to five hours. That shorter timing may suit you if you want a strong taste of Bora Bora’s lagoon without giving up an entire day, but you should confirm the exact schedule and pickup details before booking.

The tour begins at 9:00 am at Rohivai Tours in Matira and returns there at the end. Hotel pickup may be available, and several guests were collected and returned to their hotels, but I would confirm this directly. Towels, water, fresh seasonal fruit, soft drinks, snacks, and snorkeling equipment are included. Alcohol, onboard Wi-Fi, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a restroom on the boat are not.

Key points to know before booking

• Four distinct lagoon settings may be included: The outing can feature manta rays, grassy areas with rays, sharks, and a coral garden, although the exact stops can depend on conditions.
• Lunch is served on a motu: The meal is a major part of the experience, not just a quick snack between water stops.
• Guides bring the outing to life: Manu, Naki, Maui, Chris, and a captain nicknamed Jack Sparrow have all been praised for humor, care, singing, local stories, and safety.
• The snorkeling is the main event: You may see manta rays, leopard rays, lemon sharks, reef fish, and coral gardens in several locations.
• This is a private activity: The booking information says only your group participates, which can make the timing and pace more personal.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable.

Starting in Matira at 9:00 am

Matira is a practical starting point on Bora Bora, and beginning at 9:00 am gives you a full morning on the water. The listed meeting point is Rohivai Tours, Taahana, Matira, Bora Bora 98730. Pickup is offered, but the details are not fully clear, so I would not assume that every hotel transfer is automatic.

The tour returns to the starting point. That is useful if you have another activity planned later, though the stated four to five hours leaves little room for a late return. Ask how long the boat ride lasts, how much time is spent in the water, and when lunch takes place.

The vessel does not offer a restroom, Wi-Fi, or air conditioning. Those omissions matter more on a longer outing, so use the facilities before departure and bring any essential personal items. Bottled water and soft drinks are supplied, along with a towel and seasonal fruit.

First look at Bora Bora from the lagoon

The boat gives you a different view of Bora Bora than you get from the shore. The island’s famous mountain profile and surrounding water become part of the trip, rather than a backdrop seen only from a hotel or road.

The guide also introduces local wildlife, flora, and Polynesian history during the ride. The exact depth of that cultural discussion will depend on your guide, but the staff have been praised for explaining Bora Bora and Polynesian traditions in a friendly, personal way.

That human touch is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private outing. Manu has been praised for making the day special, while Naki was singled out for culture, local knowledge, and good humor. Maui was remembered as warm, funny, safety-conscious, and an excellent singer. The tone sounds relaxed rather than formal, which fits a day on a tropical lagoon.

Snorkeling among rays and reef fish

The snorkeling stops are the heart of this experience. The planned route can include several different underwater settings, giving you a better chance to see varied marine life than a single-site boat trip.

A coral garden is one of the most memorable stops. Here, you can expect colorful coral and many small reef fish in clear, shallow water. The appeal is not only the scenery. A coral garden shows you how much life can gather in a compact area, and it offers a calmer setting for anyone who feels nervous about open-water snorkeling.

The exact marine life can change from day to day. Reports from the tour include manta rays, leopard rays, lemon sharks, several other sharks, and many coral fish. No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed, so treat the list as a good possibility rather than a promise.

You may also visit a grassy area where rays gather. The setting is different from the coral garden, and the guide can help explain the animals and show you how to watch them without getting too close. Listen closely to the safety instructions. The staff have received praise for being attentive and for helping people who felt afraid of sharks.

One particularly useful detail comes from a guest who credited Captain Jack Sparrow with helping overcome a fear of swimming near sharks. That suggests the crew can offer reassurance without making you feel foolish. Still, you should be honest about your comfort level before entering the water.

Swimming near sharks and rays

Swimming near sharks is thrilling, but it is also the part that requires the most attention. The tour description specifically mentions swimming alongside rays and sharks, while individual accounts include lemon sharks and several other shark sightings.

Your guide’s instructions matter here. Stay with the group, keep a respectful distance, and follow the captain’s directions about where to enter and exit the water. The staff’s careful approach to safety is one of the most consistently praised parts of the outing.

Manta rays are another highlight. They move with a quiet, graceful rhythm that makes the encounter feel very different from watching small fish over coral. Leopard rays add another possible sighting, especially around the sandy or grassy parts of the lagoon.

Conditions can change the route. One outing went ahead despite less-than-ideal weather, but that does not mean every departure will do so. The operator states that the experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

A coral garden worth saving for

If you have snorkeled in several places around Bora Bora, the coral garden may still be the stop you remember best. It brings together color, fish, and calm water in one compact setting.

The guide’s role makes a real difference here. Rather than simply dropping you beside the reef, the crew can point out fish, coral, and other sea life. That turns a pretty swim into a closer look at how the lagoon works.

Bring your own mask or underwater camera only if you prefer your personal equipment. Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to rent it separately. A towel is also supplied, which saves space in your day bag.

The listing does not specify whether wetsuits, prescription masks, flotation aids, or reef shoes are available. If you need any of those items, ask before departure instead of assuming they will be provided.

Lunch on a motu

The motu lunch is the break that gives this outing its sense of place. Rather than eating aboard the boat or returning to a resort, you stop on a small reef island and eat surrounded by Bora Bora’s lagoon.

The meal has received strong praise, with special mention of its quality and the cheerful way it was presented. Manu was praised for the guiding, while another team member, Manu, helped animate the lunch. The social side of the meal seems to be part of the fun.

Included food is described as fresh seasonal fruit, snacks, and soft drinks. The information does not provide a complete menu, so ask about the main dish, vegetarian options, allergies, and other dietary needs before you go.

There is no restroom on board, and the information does not confirm restroom facilities on the motu. Plan accordingly. Also note that alcoholic drinks are not included. If you want anything beyond the supplied beverages, ask the operator what you may bring.

What the private format really offers

A private tour can be a good fit if you care about personal attention. You are not working around a large mixed group, and the guide can respond to your pace, swimming ability, and interests more easily.

The booking information describes this as a private activity for your group only. At the same time, one account refers to a group of 12, so I would confirm the maximum group size in writing. The price is also shown as $1,679.85 per group up to one person, while the description says the outing is for two people. These details do not line up neatly.

That does not make the experience poor, but it does make a prebooking question essential. Ask for the total price for two people, the actual maximum party size, and whether hotel pickup costs extra. A clear answer will help you judge the value.

At $1,679.85, this is a major expense for a four to five hour activity. The price may make sense for a couple who values a private boat, several wildlife stops, a motu meal, and attentive guiding. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a short snorkeling session or are happy to share a boat with other people.

Who will enjoy this lagoon safari most

I would choose this for couples, families, or small private groups who want several parts of Bora Bora in one outing. You get wildlife, coral, scenery, food, and cultural conversation without having to organize separate activities.

It also suits people who want support in the water. The guides appear comfortable helping nervous swimmers and explaining how to approach rays and sharks safely. Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed.

This may not suit you if you need onboard facilities, reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning, or alcohol included. It may also be a poor match if you want a guaranteed full-day schedule, since the stated duration is only four to five hours.

The tour is also weather dependent. Bora Bora’s lagoon can look perfect in a brochure, but wind, rain, and water conditions still affect the day. Keep some flexibility in your plans if this is one of the main activities of your holiday.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is sent at the time of booking. The tour starts at 9:00 am, begins at the Rohivai Tours meeting point in Matira, and ends back there.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, no refund is available, and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you can receive a full refund or select another date or experience.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection, though the supplied towel is a helpful extra. Since the tour includes snorkeling equipment, water, fruit, snacks, and soft drinks, you can pack light. I would still bring a dry bag for valuables and confirm the lunch menu if food is important to you.

Is Rohivai Tours worth booking?

I would book this tour if you want a private, personality-led introduction to Bora Bora’s lagoon. The strongest features are the range of snorkeling stops, the chance to see rays and sharks, the coral garden, and the motu lunch. The guides also seem to make a real difference, with Maui’s humor and singing, Naki’s cultural stories, Manu’s warm service, and Chris’s willingness to help when a pickup problem arose.

I would pause before booking if the price is a concern or if the inconsistent group and duration details matter to you. Confirm the cost for two people, the pickup arrangement, the actual schedule, and the maximum party size first.

For a special occasion, or for a couple who wants a private day with food and wildlife built in, this can be a memorable Bora Bora splurge. For a budget-conscious visitor, a shared lagoon trip may deliver many of the same sights at a lower cost.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Rohivai Tours, Taahana, in Matira, Bora Bora. The listed start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Matira.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately four to five hours, although the experience is also described as a full-day tour. Confirm the exact timing before booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, and hotel pickup was provided for some bookings. Confirm whether your hotel is included and where the pickup will take place.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The booking information describes it as a private activity in which only your group participates.

How many people can join?

The price is listed per group up to one person, while the tour description says it is for two people. One account also refers to a group of 12. Confirm the permitted group size directly with Rohivai Tours.

What is included?

The tour includes a towel, bottled water, snacks, fresh seasonal fruit, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

Are alcohol and Wi-Fi included?

No. Alcoholic beverages and onboard Wi-Fi are not included. The boat also does not have a restroom or air conditioning.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.