Reviewed · MOTU PICNIC DAYS
Luxury Private full day tour & Motu lunch in Bora-Bora
The lagoon does the heavy lifting here. This private Bora Bora outing combines four hours of guided snorkeling with a Polynesian lunch served on a motu, making it much more than a quick boat ride. I especially like the private format, which lets you shape the morning around the marine life and water conditions, and the chance to eat with your feet in the lagoon while colorful fish swim nearby. The main drawback is the price: at $1,739.74 for up to two people, this is a major splurge.
You begin at 9:00 a.m. and spend about six hours on the water and motu. I also like the human touch: guides are native to French Polynesia, share local culture and history, and may play a ukulele or pahu during the cruise. If you want a quiet, polished day rather than a low-cost group excursion, this is a strong choice, but the high fee makes it best suited to a special occasion.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Bora Bora’s lagoon
- A comfortable outrigger instead of a crowded excursion boat
- Four hours of snorkeling and marine-life discovery
- A guide who adds culture to the snorkeling
- Lunch on the motu, with the lagoon under your feet
- What the $1,739.74 price really buys
- Who will enjoy this Bora Bora day most
- Weather, cancellations, and planning the day
- Is the private motu lunch tour worth booking?
- FAQ
- How long does the private Bora Bora tour last?
- What time does the tour start?
- How much does the experience cost?
- Is this a private tour?
- Is pickup available?
- How much time is spent snorkeling?
- What marine life might I see?
- What is included for lunch?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before booking

- Four hours of morning snorkeling: The main part of the day is built around discovering Bora Bora’s lagoon, with chances to see stingrays, sharks, coral gardens, and colorful fish.
- A private outrigger for two: Only your group participates, giving you more space and flexibility than a standard shared boat.
- Lunch with your feet in the water: The motu meal features local Polynesian dishes at tables set directly in the lagoon.
- Native Polynesian guides: Your guide can add stories about local culture, history, and the natural world, not just point out fish.
- Live local music: The cruise may include ukulele or pahu music, adding a distinctly Polynesian feel to the ride.
- Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before departure.
Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Bora Bora’s lagoon

A 9:00 a.m. start gives you a full morning for snorkeling before lunch. The total experience lasts about six hours, so this is not a rushed one-hour look at the lagoon. You have time to move between different marine areas, pause when you want, and let the guide adjust the pace.
Pickup is offered, and the activity is also near public transportation. The exact pickup arrangement should be confirmed when you book, especially if you are staying at a resort or on a separate motu. Confirmation is provided at booking, which is useful on an island where boat transfers and hotel locations can make simple meeting plans less simple.
The tour is private for your group of up to two people. That matters in Bora Bora because the lagoon is the star, and the experience is better when you are not trying to hear instructions over a crowded boat. You can also discuss your interests with the guide, such as spending more time with rays, looking closely at coral gardens, or taking a slower cruise between stops.
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A comfortable outrigger instead of a crowded excursion boat

The boat is described as the most beautiful outrigger in the operator’s fleet, with space, comfort, and relaxation as central features. The provided details do not give its exact size or onboard facilities, so you should not assume there is a changing room, shaded cabin, or a full range of equipment.
What you can expect is a traditional-style Polynesian boat suited to moving around the lagoon. The outrigger design is part of the setting, not merely transportation. You cruise close to the water, with views of Bora Bora’s famous lagoon and the surrounding island scenery.
The private boat also gives the day a calmer rhythm. You are not following a large group from one stop to the next. If your guide sees a good opportunity for marine-life viewing, the itinerary can be shaped around that moment, subject to safety and water conditions.
The tour description places strong emphasis on relaxation. That makes this a good fit if you want snorkeling without turning the day into a race. It may be less suitable if you want a highly structured list of exact sites or a guaranteed encounter with a particular animal. Marine life is wild, and even an excellent guide cannot schedule a shark, ray, or whale like a hotel reservation.
Four hours of snorkeling and marine-life discovery
The morning includes four hours of snorkeling and exploration. That is a generous amount of time, especially compared with half-day outings that spend much of the schedule on transport. You can expect the focus to remain on the lagoon’s shallow-water areas and marine habitats.
The planned sights include:
- Stingrays
- Sharks
- Coral gardens
- Colorful reef fish
- Other marine species in the lagoon
- Whales, according to one especially enthusiastic account of the day
The mention of whales deserves a practical note. A whale sighting is possible according to the experience feedback, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the itinerary. The same applies to sharks and rays. The value here is the guide’s ability to help you find and understand the lagoon’s wildlife, not a promise that every creature will appear on cue.
The coral gardens are likely to be the most dependable highlight. Coral areas bring together many smaller fish and offer a closer look at the lagoon’s underwater life. You may find that this part is more rewarding than simply checking large animals off a list, since the fish, coral, and shallow water create a fuller picture of the ecosystem.
Swimming among sharks may sound dramatic, but the tour description presents it as part of a guided experience in the lagoon. Your certified guide stays close in shallow water and offers assistance when needed. That close supervision is reassuring if you are an uncertain swimmer or simply want someone nearby while you watch the animals.
You should still be comfortable in the water before booking. The information says most people can participate, but it does not specify whether flotation equipment is supplied, nor does it describe the exact swimming requirements. Ask the operator about gear, water depth, and any medical or mobility concerns before departure.
A guide who adds culture to the snorkeling

The guide is not limited to pointing toward a ray and calling out its name. Guides are native to French Polynesia and share their love of the land, history, and culture. That local perspective can turn a beautiful boat trip into a more meaningful introduction to Bora Bora.
The experience also highlights the guides’ musical abilities. You may hear a traditional ukulele or pahu, the local drum, while cruising. Music is a small detail, but it changes the mood. Instead of a boat engine filling every quiet moment, you may get a short performance that connects the outing to Polynesian culture.
One account specifically praises a guide named Ray, who provided Tahitian history, played ukulele, and sang during the day. Ray may not be the guide assigned to every departure, so you should not book on the assumption that he will lead your tour. Still, his combination of storytelling, music, and humor gives you a useful sense of the personal style this experience aims for.
The guide’s role is also important for safety and respect. The tour promises close assistance in shallow water and care for the natural environment. You should follow instructions about where to swim, how to behave around animals, and how to avoid touching or damaging coral.
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Lunch on the motu, with the lagoon under your feet

After the morning snorkeling, you head to a motu for a Polynesian lunch. In French Polynesia, a motu is a small islet, often low and sandy, and it provides a natural pause from the boat and water.
The meal is mainly made up of local dishes. The specific menu is not provided, so you should not expect a guaranteed list of items. What is clear is the setting: tables are placed in the lagoon, allowing you to eat with your feet in the water while colorful fish gather nearby.
That unusual table arrangement is the signature moment of the full-day tour. It turns lunch into part of the scenery rather than a break in the schedule. You are not simply eating at a restaurant beside the water. You are sitting in the lagoon itself, with the fish close enough to make an ordinary meal feel wonderfully odd.
The lunch also gives you a chance to slow down after several hours of snorkeling. Four hours in the water can be tiring, even when the activity is gentle. The motu stop provides time to dry off, eat, and enjoy the setting without needing to keep your mask and snorkel on.
There are a few practical unknowns. The supplied information does not state how dietary restrictions are handled, how much shade is available, or whether changing facilities are provided. If you have allergies, follow a special diet, or need particular comfort arrangements, ask before booking.
What the $1,739.74 price really buys

The price is $1,739.74 per group of up to two people. Split evenly, that is about $869.87 per person, though the booking is charged by group rather than by individual.
That is a steep price for a six-hour activity. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated guide, a private outrigger, a long snorkeling session, a motu lunch, and a more personal pace. You are also paying for the setting, since Bora Bora’s lagoon is one of the world’s great places to spend a day on the water.
The value improves if you are a couple celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or milestone. A private boat avoids the compromises that come with a shared outing. You are not paying for two seats on a crowded vessel and then trying to make the best of a fixed schedule.
For budget-minded visitors, the cost may be hard to justify. A shorter shared tour could provide a glimpse of the same lagoon at a much lower price, though it would not offer the same level of privacy or the long morning schedule. This experience makes sense when comfort and exclusivity matter more than keeping excursion costs low.
The lunch adds real value, but it is not the sole reason to book. If your main goal is local food, you may want more menu detail before committing. The strongest case for the price is the complete combination of boat, guide, snorkeling, culture, and motu setting.
Who will enjoy this Bora Bora day most

I would recommend this outing to couples who want a private day with a high level of personal attention. It also suits people who would rather spend time exploring than checking off a quick list of photo stops.
It is a good match for you if:
- You want the boat and guide to yourselves.
- You enjoy snorkeling and are happy to spend several hours in the water.
- You want chances to see rays, sharks, coral, and reef fish.
- You value local stories and music.
- You like the idea of a long, relaxed lunch in an unusual setting.
- You are comfortable paying a premium for privacy.
It may not suit you if you want a low-cost activity, dislike swimming, or prefer a precise menu and tightly fixed itinerary. You should also think carefully about the weather. A cloudy day does not always ruin a lagoon trip, but poor conditions can cancel the outing, and marine-life viewing is naturally less predictable.
Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the day still centers on swimming and snorkeling. Ask about equipment and water conditions if you have limited swimming experience or need assistance beyond what a guide can provide.
Weather, cancellations, and planning the day

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Bora Bora time.
The experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator will offer another date or a full refund. The same approach applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, although this is a private booking for up to two people.
I would avoid scheduling this on the final morning of your Bora Bora stay. Weather can change, and a rescheduled tour is only useful if you still have time on the island. Booking well ahead is sensible, since this experience is booked about 80 days in advance on average.
The mobile ticket is convenient, but it does not replace checking the pickup details. Confirm the meeting arrangement, ask about snorkeling equipment, and share any food requirements before the day begins.
Is the private motu lunch tour worth booking?
Yes, if you want one polished, private day that combines Bora Bora’s lagoon, marine life, local culture, music, and food. The strongest parts are the four-hour snorkeling schedule, the chance to adjust the outing with your guide, and the memorable lunch table set in the water.
I would skip it if the price would make you uneasy or if you are only mildly interested in snorkeling. At $1,739.74 for two, this is not a casual add-on. But for a special occasion, the private boat, local guide, personal attention, and motu lunch create a complete Bora Bora experience rather than a short sightseeing trip.
FAQ
How long does the private Bora Bora tour last?
The experience lasts approximately six hours.
What time does the tour start?
The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.
How much does the experience cost?
The price is $1,739.74 per group of up to two people.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.
Is pickup available?
Yes, pickup is offered. The exact pickup details should be confirmed when booking.
How much time is spent snorkeling?
The morning includes approximately four hours of snorkeling and lagoon discovery.
What marine life might I see?
The planned marine-life encounters include stingrays, sharks, coral gardens, colorful fish, and other lagoon species. One account also describes seeing a whale, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
What is included for lunch?
Lunch is served on a motu and mainly consists of local Polynesian dishes. Tables are set in the lagoon, where you can eat with your feet in the water.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.
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