Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Private Boat Rental on Cap Camarat 25ft
Set your own course across Bora Bora’s lagoon. This three-hour private boat rental gives you a captain, a 25-foot Jeanneau Cap Camarat, hotel transfers, drinks, and time for swimming and snorkeling. I like the freedom to choose between a morning or afternoon departure, and I like that your group does not have to follow a fixed large-boat schedule.
The strongest parts are the personal itinerary and the chance to see black tip sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, and Coral Gardens. The main consideration is the captain’s style. Some people have enjoyed lively, friendly guiding from captains such as Rumahei, while others found their captain quiet or unhelpful with questions.
At $346.08 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride. It makes better sense for couples, families, or friends who value privacy and can share the cost, especially with the available group discounts.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- What the three-hour Cap Camarat outing feels like
- Choosing between snorkeling, swimming, and island views
- Why the private format matters
- The captain can make or break the experience
- Transfers, drinks, and what you need to bring
- Is $346.08 per person good value?
- Who should book this private boat?
- Booking timing and cancellation advice
- My call: book it for privacy and marine life
- FAQ
- How long is the private boat rental?
- What boat is used for the experience?
- Is the boat rental private?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Are snorkeling supplies provided?
- Are drinks included?
- Is lunch included?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before you book

- A 25-foot Jeanneau Cap Camarat: This is a proper private motorboat, not a crowded shared excursion, with room to relax between stops.
- Your captain helps shape the route: You can ask for snorkeling spots, swimming time, island views, or a circle of Bora Bora.
- Marine life can be the star: Black tip sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, and coral areas are all part of the possible experience.
- Hotel transfers are included: Pickup and drop-off are offered from your Bora Bora hotel, along with port transfers.
- Morning or afternoon departure: The choice lets you fit the boat ride around the rest of your island plans.
- Bring your own snorkel if comfort matters: Equipment is supplied, but the operator recommends bringing your own.
What the three-hour Cap Camarat outing feels like

This is best understood as a private boat charter with a captain, not a rigid sightseeing cruise. You board the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 25ft, a 7.5-meter boat, and discuss what you want from the outing.
Your captain can guide you toward favored snorkeling locations or follow your own ideas. That difference matters. On a standard group boat, you usually stop when the schedule says stop. Here, your group can spend more time at a place you enjoy and less time at one that does not suit you.
The time is still limited. Three hours can pass quickly once you allow for transfers, boarding, cruising, swimming, and snorkeling. I would treat this as a focused lagoon outing rather than a full-day replacement for every water activity in Bora Bora.
The boat offers several simple pleasures. You can sit back for the views, sunbathe, swim from the back ladder, or use the snorkeling equipment provided. Water, soda, juice, and beer are included, so you do not need to arrange drinks for a short trip.
Lunch is not included. That is not a major issue for a three-hour rental, but it matters if you expect a half-day outing with a meal. Plan to eat before or after the boat ride.
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Choosing between snorkeling, swimming, and island views
The most memorable part for many people will be the marine life. The route may include locations where you can see black tip sharks, stingrays, and eagle rays. Coral Gardens is also named as a possible stop, and it can turn the outing from a pleasant boat ride into a serious snorkeling session.
You should keep your expectations sensible. Marine life is never a guaranteed performance, and the exact order of stops depends on conditions and the captain’s judgment. Still, the combination of sharks, rays, and coral areas gives this trip a stronger purpose than simply cruising around the lagoon.
The back ladder makes getting into the water easier. You can cool off, swim, and look for sea creatures without needing to make a difficult jump from the side of the boat. This is a small feature, but it makes a difference for anyone who wants easy water access.
If you prefer dry sightseeing, the boat still works. Bora Bora’s views are a major part of the appeal, and a private boat gives you a comfortable place to see them from the water. The captain can also include a circle of the island, according to the tour description, although the time available may affect how much of the route you cover.
I would tell the captain early if your group has different priorities. One person may want sharks, another may want photographs, and someone else may simply want a quiet swim. A private charter is most useful when you speak up before the boat heads out.
Why the private format matters

The private setup is the chief reason to choose this experience over a cheaper shared cruise. Only your group participates, so you are not working around strangers’ swimming pace, comfort level, or preferred photo stops.
That privacy is especially useful for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend time in the water while others stay on board. Families can discuss what feels comfortable. Couples can enjoy the boat without turning the outing into a social event with people they have never met.
The flexible timing at each stop is another real benefit. One especially positive account describes staying as long or as briefly as the group wanted. That is the best version of this tour: the captain handles the boat and local route, while you have a say in how the three hours are used.
There is a tradeoff. A private boat does not automatically mean a highly narrated or constantly guided experience. One captain, Nicholson, was described as polite but detached, asking what the group wanted and then taking them to a swimming spot without much conversation. Another account described a captain as rude and unhelpful with questions.
That means you should make your expectations clear. If you want stories about Bora Bora, active help in the water, and advice about the best marine life locations, say so at the start. If you mainly want privacy and transport to good spots, a quiet captain may bother you less.
The captain can make or break the experience

The operator is Moana Adventure Tours, and the captain is always part of the service. The boat itself may be comfortable, but your connection with the person steering it will shape the day.
Rumahei receives especially warm praise for bringing laughter, singing, and a cheerful spirit to the outing. That sort of personality can make a short trip feel like a special occasion. Other positive accounts describe captains who selected excellent viewing and snorkeling spots and made the boat ride a highlight of a Bora Bora visit.
At the same time, the mixed feedback is worth taking seriously. One person wanted more answers about the island and found the guide too brief. Another expected a friendly, engaged host and felt let down. I would not ignore those complaints simply because the setting is beautiful.
You can improve your odds of getting the experience you want by being direct:
- Tell the captain if snorkeling is your main goal.
- Ask which locations are best for sharks, rays, or coral.
- Say if you want more information about Bora Bora.
- Explain how much time you want in the water.
- Mention if anyone in your group prefers to remain on board.
This is not a guarantee of personality, but it gives the captain useful direction. It also helps you decide early if you need to adjust your plan.
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Transfers, drinks, and what you need to bring

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are port transfers. That removes one of the annoying parts of arranging a short private outing on an island where transport planning can take time.
A local guide is included, and you can choose a morning or afternoon tour time. The booking also offers a mobile ticket, which is useful when you are keeping your island plans on your phone.
Drinks include soda, beer, juice, and water. For a three-hour trip, that is a practical inclusion. You will not need to carry a large supply of refreshments, although you should still think about sun protection and personal comfort.
Snorkeling equipment is provided, but the operator recommends bringing your own snorkel for comfort. I would follow that advice if you have one that fits well. A poor-fitting snorkel can distract from the water and marine life, while your own equipment is familiar.
The supplied information does not list lunch, towels, or other personal items as included. Since lunch is specifically excluded, plan around it rather than expecting food on board.
Is $346.08 per person good value?

The listed price is $346.08 per person. That is a premium for only about three hours, but you are paying for a private boat, a captain, transfers, drinks, snorkeling access, and control over the outing.
The value improves when the cost is shared across a private group. Group discounts are offered, though the exact discount is not provided. For a couple, the total cost is substantial. For a family or group of friends, the cost per person may feel more reasonable if everyone wants the same water-based experience.
I would compare this price with what you value most. If the goal is simply to see Bora Bora from the water, a shared excursion may cost less. If you want the boat to yourself and would rather spend time with sharks and rays than wait for a large group, the private format gives the price a clear purpose.
The flexibility is also part of the value. You are not buying a meal or a long list of fixed stops. You are buying time, space, and a captain who can adapt the route to your group. That is worth more to some people than to others.
The price is hardest to justify if your group wants little more than a short cruise and a few photographs. It becomes easier to justify if snorkeling is the main reason for booking, privacy matters, and you can use the captain’s flexibility well.
Who should book this private boat?

I would recommend it most strongly to:
- Couples who want a private lagoon outing.
- Families who need a route and swimming pace suited to their own group.
- Friends who want to share the cost of a private boat.
- Snorkelers interested in sharks, rays, and coral areas.
- People who dislike crowded group excursions.
- Anyone who wants a morning or afternoon activity with hotel transfers included.
It may be less suitable if you need a full day on the water, want lunch included, or expect a detailed cultural talk throughout the trip. It is also not the best choice if you are uncomfortable with the possibility of a quiet captain.
Most travelers can participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed. The activity is private, so only your own group joins the boat.
Booking timing and cancellation advice

This experience is booked about 32 days ahead on average. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if the boat ride is important to your Bora Bora plans, especially if you need a particular morning or afternoon time.
Confirmation is received at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, you receive no refund, and changes made during that period are not accepted.
I would avoid placing this outing on the day of an important flight or fixed connection. A three-hour activity may be simple, but hotel pickup, port transfers, and weather or water conditions can affect the day’s rhythm.
My call: book it for privacy and marine life
I would book the Cap Camarat rental if I wanted a private snorkeling outing and could share the cost with a group. The chance to see black tip sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, and Coral Gardens, combined with flexible time at each stop, gives the experience real appeal.
I would book it with one clear request: ask for an active captain who can explain the island and guide you toward the best water locations. The boat and setting are strong, but the captain’s attitude matters greatly.
Skip it if you need lunch, a full-day schedule, or a guaranteed nonstop commentary. Choose it if you want three focused hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon, with your own boat, your own pace, and easy hotel transfers.
FAQ
How long is the private boat rental?
The tour lasts approximately three hours.
What boat is used for the experience?
The rental uses a 25-foot, or 7.5-meter, Jeanneau Cap Camarat boat.
Is the boat rental private?
Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with port pickup and drop-off.
Are snorkeling supplies provided?
Yes. Snorkel equipment is provided, although bringing your own snorkel is recommended for comfort.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Soda, beer, juice, and water are included.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.
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