Private Boat Rental on Cap Camarat 17ft

Bora Bora is best appreciated from the water, and this private 17-foot Cap Camarat keeps the outing personal rather than crowded. Your captain handles the boat, guides you around the lagoon, and can adjust the route toward snorkeling sites or places that match your curiosity.

I like the freedom to stretch out on the front deck or find shade beneath the canopy. I also like the easy swimming access from the rear ladder, plus the chance to snorkel with a captain who may enter the water with you, as Sam and Will have done. The main drawback is the three-hour limit, which can feel short once you add hotel pickup, island cruising, and several swim stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat, private group: You share the Cap Camarat only with your own party.
• Three-hour lagoon outing: The route includes a circle of Bora Bora and snorkeling locations.
• Captain-led experience: Captains such as Niko, Sam, Will, Ruma, Terry, and Tarepa have guided past outings.
• Marine life is a major draw: You might see sharks, rays, turtles, seahorses, sea cucumbers, and tropical fish.
• Pickup is included: Hotel and port pickup and drop-off are offered from select locations.
• Conservation matters: The operator says it protects coral and marine life and does not feed sharks or rays.

A private way to see Bora Bora’s lagoon

The strength of this outing is simple: you get the lagoon without joining a large boatload of strangers. The Cap Camarat is compact, but it has a front deck for lounging, a canopy for shade, and a rear ladder for getting into the water.

Your captain drives throughout the trip. You are not renting the boat to operate it yourself, which makes the experience more relaxed and safer for anyone who wants to focus on the views and swimming.

The boat is suited to a small private party rather than a large celebration. The listing describes the activity as private, so only your group participates. That makes it a good choice if you want quiet time with family, a couple’s outing, or a flexible morning with friends.

The captain provides light commentary as you cruise. The level of guiding can vary by captain, but the experience is not limited to transportation. Past outings have included local history, help identifying fish, and advice on where to swim.

What the three-hour route can include

The route is described as a circle of Bora Bora with stops at snorkeling areas. The exact order is not fixed, and that is useful in a lagoon where wind and water conditions can change.

You might begin with a slow cruise along the island, taking in the volcanic peaks and the water around the outer motu. The boat gives you a different view of Bora Bora’s famous setting than you get from a hotel beach or an overwater bungalow.

The cruising time also gives the captain a chance to judge conditions. One outing had rough water at the first planned snorkeling site, so Captain Tarepa, also called Captain Jack Sparrow, moved the group to another location. That kind of adjustment is valuable. A rigid route is less useful than a captain who chooses a calmer and more enjoyable place.

The three-hour duration is enough for several stops, but do not expect a full-day boat charter. If your group wants long swims, a leisurely lunch, and a broad island circuit, you may find the schedule tight. Lunch is not included, and the supplied details do not list a meal stop.

Snorkeling with sharks, rays, and reef fish

The wildlife encounters are the main reason to book. Stops may include shallow water where you can look for rays and sharks, as well as a coral garden filled with smaller fish.

The exact animals are never guaranteed, but past outings have included blacktip sharks, stingrays, turtles, seahorses, sea cucumbers, and colorful tropical fish. One captain pointed out different species in the coral garden, turning the swim into more than a quick look beneath the surface.

The coral garden is especially useful if you want variety. A shark and ray stop offers the memorable large-animal encounter, while the reef area lets you slow down and look at fish and coral. These are different experiences, and having both within one private trip makes the route feel well balanced.

You should be comfortable with basic water activity, but you do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part. A past outing included a guest who was not confident in the water, and Captain Sam stayed close, helped her feel secure, and swam with her at the coral reef.

That said, the activity is on a boat in open lagoon water. Tell the captain if you are nervous, and use the rear ladder carefully. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Why the captain can make or break the outing

Your captain is more than a boat driver. The best part of a private charter is being able to ask for help, change the pace, or spend longer at a place your group enjoys.

Niko has taken groups around the island in search of sharks, rays, turtles, and other sea life, and one outing also included an unexpected ukulele serenade. Sam has been praised for looking after less confident swimmers and for choosing attractive coral areas. Will has swum with groups and pointed out small creatures such as seahorses and sea cucumbers.

Terry has guided groups through rain while keeping the snorkeling worthwhile. Ruma has taken groups to three different swimming spots. Tarepa adjusted his route when wind made the first location uncomfortable.

These details show what you should hope for from the service: practical judgment, attention to water conditions, and a willingness to tailor the outing. They do not mean every departure will have the same captain or the same route. When booking, it is sensible to ask which captain is scheduled if that matters to you.

Shade, swimming, and comfort aboard the Cap Camarat

The Jeanneau Cap Camarat is presented as a boat for private fun rather than a formal yacht cruise. Its size helps it reach snorkeling spots and gives your group a direct, informal setting, but it also means space is limited.

You can lie on the front deck when you want sun and views. The canopy gives you a cooler place to sit when the tropical heat becomes too much. The rear ladder makes short swims easy, since you do not need to wait for the boat to reach a beach.

Water is included, which is useful during a warm three-hour outing. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before or after the trip unless the operator gives you different instructions.

One practical point is that the listing describes a 17-foot boat. That is a small craft by excursion standards. It suits people who value privacy and a direct connection to the lagoon more than people who want a roomy vessel with extensive onboard facilities.

A conservation-minded approach to the lagoon

The operator says its approach focuses on protecting marine life, coral, and aquatic plants. It specifically says the crew does not feed sharks or rays.

That matters in Bora Bora, where close wildlife encounters can be exciting but also need careful handling. You can enjoy seeing rays and sharks without treating the animals like a staged show.

One past account referred to feeding sharks and rays, but the stated operating approach is non-feeding and conservation focused. I would use that as your guide and avoid expecting a feeding session. The best reason to choose this activity is the chance to observe the lagoon while leaving the animals and coral undisturbed.

Do not touch coral or marine life, and follow the captain’s instructions in the water. A good captain can help you see more while keeping your group from causing damage.

Is €197.68 per person good value?

At €197.68 per person, this is not a cheap quick boat ride. The value depends heavily on the size of your group.

You are paying for a private boat, captain, guide service, hotel or port transfers, water, island cruising, and access to snorkeling sites. For a couple, the per-person cost may feel high compared with a shared cruise. For a family or group of friends, the private format can make more sense, especially if you would otherwise pay for several separate activities.

The strongest value is control. You avoid a crowded boat, can sit where you want, and may be able to alter the snorkeling plan when conditions change. You also have a better chance of getting personal help in the water than you would on a large group outing.

The weaker value is duration. Three hours goes quickly, particularly when pickup, cruising, and multiple stops are part of the same booking. If your priority is simply to see Bora Bora from the lagoon, the time should work well. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask how much time is normally spent in the water.

Pickup and practical planning

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from select locations, along with port pickup and drop-off. Confirm that your accommodation or port is covered before booking, since the wording does not promise pickup from every location.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received at booking. The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The cancellation rule is simple but strict near departure. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Wear clothing that can handle spray and a wet swim. The supplied information does not list towels, reef shoes, or snorkeling equipment among the included items, so ask the operator what you need to bring and what is supplied. Water is included, but lunch is not.

Who will enjoy this private boat trip?

I would choose this for a couple who wants privacy, a family that values personal attention, or a small group that does not want to follow a fixed large-boat schedule.

It also suits mixed swimming abilities. The captain can help you find a comfortable place to enter the water, and past outings show that some captains swim with guests who need extra support.

The trip is less suitable if you want a long, full-day charter, a guaranteed animal encounter, or a large boat with lots of room. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a meal or a formal guided tour with constant narration.

For wildlife, keep expectations sensible. Sharks, rays, turtles, and reef fish have appeared on past trips, but lagoon conditions and animal movements vary. The captain can improve your chances by choosing good spots, but no responsible operator can promise a particular sighting.

Final call: book it for privacy and flexibility

I would book this if your main goal is a private look at Bora Bora’s lagoon with time to swim, snorkel, and change plans when conditions call for it. The captain-led format, rear ladder, shaded canopy, and access to coral gardens make the three hours useful.

The best reason to choose it over a shared cruise is not simply comfort. It is the chance to receive direct attention from a captain such as Sam, Will, Niko, Ruma, Terry, or Tarepa, depending on the day. That personal guidance can make a real difference when you are unsure in the water or when wind changes the route.

I would skip it if €197.68 per person is beyond your budget, if you need a full-day outing, or if you want lunch included. For a small group that values space, wildlife, and a flexible lagoon route, this is a strong Bora Bora choice.

FAQ

How long is the private boat rental?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates.

Is a captain included?

Yes. The boat is always operated with a captain, who drives and provides light commentary during the trip.

What can I see while snorkeling?

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

Are hotel transfers included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Water is included, but lunch is not.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For personal cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.