15 Kayak Trips in the Pacific Islands to Build a Day Around

1.Moorea Lagoon Tour by Transparent Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $51Our pick

Paddle a transparent kayak across Moorea’s lagoon with a small group of up to 10. Guides such as Hugo and Christel lead you to calm water, coral reefs, and snorkeling areas where black-tip sharks and stingrays gather. The two-hour tour includes kayak gear, fresh water, and fruit juice, with optional pickup and photo service.

“Our guide was on time, super friendly and accommodating. The trip was as described. And we just had the two of us so it was private.”

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2.Bora Bora Snorkel Cruise by Polynesian Outrigger Canoe with BBQ Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $296

Spend about six hours circling Bora Bora’s lagoon by motorized Polynesian outrigger canoe. Guides such as Sam, Jean, Tarepa, and Ruma lead stops for coral gardens, black-tip sharks, stingrays, manta rays, and tropical fish, followed by a BBQ lunch on a small motu. Hotel pickup, gear, towels, drinks, and lunch are included.

“We were staying at the Conrad resort for five nights and did a couple excursions, had massages and ate at every restaurant there. Everything was amazing but the small group snorkel with Bbq lunch was absolutely the highlight for both of us. I would say you should not miss it. It is more expensive than the regular, larger group snorkel excursion, but it isn’t cheap getting to Bora Bora so you might as well spend the extra money for something memorable. The captain of our boat was Tauarii and the guide was Tarepa. Both were super nice. Honestly, I LOVED TAREPA. He was a big bear and super sweet. They…”

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3.Small Group River Kayaking Tour from Port Vila

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $68

Paddle the gentle Rentapao River from Port Vila with guides such as Jackie, Berry, or Moroni. Choose a single or double kayak, pass rainforest, mangroves, villages, and swimmers, then cool off in clear freshwater with a Tarzan rope swing. Hotel and cruise-ship pickup is offered, and no kayaking experience is needed.

“Nice informative tour guide with lots of things to say around the surrounding areas and the crystal clear water made it so nice to kayak”

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4.Eco guided excursion to the lagoon of Moorea in transparent kayak 1/2 day morning

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $91

Meet at Tiahura Beach at 8:00 a.m. for a 3.5-hour guided lagoon trip with transparent kayaks. Your guide points out turtles, rays, sharks, coral, and tropical fish, then leads an aquatic walk between two motus and serves fresh fruit juice on a sandbank. Guides have included Nicolas and Caro.

“My sisters, partners and I had such a fun time exploring the lagoon on clear kayak's. We were able to spot much more sea life in the clear kayak's - turtles, sharks, eagle rays and an abundance of fish. Once we arrived at the lagoon, we spotRead more”

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5.The Vanilla tour of Taha’a in a comfortable outrigger canoe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $156

Set out from Raiatea at 8:30 a.m. aboard Blue Lagoon, a modern outrigger canoe for up to 12 people. Jimmy and his team take you to a pearl farm, coral garden, rum shop, vanilla plantation, and a motu lunch. Snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and a Polynesian buffet are included.

“The tour was fantastic. The ship is modern, clean, and comfortable. Captain Jimmy is a super tour guide. He is very nice and friendly.”

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6.Apetahi day trip around Raiatea on a modern outrigger canoe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $156

Spend 7 to 8 hours aboard Blue Lagoon with guide Jimmy and a small group of up to 12. Circle Raiatea, watch for dolphins, snorkel at Nao Nao, visit UNESCO-listed Taputapuatea Marae, enjoy lunch by the water, and travel inland on the Faaroa River when conditions allow.

“This was one of the best tours I have ever taken in my life and I’ve been around the world. He was very accommodating change the tour for us so we could follow our friends in another boat. The food was amazing beautiful boat specially on the trampoline so much fun”

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7.Valley of the Latte Kayaking Adventure Tour with Lunch No Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $118

Start at 9:00 a.m. at Valley of the Latte Adventure Park for a guided kayak trip through Talofofo’s calm river waters. Look for fish, crabs, plants, and flowers, then visit a Chamorro village, botanical site, freshwater spring, and ancient latte stones. Lunch, equipment, and cultural demonstrations are included. Guides may include Aaron, Ben, Rosie, or Mary.

“It was absolutely amazing our tour guide Ben was so knowledgeable and he is so nice it was easy to spend the morning with him, he did such a good job, definitely recommend asking for him as your guide.. everyone we met at the river were Read more”

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8.Activity/Excursion Lagoon Tour to Moorea by Canoe 6 hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $139

Join a six-hour Moorea lagoon outing with pickup, canoe travel through Cook and Opunohu Bays, snorkeling at rays, blacktip sharks, turtles, fish, coral, and underwater tiki carvings, then a motu stop for raw fish with coconut milk, barbecue, and a small cooking workshop. Guides include Tavia, Stéphane, and Mamaïa.

“Paradise landscape super friendly atmosphere adorable guides perfect on many points to recommendAuto-translated”

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9.Eco guided excursion to the lagoon of Moorea in a transparent kayak Afternoon 2h

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $60

Spend two relaxed hours on Moorea’s lagoon in a transparent kayak, with guides such as Nicolas, Lucas, or Caro leading you toward turtles, rays, fish, and a snorkeling spot. Equipment, snacks, and homemade fruit juice are included. The afternoon trip suits beginners and families, though weather can affect departures.

“Awesome experience, super friendly hosts! Glass bottom kayaks were cool, we saw sea turtles and eagle rays up close. Even had a reef shark swim right by when we were in the lagoon! Well book again when back in moorea!”

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10.Full Day River Kayaking & Cascades from Port Vila

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $114

You’ll spend up to two hours kayaking the calm Rentapao River, passing rainforest and village life before a French-style lunch in a large fare. A guide then takes you to Crystal Cascades for swimming and relaxation. Pickup is offered, groups are capped at 12, and the day begins at 9:00 am.

“The tour was very well run. The guides showed up to pick me up at my hotel right on time and overall they were great. The kayaking was beautiful and the waterfall was very fun. Highly recommended.”

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11.Tahaa Excursion in Electric Paddle Snorkeling Coral Garden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $128

Join Anaïs and Greg for a small-group electric paddleboard and snorkeling trip from Taha’a. You’ll glide quietly to the Coral Garden, explore lagoon plants and fish with a certified guide, stop near a motu for a snack, and receive snorkeling gear, water shoes, a waterproof bag, and GoPro photos and video.

“We had a wonderful trip over to the Coral Garden drift spot. Not everyone in our group was able to use a SUP so we asked for a boat trip there and back instead. The owner was so friendly and helpful - he took us over and returned to collect us a couple of hours later. Had a great trip and the drift snorkel site is incredible. Highly recommend!”

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12.Discovery in Kayaking of the Faaroa River in Raiatea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $117

Paddle the Faaroa River in Raiatea for about three hours with a local guide, a comfortable kayak backrest, and a small group of up to eight. Expect gentle exercise, tropical scenery, local life along the river, and possible stops for coconut water and fresh grapefruit. Pickup is offered.

“River kayaking was a great experience. Guide was knowledgeable, funny and kind. He had us stop at his home and brought us fresh coconut water and bought us fresh grapefruit at a stand along the river.”

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13.Private Electric Paddle Cruise in Bora Bora

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $55

From Matira Beach, you’ll use a stable electric paddle board to cruise Bora Bora’s lagoon at up to 7 km/h. No rowing or special skill is needed. The one-hour private outing keeps you within 300 meters of shore, with time to look for fish, stingrays, and possibly sharks. The board is quiet, emission-free, and suitable for ages 5 to 85, subject to the 150 kg limit and swimming ability.

“Great way to see the coastline. Easy and leisure activity. Fun time on the water. We saw stingrays and sharks along the way.”

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14.Tahaa: Kayaking Rental – Coral Garden – Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $36Best value

You collect a stable, single-seat kayak at Taha'a E-Paddle Adventure, receive safety and paddling instructions, then make the 45-minute trip to the Coral Garden. Snorkeling gear is optional, and rod holders let you fish in permitted lagoon areas outside protected zones.

“We had a great time at our kayak rental. Welcoming is warm, the explanations are clear, the material is of quality, and the setting is simply exceptional.”

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15.Kayaking 3in1 tour in Port Vila

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · from $129

Spend about six hours exploring Port Vila by kayak, swimming at the Blue Lagoon, and visiting Rarru Waterfalls. Vila Hope Tours and Transfers includes transfers, entry fees, morning refreshments, and lunch. Guide Flo has been praised for her friendly approach and local history knowledge. Town shopping is also part of the day.

“My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day in Vanuatu on this tour we did while on a cruise. Our tour guide Flo was very friendly and had great knowledge of the history of her country. We went to the Cascades, The Blue Laggon and Kayaked, all were fantastic!! I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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