5 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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