Raiatea Tahaa 1/2 day Coral Garden Snorkeling / Cruise Friendly
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This excursion is specially designed for cruise passengers spending only a few hours in the beautiful islands — but is also ideal for anyone who wants to explore the jewels of the lagoon in a half-day small group tour & friendly atmosphere. Another customized program is possible on request for groups of 8 people. Contact us at time of reservation.
Unlike larger group excursions, the small-group experience of maximum 8 passengers offers a more personal, attentive and enjoyable atmosphere.
Tearii, your certified local snorkeling guide & captain, joins you in the water to ensure your safety, comfort, and confidence at all times - you are never left alone.
With 2 snorkeling locations, premium inclusions, and a schedule adapted to cruise ship arrivals with guaranteed on-time return, we're dedicated to delivering authentic and unforgettable experiences. We'll take great care of you and promise you won't regret it !
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Jardin de Corail
Discover Tahaa's famous Coral Garden, one of the most stunning drift snorkel site in French Polynesia, in the heart of a preserved lagoon. Departing from Raiatea allows you to enjoy the beauty of the lagoon on a relaxing boat ride toward Tahaa, the " Vanilla Island", with breathtaking views of Bora Bora on the horizon. After an approximate 30-minute ride, we'll arrive at the Coral Garden on the motu of Tautau. Before entering the water, you'll receive snorkeling equipment, water shoes and a small briefing by Tearii, your captain and certified snorkeling guide. The gentle current makes this snorkeling experience accessible to all and enjoyable for all levels. As the current carries you along, you'll swim in a real natural aquarium and glide over vibrant coral formations while spotting abundant marine life and schools of multicolor fish. A truly magical moment that you'll never forget ! After snorkeling, relax on the beach or aboard with fresh tropical fruits and cold drinks.
Tahaa
On the return to Raiatea, we stop at a second gorgeous site, in the middle of shallow turquoise water, where you'll encounter and safely swim with black-tip reef sharks in their natural habitat. Swimming with them feels both thrilling and deeply serene, and offers you a last opportunity to connect with the wildlife of the lagoon.
Options
Raiatea Tahaa 1/2 day Coral Garden Snorkeling / Cruise Friendly
What‘s Included
Transport by boat to Taha'a in small groups of maximum 8 passengers for greater comfort
Snorkeling gear & water shoes provided
Fresh tropical fruits, water & juice
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic sights and experience
Loreen H,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect for cruise ship riders as the meeting point was right on the pier where our cruise ship docked as their booth is near the tourist center. They also are very conscientious about ensuring you get on the last tender to your boat as there were other people on the tour that had to tender to their cruise ship. Our boat driver/tour guide was fantastic! Snorkeling in the coral reefs was amazing! And swimming with the reef sharks was an unforgettable experience!
Raiatea
MaryAnn L,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an excellent excursion. Sarah was very helpful with information and Tea gave us an excellent experience. The boat was clean and safe. The equipment was good. The viewing of sea life, coral, sharks and rays was incredible. Absolutely recommend
Amazing day at the coral gardens and shark swimming
Geri M,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was amazing. So many colorful fish and coral. Our tour guide got us there early, before the crowds, so we had the gardens all to ourselves for a while. Then swimming with the sharks!! A little unnerving at first but what a great experience. Saw dolphins jumping in the water and even a couple giant rays!
Great small group experience.
Jacob B,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. The guide was fantastic. The boat seats up to 8. We had 7 people, which was way better than the large groups. Swimming with the sharks was great. More than 12+ sharks around the boat. Then the we went to the coral garden. That was really cool. And finally, the guide gave us coconut bread and bananas sprinkled with coconut flakes for the ride home. Highly recommend.
So glad we returned for a second trip!
Mocampion,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our second trip with Tea and we were so glad we returned! The weather wasn’t so good this time and Tea made the decision to go to the coral garden first which turned out to be a very good move as the weather deteriorated and we were unable to visit the sharks on this trip. But that was much better than not getting to the coral garden. The drift snorkel at the coral garden is really an experience not to be missed and it is so much better with a smaller group. We’ve now been to the coral garden three times, the first with a larger cruise ship tour which cost a lot more but was less enjoyable than with Tea. His boat isn’t large but is comfortable and very well equipped. He was able to provide snorkels, masks and water shoes to the people in our group who were less well prepared. He also produced cagoules when it started to rain and the wind picked up on our return journey. These were very much appreciated! The group we were with on this trip posed some definite challenges for Tea - from a very loud guy who had been everywhere and knew everything! He felt he didn’t need to stay with the group despite Tea’s comprehensive knowledge of the route through the coral. And he insisted on advising Tea how to drive the boat!! Then there was a couple who didn’t want to snorkel despite it being a drift snorkelling tour! And an older couple who were very nervous. Tea was really patient with all of them and we were so impressed by how he hand each situation with patience and understanding. And for us, in spite of some of the difficult characters, we still had a great trip and if we ever return to Raiatea, Blue-Green Experience will be our first stop!! Thank you Sara and Tea - we wish you every success!
Wonderful experience with a knowledgeable & kind guide
Caneel V,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had been a little hesitant because they were not many reviews for this at the time we booked it, but this was undoubtably one of the best activities we did in French Polynesia and we are SO glad we booked it. Our fantastic captain & guide, Tea, knew everything about the local flora & fauna helped us see all sorts of great animals as we snorkeling. He also provided lots of local snacks and (non-alc) drinks. It was a rainy day so he gave us hot chocolate and rain jackets for the boat ride back so we could stay warm. In addition, the company offered to reschedule or cancel if we wanted to because of the rain (though we didn't choose to), and they were very helpful and responsive when we messaged them. Thank you to the team for such a fantastic experience!!
Snorkelling in an aquarium!
Carla M,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Best snorkeling trip I have done, drifting very unique than the usual, and swimming with reef sharks. Amazing
A great snorkelling experience
Mocampion,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this tour as a last minute decision just a couple of hours before it left. We were so pleased we did!! We loved it so much that we have booked to go again when we return to Raiatea a couple of weeks later. The boat is very comfortable with some shade. The company is small and run by a husband and wife team. Sara makes the bookings and Tia operates the boat. They are both really pleasant and helpful and go out of their way to ensure a positive experience. On our trip the first couple who booked wanted to visit a vanilla farm so that was thrown in as an additional experience. We were the 3rd couple to book (they take 8 as a maximum but there were only 6 of us on our trip) and we were made aware of this extra at the time of booking. But we still had the full trip to the sharks and coral gardens at no extra cost. I loved the whole trip. We saw loads of sharks at the first stop and the coral gardens were beautiful - so many different colourful fish with the bonus of a couple of stingrays cruising the reef. My husband also spotted a moray eel and then an eagle ray just after we returned to the boat. Refreshments in the form of water, juice, coconut bread, bananas and doughnuts were provided after the snorkelling. Tip - don’t bother taking fins as you can’t use them on the shallow reef and don’t need them with the sharks. But DO take water shoes with decent soles! I made the mistake of wearing socks which I usually wear with my fins but then struggled when walking on sharp stones getting to the beginning of the drift snorkel.
Definitely book with this company! Great experience!
Q337IMchristyh,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our captain Tea was great!! I highly recommend booking with him! I had read reviews on the coral gardens booked through different companies and didn’t know what to except. People were talking about not knowing where to go and getting scratched by the coral. Tea made sure he was in the water leading the way so that wouldn’t happen. He also took us to see the sharks. We chose not to snorkel with them but it was really cool to see. He told us that if we wanted to snorkel with them, he always gets in first to check the temperament of them. Safety first. I was on a cruise through Windstar. This was less expensive, very personable/less crowded, he took us to 2 places instead of 1, and the meeting place was right by our boat!
An Unforgettable Day on the Water!
cindydZ1563NK,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the absolute pleasure of spending the day with Blue Green Experience while visiting Raiatea. It was one of the highlights of our entire trip. Our guide, Tea, is the owner of the company, and his passion for the ocean and his home waters was evident from the moment we set out. The day began with swimming alongside blacktip reef sharks — an exhilarating experience that I might have been nervous about, but Tea's clear knowledge of the sharks' behavior and his attention to safety put me completely at ease. He explained everything we needed to know beforehand and kept a watchful eye throughout, so I felt confident and secure the entire time. We then headed out for a drift snorkel through the famous Coral Garden, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Tea seemed to know every inch of the reef — exactly where the most vibrant coral could be found and where the fish liked to gather. He even had a knack for drawing the fish in close, turning the snorkel into an immersive, up-close encounter with the marine life. The colors and variety were unbelievable. Tea is a phenomenal guide: knowledgeable, personable, safety-conscious, and clearly devoted to sharing the beauty of Raiatea's waters with his guests. If you're visiting the island and want an authentic, well-run, and truly memorable ocean adventure, do yourself a favor and book with Blue Green Experience. Highly, highly recommend!
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