Private Boat Rental on Cap Camarat 17ft

Bora Bora’s lagoon is best enjoyed away from a crowded group boat. This private three-hour outing puts only your own party aboard a Jeanneau Cap Camarat, with a captain steering, choosing snorkeling areas, and adjusting the pace to suit you. You can stretch out on the front deck, sit beneath the canopy, or slip into the water from the rear ladder.

I especially like the private setup, since you are not sharing every stop with a boatload of strangers. I also like the captains’ flexible approach. Guides including Niko, Sam, Will, Ruma, Terry, and Tarepa have taken families and couples to sharks, rays, turtles, coral gardens, and quieter swimming areas. The main consideration is the price, €197.68 per person, which makes the most sense when your group values privacy and can share the cost.

Key points to know before booking

• A boat for your group alone: This is a private activity, not a shared cruise.
• Three hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon: The route can include an island circuit and several snorkeling areas.
• Captain-led boating: You do not drive the Cap Camarat yourself. A local captain handles the boat and offers light commentary.
• Sharks, rays, turtles, and coral gardens: Wildlife sightings are a major part of the experience, though nature never follows a script.
• Swimming from the rear ladder: You can cool off directly from the boat when conditions allow.
• Pickup is included: Hotel and port pickup and drop-off are provided from select locations, with water included but lunch left out.

Why a private boat makes sense in Bora Bora

Bora Bora has plenty of water excursions, but a private boat changes the rhythm. You are not waiting for a large group to finish swimming, and you are not tied to another party’s preferred pace. If one person wants to snorkel longer while another prefers sitting under the canopy, the captain can work around that.

The Jeanneau Cap Camarat is intended for relaxed private boating rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The front deck gives you a place to lie back and watch Mount Otemanu and the surrounding lagoon, while the canopy offers shade when the tropical sun gets strong. The rear ladder makes swimming simple, especially for anyone who does not want to jump from the side.

This is also a good choice if you want the boat itself to feel like part of the holiday. You are not merely being transported from one stop to another. You have a small, open setting where your group can talk, listen to the water, and decide how much time to spend in the sea.

Getting started with hotel or port pickup

Pickup and drop-off are included from select hotels and ports. That saves you from arranging a separate transfer to the marina, but you should still check that your exact location is covered when booking. The experience is offered with mobile ticketing, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

The boat is always operated with a captain. You are not renting it to drive yourself, so there is no boating experience requirement stated for participants. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can take part.

The three-hour duration is a useful middle ground. It is long enough for a boat ride, wildlife stops, and snorkeling without taking over your whole day. If you are staying only briefly in Bora Bora, this leaves time for a resort meal or another activity. If you want a full-day expedition, though, this is not that kind of tour.

Cruising around Bora Bora’s lagoon

The captain can guide you around the island or follow your group’s curiosity. That flexibility matters because lagoon conditions can change, and the best swimming place at one point may not be the best choice later.

The boat’s circle-island route gives you a broad view of Bora Bora from the water. You see the shoreline, outer lagoon, mountain backdrop, and changing shades of sea from a low and open position. A captain can also add local history and simple commentary as you cruise. Will, for example, combined snorkeling guidance with local history, while other captains focused more on wildlife and swimming.

Do not expect a scripted narration every minute. The commentary is described as light, so the value comes from the mix of movement, scenery, and personal guidance. If you enjoy asking questions, a private boat gives you a better chance to do so than a large cruise.

Snorkeling with sharks and rays

Wildlife encounters are the main reason many people book this outing. Stops may include areas where you can see blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, turtles, and tropical fish. Several captains have taken people to more than one location, which helps you see different parts of the lagoon rather than repeating the same view.

The shark and ray stops are exciting, but you should approach them with calm expectations. Sightings are not guaranteed, and weather and water conditions can affect the route. The company’s stated approach is to respect marine life, protect coral, and avoid feeding sharks and rays. That is important: this is meant to be a wildlife experience, not a staged feeding show.

If you are nervous in the water, tell the captain early. One captain, Sam, stayed in the water with a less confident swimmer and helped that person feel comfortable. That does not replace your own judgment, but it shows why a private outing can be useful for mixed-ability groups. A confident swimmer and a cautious swimmer do not have to make the same choices at every stop.

Bring or wear whatever swim equipment your booking instructions require, and ask about reef shoes if you have them. One outing used reef shoes at an early snorkeling spot, which suggests they can be useful in some areas. The supplied information does not confirm that snorkeling gear is included, so check before departure rather than assuming.

Coral gardens and the rear swimming ladder

The coral garden stop is often the most rewarding part for people who prefer fish and reef life to larger animals. The water can reveal colorful tropical fish, sea cucumbers, and other small creatures. One guide pointed out a seahorse, which shows how much more you may notice when a captain swims with you and knows where to look.

The rear ladder is a practical feature. You can lower yourself into the water rather than making a dramatic leap, then climb back aboard when you are ready. For a family or a group with mixed swimming ability, that small detail makes the boat easier to use.

The quality of a snorkeling stop depends on conditions. One excursion began in rough water because of wind and high swells, so Captain Tarepa changed the location. That is exactly the kind of adjustment you want from a captain. A pretty route is less important than a safe, comfortable one.

Rain does not automatically ruin the outing, either. One group continued snorkeling during heavy rain and still saw sharks, rays, and a broad selection of fish at the coral garden. Still, the tour requires good weather, and the operator may cancel in poor conditions. You will then be offered another date or a full refund.

Captains who shape the experience

The guide can make a big difference on a private boat. Niko has been associated with a relaxed, peaceful outing that included wildlife searching and even ukulele music. Sam is praised for careful attention in the water and for finding less familiar areas of Bora Bora. Will has combined fish identification, swimming help, and local stories.

Other named captains include Terry, Ruma, and Tarepa, also called Captain Jack Sparrow by one couple. Ruma took a private group to three different swimming areas, while Terry kept the mood light during a wet day. Tarepa changed the first snorkeling location when the swells made it uncomfortable.

You may not receive a particular captain, so do not book on the assumption that Niko, Sam, or another named guide will definitely lead your trip. The useful point is that the operation has several captains with different strengths. On a private tour, tell your captain what matters most: wildlife, quiet swimming, local information, scenic cruising, or help in the water.

The environmental promise also deserves attention. The operator says the trip focuses on protecting marine animals, coral, and the wider lagoon. Follow the captain’s instructions, do not touch coral, and keep your distance from wildlife. The best encounter is one that leaves the reef undisturbed.

What €197.68 per person buys you

At €197.68 per person, this is not a cheap way to get on the lagoon. The price buys a private boat, captain, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, local guidance, and water for about three hours. Lunch is not included.

The value improves as your group grows, provided the price is charged per person and everyone wants the same type of outing. A couple pays a high premium for privacy, while a family or group of friends may find the cost easier to justify. You are paying for control over the setting as much as for the boat ride itself.

Compare it with what matters to you. If your priority is the lowest possible price, a shared cruise may be better. If your priority is avoiding a packed boat, helping a nervous swimmer, changing the snorkeling route, or keeping the day personal, this private option offers a clear benefit.

The three-hour length also helps with value. You get a focused lagoon experience rather than a long day that may feel tiring. On the other hand, lunch, and possibly snorkeling equipment, are not included in the stated package. Ask about equipment before you go and plan food separately.

Practical limits and small risks

This is a weather-dependent activity. Poor conditions can lead to a cancellation, a new date, or a full refund. If you need certainty above all else, keep some flexibility in your Bora Bora schedule.

A boat problem is possible on any water excursion. During one outing, the boat broke down, but a replacement arrived quickly while the group snorkeled. That was handled well, but it is still a reminder that lagoon activities do not run with the predictability of a museum visit.

You also need to be comfortable around open water. Most people can participate, but the activity includes swimming and snorkeling if you choose to enter the lagoon. Children need an accompanying adult, and anyone unsure in the water should say so to the captain before getting in.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff uses Bora Bora local time.

Who should book this private Cap Camarat trip

I would choose this for a couple celebrating a special trip, a family wanting a controlled setting, or friends who want to share a boat without strangers. It is especially useful when people in your group have different comfort levels in the water, since the captain can give more personal attention.

It suits you if you want wildlife, swimming, and scenery in one compact outing. It also works well if you like local interaction and want to ask your captain about Bora Bora rather than listen to a fixed speech.

I would think twice if you want a long, fully catered day, a guaranteed animal encounter, or the lowest available price. You should also be ready for route changes caused by wind, rain, or water conditions. That flexibility is part of responsible boating, not a flaw, but it may disappoint anyone expecting a fixed checklist.

Should you book it?

Book this private boat rental if sharing a small boat with strangers would spoil the day, or if personal help in the water matters to you. The strongest reasons are the private group format, flexible snorkeling route, captain-led care, and access to sharks, rays, turtles, fish, and coral gardens.

At €197.68 per person, it is a premium outing. I think it earns that price most easily for a group that can share the boat and values privacy. Confirm pickup, snorkeling equipment, and your preferred focus before booking, then leave room in your schedule for weather changes. For a personal three-hour look at Bora Bora’s lagoon, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the private boat rental last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is a captain included?

Yes. The boat is always rented with a captain, who drives and guides the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Can the captain take us snorkeling?

Yes. The captain can guide your group to snorkeling areas and adjust the route based on conditions and your interests.

What wildlife might we see?

The experience can include sharks, stingrays, turtles, tropical fish, sea cucumbers, and possibly a seahorse. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I swim directly from the boat?

Yes. The boat has a rear ladder for entering and leaving the water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Can children participate?

Children can participate but must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.