Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Private Boat Rental on Cap Camarat 25ft
Bora Bora is best seen from the water, and this private 25-foot Cap Camarat gives you your own small floating base for about three hours. Your captain can steer you toward snorkeling areas, coral gardens, rays, and sharks, or build the outing around your own curiosity.
I like the private format, which lets you spend more time at a favorite stop instead of following a fixed group schedule. I also like the easy logistics: hotel pickup, return transport, drinks, and snorkel equipment are included. The main consideration is the price, $346.08 per person, and the fact that the experience depends heavily on the captain. Some captains, including Rumahei, brought plenty of warmth and energy, while Nicholson was described as pleasant but less engaged.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Why a private Cap Camarat works well in Bora Bora
- Boarding with pickup already arranged
- A look at the 25-foot Cap Camarat
- Snorkeling around sharks, rays, and coral gardens
- Swimming, sunbathing, and the circle-island route
- The captain can make or break the experience
- What is included, and what you should bring
- Is $346.08 per person good value?
- Who should book this private boat trip?
- Simple ways to get more from the three hours
- FAQ
- How long is the private boat rental?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Is the boat private?
- What can I do during the trip?
- Are drinks and snorkel equipment included?
- Is lunch included?
- Should you book the Cap Camarat?
Key points to know before booking

- Black tip sharks, stingrays, and eagle rays: Snorkeling can include some of Bora Bora’s most memorable sea life.
- A private 7.5-meter boat: Only your group participates, so the captain can adjust the pace and stops.
- Circle-island route included: You can combine swimming and snorkeling with wide views of Bora Bora.
- Drinks are supplied: Water, soda, juice, and beer are included, but lunch is not.
- Morning or afternoon departure: You can choose the time that fits your day, subject to availability.
- Three hours goes quickly: This is a focused lagoon outing, not a full-day boat charter.
Why a private Cap Camarat works well in Bora Bora

Bora Bora’s lagoon is the main event. From shore, you get attractive views. From a boat, you can see the island’s profile, pause near snorkeling areas, and enjoy the water without arranging each part yourself.
The Jeanneau Cap Camarat 25ft is large enough to feel comfortable for a private outing while still being small enough for a personal trip. It is not a giant sightseeing vessel with a crowd on board. Your group has the boat, captain, and space to settle into the day.
I like that the plan is not locked into a long list of timed stops. The captain is at your disposal, so you can spend more or less time at a place depending on conditions and your interest. If the snorkeling is good, you can stay in the water. If you would rather swim, sunbathe, or look back at the island, the trip can bend in that direction.
That flexibility matters most for couples, families, and small groups with different ideas of a good boat day. One person can snorkel while another prefers to sit on deck. A large group outing often has to move on for everyone. Here, your party has more say.
A few more Bora Bora trips to weigh up
- Private Bora Bora Lagoon Experience
★ 5.0 · 159 reviews - Reef Discovery Private Half Day Lagoon Tour
★ 5.0 · 126 reviews - Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkeling Tour by Private Boat
★ 5.0 · 105 reviews
Boarding with pickup already arranged
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are port transfers. That removes one of the less enjoyable parts of planning a boat outing in Bora Bora. You do not need to work out your own way to the departure point as part of the standard arrangement.
The exact meeting procedure is confirmed when you book. Confirmation is received at booking, so read those details carefully and keep an eye on the pickup time. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, which helps you fit the trip around other plans.
I would choose the morning if the boat ride is one of the day’s main priorities and you want the rest of the day open afterward. The afternoon can work well if you prefer a slower start or want to pair the boat trip with a free morning.
The outing lasts about three hours. That sounds generous until you allow time for pickup, boarding, movement between places, and getting back. Think of it as a compact private lagoon trip. It gives you enough time for several water-based activities, but it is not intended to cover every corner of Bora Bora.
A look at the 25-foot Cap Camarat

The Cap Camarat is the star of the practical side of this experience. At about 25 feet, or 7.5 meters, it offers more room and comfort than a very small open boat while keeping the mood informal.
You can relax on board between stops, enjoy the views, and use the back ladder for an easy swim. That ladder is a small but useful feature. It makes getting back aboard less awkward after snorkeling and gives you a simple way to cool off when you do not want to spend a long time swimming.
The boat is described as comfortable and luxurious, but you should keep the scale in mind. This is a private recreational boat, not a floating lounge with a restaurant, cabins, or a full range of facilities. Bring only what you need for a few hours on the water.
Sun protection matters. The supplied information does not specify the amount of shade or onboard storage, so I would keep your belongings compact and protect anything sensitive to water. You will want swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel, although the exact packing advice may be included in your booking confirmation.
Snorkeling around sharks, rays, and coral gardens

The snorkeling is likely to be the main reason you book. The trip can include black tip sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, and coral gardens. These are not minor extras. They are the kind of encounters that make a short lagoon trip feel special.
The provided snorkel equipment is included for your comfort. Still, I would bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them and care about fit. The operator itself recommends doing so. A mask that seals well can make the difference between watching the sea life clearly and spending the whole stop adjusting your gear.
Your captain can guide you to snorkeling spots or follow your lead. That wording is important. If you want a more directed outing, ask the captain to suggest the best places. If you already have a strong preference for swimming, views, or a particular stop, say so early.
The sea life described in the experience includes sharks and rays, but wildlife is never a guaranteed performance. You might see several kinds of animals, or conditions may affect what appears. Treat the snorkeling as an opportunity to observe local marine life, not a promise of a specific animal at a precise location.
The Coral Gardens area received especially strong praise. It is described as an unbelievable stop, and the combination of coral and fish life can give the trip a different feel from open-water swimming. Ask your captain how much time is practical there during your three-hour window.
The reviews also refer to an aquarium area and encounters with manta rays. Those details suggest that the exact route can vary. Confirm your interests with the captain rather than assuming every possible stop is included on every departure.
Same lagoon, a completely different day on the water:
- Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch
★ 5.0 · 1,423 reviews - Reef Discovery Half Day Group Signature Tour
★ 5.0 · 968 reviews - Half day Snorkeling Shared Boat Tour in Bora Bora
★ 5.0 · 688 reviews - Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays
★ 5.0 · 630 reviews
Swimming, sunbathing, and the circle-island route

Not every minute needs to be spent with your face in the water. The boat is also a good platform for swimming and sunbathing. The back ladder makes quick swims easy, and you can return to the boat for a drink and a rest.
The included circle-island route adds variety. You are not simply shuttled to one snorkeling spot and back. You can take in Bora Bora from different angles, with the island views forming the backdrop throughout the ride.
I like this mix because it avoids the feeling of a single-purpose excursion. Snorkeling is the active part. The boat ride provides scenery. Swimming gives you a quick refresh. Sunbathing lets you slow down. In three hours, that balance can feel just right.
There is a tradeoff. A flexible route means the exact order and length of each stop are not fixed in the information provided. If you want a precise list of sites with set arrival times, this may feel too open-ended. If you prefer to make choices as the day develops, it is a better fit.
The captain can make or break the experience

Private boat trips place more weight on the captain than standard group outings. You are not just paying for transport. You are also relying on one person to set the tone, recommend places, answer questions, and manage the pace.
Several captains and guides are named in the feedback. Rumahei was praised for infectious laughter, joyful singing, and a warm presence during snorkeling and sightseeing. Another account describes a captain who knew good spots for views and snorkeling and helped make the day a high point of a Bora Bora visit.
There is also a less positive side. Nicholson was described as nice but not especially engaging, answering questions briefly and leaving the group to swim. Another account describes a guide as rude and unhelpful with island questions. The operator responded to the concern and said it would use the feedback to improve service.
I would not ignore this pattern, because private tours are personal by nature. You should tell the captain what kind of interaction you want. Ask questions, explain your preferred pace, and mention the stops that matter most to you. A quiet captain may suit someone who wants independence, while a family or first-time visitor may want more explanation and conversation.
The experience has an overall rating of 4.4 from 25 reviews, with many strong ratings. That points to a generally good product, but it also confirms that the human element is not identical every time. The boat and lagoon are reliable parts of the plan. The personality of your guide can vary.
What is included, and what you should bring

Hotel and port transfers are included, along with a local guide, drinks, and snorkel equipment. The drinks listed are soda, beer, juice, and water. That is useful on a warm boat trip, especially after a swim.
Lunch is not included. Since the activity lasts about three hours, you may not need a full meal during the ride, but plan around your hotel schedule. Do not assume food will be available on board.
The operator recommends bringing your own snorkel equipment for comfort. I would also prepare for a simple day on the water:
- Swimsuit and towel
- Sunscreen
- Compact personal items
- Any preferred mask and snorkel
- A way to protect valuables from splashes
The supplied details do not specify whether towels, fins, or other personal items are provided. Ask before departure if any of those matter to you. The safest approach is to rely only on the listed inclusions.
Is $346.08 per person good value?

At $346.08 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value comes from privacy, not from the length alone. You are paying for a private boat and captain, hotel transfers, a flexible route, snorkeling, and drinks.
The calculation looks better for a group that would otherwise book several seats on a shared excursion. Group discounts are offered, though the amount is not specified, so check the total price for your party rather than assuming a fixed reduction.
For a couple, the cost is a more serious decision. You need to place a high value on privacy and control. If you mainly want a short swim and a quick look at the lagoon, a shared trip could cost less. If you want the boat to yourself and do not want to follow another group’s schedule, the extra money buys a very different rhythm.
For families, the private format may be worth more because children can take breaks, swim for shorter periods, and stay close to their own adults. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.
I see this as a special-occasion booking rather than an automatic add-on. The strongest case is a small group that wants a relaxed, private day with several water activities and scenic cruising in one package.
Who should book this private boat trip?
You should consider it if you want:
- A private outing instead of a large group boat
- A captain who can adjust stops and timing
- Snorkeling with a chance to see sharks and rays
- A combination of coral gardens, swimming, and island views
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Morning or afternoon flexibility
- A comfortable boat for relaxing between water stops
It may not suit you if you want a full-day charter, a guaranteed animal encounter, or lunch included. It may also disappoint if your main goal is a highly narrated island tour and your captain turns out to be more reserved.
I would also think about your expectations around luxury. The Cap Camarat is described as luxurious and comfortable, but three hours is still a short private boat outing. You get personal space and a captain, not a full-service yacht experience.
Simple ways to get more from the three hours
Tell the captain your priorities at the start. Say if you want Coral Gardens, rays, sharks, a circle-island ride, swimming, or more time on board. The captain can guide you more effectively when your group is clear about what matters.
Do not spend the whole trip trying to fit in every possible stop. Bora Bora’s lagoon is the setting, and a little unhurried time on the boat is part of the pleasure. If one snorkeling area is good, staying there can be better than rushing to collect locations.
Use the drinks as a reason to pause between swims. Water is especially useful after time in the sun, while the beer and juice give you other choices. Since lunch is excluded, plan your meal before or after the trip.
Ask about the day’s route if seeing the island from the boat is important to you. The circle-island element is included, but the description does not set out a detailed sequence or guarantee a particular viewpoint.
Finally, keep your cancellation deadline in mind. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local Bora Bora time.
FAQ
How long is the private boat rental?
The tour lasts approximately three hours.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with port pickup and drop-off.
Is the boat private?
Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
What can I do during the trip?
You can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, follow a circle-island route, and visit snorkeling areas chosen with your captain.
Are drinks and snorkel equipment included?
Yes. Soda, beer, juice, water, and snorkel equipment are included. The operator recommends bringing your own snorkel equipment for comfort.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
Should you book the Cap Camarat?
I would book this trip if privacy matters to you and you want several Bora Bora activities in one short outing. The strongest features are the private 25-foot boat, flexible stops, hotel transfers, and the chance to see coral gardens, black tip sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, and possibly other sea life.
The main caution is the price and the variable guide experience. Ask for the route you want, tell the captain how much conversation you prefer, and bring your own mask and snorkel if fit is important. For a small group marking a special day, this can be a relaxed and memorable way to experience Bora Bora from the lagoon.
Just added around Bora Bora
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