Private Boat Rental on Cap Camarat 17ft

The lagoon is better with room to breathe. This private Bora Bora boat trip gives your group the whole 17ft Jeanneau Cap Camarat, with a captain at the wheel and a choice of front-deck sun or canopy shade. I like the private setting and the freedom to stop for swimming whenever the captain finds a good place.

I also like the personal touch from guides such as Sam, Niko, Will, Ruma, and Captain Tarepa, nicknamed Jack Sparrow. They have taken groups to sharks, rays, turtles, coral gardens, and quieter swimming areas, while offering local stories and, in Niko’s case, even a ukulele serenade. The main consideration is the price: at €197.68 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that values privacy and flexibility.

Key points at a glance

• A private 17ft Cap Camarat: Only your group joins the boat, with a captain included.
• Three hours on Bora Bora’s lagoon: The outing can include an island circuit, snorkeling sites, swimming, and scenic cruising.
• Flexible stops: Your captain can suggest places for sharks, rays, turtles, fish, and coral, or follow your group’s interests.
• Swimming from the stern ladder: You can cool off directly from the boat rather than waiting for a beach stop.
• Hotel and port pickup: Pickup and return are offered from select locations, with water included.
• Marine-friendly approach: The operator protects coral and aquatic life and does not feed sharks or rays.

Why a private boat changes the Bora Bora experience

Bora Bora’s water is famous for a reason, but a standard group cruise can leave you sharing a small boat with a crowd. That changes the mood. Instead of choosing a seat and following a fixed rhythm, you get a boat reserved for your own party.

The Cap Camarat has a front deck where you can stretch out, plus a canopy for shade. That simple choice matters in the strong tropical sun. You can shift from sun to shade without asking another group to make room.

Your captain drives throughout the outing, so you are not expected to operate the boat. The captain also provides light commentary and can adjust the route to suit the conditions and your interests. This is a private boat rental with a captain, not a self-drive hire.

The boat is only 17 feet long, so keep your expectations sensible. It is a compact craft, not a large yacht with a cabin, dining area, or private restroom. Its strength is its size: it can offer a close, informal way to see the lagoon with only your own group aboard.

The first minutes: pickup and settling aboard

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from select locations, and port pickup and return are also provided. That removes one of the annoying parts of a water outing: working out how to reach the dock on your own.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking. The boat operator handles the driving, while you settle in and decide how you want to use the three hours.

Water is included, but lunch is not. Since the tour lasts about three hours, this is manageable for most people, though you should not expect a meal to appear onboard. If you need food for a child or have strict dietary needs, plan that separately.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The experience is private, and only your group participates, which can be especially useful for families or friends who want to set their own pace.

Cruising the Bora Bora circle island route

The outing includes a circle-island route, giving you time to see Bora Bora from the lagoon rather than from the road. The views change as the boat moves around the island, and the captain can add light local commentary along the way.

A boat tour also gives you a different sense of the island’s shape. From the water, the lagoon is not just a postcard backdrop. It becomes the main setting, with open views, small beaches, coral areas, and changing water conditions.

The circle route is not necessarily a nonstop sightseeing run. The appeal comes from mixing cruising with swimming and snorkeling. If your group wants more time in the water, tell the captain early. If you prefer to stay dry and enjoy the scenery, the front deck and canopy make that possible.

A useful point from the trip accounts is that captains do not simply insist on one fixed stop. Captain Tarepa changed the snorkeling location when wind and wave swells made the original site rough. That kind of judgment is valuable because a beautiful route on paper may not be the best place to enter the water that day.

Sharks, rays, and turtles without the crowded-boat feeling

Snorkeling is a major reason to book this trip. Depending on conditions and the captain’s route, you might visit areas where sharks, stingrays, turtles, and tropical fish can be seen.

The experience is not limited to watching from the boat. You can use the rear ladder to enter the water and swim among the marine life. Some guides also get in with you. Will, for example, swam in the coral gardens and pointed out fish, sea cucumbers, seahorses, sharks, and rays.

That personal help can matter if you are not a confident swimmer. One account describes Sam staying close to a weaker swimmer, helping that person feel safe near the coral and wildlife. You should still be comfortable following basic water instructions, but the captain’s presence makes this feel less impersonal than jumping into a busy group excursion.

The operator’s stated policy is important here. The approach is to protect coral and aquatic animals, with no feeding of sharks or rays. A separate account used the word feeding, but the stated conservation policy is clear, so you should expect responsible wildlife viewing rather than a guaranteed hand-feeding encounter.

Wildlife is never fully guaranteed. The captains can guide you to known spots, but animals move and water conditions change. The best reason to book is the combination of wildlife possibilities and private access, not a promise that you will see every creature on the list.

The coral garden stop and what you should bring

The coral garden is one of the most praised parts of the outing. It offers more than large animals. You might see colorful tropical fish and smaller creatures among the coral, making this stop worthwhile even if sharks or rays are not close by.

Water conditions can vary. One group enjoyed strong snorkeling despite heavy rain, while another found rough swells at its first planned site. Your captain may move you to a calmer area, but the decision can affect how much time you spend at each location.

Reef shoes were useful for one group near a shallow snorkeling site. They are not listed as an included item, so bring your own if you have them. The supplied information does not specify whether masks, snorkels, or fins are provided, so confirm equipment details before departure rather than assuming everything is included.

The ladder at the back of the boat is a practical feature. It gives you a clear way back aboard after swimming, though you should take care when climbing in and out, especially if the water is moving.

Beaches, quiet water, and choosing your own rhythm

The captain can take you toward swimming areas and beaches as well as snorkeling spots. One of the pleasant parts of a private outing is that you do not have to spend the entire time in the water.

You might want one stop for wildlife, another for coral, and a little time simply cruising. Ruma was praised for taking a group to three distinct places to swim and enjoy the views. That gives you an idea of how the three hours can feel when the route is adjusted around your group.

The private format is also helpful if your interests differ. One person can stay under the canopy while another swims. You can ask for more local commentary, more snorkeling, or more quiet time on the boat.

Do not expect the captain to provide a long formal lecture. The commentary is described as light, with local history offered as a bonus. That suits people who want information without turning a short lagoon trip into a classroom.

The captains make the difference

The boat is important, but the captain shapes the day. The strongest feedback centers on guides who were punctual, friendly, careful, and willing to adapt.

Niko arrived a few minutes early at a resort’s main dock and took his group around the island in search of sharks, rays, turtles, and other sea life. The ukulele music added an unexpected local touch. Sam was praised for safety and for finding places beyond those already visited on another boat trip.

Will combined fish spotting with swimming in the coral gardens. Ruma created a varied route with three swimming locations. Captain Tarepa adjusted the plan when the first snorkeling site became uncomfortable in rough water. Terry kept a group engaged and cheerful during rain, and a replacement boat arrived quickly after a mechanical problem.

Names can help when you contact the operator or receive your pickup details, but you should not assume you can request a particular captain. The important point is that the service relies on local guides who know how to adjust the outing.

A mechanical problem did occur on one trip. The replacement arrived quickly while the group continued snorkeling, which limited the disruption, but it is still a reminder that small boats are machines operating in salt water. A private excursion is not immune to ordinary delays.

Is €197.68 per person good value?

The listed price is €197.68 per person. That is a serious amount for a three-hour activity, especially if you are traveling alone or as a couple.

The calculation changes when you share the boat with family or friends. You are paying for a private craft, a captain, pickup and return, water, and a flexible route that can combine sightseeing with snorkeling. If a public cruise would put your group on a crowded boat, the extra cost may buy a much better day.

I see the value most clearly for people who care about privacy, safety, or control over the schedule. A weaker swimmer can receive closer attention. A family can avoid being tied to another group’s timetable. A couple can choose a quieter pace.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want a quick boat ride or a guaranteed wildlife show. The tour is only about three hours, lunch is not included, and marine sightings depend on conditions. Compare the total group price with other private lagoon options before booking.

Weather, cancellations, and practical limits

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

For your own cancellation, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes made during that period are not accepted.

The tour is designed for most participants, but children need an accompanying adult. The provided information does not give a separate accessibility statement, boat capacity, or equipment list. If those details affect your plans, ask the operator before paying.

Rain does not always ruin the trip. One group still had excellent snorkeling in pouring rain. Rough swells are a different issue, and the captain may change the snorkeling site when conditions are not comfortable.

Who should book this Cap Camarat outing?

I would choose this tour for a small group that wants the lagoon mostly to itself. It suits couples, families, and friends who want a mix of wildlife, swimming, local commentary, and quiet time on the boat.

It is also a good fit if one member of your group is nervous in the water. The captain can stay involved, and some guides swim with the group. You should still discuss swimming ability before departure and follow the captain’s instructions.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a full-day sailing experience, a hosted lunch, or a large, highly equipped vessel. It is also not ideal if your budget is tight and you are comfortable sharing a public boat.

Book with the weather in mind and ask what snorkeling gear is supplied. Bring reef shoes if you use them, and tell the captain whether your priority is sharks and rays, coral and fish, beaches, or the circle-island ride.

Should you book it?

Yes, if privacy is worth paying for. The strongest reasons are the small private boat, the captain’s ability to adjust the route, and the chance to combine Bora Bora scenery with close-up marine life.

At €197.68 per person, I would book it for a group rather than a solo visitor. You are buying more than transport across the lagoon. You are buying time that belongs to your own party, plus a captain who can respond to weather, water conditions, and your comfort level.

Choose another option if you need lunch, a larger boat, or a guaranteed animal encounter. For a relaxed three-hour outing with sharks, rays, coral, swimming, and a personal guide, this is one of the stronger private choices in Bora Bora.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is a captain included with the boat rental?

Yes. The boat is always rented with a captain, who drives, offers light commentary, and guides the group around Bora Bora’s lagoon.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are provided from select locations. Port pickup and drop-off are also included.

Is snorkeling included in the experience?

The tour includes access to snorkeling locations and swimming stops. The supplied information does not specify which snorkeling equipment is included, so confirm that detail before booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Water is included, but lunch is not.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For personal cancellations, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.