What to Pack for a Lagoon Snorkel in French Polynesia

Lagoon snorkeling in French Polynesia is usually calmer and clearer than open-ocean dives — but the right packing list still makes the morning better. Whether you are boarding a Bora Bora shark and stingray snorkel cruise or paddling off a Moorea beach, pack for sun, salt, and a wet boat deck.

Many two-island packages, including our Moorea & Bora Bora budget package, already include a guided lagoon snorkel. Knowing what to bring (and what to leave in the bungalow safe) keeps the focus on the reef instead of missing gear.

Essentials most travelers should pack

• Reef-safe sunscreen — Apply before you leave the resort; reapply after you towel off.
• Rash guard or long-sleeve swim shirt — Better than constant sunscreen reapplication in the water.
• Secure wide-brim hat and polarized sunglasses — For the boat ride between snorkel stops.
• Water shoes or sandals that can get wet — Boat decks and coral rubble beaches are rarely flip-flop friendly.
• Dry bag or zip pouch — Phone, room key, and a small cash tip stay safer.
• Reusable water bottle — Hydration matters more than most first-timers expect.

What the boat or resort usually provides

Guided lagoon tours typically include mask, snorkel, fins, and flotation belts. Resorts such as Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea and InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana often lend snorkel gear for beach use as well. If you prefer your own prescription mask, pack it — otherwise, renting or borrowing is fine for most visitors.

Nice-to-haves that improve the day

• Lightweight towel that dries quickly
• Underwater camera or GoPro with a wrist strap
• After-sun lotion and a change of dry shirt for the ride back
• Motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive on small boats

What to leave behind

Skip dangling jewelry, cotton beach cover-ups that stay soggy all day, and bulky backpacks. Valuables belong in the room safe. Soft-soled water shoes beat hard fins when you are climbing in and out of a boat repeatedly.

Why lagoon snorkels feel different here

Clients booking through Travelin' with Theresa consistently report that a guided drift snorkel through the lagoon reef outperforms standard deep-water excursions — calmer water, closer wildlife, and a pace that works for first-timers. That is why we include the shark and stingray lagoon snorkel on our budget two-island itinerary.

Building a Moorea + Bora Bora trip with the snorkel already priced in? Start with the 2026 Moorea & Bora Bora on a Budget package guide, then ask Theresa to match your dates.