Adventures in Moorea: Snorkelling with Sharks and Stingrays on a Budget with Kids
Moorea, with its turquoise waters, lush landscapes, and abundant marine life, beckons families seeking adventure and unforgettable experiences.
Among the myriad of activities this French Polynesian gem offers, snorkelling with sharks and stingrays stands out as a thrilling and educational adventure for both kids and adults.
However, the prospect of booking a guided tour through a company can often come with a hefty price tag, ranging from $100 to $150 per person, making it seem out of reach for budget-conscious families (such as us).
But fear not! In this blog post, we’ll delve into how you can make your snorkelling experience in Moorea not only unforgettable but also much more budget-friendly.
We’ll share insider tips and tricks on how to navigate Moorea’s waters with sharks and stingrays without breaking the bank, ensuring that your family’s adventure is both affordable and magical.
Introducing Moorea
Moorea, a tropical paradise in French Polynesia, boasts stunning landscapes of lush mountains, pristine beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Known for its laid-back charm and natural beauty, Moorea offers a diverse range of adventures and relaxation, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking paradise in the South Pacific.
The magic of snorkelling in Moorea
Moorea boasts an underwater world that is nothing short of enchanting. As you dip beneath the surface of its crystal clear waters, you’ll find yourself immersed in a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors and life.
Coral reefs teeming with exotic fish sway gently in the currents, while graceful rays glide effortlessly through the depths.
We have created a blog post about all the spectacular wildlife we think you should be looking for when snorkelling with kids in French Polynesia.
However, one of the most exhilarating experiences Moorea has to offer is snorkelling with sharks and stingrays. Imagine the thrill of encountering these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, mere inches away from you.
Swimming alongside blacktip reef sharks, with their sleek bodies and inquisitive eyes, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will leave you breathless.
And there’s something truly magical about gliding through the water with gentle stingrays, their velvety wings brushing against your skin as they gracefully glide by.
Snorkelling as an educational family activity
We find that especially for families with kids, snorkelling in Moorea offers not just adventure, but also a valuable educational experience. Your kids will be captivated by the diversity of marine life, learning about different species and ecosystems firsthand as ours have been.
Moreover, watching and interacting with sharks and stingrays fosters a sense of respect and appreciation for these often misunderstood creatures, instilling a lifelong love and hopefully an urge to care for the ocean and its inhabitants.
Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeller or a first-time explorer, Moorea’s underwater wonders are sure to leave an indelible impression on you and your family.
Where can you snorkel with sharks and stingrays in Moorea?
Although Moorea offers many great places to snorkel, we find that the best place to snorkel with black tips sharks and stingrays is at the Stingray and Shark Point (Banc de Sable Raies et Requins) by Tiahura on the north eastern side of the island.
The place is a massive sand bank just on the outside of the sailing channel but within the barrier reef making out the lagoon of the island.
What will you see at the Stingray and Shark Point?
The waters here are the colour of your South Pacific poster dreams: almost neon turquoise! It’s insanely clear, probably the clearest water we have ever snorkelled with a white sandy bottom shallow enough for adults and teenagers to stand.
You will not have to stay long in the water until you will spot some decent sized blacktip reef sharks and some stingrays of varying sizes (most likely pink whiptail stingrays).
Although it’s not allowed, some of the organized tour operators feed the rays and sharks to attract them for perfect Instagram moments.
This is probably why the concentration of them is so high in this place. Although it’s great to be able to watch a high concentration of these fascinating animals, we would really prefer if they didn’t feed them to make for a more sustainable experience.
You will also be able to watch a variety of other tropical fish- most notably butterfly fish, trigger fish and damsels here.
Is it dangerous to snorkel with sharks and stingrays?
Blacktip reef sharks are a curious type of shark that is normally very peaceful. Most divers will have seen them on many occasions and don’t regard them as dangerous although there are a few records of them becoming aggressive towards humans if fed.
Stingrays are also normally regarded as very safe to swim with although they are known to occasionally sting people if startled or cornered in very shallow waters.
As tour boats operate at the Stingray and Shark Point year round both species are very used to people and we haven’t been able to find any records of them being aggressive here.
We have been snorkelling with both sharks and stingrays on numerous occasions and feel very safe when doing so. We have taught our kids to make sure to stay calm, keep a safe distance and never touch when snorkelling with these magnificent animals.
The times we visited the Stingray and Sharks Point we felt that the conditions were good for bringing our kids of 8 and 11 years old. They are pretty strong swimmers and are experienced in navigating coral reefs with a snorkel and mask.
However, there was a bit of a current and you would have to make sure that they didn’t get too close to the sailing channel as some boats were speeding by.
We also saw other families with kids there which seemed to work well as the kids that seemed less good at swimming were wearing life jackets.
How to get to the Stingray and Shark Point?
You can easily book a tour to the Shark and Stingray Point but it’s an expensive endeavour for a family of 4 or more as prices starting at $100 per person are the norm.
We prefer to rent sea kayaks or a small motor boat (boat license is not needed) by the beach called Plage de Tipanier. From here it’s only a short boat trip to the Shark and Stingray Point (10 min kayaking).
TipNautic rents out kayaks by the hour at reasonable prices. Just make sure to call ahead and make a booking before you go as the number of kayaks are limited AND the Hotel de Tipanier will only let you enter the private beach if you have a booking.
We were able to rent double kayaks for $15 per hour each.
Additionally, right next to the kayak rental there’s a shop on the beach that rents out small motor boats with no need for a license.
On one of the days we went to the Stingray and Sharks Point, there was a strong sidewind so we found that renting a motor boat was a better option – and it was. It cost us $60 for an hour.
We easily reached the Stingray and Sharks Point for some epic snorkelling and both of our kids had a blast jumping into the clear waters from the boat while there.
What to bring for your DIY snorkel trip to the Shark and Stingray Point in Moorea?
Here are our suggestions of what to bring for snorkel trip to the Shark and Stingray Point in Moorea:
- Snorkel and Mask: Essential for exploring the underwater wonders of Moorea, a high-quality snorkel and mask set ensures clear visibility and comfortable breathing while you encounter sharks and stingrays up close. Make sure the masks fits your face well!
- Water: Staying hydrated is key, especially under the warm Polynesian sun. Be sure to bring some water to keep you refreshed throughout your snorkelling adventure.
- Camera: Capture the magic of swimming with sharks and stingrays by bringing along a waterproof camera or a reliable underwater case for your smartphone. Documenting your encounters allows you to relive the thrill and share your experiences with friends and family back home. The clear waters of this spot will surely make for some fantastic photo opportunities!
- Sunscreen: Protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays with reef-friendly sunscreen. Opt for mineral-based formulas that are safe for both your skin and the delicate marine environment of Moorea’s reefs.
- Long-Sleeved Swimming Shirt and hats: It’s essential to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. A lightweight, long-sleeved swimming shirt offers added sun protection without sacrificing comfort, allowing you to snorkel in style while keeping sunburn at bay. Also bring a hat for wearing on your way there and back.
Caring for the marine life while snorkelling in Moorea
When embarking on your underwater snorkelling adventure in Moorea, it’s crucial to remember that we are guests in the marine ecosystem, and it’s our responsibility to ensure its preservation for generations to come.
Here are some important guidelines to follow to minimize our impact on the delicate marine life while snorkelling:
- Use Reef-Friendly Sunscreen: Before diving into the azure waters of Moorea, be sure to check if you sunscreen is reef-friendly. Conventional sunscreens containing harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate can bleach coral reefs and harm marine life. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens that are biodegradable and free from these harmful ingredients, ensuring that you protect your skin without harming the fragile ecosystem below. Only apply where needed.
- Don’t Feed the Fish: While it may be tempting to attract colorful fish by offering them food, resist the urge to feed them. Feeding fish can disrupt their natural feeding behaviors, lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem, and even make them dependent on human handouts for survival. Let the fish forage for their own food, and observe them from a respectful distance without interfering with their natural behaviors.
- Avoid Throwing Anchors: When snorkelling from a boat or kayak, refrain from throwing anchors onto coral reefs or other sensitive habitats. Anchors can cause physical damage to coral reefs, destroying their intricate structures and disrupting the homes of countless marine species. Instead, use designated buoys or mooring points to secure your vessel, minimizing the risk of damage to the reef below. You will find some at the Stingray and Sharks Point. Unfortunately, we noticed that some of the bigger tour operators here did actually throw an anchor although it’s not allowed (ughh!).
- Respect Marine Life and Habitats: As you explore Moorea’s underwater wonders, remember to respect the marine life and their habitats. Avoid touching or harassing marine animals, as this can cause stress and injury to them. Be mindful of your movements to avoid accidentally damaging fragile corals (although there are few here) or disturbing nesting sites. We did see some people from some of the organized tours pet or even hold on to the stingrays coming close while snorkelling here and we were appalled by this behaviour. By observing marine life from a respectful distance and minimizing our impact on their environment, we can ensure that Moorea’s underwater ecosystems remain healthy and thriving for future generations to enjoy.
By following these simple guidelines, we can enjoy our snorkelling adventure in Moorea while minimizing our impact on the marine environment.
Our verdict of snorkelling at the Stingray and Sharks Point in Moorea
We enjoyed our trips to the Stingray and Sharks Point in Moorea a lot so much so that we had to go several times while staying on the island.
Each time we were there, we saw plenty of both stingrays and sharks and we enjoyed playing in the clear turquoise waters.
Our kids spend a lot of time in the warm water just watching the abundant sharks and stingrays and they spent just as much time crawling onto and jumping from our boat/kayaks afterwards. They clearly had an absolute blast! And so did we, their parents.
However, we do wish that the organized tour operators would not be feeding the marine wildlife, throw anchors on the delicate corals or allow their guests to touch the stingrays to make for a more natural and sustainable experience.
Final words
We have always liked snorkelling and taught our kids to do it from a young age and we know that our snorkelling experiences in Moorea to serve as a catalyst for future adventures, inspiring us to explore even more great snorkelling spots. We will surely always remember the thrill of encountering sharks and stingrays in their natural habitat, a testament to the untamed beauty that lies beneath the waves. And we will be seeking opportunities to do it again!
Other snorkelling adventures
You can read about some other great places to snorkel in our posts about snorkelling in Cape Verde, Gili Islands, Martinique and Egypt.
You can also check out our post about DIY manta ray snorkelling with kids in Bora Bora.
Oh, and if you think that going to French Polynesia is out of reach unless you belong to the rich and famous, check out this guide we made about family travelling in French Polynesia on a budget.
