Captain Tamas Lagoon Cruizes — Local services in Ngatangiia

Dive into Paradise with Captain Tama: Snorkelling, BBQ, and Island Fun! Captain Tama's Snorkelling and BBQ boat tour was a highlight of our Rarotonga trip! From vibrant island music onboard to stunning lagoon views and an incredible seafood feast, this excursion had everything for a perfect day at sea.

Gearing Up for Adventure:

All snorkelling gear is provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have it. The masks, fins, and life jackets were in good condition, ensuring a comfortable and safe underwater experience.

Feast Fit for a Chief:

After exploring the vibrant marine reserve, we anchored at a beautiful Motu (island) for a mouthwatering BBQ lunch. The spread was generous and delicious, featuring freshly grilled fish, salads, local specialties, and plenty of tropical fruits. Needless to say, we left fully satisfied!

Laughter and Learning:

Following the feast, the crew entertained us with a hilarious coconut husking and sarong tying demonstration, showcasing their local traditions and adding a touch of humour to the afternoon. We not only laughed, but also learned a thing or two about island life!

Payment Hiccup:

While the experience itself was fantastic, the booking process could be improved. Not being able to pay online and having to send a credit card form via email felt a bit clunky. Luckily, it all went smoothly in the end, but the option for secure online payment would be much more convenient.

Snorkelling Nirvana:

The marine reserve offered stunning underwater landscapes teeming with colourful fish. Remember, for a chance encounter with some larger marine life, stick closer to the boat where they gather for tasty treats. Venture further out, and you'll be rewarded with diverse reef fish inhabiting the numerous coral outcrops.

Final Verdict:

Captain Tama's Snorkelling and BBQ tour is a must-do for anyone seeking adventure, delicious food, and a touch of island culture in Rarotonga. The fun live music on board made this an unforgettable...

HIGHLY RECOMMEND - Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes 🛥️ We went out with Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes. It's the thing to do in Rarotonga! 🥇♥️⛵💦🐟

We toured the beautiful Muri Lagoon on a glass-bottom boat. Snorkelled in the marine reserve with tropical fish and giant clams. Visited Motu Koromiri and enjoyed an island-style fresh fish open fire BBQ served with salads and seasonal fruit 🤤♥️⛱️ the crew were good-looking, entertaining, amazing and had us all laughing and smiling all day long!! 💯

When: Sun-Fri Cost: $115 + $11 pickup/dropoff + $4.98 CC Surcharge. Total - $130.98.

✅ SAFETY #1 priority. ✅ All equipment included - masks, snorkels, fins 🤿 life jackets and other floatation devices available for those less confident. ✅ Trustworthy provider/operator. ✅ Supportive and entertaining local team. ✅ Physical activity. ✅ Fresh Fish BBQ cooked over an open fire, served with salads, fruits and bread. ✅ Operating since 1992/ award-winning. 🥇 ✅ You may see a moray eel, giant clams, giant trevellay, angel fish, butterfly fish, convict surgeon fish, trigger fish and turtles. 🐢 ✅ Suitable for all ages. ✅ Entertainment includes singing, drumming, ukulele playing, comedy, sarong and coconut demo, audience participation. 🎶🪘🎸 ✅ Glass bottom boat. ✅ Meet Captain Tama on your tour, the man, the myth, the legend as he speaks about how he constructed his very first boat and started taking tours back in the early 90's.

❌ Photography not provided, however there are many people onboard to ask to take your photos. ❌ Sunscreen not provided. ❌ Tour groups are very large, there were 45 onboard the boat I was on and there were 4 boats. Do the math. You are jammed in sitting shoulder to shoulder. However tours are very interactive and you will feel a part of everything that is happening and everyone is happy...

We had such an incredible time on Captain Tamas Lagoon Cruise with the whole family. We originally booked for a Thursday, but the team called us the day before to let us know the sea conditions weren’t great—especially with kids onboard. They didn’t just push ahead for the sake of it; they rebooked us for the next day when the water would be calmer. That kind of care and thoughtfulness really stood out—they’re clearly all about family and making sure everyone has the best experience possible.

We’ve been on island cruises in plenty of countries—some of the big-name, well-reviewed ones—but nothing has come close to what we experienced here. The crew were absolute legends! From the moment we stepped onboard, they kept the laughs and entertainment flowing with singing, dancing, live music, and cheeky humour that had everyone in stitches (and somehow still felt genuine, not scripted). The vibe was relaxed, fun, and full of good energy.

Snorkelling was a dream—crystal-clear waters and so many fish. After that, we cruised over to the island for a BBQ lunch, which was simple, tasty, and well-organised. But the real magic was the entertainment. The boys gave us a hilarious and surprisingly useful demonstration on how to tie a sarong in all kinds of clever ways—practical and funny, with audience participation and lots of laughs.

This cruise was hands-down the highlight of our trip to Rarotonga. It was the perfect combo of adventure, culture, humour, and heart. If you’re coming to Raro, you cannot leave without doing this cruise. We’d do it again in a heartbeat—seriously,...