The Diving

The lagoon on Bora Bora is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It also is home to some fantastic dive sites that are suitable for even beginner and junior divers. Crystal clear waters that average 28 degrees year round are calm and full of life.

Mantas frequent the bay, and fantastic opportunities exist for photographers of all abilities. There are coral gardens to explore and sandy shallows where shy stingrays sneak stealthily by.

Fish, Bora-Bora, Credit

The lagoon is also home to several swim-throughs and caves you will want to explore. Toopau and Toopua Iti are two top sites located inside the lagoon. The maximum depth is 30 metres, but there is plenty to see around the 15 to 20 metre mark. A variety of Butterfly Fish, Triggers, and Moray eels are all here in abundance. There are colourful Giant Clams,  anemones, and Eagle Rays that flutter silently by. When disturbed, Stingrays disappear along the bottom in a puff of sand. This is also a popular destination for snorkelling excursions.

Anau is another site within the lagoon on Bora Bora. Close to a channel the area is sometimes called “Manta Ray Ballet”. There are usually more than 10 Mantas and other rays cruising this site. May to December sees this number double when even more of the magnificent creatures move in to the area. 

 The Aquarium lives up to its name, being home to thousands of bright and beautiful swimming things. The coral reef here is in excellent condition and the marine life thrives in this protected part of the lagoon. It is an easy shallow dive that bottoms out around 10m. Long, leisurely dives are a great way to start your day, and the snorkelling in the area is equally awesome.

Stingrays in Bora Bora lagoon, Credit

The dive sites outside the lagoon offer more adrenaline-filled encounters with powerful predators and schooling pelagics. Tapu is located just outside of the Bora Bora pass. Shark lovers will be making multiple visits to this site. Hundreds of Blacktip Reef Sharks are spotted on virtually every dive.

Lemon sharks and Greys are frequent visitors. It's a rare event, but a few lucky divers have had a Tiger Shark show up to investigate. Keep calm if one ever does approach. While there are certainly reports of attacks by Tigers, they are virtually unheard of in the seas surrounding beautiful Bora Bora. Schools of tuna speed by, and there are Giant Wrasse and Rainbow Jacks to watch out for as well.

Another site that is usually done as a drift dive is the Teavanui Pass. Near Tapu, the passage is the way for the big fish to enter and exit the lagoon. It's a great place to watch sharks, rays, and Giant Napolean Wrasse make there way back and forth between the open water and the shelter of the bay. The coral is colourful, plentiful, and thrives on the walls of the pass. Moray and other eels slither and swim in and out of the walls.

Another ocean dive site worth a trip is Muri Muri. The visibility is superb and the dive takes you you across a coral plateau to a series of sand banks. As you get deeper, you'll see Grey and Whitetip Sharks, large tuna, jacks and turtles. Dolphins can sometimes be spotted in the deeper sections off the reef. The site is referred to as “the White Valley” by some shops on the island.

Cheilinus Chlorourus, Credit

Two truly spectacular ocean dives are possible if you are willing to take the hour or so boat ride to get out to them. Tupai is an unspoiled small island with fantastic coral gardens and visibility. There are several excellent walls to explore that drop down to 40m for experienced deep divers or those with NITROX or Tech tickets. Tupitipiti is 40 minutes away, but possibly the best that Bora Bora has to offer. The caves are made and filled with multi-coloured coral, and there are countless canyons and swim-throughs to venture into. The currents can pick up quickly, and this spot is recommended for intermediate and experienced divers. Rough seas and bad weather render this site inaccessible.

How to Get there

The nearest international airport is in the capital city of Tahiti, Papeete. Air France, Hawaiian Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui fly to Fa'a'a International Airport (PPT) from cities in Europe and North America. After you arrive in Tahiti, you will need to transfer to an Air Tahiti flight to get to Bora Bora, and collect your luggage before you do.

Once you get to Bora Bora, there is a public shuttle boat that will take you to the main island, or your resort can arrange for a private transfer. There is no public transportation available on the main island, but electric cars and motorbikes can be rented. Push bikes are a great way to get around and explore the back trails.

Bora-Bora Airport, Credit 

 

Where to Eat & Drink

Resort and hotel properties will feature their own restaurants, lounges and bars. Vaitape is the main hub on the island and it is here that you can expect to do most of your shopping, eating and drinking when you venture beyond the grounds of your hotel.

Bora Burger serves up burgers, hot dogs and snacks, and there is a food truck (roulotte) Dom Poulet that serves up a mean chicken sandwich. There are a few grocery stores in Vaitape that also do Grab and Go style take out meals. In Matira, Chez Claude sits right on the beach, offering great seafood, snacks and even Chinese dishes with a fantastic view to boot.

Guest Chillin, Credit

People do not come all this way for dancing and drinks! Diving is the main draw. That said, if you are desperate to let off some steam, the bigger hotels offer Tahitian bands with live music and dance shows.

La Recife Discothèque is north of Viatape near the Yacht Club. It is open until late on Friday and Saturdays, and draws a fairly young and energetic crowd of locals and tourists. Expect lots of reggae, hip-hop and funk.

Other Activities

Deep-sea fishing is popular on Bora Bora, and day trips or multi-day charters are available. Yellowfin and Bonito Tuna, Barracuda and Mahi Mahi are plentiful in the waters around the island. Even the occasional unfortunate Marlin finds itself on the end of a line.

Kite-boarding, Hobie Cats, para-sailing, and kayaks are available at many resorts. Outrigger speed canoe excursions are possible as well. Hiking and biking are great ways to take in the topside flora and fauna.

Tourists in Bora-Bora, Credit

Teens and older kids may be able to keep themselves occupied on the islands, if they love the sea.  However, for young children and toddlers Bora Bora may not be your best bet for a family vacation. Given the time it takes to reach the island, and the significant costs associated with a stay  here, you will not be getting much value or enjoyment for your money if you decide to travel with young children. Also, Bora Bora is a very popular Honeymoon spot, and there are unlikely to be many other little ones around for your young ones to play with.

Kids do enjoy the shark and ray feeding tours, and there are some family-friendly properties such as the Meridian and Pearl Beach resorts. Discounts may be available for kids staying with adults, ask when you make your reservation. The lagoons are sheltered and the waters calm, so if your kids really like the beach, there will be plenty of safe opportunities for them to explore.

Tips

Travellers have recommended exchanging money at the airport in Tahiti. It is possible on Bora Bora, but exchange rates and banking hours are less than ideal. The bugs seem to prefer biting the tourists, so be sure and arm yourself with a suitable spray.

Much of the airport in Bora Bora is open air, and there are many hungry buggy things to bother you as you await your flight back to Tahiti. Give yourself plenty of time (two hours) to check in at the airport. The lines can get crowded, be slow, and the staff is limited.

Taurere Point, Bora Bora, Credit

Even if you are not an underwater photographer, you may want to invest in an underwater camera or housing for your digital device. The opportunities for spectacular close-ups of rays, sharks and colourful wee critters are everywhere. Crystal clear waters mean that even amateurs will snap some shots sure to come with bragging rights.