A stunning gem among the French Polynesian islands, Bora Bora is World famous as being a paradise on Earth location and indeed it is justified both below and above the water. This picture perfect island finds itself on many a postcard, posters and desktop with the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks in the center of the island and an enveloping lagoon three times it’s size with it’s crystal blue waters.
The lagoon of Bora Bora like the other French Polynesian islands of Tahiti and Marquesas, is a haven for marine life and the deeper seas just outside the lagoon are mostly known for schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks and amazing legions of gigantic manta rays. With ample dive sites both within and outside the lagoon, Bora Bora is divers paradise especially for a many ray encounter.
Ideal conditions for rays cos of the plentiful plankton, Bora Bora has swarms of a variety of rays including the leopard, bat, eagle and stingrays. But, the crowning glory of diving here is the largest of the world’s rays, the Manta Ray. Dive sites like ‘Anau’ have gained a reputation for consistent manta rays encounters between May to December when the numbers and visibility at it’s highest. Other dive sites like the ‘Tapu’, ‘Muri Muri’ and ‘Teavanui Pass’ are popular for sighting of big fish and sharks like the lemon, grey, black tip, white tip, and hammerhead sharks among other marine life like giant wrasse, rainbow jack fish, turtles, barracuda and even dolphins. The lagoon too has stunning coral growth on walls with giant clams small caves and dramatic swim-throughs.
Diving is excellent all year round which means that there is no “best” season for scuba diving in the French Polynesia. They have both a dry and a rainy season which is during the Tahitian summer which lasts from December until February, and typically involves rain in the morning with sun in the afternoon. The visibility is very good in all locations ; however as anywhere else it is dependent on factors such as weather and currents. Bora Bora is a good dive destination for divers of all experience levels from beginners inside the lagoon to more advance divers outside the reef looking for a thrill.
If you are aquacentric, Bora Bora is definitely the place for you. It’s reputation is well deserved and fully justified. A trip to the Islands will be worthwhile and the diving among the best you have experienced.
