Bora Bora is stunningly beautiful on the island and in the waters around it. There are lots of ways to enjoy the sea, on the water on boat tours, or fishing, or under the water SCUBA diving or snorkeling.

I worked in an aquarium in Scotland for four years while studying at school and college, fell in love with the sea, snorkeling and SCUBA diving, and became a total fish geek. I love to snorkel at every opportunity to see marine life in their own environment that I first learned about from them living in tanks. It is one of my favourite things in the world to do, and I am happiest when underwater visiting the magical world under the sea.

After spending a lot of time swimming with the fishes (in a non-Mafia way) around Bora Bora, I’ve put together info on my top five snorkel spots and what you can see there.

To see my footage of these locations, check out my Top 5 snorkel spots in Bora Bora video.

The outer reef

The outer reef is the outer ring of the reef that encircles and protects the island. It is the breaker point, where the shallower lagoon hits the Pacific Ocean. Tours will take you to this deeper point where lagoon meets the sea, which at about 40ft, is the first drop off point before leading out to the wider sea.

This is my personal favourite snorkel spot as it is so different from everywhere else I’ve snorkeled in the South Pacific.

The deeper, dark blue water has great visibility of usually around 25ft and it is thrilling to be at this point where the safe lagoon ring drops off to the wilderness beyond. I love the feeling of being there, knowing the whole ocean is right before me. Knowing any creature living there could conceivably swim along is an adrenaline kick of excitement with a tiny dash of apprehension.

This is why it where the biggest (and best) sharks are found. Here you will see amiable black tip reef sharks, which are usually 4.5-6ft long. (These can be seen at other areas too). However, as the water is deeper, there are also bigger fish – lemon sharks. If you go there with a tour, the guide will throw some chum in to entice the sharks to swim by for a free lunch. The reef sharks are quite shy – they won’t let you get close enough to touch them. They are quite used to humans though, are not bothered by us and don’t mind getting within a couple of feet of snorkelers while there is food to be had.

The lemon sharks are different. These 10ft beauties are shyer than the reef sharks and tend to stay close to the seabed, rarely venturing nearer the surface if they want the food. If there are a lot of swimmers though, they usually stay away. They are most scared of us than we are (or should be anyway), of them.

What can you see there?

• Lemon sharks
• Black tip reef sharks
• Very few reef fish, but some groups of black triggerfish are around

How do you get there?

It isn’t possible to swim out to this spot as it is too far out, and not advisable to take a boat there yourself due to the strong currents. This spot should be seen on a tour, as then you’ll have local expertise who know how to handle the currents, changeable weather, and bring the chum to invite the sharks to swim near the boat so you can see them.

Anau

Anau is the trickiest area to get to as I only found one snorkel tour that goes there, but it is a popular spot for dive tours. It is located in the deepest inner reef area with some coral at about 35ft, where graceful manta rays play.

The visibility is less here due to the proliferation of plankton – which is why the rays are usually there, to feed on it. The rays have a wingspan of about 9-10ft and are stunning.

SCUBA dive tours go here and PADI certified divers can go down to get close to the rays. Snorkelers can swim above the rays, and skin dive down as far as you’re able to get a bit closer. I’d seen manta rays before in the wild, but never swam in the water near them, so really wanted to do this. I skin-dived down as far as I could, and being that close to these elegant animals was a delight.

You can see the coral reef and a few reef fish below, but it’s much duller in colour with less animal life than at Coral Garden and L’Aquarium. This spot is really to see the mantas.

Check if tours are running and expecting to see mantas before going though, as they are not there year round. I went in February when they were there feeding, and while there are there quite often, it isn’t all the time, or guaranteed.

What can you see there?

• Manta rays
• Coral reef 35ft below surface, but it has much less colour and fish than at Coral Garden and L’Aquarium.

How do you get there?

Take a tour. This is not advised on your own, as there can be strong currents, and also you need a local guide who knows where to find the mantas.

The inner reef

The inner reef is shallower, with a sandy floor and is where the stingrays and reef sharks hang out. Inside the protective ring of the lagoon, is an area about 5ft deep. There are small clumps of coral, and this is where the biggest lagoon inhabitants – black tip reef sharks and stingrays – cruise for fish. This is a warmer, sandy area with fewer reefs therefore few reef fish, and is mainly where the sharks and other sea life pass through going from the deeper outer reef into the shallow coral areas where most of the small fish are. Visibility is usually excellent here, at least 50ft.

The reef sharks act the same here as at the outer reef – they are used to humans, and do not see us as any sort of threat so pose no threat to us. They are not tame as such, and won’t let humans touch them, as they’re still a bit scared of us.

Tours will bring small fish with them to encourage the sharks and rays to come closer. The reef sharks usually form a circle around the tourists, patrolling their self-made perimeter to grab fish that float a little farther away from us. Don’t worry they are not circling snorkelers as potential food. If there is a lot of food, a few may come in at once, feeling a little braver in numbers, but fear not – they have zero interest in biting us. They might get curious enough to come within a foot or so, but if you approach one of them, they will swim off immediately.

The stingrays are another story. They are quite tame and do not mind getting close and some actually like the attention. Local tour guides go there daily, so know which rays like to be touched, and which prefer to be left alone, so their knowledge makes this part amazing. Guides will look for the friendliest rays and first give the ray some fish, then hold one so that tourists can get closer and pet or kiss them. The guide will not pick up a ray which doesn’t want to be handled – and if the ray is uncomfortable, it will thrash its tail to say they have had enough (much like a cat wagging its tail), and the guide will let it go and it will swim off.

Stingrays are not aggressive, and will not try to sting anyone unless severely provoked, and in genuine fear for their life. They are quite friendly, and a joy to spend time with in the wild.

Read more info about them and how to handle them and reef sharks in my piece: Tips for swimming with stingrays and reef sharks.

What can you see there?

• Black tip reef sharks
• Sting rays
• Some sucker fish that follow the sharks, cleaning the parasites off them by eating them, while receiving protection from the sharks from other predators.

How do you get there?

The inner reef you could get to by yourself if you paddle out with a canoe. However, the currents can be strong even there when a storm is brewing, plus local guides know the best spots to find the animals, so I’d still advise taking a tour.

L’Aquarium

L’Aquarium – The Aquarium, is not situated on land behind glass, but is the nickname of this reef area. It got its name because there are so many fish here that you feel like you are swimming around in a carefully filled tank.

The visibility here is great, usually at least 40ft, and it is mostly shallow, around 5-10ft deep. The variety of reef fish here is impressive and the coral is beautiful.

Keep an eye out for moray eels hiding in holes in the coral. They are shy and will hide from humans, just don’t poke your fingers in the coral in case one is taking a nap inside, as you will earn yourself a nip.

Bring bread to get close to reef fish (tours will likely provide this), but tuck your fingers up after offering it as some fish may take a little nibble on your fingers too.

Be careful not to step on the coral. Don’t break any of it off, and don’t try to take any out of the water and home with you. The reef is a living, breathing organism, which is home to all the gorgeous fish, so needs to stay unscathed where it is. Also, it is illegal to do this, and if you are caught at the airport with any coral (and bags are scanned for this), you will be fined or arrested.

Make sure to look for the sign in coral on the sea floor that says “I Love Bora Bora”. It is a fantastic photo or filming opportunity.

What can you see there?

• Angel fish
• Humbug fish
• Moray eels
• Trigger fish
• Blue clams
• Surgeon fish
• Cleaner wrasse
• Lyre tail wrasse
• Parrot fish
• Clown fish
• Green chromis
• Sailfish
And more reef fish I probably missed.

How do you get there?

L’Aquarium is probably the easiest of these spots to get to by yourself. As long as you know where you’re looking for, you can kayak or take a boat. Even though you could swim there as the distance isn’t too far, it is not advisable to do so, as you are in the main path of many tour and fishing boats, which make it dangerous, as they may not see you. It is situated out from the edge of Matira point near the Intercontinental Hotel straight across the bay to the opposite motu. However, it is one of the stops on most tours in Bora Bora, so you’d likely stop there when visiting another spot too, so can make it easy on yourself and let a tour take you. If you do go by yourself, check info on the tides (any hotel reception will have this info), to make sure you don’t go out when you’re fighting the tide, as it can be very tiring, and hard to get back from, and easier to drift when in the water if you go at the wrong time.

Coral Garden

Coral Garden has a well-appointed name. It looks like a garden made of coral. And it is stunning. It is located on the reef that surrounds the edge of the lagoon that protects the island.

The crystal clear water has a bright turquoise hue and excellent visibility of usually at least 50ft. There are many types of coral here, including brain, fire and flower coral, which range in colour from greens and yellows, to purples, blues and reds.

While there are many pretty reef fish here like at L’Aquarium, such as green chromis, surgeon fish, sailfish and angel fish – the coral itself is the main event here.

There are a lot less healthy coral reefs in the world than there were two decades ago, so this vibrant reef is a treasure that needs to be looked after.

It is very shallow, mostly only up to 5ft deep, and as shallow as 1ft in some places, so care has to be taken when swimming in it to avoid damaging the coral. Also, the coral can be sharp, so avoiding touching it also means you avoid scrapes and cuts.

Don’t use fins in this spot, it is easy to not notice how strongly you’re kicking, and knock a reef. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from potentially standing on a sharp piece of loose coral, and just watch your step before standing here generally.

It is a beautiful spot with some of the most vibrant, healthy coral on earth.

What can you see there?

• Brain coral
• Flower coral
• Fire coral
• Angel fish
• Humbug fish
• Trigger fish
• Blue clams
• Surgeon fish
• Cleaner wrasse
• Lyre tail wrasse
• Parrot fish
• Clown fish
• Green chromis
• Sailfish
And other reef fish I probably missed.

How do you get there?

Take a tour. While Coral Garden isn’t that far out, and it could be reached by kayaking or boating to it alone, local guides know which spots are best to swim around, and will even guide you swimming through it without getting stuck in areas with sharp coral or ‘dead ends’ or at the edges of it where the currents are stronger.

Recommended tours:

These are tours I’ve personally done (and will do again) in Bora Bora, and where they went.

• Mata Tours: Gregarious local Captain Mata takes his boat out to Coral Garden, L’Aquarium, the outer and inner reef and usually also his own private motu where his wife offers fresh fruit, juice and homemade banana bread to accompany the picture perfect view. Mata often gets his ukulele out to play and sing songs on the drive back. Tours last 3.5-4 hours.

• Top Dive tours: The only company that I found that goes to Anau to see the manta rays is this one. Tours go to Anau, the inner reef, Coral Garden and L’Aquarium, and last about 4 hours.

Check for specific locations before booking for these tours if you want to go to the outer reef as it’s not always on the agenda, as any tourists prefer to stay in the shallower areas. Pick-ups at the ship’s tender drop off point in Vaitape (or at certain hotels if you’re staying on the island).

Roundup

I hope you visit at least one of these spots on your trip to Bora Bora, as they are all incredible. Be safe to yourself and the environment there by following the guidelines of tour guides, and those mentioned here too, and you will hopefully love it as much as I do.

To see my footage of these locations, check out my Top 5 snorkel spots in Bora Bora video.

For more information about sharks and rays read my piece: Tips for swimming with stingrays and reef sharks.