Diving & Travel Guide to Bora Bora (Society Islands)

About Bora Bora (Society Islands)

Bora Bora combines iconic above-water beauty with surprisingly excellent diving that goes far beyond the typical resort reef experience. The island's volcanic origins created a barrier reef system with several passes that channel nutrient-rich ocean water into the lagoon, supporting an abundance of marine life. The headline attraction is the Anau manta ray cleaning station, where reef manta rays visit year-round to be cleaned by wrasse on a shallow coral plateau at ten to twenty metres. The graceful giants perform barrel rolls and loops as cleaners work over their broad wings, providing one of the most mesmerising underwater spectacles in Polynesia. Toopua Wall offers a steep drop-off patrolled by grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and dogtooth tuna, while the famous Teavanui Pass delivers deep-water encounters with large pelagic fish and occasional whale sharks. The Murimur drift dive through the pass is an advanced site where grey reef sharks and schooling barracuda ride the incoming tide. Within the lagoon, calm training sites feature stingrays, cuttlefish, and colourful coral bommies that are ideal for beginners. The Tapu site combines a coral garden with anemonefish, Napoleon wrasse, and a small yacht wreck. With multiple professional dive centres, luxury resort infrastructure, and the stunning backdrop of Mount Otemanu reflected in the turquoise lagoon, Bora Bora delivers a complete diving holiday that satisfies both serious divers and those seeking the ultimate tropical paradise experience.

Highlights

• ✓Anau (Manta Ray Cleaning Station): Reliable reef manta ray encounters year-round on a shallow coral plateau at 10 to 20 metres, with cleaning wrasse, turtles, and barracuda.
• ✓Teavanui Pass: Deep-water pass with large pelagic fish, grey reef sharks, whale shark sightings possible, and humpback whales seasonally.
• ✓Toopua Wall: Steep drop-off with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, dogtooth tuna, schools of jacks, and occasional whale sharks.
• ✓Murimur: Strong-current drift dive through the pass with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling barracuda for advanced divers.

Getting There

Air Tahiti flights from Papeete take fifty minutes. The airport is on a motu with boat transfers to the main island and resorts.