Going on a scuba diving trip to Bora Bora in the Pacific Ocean. And are wondering about the sharks in the area. The island is considered a paradise island but it is not very big but has plenty of attractions and activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. But are there sharks in Bora Bora?
There are sharks in Bora Bora. The sharks are found in the lagoon and further out in the open water. There is a good range of species of sharks which is home to mainly the Blacktip reef shark, and Lemon sharks.
In today’s post, we will go through in more detail about are their sharks in Bora Bora. Let’s get started!
Read more on common questions asked by divers
Where Is Bora Bora?
Bora Bora is a volcanic island that is part of the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It is located in the Pacific Ocean.
The island is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. Bora Bora is about 4375 km (2718 miles) from New Zealand. And about 230 kilometers (140 miles) northwest of Papeete.
Are There Sharks In Bora Bora?
Yes, there are sharks in Bora Bora. You are almost guaranteed to encounter a shark especially if you visit Bora Bora lagoon. The sharks in the lagoon are generally adolescent reef sharks. You have the chance to see sharks species like reef sharks, lemon sharks, and hammerhead sharks in Bora Bora waters.
What Types Of Sharks Are In Bora Bora?
The Bora Bora lagoon and the island’s waters are home to a good range of species of sharks. These are some of the species of sharks that are in and around Bora Bora.
- Blacktip Reef Sharks.
- Hammerhead Sharks.
- White Tips Sharks.
- Lemon Sharks.
- Grey Reef Sharks.
Are There Any Shark Attacks In Bora Bora?
Shark attacks in Bora Bora are rare. To put it in context according to the International Shark Attack File there have been only 7 attacks in French Polynesia since 1580.
The most recent attack was in 2019 when a French tourist was attacked by a shark and suffered terrible injuries after a shark ripped off both her hands while she was swimming in the sea.
In the lagoon, you will more encounter mainly Blacktip reef sharks which are not aggressive and certainly are not man-eaters. And they will be smaller and adolescents. Whereas the Lemon sharks are also popular in Bora Bora waters and can be aggressive.
It is when you go out in the open water then the sharks get bigger and that’s when you need to use common sense.
Is It Safe To Swim In Bora Bora?
The water in Bora Bora is reasonably safe for swimming as long as you do not go out too far. You should use some sort of footwear as there are sea urchins on the sea bed and you might stand on one. It will be very painful if you do stand in one.
Also, there are other types of fish in the water such as jellyfish, lionfish, and stonefish which you should exercise caution.
When To Go Diving In Bora Bora?
Scuba diving in Bora Bora can be done all year round. The summer months are from November to April. With an average temperature of 25°C to 29°C all year round. With good water visibility.
Top Dive Sites In Bora Bora
Diving in Bora Bora was something for beginners and for more experienced divers. Bora Bora is a volcanic island as a result has a crystal clear lagoon, surrendered by a number of islands and coral reef systems.
The coral reefs and the lagoon is home to a wide range of marine life such as Sharks, Manta Rays, Dolphins, turtles, and more.
Here are some of the best dive sites in Bora Bora.
- Muri Muri – The dive depth of this dive site is between 10 to 40 meters. Making it suitable for all levels. You have a chance to see Blacktip sharks, turtles, and more.
- Tupitipiti – The dive depth of this site is from 6 to 45 meters. Here you can see a colorful coral, formed into caves, and canyons that are filled with many species of marine life.
- Aquarium – This is a shallow dive site that has a dive depth of 4 to 6 meters. Making it great for beginners. Here you will see a good variety of tropical fish and coral.
- Anau – This dive site is famous for its Manta Ray cleaning station. The average dive depth is 15 to 25 meters. With good visibility.
- Teavanui Pass – This dive site is a 5 to 40 meters dive depth. This is the way in and out of the Bora Bora lagoon where you can see sharks, manta rays, giant Napolean wrasses, and more.
Wrapping Up
Finally, there are sharks in Bora Bora but they are found in the lagoon and out in the open water. Blacktip reef sharks are the most common in the lagoon and are not aggressive but all the species of sharks in Bora Bora that are in the open water are a lot bigger and more aggressive.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on are their sharks in Bora Bora have helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
Did you enjoy this post? Then don’t forget to pin it!
Popular Posts
