Bora Bora Eco Snorkel Cruise: Sharks, Rays and Coral Garden Lagoon Guide
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; should be comfortable standing in knee to chest-deep water and doing short swims.
Overview
Walk among stingrays and swim with blacktip reef sharks in the shallow, crystalline lagoon of Bora Bora. This eco-focused snorkel cruise blends Polynesian cultural insights with low-impact wildlife encounters and a coral garden immersion.
Bora Bora Eco Snorkel Cruise: Sharks, Rays and Coral Garden Lagoon Guide
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You push off from the matte wood of a traditional Polynesian outrigger and the lagoon takes you in. Water that looks painted—greens shifting to electric blue—laps the hull while a guide points toward a sandflat where stingrays glide like living shadows. The air smells faintly of salt and grilled fish; your group eases into knee-deep water and the reef, patient and curious, begins to reveal itself.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
The tour enforces reef protection—choose non-nano, reef-safe sunscreen and reapply before entering the water to protect coral and marine life.
Wear a rash guard
A lightweight long-sleeve provides sun protection and reduces the need for sunscreen reapplication while snorkeling.
Practice basic snorkel skills
Be comfortable clearing your mask and breathing through a snorkel in shallow water; guides expect basic competence for safety and minimal disturbance to animals.
Listen to guide briefings
Guides give specific approach rules for sharks and rays—follow them to keep encounters calm and safe for both you and the animals.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Blacktip reef sharks
- Stingrays (southern stingray)
History
Polynesian communities have navigated and fished these lagoons for centuries; local guides often share legends linking sharks and rays to island ancestry and sea routes.
Conservation
The operator enforces no-feeding and reef-friendly practices to minimize stress on animals and curb coral damage from sunscreen and boat anchoring.
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Adventure Hotspots in Vaitape
Recommended Gear
Mask & snorkel
Essential for seeing the reef and marine life clearly; spare set recommended if you prefer your own fit.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects both your skin and the lagoon’s coral—mandatory for eco-focused operators.
Rash guard or swim shirt
Provides sun protection and reduces irritation when wading and swimming near coral.
Water shoes
Useful for walking on sandflats and protecting feet from coral rubble during shallow entries.