Among all of Bora Bora’s unique attractions—like the overwater bungalows, pristine sandy beaches, and the majestic Mount Otemanu—one of the biggest favorites among tourists is the sharks.
These fascinating creatures capture the attention of every visitor, and few leave the island without witnessing them in their natural habitat. There’s even a local saying: “Sharks outnumber the people of French Polynesia,” which gives you an idea of just how abundant they are.
Types Of Sharks In Bora Bora
The sharks in Bora Bora are generally not dangerous. They live in the green lagoons and are accustomed to people, making it safe to observe them up close.
The most common species you’ll encounter is the Blacktip Reef Shark. These sharks are not aggressive and can be approached safely. They inhabit tropical coral reefs and prefer inshore waters, often staying in the same area for years. Their diet mainly consists of fish and small animals like crustaceans and cephalopods, and they’re even known to hunt sea snakes and sea birds.
One of the easiest ways to spot them is by their dorsal fin, which often sticks out above the water. With an average length of 1.6 meters, they’re hard to miss.
You’ll also find Lemon Sharks, especially during shark-feeding tours. Their main food is fish, and their size—up to 3 meters—and bright yellow color make them easily visible against the lagoon’s blue waters.
Other species, such as Whitetip Sharks, Gray Sharks, and Hammerhead Sharks, also inhabit Bora Bora’s waters, making diving and snorkeling trips truly unforgettable. For a closer look at each species, check out this site and Traveller’s detailed post.
Bora Bora Shark Feeding
Now, we’ve come to the part where we explore one of the most exciting activities that you must try when coming to this incredible island.
It’s, of course, the adventure of feeding the sharks in Bora Bora. Here’s everything you need to know.
A feeding excursion – Maybe the best way to get the most out of this exciting activity is to take an excursion.
Being with a person with more experience can maximize the fun and you’ll enjoy the swim. Such an excursion is Viator’s which is completely thrilling.
That’s mainly because of the fact that you can either board a canoe and watch the spectacle from there or slip into the clear water and watch the guide feed the creatures with their bare hands.
What’s more, all snorkeling equipment is on them, so you’ll only need your adventurous spirit.
Food for the sharks – In case you’re wondering what food the sharks require during the feeding, you’ve come to the right place.
The sharks in Bora Bora feed, mostly, on dead fish. They’re usually smaller than the other shark types in the oceans, so they satisfy their hunger with these animals.
Aside from that, they can be fed with clams, mollusks, crabs and lobsters as well as some other tiny sea animals.
Tips for the feeding – The most important thing you should be aware of is that sharks can be a little bit aggressive.
The types of sharks in Bora Bora such as the Blacktip reef and the lemon sharks are used to the presence of humans and act rather friendly. However, be cautious and keep your eyes on them.
Having said that, don’t insist on feeding them with your own bare hands. Firstly because it’s forbidden and secondly because of the possible dangers.
That’s why leave the expert that will be in the water with you do their job. Just let go and enjoy the experience.
And for those too afraid even of the thought of swimming so close to the sharks, it’s best if you remain in the boat and observe the feeding from there.
Bora Bora Shark Diving
There’s nothing like diving into the green waters and finding yourself face to face with these fierce and amazing creatures.
That exact feeling makes the diving with sharks a must to do while you spend your best days in Bora Bora.
Now, let’s see all the details surrounding this experience.
The best time of the year – When it comes to diving in the lagoons joined by the sharks, every day of the year is the best one.
Yes. The water around the island is incredibly warm with no more than 29°C in the summer period and 26°C during the winter.
That makes your diving more pleasant. Only mind that summers in Bora Bora can be rainy, but that doesn’t affect the water at all.
You can bury your head under the water at those times, too, except when there are extreme weather conditions and the rain lasts for days.
Diving companies – To ensure that everything is in order and you can dive without anything bothering you, consider going to a diving company.
Bora Bora has four of them and they’re located in the major resorts on the island.
The companies operating in Bora Bora and offering diving services are:
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Bora Bora Blue Nui
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Diveasy
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Bora Diving Center
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Top Dive – Bathys Bora Bora
These companies offer multiple exciting diving packages, so you’ll have a blast knowing that they organize the whole experience for you.
Diving vacations – I know that you’re over-the-moon excited to meet the sharks while diving into the waters of the awesome lagoons.
That’s a great reason to take a diving vacation, don’t you think?
There are Bora Bora cruise charter companies that can make your vacation unforgettable.
Another choice lies in Paul Gauguin cruises, which can bring you on a diving adventure with all species of sharks all over Tahiti, especially in Bora Bora.
Diving sites – As for places where you can hang out with the sharks and see them in a huge number, there are some you can visit.
The most popular among them is, of course, the Coral Garden. There you can enjoy the wild underwater life between the colorful corals.
Aside from there, you can see sharks Aito, Tapu (the classic shark dive), as well as Toopua. These diving sites are a real wonder and promise a fun and breathtaking encounter with these animals.
Sharks In Bora Bora Lagoon
As we saw before, Bora Bora’s lagoon is full of different species of water animals, most commonly sharks.
As they are the ones we’re talking about, at this moment we’ll focus more on the experience and the encounter with them.
The sharks you’ll see – The first moment you place your head under the blue water and start breathing through your mask, you’ll notice that the lagoons are richer than you could have imagined.
From the amazing plethora of fish, stingrays and turtles up to the sharks we’re exploring, you’ll find everything.
Most importantly, you’ll encounter the Blacktip reef sharks and the Lemon sharks. They’re the so-called owners of the lagoon and an attraction you shouldn’t miss.
Don’t be afraid to come as near to them as possible, but only with a present guide or expert in sharks.
Activities with the sharks – The number of sharks in Bora Bora is astounding. They’re swimming all over the clear water, giving you a chance to enjoy their magnificence through multiple activities.
Firstly, you can take a boat to the middle of the lagoon and dive into the waters in search of them.
Then there’s the harmless swimming with the sharks, where you can even climb on their backs as well as the unique feeding experience.
During this time with the sharks, you get to know their nature better and understand their habits. If you’re a huge lover of these animals, then get the most out of these activities. Check out this website for more information.
Shark attacks – While we all know that the sharks in Bora Bora are friendly and used to the presence of people near them, sometimes the unexpected happens.
Out of the blue, the sharks may go a bit crazy and attempt to bite you. But don’t worry as they’re not man-eaters and cannot wound you fatally.
Just be cautious all the time and take care of the way you act around these animals. And don’t even think about going close to them without a guide unless you’re certified.
Bora Bora Shark And Ray Tours
We finally reached the part when we actually get to see which tours you can take to have the best time with the sharks in Bora Bora.
There are a bunch of them, so we better get going.
Shark & Ray Snorkel Safari – One of the best tours that allow you to get an idea of the whole underwater life is Tahiti’s snorkel safari.
As a part of this tour, you’ll snorkel in the clear waters, spotting the numerous species of sharks and rays. Your guide will also give you the opportunity to see the feeding of the sharks and rays either from the boat or by swimming with them.
As the tour lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes, you’ll surely explore all the things that interest you.
Raanui tours – For many visitors, a trip to Bora Bora isn’t complete without experiencing the Raanui tours.
Available as full-day or half-day adventures, these tours offer a variety of activities centered around the island’s rays and sharks. From feeding sharks in the shallow waters and diving among vibrant coral gardens, to hand-feeding gentle rays and relaxing on the stunning beaches of Motu Tapu, the Raanui tours promise an unforgettable experience that will leave you speechless.
Ocean Snorkeling – Experience the underwater world like never before with an ocean snorkeling tour in Bora Bora. This adventure lets you explore up to nine different locations, both inside the lagoon and beyond, bringing you face-to-face with the island’s incredible marine life.
Swim alongside majestic sharks, gently glide your hand over rays with skin as soft as silk, and let your guide share fascinating insights about the ocean’s creatures. If you love thrills and being immersed in the beauty of the sea, this tour is an absolute must.