Diving in Bora Bora
Why dive here
Bora Bora offers some of French Polynesia's richest diving, with 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, eagle rays, humpback whales, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays). Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest March, April, May.
Bora Bora. We know what you're thinking: honeymooners, overwater bungalows, maybe a quick snorkel. And yes, it’s all that, but the diving here really does hold its own, especially if you’re into big animal encounters in the lagoon. We love the easy drift dives just outside the main passes, where eagle rays often glide by with very little effort on your part. Inside the reef, the shark and ray feeding dives are a consistent hit, a close-up encounter with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays that never feels overly touristy, more like an energetic meeting. It’s warm, usually calm, and the visibility lets you see a good distance. Our favourite time of year to visit is late August through October. That's when humpback whales make their seasonal appearance. Hearing them sing underwater is something else entirely; it vibrates right through you.
Bora Bora Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Bora Bora
Bora Bora Dive Sites
40 dive sites in Bora Bora
Anau
Tajma Ha gives you a real cenote trilogy, diving through three distinct environments: Tajma Ha itself, then Sugarbowl, and finally Esmeralda. We love this site for its incredible light shows and that famous halocline – it shimmers and bends the light in a way you really have to see to believe. While the listed species like Spanish Grunt and Angelfish are around, for us, Tajma Ha is all about the geology and the interplay of light and water. The dive starts in Tajma Ha with wide open sections, shafts of light piercing the surface, illuminating schools of catfish. Then you transition into Sugarbowl, a darker, more enclosed space. If you surface here, look up; you’ll often find bats hanging out, catching some Zs. The final leg into Esmeralda offers yet another feel, usually with clearer water and a different rock formation. Maximum depth is a comfortable 14m, and visibility averages a generous 32m. We’d suggest this one for divers who appreciate the unique beauty of cave diving without extreme penetration. It’s a great introduction to the varied cenote experience.
Anau
Anau is one of those spots we talk about constantly when Bora Bora comes up. It’s a genuine cleaning station inside the lagoon, a place where mantas really do show up with remarkable consistency. We’ve been lucky enough to spend entire dives just watching these giants glide in, circling the coral heads, almost posing for their regular scrub-down. It’s pretty special to see them come so close, wings flexing, completely unbothered by our presence as long as you play by the rules – no touching, no chasing, and if you can manage it, try to hold your breath as they pass directly overhead. They really do seem to dislike those big bubble plumes. The reef itself is pretty shallow, maxing out at 18 metres, with a decent spread of staghorn coral providing homes for lots of smaller stuff – we’ve seen arcs of fusiliers, clown tangs, and even an oriental flying gurnard once, fan-like fins spread wide. Visibility averages around 14 metres, which is usually plenty to watch the manta show unfold. This site is perfect for anyone keen to spend time observing these magnificent creatures up close in a calm, protected environment, even if you’re newer to diving.
Aquarium
The Chimney, tucked away in the Dog Islands, feels a bit like a secret handshake among divers. We love this site for its playful topography, a real contrast to some of the deeper, more serious walls in the BVI. Dropping down, you’re greeted by this narrow slot, maybe two divers wide, that descends gently. Light filters down in shimmering shafts, illuminating schools of tiny silversides that flicker like scattered glitter. Our favourite part is navigating the actual 'chimney' itself, a vertical swim-through that starts at about 10 meters and opens out onto a sandy patch at 15 meters. It’s not a dark crawl, more like a natural skylight, and we often find ourselves pausing to watch the Red Clingfish clinging upside down to the rock, or spotting a shy Long-snout Seahorse camouflaged on the gorgonians. Keep an eye out for Dusky Jawfish peeking from their burrows in the sand flats just outside the main structure. It’s a site that suits divers who enjoy a bit of exploration and don't mind a leisurely pace; it's less about big pelagics and more about the smaller, intricate reef life. Bring a good torch to really bring out the vivid purples and oranges inside the crevices.
Aquarium
The Aquarium in Bora Bora is one of those sites we always make time for, even if we’ve been to the island a dozen times. It’s a gentle dip into the lagoon, maxing out at a comfortable 12m, making it perfect for a relaxed start to a trip or for introducing new divers to the reef. We love just hovering above the patches of staghorn coral, watching the silver-streaked rainbowfish shimmer and scatter as we drift past. It’s an easy, colourful dive, a real visual feast without the need for advanced skills. The sandy bottom between the coral bommies often has orange-lined triggerfish pottering about, and we’ve spotted green turtles gliding by on more than one occasion. The visibility here is usually excellent, around 18m, making everything feel incredibly vibrant. If you’re a photographer, this is a fantastic spot for close-up reef shots, especially mid-morning when the light really makes the dot and dash butterflyfish pop against the coral.
Avapeihi pass
Avapeihi Pass is one of Bora Bora's main channels, a good spot if you're looking for a drift dive. We've often encountered blacktip reef sharks here, sometimes grey reef sharks too, just cruising the currents. It's a fairly straightforward dive, usually with decent visibility, making it suitable for divers comfortable with some current but not necessarily looking for a high-intensity experience. You’ll be carried along, watching the pelagics pass by.
Cite corail
Cite Corail, off Bora Bora, is a gentle coral garden. Here, the reef is dotted with smaller corals, attracting a good variety of reef fish. It’s a relaxed dive, ideal for those looking for an easy drift or a longer bottom time exploring the shallower sections. If you’re hoping for pelagics, you’ll likely need to look elsewhere, but it's a solid choice for a peaceful afternoon.
Coral Garden
Coral Garden might be Bora Bora’s poster child for a reason. We love it because it’s exactly what you picture when someone says ‘French Polynesia’ – easy, bright, and full of curious fish. It’s a shallow drift over healthy coral bommies, often in less than 5 metres of water, so it's a perfect first dive or a leisurely second. The visibility is usually excellent, letting you spot those bluespotted stingrays tucked into the sand and the flash of orange-lined triggerfish zipping past. Our favourite time to go is mid-morning, just after the first boats have left and before the lunch rush. You’ll see schools of sickle butterflyfish and epaulette soldierfish weaving through the branching corals. Keep an eye out for the small giant clams, their mantles glowing electric blue or green. It’s a gentle introduction to Bora Bora's reefs, ideal for snorkelers too, or anyone wanting a relaxed, vibrant experience without any tricky currents.
Eagle-rays station
Dropping into Eagle-rays station in Bora Bora, the name really says it all. You'll often find a decent gathering of spotted eagle rays cruising through, sometimes in small schools, sometimes solo. It's a straightforward drift dive, generally calm, making it a good spot for newer divers looking for a reliable eagle ray encounter without too much effort. Visibility here is typically good, letting you just hang back and watch them glide past.
Fafapiti
Look, we're not going to lie. Kauri Mountain Awarua Rocks isn't the Poor Knights' showstopper. It doesn’t have the archways or the deep, dark caves. What it does have, however, is a classic slice of New Zealand’s rocky coastline underwater, and sometimes that's exactly what you want. It's a short jaunt from Dive Now if you're keen for a shore entry down Kauri Mountain Road. The maximum depth sits at about 11 metres, making it a great spot for a relaxed potter. We've spent hours here just watching the smaller stuff. The kelp sways, and in among the holdfasts, you’ll spot at least three kinds of triplefins – the Yellow-and-black, Longfinned, and those tiny Spotted Robust ones. We often see rig and dory ghosting through, and if you’re lucky, a black stingray or even a sleepy leopard seal might be tucked away. Visibility averages 13 metres, so it’s usually clear enough to appreciate the encrusting life that carpets the rocks. It's a proper kiwi kelpy dive, perfect for photographers who love macro or anyone who just wants to chill out and explore without the pressure of a big-name site.
Haapiti
Linda’s Wall doesn't get the same buzz as some of Roatán's north-side sites, and that’s precisely why we love it. Tucked away on the south, this wall dive really shows off what the Caribbean is capable of when it’s left to do its own thing. Dropping to 22m, the reef is just smothered in color – the hard corals here are some of the most vibrant we’ve seen in Roatán, spilling into soft corals like a painted canvas. We always make a point of lingering in the small crevices; those little nooks often hide Glassy Sweepers and Dog Snappers, sometimes even a shy seahorse if you’re patient and keep a keen eye out. The visibility averages 16m, which is good enough to appreciate the sheer scale of the wall, and the easy access makes it a relaxed outing. It’s a fantastic spot for a second dive or if you want a mellow afternoon exploring a thriving, less-trafficked part of the reef where eagle rays glide by without a care.
Iriru
Iriru is one of those Bora Bora spots that we always carve out time for. It’s not about the big pelagics here, though you might get lucky with a passing eagle ray. This site is pure macro magic, a kaleidoscope of reef fish activity that demands a slow drift. We love finding a sandy patch and just kneeling to watch the show. You'll see Ornamented Wrasse darting through coral heads, and the Undulated Morays are usually out, just watching the world go by from their crevices. Keep an eye out for Two-spot Bristletooth grazing the reef, and if you’re patient, a False-eyed Pufferfish will often let you get close. We’ve had some fantastic encounters with Arc-eye Hawkfish perched on coral branches, practically posing for photos. The light here, filtering down into the shallows, really makes the colours pop. It’s a perfect spot for photographers looking for those detailed reef shots. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light is softer and the fish activity always seems a bit livelier before the afternoon boat traffic picks up.
L'Aquarium
Forget what you might have heard about Bora Bora's diving, L'Aquarium is a nice surprise, especially for those who appreciate the smaller details. It's not a deep dive, more of a leisurely drift or an easy mooring stop inside the lagoon, perfect if you’re looking for a relaxing second dive of the day. We’ve done it a few times and always come away with something new, whether it’s a tiny Hardshell shrimp scuttling across the sand or a Pinktail triggerfish darting between the coral heads. What we really like here is the sheer number of those colourful reef fish that seem to ignore you completely. You'll swim through clouds of Yellowtail Dascyllus, so dense you almost feel them brush past your mask, and watch Bicolor cleaner wrasse doing their diligent work on larger fish. Keep an eye out for the flashes of Redfin Butterflyfish and the striking patterns of Coral Beauties. It's an easy dive that lets you just float and observe, making it a solid choice for newer divers, but even experienced eyes will find plenty to appreciate in this busy, shallow world.
Bora Bora Dive Centres
9 dive shops and operators in Bora Bora
Ocean Wildlife in Bora Bora
140 species recorded in Bora Bora
Bora Bora Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Bora Bora, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:20
Sunset
18:00
Daylight
11h 40m
Golden Hour
17:30
First light (dawn) at 05:58 · Last light (dusk) at 18:22
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 05:46 | 18:46 | 13h 1m |
| Feb | 06:02 | 18:41 | 12h 39m |
| Mar | 06:10 | 18:23 | 12h 13m |
| Apr | 06:15 | 17:59 | 11h 44m |
| May | 06:23 | 17:44 | 11h 21m |
| JunShortest | 06:33 | 17:42 | 11h 9m |
| Jul | 06:36 | 17:49 | 11h 13m |
| AugNow | 06:26 | 17:58 | 11h 32m |
| Sep | 06:03 | 18:02 | 11h 59m |
| Oct | 05:39 | 18:06 | 12h 27m |
| Nov | 05:25 | 18:18 | 12h 53m |
| DecLongest | 05:29 | 18:35 | 13h 6m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Bora Bora.
Where to Stay near Bora Bora
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Marine Protected Areas near Bora Bora
1 protected area near Bora Bora - please respect local regulations when diving
Motu Tapu
Getting to Bora Bora
Uturoa
Papeete
Motu Mute
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