Few places live up to the dream of turquoise water quite like Bora Bora. Surrounded by a shallow lagoon protected by a coral reef, the island is one of the best places in the world to explore marine life right from the surface.
Swimming with sharks and rays has always been a bucket list item for me. A visit to Bora Bora on our Windstar Cruise around French Polynesia gave us this coveted opportunity on a Lagoon and Snorkelling Tour from O-Sea Bora Bora. Blacktip sharks, Manta Rays and Sting Rays all showed themselves for this incredible experience – one we will never forget.
We were paying customers of this tour, and did not receive any free services in return for a review.
Which Tour on Bora Bora to Choose?
There are plenty of snorkeling excursions available around Bora Bora, ranging from larger group lagoon tours to smaller private boat trips. Most tours include several snorkeling stops around the lagoon, often with a guide who knows exactly where marine life tends to gather.
A private or small-group tour can be a good option if you want a more relaxed pace or extra time at certain locations. Guides often adjust the itinerary based on conditions and wildlife activity, which can make the experience feel a bit more personal. Many tours also include a stop at a coral garden, shallow ray feeding areas, or even lunch on a small island known as a motu. This is the kind of trip we chose.
Lagoon and Snorkeling Tour with O-Sea Bora Bora
For our day on the water, we chose a private tour with O-Sea Bora Bora. The tour took place by small boat and circled the lagoon surrounding Bora Bora, stopping at several snorkeling spots along the way. Having a private guide meant we could take our time getting in and out of the water and enjoy the scenery between stops.
One of the first things that stands out on the lagoon is the color of the water. The shades of blue range from pale aqua in the shallows to deep sapphire further out near the reef. It’s exactly the kind of scenery people imagine when they picture Bora Bora, and seeing it from a boat gives you a full view of the island’s dramatic volcanic peaks rising in the distance.
Our guide was knowledgeable and relaxed, explaining the different snorkeling areas and pointing out marine life as we moved around the lagoon. It made the day feel easy and well organized while still being flexible.
Swimming with Sharks
One of the most exciting parts of a Bora Bora snorkeling tour is the chance to swim with sharks. Before the trip, the idea might sound intimidating, but the species typically seen in the lagoon are harmless to humans.
At one stop we slipped into the water where several Blacktip Reef Shark were swimming in the shallow lagoon. These sleek gray sharks are easily recognized by the black markings on the tips of their fins. They tend to glide calmly through the water, usually keeping their distance from swimmers.
Seeing them in their natural environment is fascinating rather than frightening. They move gracefully through the water and often circle slowly around the area before continuing on their way. With clear visibility in the lagoon, it’s easy to watch them from a safe and comfortable distance.
Seeing Manta Rays
Another memorable part of snorkeling in Bora Bora is the possibility of spotting manta rays. These large, gentle creatures are completely harmless and are known for their impressive wingspan and smooth, gliding movement through the water.
During our tour we had the chance to swim near a Manta Ray as it moved slowly through the lagoon. Watching a manta ray underwater is an unforgettable experience—their wide, wing-like fins seem to carry them effortlessly through the water.
They can appear surprisingly close before drifting away again, and seeing one up close is often a highlight for snorkelers visiting Bora Bora.
Observing Sting Rays
Perhaps the most interactive experience on many lagoon tours is visiting one of the shallow sandbanks where sting rays gather. In these calm areas, the rays are used to boats and often glide through the shallow water around visitors.
While guides usually explain how to behave respectfully around them, the experience is surprisingly relaxed. Watching them move through the clear water just a few feet away is a unique way to observe marine life in Bora Bora’s lagoon.
It’s important not to attempt to touch any of the wildlife, especially not the sting rays. Not only does this behaviour disrupt the animals, but it can be dangerous too.
Lagoon Tour
Beyond the wildlife encounters, the lagoon tour itself is worth the trip. You get different views of Bora Bora from the water, and it is so beautiful.
We also stopped at a coral garden, where vibrant reef fish and colorful coral formations make for excellent snorkeling. Coral gardens are usually located along the reef where the current brings nutrients and marine life, creating a lively underwater environment.
Many tours also offer the option of stopping for lunch on a small island, known locally as a motu. Some excursions with O-Sea Bora Bora include this experience, allowing guests to enjoy a traditional Polynesian-style meal surrounded by the lagoon.
The weather was windy during our visit, so our captain suggested we lunch at the famous St James restaurant instead. The Poisson Cru, Mahi Mahi, shrimp and scallops were all delicious!
Bora Bora Snorkeling Tour Highlights
Snokeling with sharks and rays in Bora Bora was a dream come true. The clear turquoise water, the variety of wildlife, and the fantastic tour guide made the day one to remember. The whole trip was great, but the highlight was being able to observe these graceful creatures in their natural environment, from a safe distance, but still close. It was a good balance between experiencing and observing.
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