Scuba diving on Bora Bora island : French Polynesia : Tahiti Sun Travel

In the deeper waters of the open ocean, more interesting and amazing sea creatures await your discovery, including sea turtles, larger and ever more species of fishes such as barracuda, tuna, jackfish, red snapper, napoleon fish, surgeon fish, impressively sized moray eels, various rays, dolphins, various species of sharks such as the black tipped, grey, and lemon, among others, and the migrating humpback whales during the months of August through October!

The powerful and graceful Manta Rays, among the world's largest, are regularly seen in Bora Bora's lagoon as well as the open waters outside of it's lagoon. (See Ray note below)

HOW IS BORA BORA DIVING DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER ISLANDS?

Each Island in French Polynesia has one or more particular scuba traits or special things that make it different from the rest... Moorea has the shark feeding and the turtles. Manihi and Tikehau have the pristine lagoon and magical corals. Raiatea has the wrecks, deep lagoon, and octopus dives, etc, etc.

In Bora Bora's case, it's likely to be the ever popular Manta Ray dives, and shark, turtle, dolphin, and whale watching when they're around.

Perfect natural conditions create plentiful and regular growth of marine plankton in parts of Bora Bora's famous lagoon. The largest of the world's rays, the Manta Rays, are plankton eaters, and thus regularly reside in the waters of the lagoon, as well as outside in the open sea.

Various other ray species such as leopard, bat, and eagle, and stingrays, are also common in BoraBora waters. Although not as huge as Manta Rays, there is nothing quite like seeing a "school" of batrays silently glide by you... Any time you see these rays, it leaves a lasting impression on your life... That's what diving is all about, and Bora Bora waits for you to experience her underwater magic!

The scuba operators who have been diving the Bora Bora waters for years know the habits and schedules of all these impressive marine creatures and have become quite killed at showing divers the best spots for viewing. They are always respectful of their habits and space, and will make sure that you do the same. No touching or chasing... but pictures and closeup encounters are common.

During the months of August thrue late October, the annually migrating humpback whales are also a feature of Bora Bora diving.

Although not as common as on Moorea, the Bora-bora scuba operators enjoy the whales when they see them in the open waters of the ocean and are extremely respective of their space, knowingly treating them with professionalism and proper distance. Dolphins and turtles are also encountered outside of the lagoon. Sometimes, divers are treated to seeing numerous dolphins at one time!

THE SCUBA OUTFITTERS WHO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE

There are 5 major scuba diving businesses on Bora Bora, as well as a few other "scuba centers" located at select hotels and elsewhere on the island. Here, we list them all for you, along with basic information on their credentials, experience, etc. Multi-level dives are available for all skill levels, fulfilling most scuba divers wildest expectations.

BORA DIVING CENTER (PADI DIVE CENTER # 6346)
Based at Matira, next to Hotel Bora bora (P.O. Box 182, Vaitape- BORA BORA)
Contact: Mr. and Mrs. Michel and Anne CONDESSE
Telephone- (689) 67.71.84/ 67.74.83, Fax- (689) 67.74.83

E-MAIL & Reservations (Mention "TAHITI SUN TRAVEL" on your BOOKING to receive a complimentary, ultra-cool embroidered white or green Bora Diving Center hat with our Manta logo on it!)

THE TOTAL QUALITY CONCEPT IN ADVENTURE:
Plan a unique adventure in scuba diving... Bora Diving Center is happy to assist you ! It operates from the nicest beach: Matira beach, adjacent to Hotel Bora Bora, and we offer free transportation from any hotels or boats via our buses and boats. Famous for our personal service, flexibility, and attention to the individual makes your diving experience the best it can be. Day and night dives with Manta and Eagle rays, Lemon and grey sharks, Barracudas, turtles and more!

Michel Condesse has been diving for over 30 years and he is happy to share his passion for diving with you! We feature 2 Tank dives, up to 4 times a day, in small groups of divers to get closer to the marine life. 5 fast and comfortable boats provide rapid access to the various dive sites. Wall, drift, cave, and night dives, private and full day trips, video services and more. All levels welcome and certifications available including specialty diving.

A welcome desk with classroom, video services, retail shop, maps, and restroom is open everyday from 8am - 5:30pm. Daily dive departures are 8:30am, 1:30pm, and 6:30pm. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Free transportation and all diving equipment provided. Package HOTELS / DIVING for 2, 3, 4, and 5 days or more available.

Please see our DIRECT LINKING WEBSITE for all the details.

Do you want to view the beautiful coral and tropical fish of Bora bora without dive tanks, snorkel, weight belts or mask? Discover the AQUASAFARI experience...

Discover the fascinating world of the TOPdive Bora Bora RESORT: We are one of 5 existing TOPdive centres in French Polynesia based in Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa, Tahiti and Fakarava.

Our dive center is managed by a dynamic, professional team of divemasters. They make it possible for you to discover the incredible underwater world of Bora Bora. Our high performance scuba boats (30 feet), all equipped with the most modern safety and diving equipment, will take you to the best dive spots with the most excellent current conditions allowing for the best quality dives possible. Or, choose the ultimate form of transportation and travel aboard our 45 feet catamaran scuba boat to an extraordinary dive spot on the Tupai Atoll (1/2 day cruise with lunch on board and the standard 2 tank ocean dives.)

Nitrox, exploration, certification, introductory, night, lagoon, ocean dives? We can make all your dive dreams come true. We provide all levels of training and scuba instruction and certify PADI, CMAS and NITROX.

Want to dive all around French Polynesia? We can offer you our 10 dives INTERISLAND dive package. You can use it in any of our TOPdive centers (Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa, Tahiti, Fakarava) and also share it with your partner. Ask us for details...

TOPdive Bora Bora Resort also offers you TOP level lodging at very competitive rates. See our link for details.

BLUE NUI DIVE CENTERS- BORA BORA
Based out of the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Hotel
(PO. Box 169-98 730, Vaitape- BORA BORA)
Contact: Mr.Gille PETRE E-MAIL & Reservations
Telephone- (689) 67.79.07, Cell 79.22.72, Fax- (689) 60.50.51

Our full service scubadiving center and shop, managed by award winning scuba master Gille Petre, wants to take you diving on Bora bora! Gille was voted DIVER OF THE YEAR by scubas top rated magazine "Scubadiving"- in 1999 for his expertise as a diver and the quality of his services.

Blue Nui Dive Centers comprises 4 scuba centers in French Polynesia: One on Bora bora, two on the Tuamotu island atolls of Manihi and Tikehau, and the newest center on Tahaa. The staff is professional, english speaking, and safety minded.

COME SEE OUR DIRECT LINKING WEBSITE NOW FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

DIVEASY
Located on Matira point, (PO. Box 86-98 730, Vaitape- BORA BORA)
Contact: Mr. Ben HERITEAU E-MAIL & Reservations
Telephone- (689) 79.22.55, Fax- (689) 67.69.36

Custom scuba diving (small groups only) on the island of Bora bora. Make your diving experience a rich and special one with the unique technology of the Diveasy UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

High quality, one on one diving instruction with local divemaster Ben. His years of diving experience and great knowledge of the waters around his island will make your dives a memorable experience you'll cherish for years to come.
State instructor BEES 1, Classe II, ANMP- Dive school- Examinations given: ANMP and CMAS.

COME SEE OUR DIRECT LINKING WEBSITE NOW FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

UNDERWATER CAMERAS AND VIDEO AVAILABLE!
Document your adventures! Canon camera or multi-system video camera available for snorkeling or scuba diving. 24 hour photo developing service.

BORA BORA CAMERA SHOP Contact: Mrs. Patricia PRAT (P.O. Box 266, Vaitape, BORABORA Telephone- (689) 67.76.63 Fax- (689) 67.79.50	TOPdive BORA BORA P.O. Box 515, Vaitape, BORA BORA Telephone- (689) 60.50.50 Fax- (689) 60.50.51 (See our LINKING WEBSITE for details)
BORA DIVING CENTER Contact: Michel or Anne CONDESSE P.O. Box 182, Vaitape- BORABORA Telephone- (689) 67.71.84 Fax- (689) 67.74.83 (See our LINKING WEBSITE for details)	NEMOWORLD Contact: Mrs. Katia LABAT P.O. Box 503, Matira, BORA BORA Telephone/ fax- (689) 67.77.85 (See our LINKING WEBSITE for details)

THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BORA BORA DIVING:

Where is Bora Bora?	Bora Bora is one of the Tahitian Islands, located in the Southern Hemisphere about half way between Australia and South America. It is in the same time zone as Hawaii. The flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti is about 7 1/2 hours. Air Tahiti provides four 45-minute flights each day from Papeete, the Capital of Tahiti, to Bora Bora.
What's the best time of year for diving in Bora Bora?	Scuba diving is good all year round in French Polynesia. The best diving conditions are between April and November.
When can I see humpback whales?	Bora Bora is visited by whales from July to early October. They come to mate and to care for their newborns. You may spot them jumping on your way to a diving site and possibly see them under water, too. The experience is always magical!
What are the local diving conditions?	Local visibility often reaches 130 feet. The average temperature of the ocean is 79 degrees F (28 C) in the winter season and 84 F (30 C) during the summer. There is no noticeable temperature variation between the surface and a depth of 166 feet (50 M). A light wetsuit, 1/8 inch (3 mm), or even a lycra suit is sufficient for year-round thermal protection.
What types of diving will I find in Bora Bora?	There are three basic types of dives: lagoon dives, outside-the-reef dives, and pass dives. The Lagoon -- Dives within the lagoon are generally shallow with very clear water. These conditions make them ideal for scuba lessons or for brushing up on your diving skills. However, there are some deep dive sites within the Bora Bora lagoon: canyons filed with manta rays and eagle rays, moray eels and tropical fish. These deeper sites are for certified divers only. Outside the Reef -- Just outside Bora Bora's coral reef, the ocean floor drops off dramatically. Here the reef is alive with a variety of corals and colorful fish, including the larger predators: lemon sharks, grey sharks, black & white sharks, moray eels, Napoleon fish, jack fish, barracuda, tuna, turtles, and dolphins. Teavanui Pass -- The only opening in the coral reef connects the lagoon with the ocean. There are always a large number of fish in this area, as the tidal flows provide abundant nutrients. It is a cruising zone for large schools of eagle rays. The current here can be strong at times, but the coral is really nice.
How deep will the dives be?	Most of the dives are between 60 feet (18 m) and 80 feet (24m). For experienced divers, there are deeper dives both within the lagoon and outside the reef.
Do I need to have a lot of diving experience to dive in Bora Bora?	Most of the diving in Bora Bora is fairly easy in favorable conditions and does not require a lot of diving experience. Many people learn to scuba dive for the first time in Bora Bora, and it is a wonderful spot for newly certified divers to improve their skills. For divers who wish to obtain additional training, most of the Scuba centers of Bora Bora offer continuing education and full instruction for PADI, CMAS, and FFESSM certifications.
What certification is required?	Except for beginning divers, you must provide your diving certification card and your diving log.
Will I need a dive buddy?	You will not need a dive buddy. On every dive, you will be accompanied by an experienced dive guide who is also an instructor. The guide knows the different local conditions and specific dive areas well and will contribute to a very safe and enjoyable dive holiday. This service is included at no extra charge. However, if you wish to dive with a particular buddy, that is always possible as well.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?	No. All the Scuba centers of Bora Bora provide all the equipment you will need for a great diving experience. This includes BCD, regulator, octopus, pressure gauge, wetsuit, weights, mask, fins, and snorkel. Of course, you can always bring your own equipment. Most divers prefer to bring their own mask, fins, and snorkel.
I haven't dived in several years. Can you provide an initiation dive to help me brush up on my diving skills?	Of course! Several of the dive sites are ideal for this purpose. Toopua, located in the lagoon, provides a great refresher dive. Here you are likely to see rays on your very first dive! All Bora Bora's dive masters pay very close attention when taking you out for the first time. They will ensure that your first dive is a safe and rewarding experience.
What types of fish will I encounter?	Bora Bora is home to many types of fish, and the Scuba centers on Borabora strive to make sure that divers get to see as many of them as possible. You can expect to see manta rays, eagle rays, moray eels, grey sharks, black & white sharks, Napoleon fish, and barracuda. Most divers also encounter tuna, jack fish, turtles, lemon sharks, and dolphins. Occasionally divers are rewarded with a close look at humpback whales and even whale sharks.
What about sharks?	In Bora Bora, the sharks are not as aggressive as they are in other parts of the world. While diving, it is safe to get close to them for pictures and observation.
If I have an accident, how will I receive help?	French Polynesia possesses one of the best sea search-and-rescue programs in the world. In case of an accident, there is an evacuation procedure, either by plane or helicopter, available around the clock. In Papeete, there is an ultra modern decompression chamber along with a team of doctors highly trained in hyperbaric medicine.
Does my travel insurance cover me while diving?	Most travel insurance policies do not cover scuba diving. You should inquire with your travel agent and include a special clause in your insurance contract prior to departure. It is possible to contract for insurance at the individual diving centers on Bora Bora, valid for your entire stay that covers any type of accident. Ask the individual outfitters for details.
Is spear fishing allowed?	French law prohibits spear fishing or collecting anything while wearing scuba tanks.

(a compilation of questions and answers from a variety of different sources: Philippe Molle (formerly of TOPdive- M.U.S.T.- Moorea),
Anne & Michel Condesse of the Bora Diving Center- Bora bora, and Tahiti Sun Travel's own notes)

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PHOTO CREDITS: "Sea Turtle"- Bora Diving Center, "Redfish school"- TOPdive- M.U.S.T. ,
"Scubagirl"- TOPdive, "Moray eel"- Diveasy, "Stingray"- Moana Adventure Tours. (last link rotation: 1/07/07)

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