Scuba Diving Bora Bora: Best Tours, Dive Spots & Info 2024

Want to go Scuba Diving in Bora Bora?

Bora Bora is one of the most famous tropical islands in the world, home to stunning overwater bungalows, luxury Polynesian restaurants, and some of the best diving sites in the South Pacific.

We’ve spent a couple of months living in French Polynesia, and it honestly does live up to the hype, especially regarding the coral reefs and lagoons around the island.

In this guide, we’ll share all the best scuba diving tours in Bora Bora for everyone, regardless of your level of experience, as well as some of the top diving spots to check out during your time in Bora Bora.

We’ll also share more about the island, including where to stay and other tips for scuba diving in Bora Bora.

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Scuba Diving Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a mecca for scuba diving, with numerous dive sites and plenty of courses & tours to choose from.

The coral reefs, deep blue lagoon surrounding Bora Bora, and its motus are perfect for scuba diving all year round, especially in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter months (May – October), when visibility can reach 120 feet.

The island’s lagoons and barrier reefs have warm, crystal-clear water and serve as a sanctuary for hundreds of species of vibrant coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles.

Divers can immerse themselves in this underwater paradise and marvel at the technicolor world beneath the surface, from exotic clownfish to stingrays, sea turtles, and moray eels.

You can also expect to see tons of sharks (all friendly, of course) during your dives in Bora Bora. The archipelago in French Polynesian is famous for black-tip sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and lemon sharks, offering unique encounters that will leave you speechless.

Furthermore, Bora Bora’s dive sites cater to all experience levels. Beginners can enjoy shallow lagoon dives, while advanced divers can explore deeper sites, encountering sandbars, underwater tunnels, and steep drop-offs.

Whether it’s your first dive or your hundredth, diving in Bora Bora is a bucket-list experience every visitor should experience at least once.

Note: Never dive within 12 hours of flying (even just a short domestic flight from Tahiti).

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Best Scuba Diving Tours In Bora Bora

If you’re ready to plunge into the deep blue water and explore the barrier reef and coral formations around Bora Bora, here are the best scuba diving tours Bora Bora has to offer.

Best Introductory Dive

This Introductory Dive Tour, operated by Coral Diving Center, is an excellent choice for first-time divers in Bora Bora.

On the two-hour tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the vibrant underwater world of Bora Bora’s coral garden, teeming with tropical fish, turtles, and manta rays. You might even spot a seahorse.

Transportation to and from your hotel in Bora Bora is included, and the dive spot is just a 10-minute boat ride from the Conrad Resort, so you won’t have to spend much time on the boat before jumping in.

The 1:2 instructor-to-diver ratio ensures you get personalized attention and don’t feel overwhelmed as you dip your toes into scuba diving. The guides are well-known for instilling confidence in their guests, even when people have an intense fear of deep water.

If it’s your first time diving, this is the best Bora Bora Scuba Diving tour for you.

They even have experience taking people scuba diving who don’t know how to swim. These travelers still get the chance to go scuba diving in Bora Bora, and the guides help them feel safe under the water.

Best Experienced Dive

For experienced divers in Bora Bora, this is the best scuba diving tour available.

Operated by the esteemed Bora Bora Diving Center, the tour guarantees an unparalleled marine adventure, showcasing the best of Bora Bora’s marine biodiversity.

The tour gives divers two 45-60 minute dives near Bora Bora. The first dive is close to the lagoon, where you’ll see lots of beautiful coral and tropical fish. For the second dive, the guides will take you outside of the reef for a chance to witness the drop-off and open water. On the second dive, you’ll see giant manta rays, reef sharks, octopuses, and even eels.

Included in the 4-hour tour are both dives (with a group of no more than five people), a certified instructor, and light refreshments and snacks served between dives.

Nitrox is also provided free of charge if you are Nitrox certified.

Even if you’ve been diving for years, Bora Bora is a unique experience, with some of the most exciting reef systems in the world. So, you should definitely reserve a spot to take at least one dive while vacationing here.

Best Couples Dive

This Couples Dive Tour is an awesome opportunity for adventurous couples traveling to Bora Bora and looking to share an intimate and unique experience together.

The entire tour is 2 hours, and in addition to seeing an array of fantastic sea creatures, the guide will lead you to a spot where you’ll discover a black pearl on the ocean floor, which you can give to your significant other as a token of your love and take home to remember the experience.

Although the boat ride to the lagoon is shared, the actual scuba diving experience is totally private for a unique blend of romance and adventure.

The tour guides provide all necessary diving gear, towels, and bottled water. Then afterward, they give you an edited version of the film taken throughout the dive, so you don’t even have to worry about bringing your GoPro to film the experience.

Regardless of your diving experience or skill level, this tour delivers a memorable and unique experience that stands out among the numerous Bora Bora diving opportunities.

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Top Scuba Diving Spots In Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a diver’s paradise, boasting some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater landscapes.

Occasionally, your diving instructors will give you some options for diving spots you can explore around the island.

So, to help you better understand what’s available, here are some of the top scuba diving spots in Bora Bora that will offer you an up-close experience with the island’s underwater world.

1. Miri Miri (Muri Muri)

Miri Miri (also spelled Muri Muri) is a famous dive spot in Bora Bora for first-time divers and seasoned professionals.

With depths ranging from 15m to 45m, Miri Miri allows divers to see various marine life, including black tip reef sharks, sea turtles, giant napoleon wrasse, schools of barracuda, and even whales on occasion.

The site is often called ‘Roses,’ a nickname that comes from the extensive Montipora coral covering the reef and appears like a garden of roses across the ocean floor.

The visibility is unmatched at this diving spot, but due to the location of the dive site, it’s only possible to reach the dive site during calm ocean conditions.

2. Anau

Anau is another stunning place to go diving in Bora Bora, arguably the most popular diving on the island.

With an average depth of 22 meters, it’s ideal for divers of all skill levels. A shallow coral reef occupies most of the area, leading to a huge drop-off where more experienced divers can explore deeper sections of the dive site.

Anau Diving Spot is renowned for the schools of mantas that gather here, and it’s not unusual to see up to 10 gracefully swimming together.

Another incredible activity Anau offers is whale watching tours, where you can observe these marine mammals and learn more about their annual migration to Bora Bora. Some tours even offer you an opportunity to swim with the whales.

3. Tupitipiti

Tupitipiti is one of the few hidden gems among Bora Bora’s diving sites, offering divers a chance to explore an untouched underwater paradise.

Located in the far southeast of the barrier reef, the dive site is actually less about marine life and more beloved for its remarkable topography.

An array of caves, overhangs, and swim-throughs add a thrilling dimension to the diving experience, plus a near-vertical drop-off that plunges hundreds of feet into the ocean.

The reef at Tupitipiti is a treasure trove of diverse sponges and corals, which makes it very popular for underwater photographers. Although the marine life at Tupitipiti may not be as abundant as the other popular sites, you’ll still have a chance to spot turtles, reef sharks, and some exotic reef fish.

The depth here ranges from 10-30 meters throughout the reef, making it a great intermediate diving site in Bora Bora.

4. Toopua

Toopua is a lagoon dive with a maximum depth of 30 meters, abundant marine life, and beautiful underwater topography, making it one of Bora Bora’s best diving sites.

The site is most well-known for giant anemones and colorful clownfish at the top of the reef, but as you traverse down the sloping reef to the sandbar, you’ll find it’s a popular hangout for eagle rays, wrasse, and scorpionfish.

The dive site is very close to the Motu Toopua (home to Conrad Bora Bora Nui) and caters to all levels of scuba divers.

5. Haapiti

Haapiti, situated on the northern reef off Bora Bora Island, is another one of the best diving sites in Bora Bora.

The depth here reaches 30 meters, making it accessible for divers of all skill levels, and it’s known for its underwater craters, unique coral and rock formations, canyons, and underwater tunnels.

As you’re exploring the unique rock and coral formations at Haapiti, you’’ also see a diverse range of marine life.

Some of the most common fish include black-tip reef sharks, grey sharks, lemon sharks, lionfish, triggerfish, and napoleon wrasse.

6. Teavanui Pass

Teavanui Pass, often referred to as the “gateway to the Pacific Ocean,” is right between Motu Tapu and Ahuna.

It’s a ‘drift dive’ that plunges you into the heart of impressive aquatic fauna.

The marine life on display here is extraordinary, with numerous reef sharks, tunas, barracuda, trevallies, angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, and many more tropical fish.

The dive at Teavanui Pass starts at the ocean side of the coral reef and ends in the lagoon, with divers traversing up the numerous levels until they reach the underwater plateau.

You can dive at the Teavanui Pass all year round, and the depth varies from 10 to 40 meters, catering to divers of different skill levels, from beginners to advanced.

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Where To Stay In Bora Bora

When choosing accommodations in Bora Bora, there are more options than you might expect for such a small island.

Some people come to Bora Bora looking for a more affordable place to stay, while others are willing to shell out for a luxury romantic honeymoon destination. A lot of this boils down to where you decide to stay in Bora Bora.

Here is the best place to stay for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers in Bora Bora, giving you the best value for your money.

📍Best Budget Spot: Vaiotaha Lodge

Vaiotaha Lodge is the best place to stay in Bora Bora if traveling on a shoestring budget.

A local family runs the lodge, and it’s conveniently located on the main island (near Vaitape), making it easy to get around the island without using expensive boat taxis.

Most units are an entire 3-bedroom apartment with a living space, a kitchen with a stovetop and refrigerator, a private terrace, and a washing machine. There are also bicycles on-site that you can rent if you want to explore the island on tow wheels.

📍Best Mid-Range Spot: Maitai Bora Bora

Maitai Bora Bora is the perfect mid-range option for those looking to enjoy the island without breaking the bank.

They have garden villas and cheaper rooms on the beach, but if you dream of staying in an overwater bungalow, you can get one here for $600-800/night.

Each over-water bungalow has glorious sea views and a private terrace with direct access to the ocean. There is even a glass table that offers a picture of the reef and tropical fish right at the foot of your bed.

Maitia Bora Bora is also on the mainland of Bora Bora, so you can walk to nearby restaurants or Matira Beach without taking a boat taxi.

📍Best Luxury Spot: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

If you’re looking for a romantic holiday in French Polynesia, the Four Seasons Resort at Bora Bora is one of the most luxurious options.

These bungalows and villas feature traditional Bora Bora furnishings and picturesque thatched roofs, with private terraces and some even featuring a plunge pool.

The resort also offers a wide range of activities like kayaking, windsurfing, tennis, snorkeling tours, a fitness center, a huge infinity pool, and numerous restaurants all right at the resort.

Although the price tag is high, it’s worth it for the exclusive experience, especially if you are taking a honeymoon in Bora Bora.

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Visiting Bora Bora FAQs

Whether you’ve already finished planning a trip to the romantic island of Bora Bora or are still deciding on a place to go for your next tropical vacation, here are some of the most common questions we hear about visiting Bora Bora.

Is There Good Scuba Diving in Bora Bora?

Yes, there is excellent scuba diving in Bora Bora. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Bora Bora offers a range of scuba diving options where you can see diverse marine life and unique underwater topography across a multitude of dive sites.

How Deep Can You Dive in Bora Bora?

When diving in Bora Bora, most dive sites range from 10 to 40 meters, and your diving depth depends on your skill level. Beginners typically stay between 10-20 meters, while experienced divers can go 30 meters or deeper.

Are the Sharks in Bora Bora Safe to See?

Yes, the sharks in Bora Bora are safe to see. Black Tip Reef Sharks and Lemon Sharks are the two that you’ll likely encounter and are typically not aggressive towards humans.

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The Wrap-Up: Scuba Diving Bora Bora

Bora Bora is one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving, and you should definitely make time for it on your itinerary when you visit.

There are plenty of dive sites suitable for both first-time divers and people who have had their PADI certification for years. These diving spots along the barrier reef are full of marine life, underwater tunnels, rock formations, and even caves you can explore.

From Teavanui Pass to Toopua, you’ll find a range of diving spots that cater to all skill levels.