Bora Bora
The Society Islands are composed of two groups, known as the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands, and include both coralline and volcanic islands.
We arrived into the lagoon of the island known to be the most beautiful island in the world. We arrived in the rain, and the peak of the mountain was covered in clouds which made it look mysterious and powerful. Immigration and customs did not take long, and shortly thereafter we set foot on this legendary island. Today was a bit touristy, but we went our separate ways to explore the island, either by bus or by foot. The walk to see plants stopped now and then to discuss their finds whenever the rain started. The attitude and willingness was great and no matter the weather we would still have a fantastic time.
The dive site was located outside the lagoon, and when we first arrived, we met other boats. Having been spoiled with no other people close to our dive sitem, we were first a bit disappointed. It soon occurred to us that they were all leaving. We went into the water, and it did not take long until we spotted our first shark. We continued down, and we could see remoras and sharks in the distance. We got down to 80 feet, and a big grey shadow came swimming slowly from the deep. During our trip we’ve run in to big snappers and groupers. We’ve met reef sharks and tunas but this was something else. A lemon shark. We got really exited as it's not often that one sees a shark. It swam towards us, not looking too happy. Slowly covering the grounds it came closer before it swam away. We all swam in the direction the shark swam just to get another look. We continued and had more shark encounters. We were all pleased to see a very healthy reef and came close to lots of fish. Clown fish hiding in an anemone, schools of banner fish and the remoras following us throughout the dive. We could hear the rain down at 60 feet and were happy to be under the surface. We headed back to the National Geographic Endeavour to dry up and to get some lunch.
It did not take long until it was time to start off again. This time there was a private Motu with kayaks, snorkeling and a glass bottom boat, landing ashore or diving to choose from. It was a tough decision. Going ashore went fairly fast for some who quickly got changed into a wetsuit and was on the next zodiac to the private Motu. The divers went out again, the wetsuits were not even close to dry and this time they ran into a group of Hawksbill turtles. The turtles weren’t bothered by a bunch of divers, as they were busy eating so the divers got to get a really close look. Believe me, if you come face to face with a turtle underwater nothing else matters. Your mind goes blank, troubles go away and politics are out the window. It’s mind blowing.
At the same time we headed for our private island in the South Pacific (far away from the thousands of people that sat crowded onboard the Tahitian Princess). We could not get the chefs out with the grill due to the weather but the beverages were there and the turquoise water was looking ever so inviting. It was a perfect place to escape to on a day like this. Snorkelers, kayaks and the glass bottom boat all went out in different directions to explore and to enjoy. It was the perfect way to end a great trip. After a while most of us had forgotten about the rain.
It cleared up as we were sailing out of the lagoon of Bora Bora, the horizon looked promising…
The Society Islands are composed of two groups, known as the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands, and include both coralline and volcanic islands.
We arrived into the lagoon of the island known to be the most beautiful island in the world. We arrived in the rain, and the peak of the mountain was covered in clouds which made it look mysterious and powerful. Immigration and customs did not take long, and shortly thereafter we set foot on this legendary island. Today was a bit touristy, but we went our separate ways to explore the island, either by bus or by foot. The walk to see plants stopped now and then to discuss their finds whenever the rain started. The attitude and willingness was great and no matter the weather we would still have a fantastic time.
The dive site was located outside the lagoon, and when we first arrived, we met other boats. Having been spoiled with no other people close to our dive sitem, we were first a bit disappointed. It soon occurred to us that they were all leaving. We went into the water, and it did not take long until we spotted our first shark. We continued down, and we could see remoras and sharks in the distance. We got down to 80 feet, and a big grey shadow came swimming slowly from the deep. During our trip we’ve run in to big snappers and groupers. We’ve met reef sharks and tunas but this was something else. A lemon shark. We got really exited as it's not often that one sees a shark. It swam towards us, not looking too happy. Slowly covering the grounds it came closer before it swam away. We all swam in the direction the shark swam just to get another look. We continued and had more shark encounters. We were all pleased to see a very healthy reef and came close to lots of fish. Clown fish hiding in an anemone, schools of banner fish and the remoras following us throughout the dive. We could hear the rain down at 60 feet and were happy to be under the surface. We headed back to the National Geographic Endeavour to dry up and to get some lunch.
It did not take long until it was time to start off again. This time there was a private Motu with kayaks, snorkeling and a glass bottom boat, landing ashore or diving to choose from. It was a tough decision. Going ashore went fairly fast for some who quickly got changed into a wetsuit and was on the next zodiac to the private Motu. The divers went out again, the wetsuits were not even close to dry and this time they ran into a group of Hawksbill turtles. The turtles weren’t bothered by a bunch of divers, as they were busy eating so the divers got to get a really close look. Believe me, if you come face to face with a turtle underwater nothing else matters. Your mind goes blank, troubles go away and politics are out the window. It’s mind blowing.
At the same time we headed for our private island in the South Pacific (far away from the thousands of people that sat crowded onboard the Tahitian Princess). We could not get the chefs out with the grill due to the weather but the beverages were there and the turquoise water was looking ever so inviting. It was a perfect place to escape to on a day like this. Snorkelers, kayaks and the glass bottom boat all went out in different directions to explore and to enjoy. It was the perfect way to end a great trip. After a while most of us had forgotten about the rain.
It cleared up as we were sailing out of the lagoon of Bora Bora, the horizon looked promising…
