Bora Bora is world-renowned for its crystal clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and abundance of tropical fish. This French Polynesian island is a diver’s paradise with numerous sites to explore underwater. While most visitors know about the famous dive sites around Bora Bora’s main island, there are also many excellent spots located around the outer motus (small islands) that often get overlooked. In this article we talk about Top 10 Dive Sites You Didn’t Know About in Bora Bora, French Polynesia In 2024.
In this blog, we shine the spotlight on 10 of the best dive sites in Bora Bora that you probably haven’t heard about before. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced diver, these sites offer something for everyone with their diversity of marine life, underwater topography, and range of difficulty levels. Read on to start planning your next diving adventure in beautiful Bora Bora!
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Motu Piti Aau
On the northeast side of Bora Bora lies Motu Piti Aau, a tiny uninhabited islet ringed by a vibrant coral reef. The diving here features sloping reef walls, small caverns and overhangs to explore, and an abundance of reef fish like butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, and more. The reef drops off to about 60 feet at its deepest point. Strong currents can be present, making this a dive better suited for intermediate to advanced divers. But with proper preparation, the diving at Piti Aau is spectacular.
Motu Toopua
Situated in the north between the main island and Motu Toopua Nui, this small islet offers excellent wall diving. Descend along the steep vertical wall covered in colorful corals and sponges. Peer into the blue to spot cruising eagle rays, reef sharks, and schools of snappers and fusiliers. The wall levels off around 100 feet but continues down at an angle to over 250 feet, allowing divers to see a variety of marine zones during a single dive. Diving here is suitable for all skill levels.
Mai Mai Beach
While Mai Mai Beach is well-known for its sparkling white sand beach, the area also boasts fantastic diving just offshore. Accessible from the beach or by boat, this site features bommies (isolated coral outcroppings) dotted with vibrant corals and home to thousands of anthias swirling amidst the rocky structures. Schools of unicornfish, triggerfish, and wrasses feed along the reef slopes. Mai Mai offers easy diving for all levels and spectacular snorkeling as well.
Motu Tane
On the northwestern side of Bora Bora, Motu Tane is the perfect spot for novice or cautious divers. A spur-and-groove reef system sits in the sandy shallows, brimming with healthy staghorn coral formations and reef fish. The maximum depth reaches 30 feet along the sand channel slopes. With little to no current, excellent visibility, and a myriad of macro life, divers of any skill level will appreciate this site’s beauty. Night dives here also afford the chance to spot creatures like shrimp, crabs, octopus, and eels.
Motu Fareone
Situated due north of Bora Bora and featuring a heart-shaped outline, Motu Fareone is ringed by a stunning coral reef for fantastic diving. The east side boasts a wall dive with overhangs, small caves and tunnels to explore as the reef descends into the blue. Schools of snappers and barracuda frequent these waters. The shallow western side allows for beginner diving along the spur-and-groove formations. Expect to see angelfish, butterflyfish, tangs, trumpetfish, and more amongst the coral heads.
Matira Point
Matira Point marks the southernmost tip of Bora Bora. Strong currents whip along this exposed point, delivering nutrients that feed a thriving reef system. Experienced divers will appreciate drifting dive possibilities along walls decorated in black corals, sea fans, and sponges. Pelagics like sharks and eagle rays are common sightings here. The reef top and shallows also provide excellent snorkeling when currents are manageable. With a diversity of marine zones, Matira Point appeals to divers of all interests.
Anau Dive Site
On Bora Bora’s southern side, Anau features a spectacular wall dive brimming with marine life. Descend along walls and ridges encrusted in colorful corals like fire coral, bubble coral, and sea whips. Watch for moray eels peering out from holes and large sea turtles gliding through the blue. Curious dolphins even frequent these waters. With little to no current, depths around 100 feet, and outstanding visibility, Anau is suitable for divers of all skill levels.
Muri Muri Lagoon
The east side of Bora Bora shelters Muri Muri Lagoon, offering beginner-friendly diving in shallow, protected waters. Inside this marine sanctuary, divers can explore patch reefs, coral gardens, and sandy flats no deeper than 20 feet. Spot pufferfish, blue triggerfish, spotted boxfish, and more unusual species amongst the hard and soft corals. Muri Muri presents excellent training opportunities for new open water divers. The shallow lagoon also offers exceptional snorkeling.
Motu Fafarua Taiau
Lying due east of Bora Bora, Taiau remains relatively undived given its remote location. Experienced divers venturing out here will be rewarded with diving along steep walls and slopes decorated in impressive table corals, sea fans, and black coral trees. Look for turtles, eagle rays, reef sharks and schools of barracuda and jacks passing by in the blue waters. Currents can be strong but deliver excellent nutrient loads to support this thriving reef system. Taiau offers world-class wall diving at its finest.
Motu Tevairoa
Tevairoa sits off Bora Bora’s northeastern shore, featuring a stunning reef with five large bommies (pinnacles) sprouting from the seafloor. These impressive coral structures rise from 65 feet to just shy of the surface, swarming with thousands of colorful reef fish. Experience incredible visibility to appreciate the sheer walls of coral and clouds of anthias, snappers, and fairy basslets. Accessible only by boat, Tevairoa’s unique topography and lively reef residents make it a “must dive” Bora Bora destination.
So there you have it – 10 fantastic dive sites in Bora Bora you may not have heard about before. With coral reefs encircling almost every motu, there is truly superb diving to be had all around the Bora Bora lagoon. No matter your skill level, you’ll discover underwater adventures beyond imagination beneath those iconic towering peaks. I sincerely hope you find this “Top 10 Dive Sites You Didn’t Know About in Bora Bora, French Polynesia In 2024” article helpful.
Sophie Turner is the adventure travel writer behind AdventureTravelFam.com. With over 10 years of experience in travel writing and a Master’s degree in Tourism Management, Sophie shares her expertise in exploring unique destinations and providing family-friendly travel tips. Follow her adventures on Instagram @adventure_travelfamily.
