We'd booked with Lagoon Service for the half day swimming with sharks and stingray trip and were delighted to discover it was just the two of us on the outrigger style boat. We lay on the deck at the front while the guide pointed out the sights and serenaded us with a ukulele. It was definitely one of those honeymoon highlight moments, unexpected but delightful after 20 years of marriage.
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| Similar to our boat, but we had less people! |
Our first stop was to feed the stingrays. There were thirty or so and they came straight over to the guide. It was easy to float and let them swarm around you. We had waited for the other boat to finish up, so for the most part, we had them all to ourselves. A luxury rarely experienced on snorkeling trips.
Our next stop was a coral garden with close up visits to huge eels, tiny seahorses, and even a turtle that, of course, everyone saw except me!
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| There's quite a frenzy when you first pull up! |
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| Huge ray following the sharks |
We rounded the island with a platter of fruit and cakes to refuel with, and then paused for some time with the sharks. Waiting for the frenzy to calm, I jumped into the water and then paused as the school swam towards me. Too many to count, and in relatively shallow water, it was easy to stay still as they swarmed around you, literally coming face to face until the shark moved round you at the last moment.
We made an extra stop on the way home as the eagle rays were in force, and the majestic swimming in formation of a fever* of eagle rays is like a classical ballet. Topping off an unforgettable morning, and the highlight of our time in Bora Bora.
Everything about this tour was wonderful - we avoided the other boats, and seemed to have the snorkel spots all to ourselves.
Lagoon service also offer sunset cruises and romantic dinners on a little islet.
As beautiful as the resorts may be, the reason to visit Bora Bora is to see the wonderful abundance of marine life, and Lagoon Service is an easy and enjoyable way to do just that!
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| We made it home before the storm hit! |
Practicalities:
Lagoon Service
Further Reading:
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Four Seasons
Linking with#TravelTuesday again as the host pic made me excited. We'll be back to swim with whales later this year...(but Moorea)
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| * I think it's a fever of eagle rays and a frenzy of sharks. Let me know if I'm wrong. |
Wow this looks amazing. Although I know I would be a bit scared of all those sharks! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWhoa! And WOW! What a gorgeous and amazing adventure. I think I shall add this to the bucket list! Beautiful! #globalblogging xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow! I am a scaredy cat so I would stay in the boat and enjoy these creatures from the safety of the boat.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
What breathtaking photographs! I've always wanted to try this but have never been brave enough... #GlobalBlogging
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic. I'd be a little nervous about jumping in with the sharks but they probably don't "bite the hand that feeds them". I've fed rays before and learned that they are quite intelligent and may even recognise repeat visitors by electroreception.
ReplyDeleteWow - amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow this looks amazing. I have to admit I don't think I'd get in the water, but fabulous to see it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic experience.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique experience - some amazing memories here. I don't think I'd get in the water though! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteYou are much braver than I am but wow the water looks fantastic. What a bonus having the boat to yourself, especially at that price.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get to Bora Bora!!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing photos. So idyllic! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
ReplyDeleteBeautiful but looks so scary!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience - looks amazing! #fearlessfamtrav
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredible! I always like tours where you can escape the other boats and feel like you have the experience more to yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt's something I'd be too scared to try but I love seeing sharks and rays at sea life centres or on TV. So amazing to watch them move effortlessly through the water! Thanks for linkin gup with #globalblogging
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible experience! Wow! Great photos, glad to hear you got back before the storm. Those clouds look mean! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWow! This looks amazing, but I think the sharks would scare me a bit. Beautiful photos!! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteThe water looks amazing and the fish so much part of their setting and the grand scheme of things!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the "Travel Tuesday" meme.
Oh NO! You wouldn't find me in the water with all those sharks! However, I'm glad you experienced it, so you could share it with all of us on #farawayfiles.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd probably stay on the boat so big respect to you for getting in amnogst the sharks and rays. What an experience! #farawayfiles
ReplyDeleteOh my word, I would not go in the water with the rays and sharks, but they do look gorgeous from above! x #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteAmazing. So jealous. I love that they all swarmed around you immediately. #kcacols
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome trip. My boys would love to do that, though I'm not sure I'd be so brave! The water looks amazing.
ReplyDelete#culturedkids
Fantastic experience. I swam with rays and nurse sharks off Belize. It was incredible. My daughter would absolutely love it #CulturedKids
ReplyDeleteThis is just incredible. What an experience. #culturedkids
ReplyDeleteThis sounds (and looks) so incredible and makes me desperate to travel again. Bora Bora has been high on our list for years - we will get there one day. And when we do, I definitely think we need to book a tour like this. #CulturedKids
ReplyDeleteSwimming with sharks and playing with rays is absolutely on our street ❤️ we tested it worldwide and also wrote extensively about but haven’t made it to Bora Bora yet so your article is super handy and pics are pure therapy! Thanks a lot for linking on #CulturedKids X
ReplyDeleteWow, these are awesome photos of the stingrays and the sharks. What a fun experience.
ReplyDeleteI think the sharks would have made me nervous. I have stood and fed the stingrays on one of the Caribbean islands. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and happy new week. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.
What a amazing photos! I don't think I could be that brave but I'm glad you shared your adventure!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience!
ReplyDeletePleasant thank you! Aloha
ReplyDeleteOh look at the color of the water and all the marine life. I would love to visit Bora Bora..Michelle
ReplyDeleteThat would have been quite an experience to swim among the sharks. Many know only horror stories and videos, but they are intelligent animals and if you don't harm them, they won't harm you. Beautiful blog with also the photos of the rays in . I enjoyed reading and seeing it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful sea and creatures
ReplyDelete