You can find Bora Bora set in the middle of the South Pacific. It’s a tiny island that clocks in at only 12 square miles with plenty of fun activities to do. Bora Bora has some of the best tours and excursions across the globe.
It’s a tropical island full of stunning sea life like stingrays, whales, sharks, coastal waterways, and beaches with turquoise waters like Matira Beach. It also has the famous Mt Otemanu, which stands out high in the middle of Bora Bora.
You won’t find skyscrapers or high-rise condos here. What you see is an island surrounded by a pristine lagoon and a stunning coral reef home to thousands of different species.
It’s surrounded by many undeveloped motus (tiny islands) that you can only experience by embarking upon a Bora Bora tour. From snorkeling and scuba diving tours to ATV and boat rides around Mt Otemanu.
In Bora Bora, you’ll most definitely want to have a swimsuit or two and a rash guard, along with towels, sunscreen, and light clothing for any of these excursions. Most companies provide all the diving or snorkeling gear, but you can also always bring your own. The more comfortable you are with your gear, the more fun you’ll have in my experience.
Let’s get you prepared with some of the best tours in Bora Bora that we’ve personally experienced and heard good things from other travelers.
1. Go Snorkeling Around Bora Bora
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Start your day off with a gorgeous 26-mile tour around Bora Bora’s lagoon where you can go snorkeling with the sharks, stingrays, and tropical fish. After these energy-burning activities, you’ll be rewarded with a Polynesian-style BBQ lunch on a quiet motu. The lunch will consist of fresh salads, grilled fish and other meats, and many Polynesian delicacies.
When done eating, they give you time to soak in the beauty that surrounds the island. You can snorkel, sunbathe, swim, and wander the beach. The guides on this private tour are informative and fun and entertaining all while imparting their wisdom about the culture of the land and the sealife.
The fact that you get to swim with sharks makes it one of the most exciting tours in Bora Bora. But, you don’t need to be afraid of swimming with the sharks since the black-tip reef sharks here are harmless to humans.
This six-hour tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and plenty of time to play and explore.
2. Walk Underwater On An Aqua Safari
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If you prefer not to scuba dive or swim but still want to experience the feel of being in the water, this is one of the most unique tours in Bora Bora to consider.
Before starting, your professional guide will instruct you on everything you need to know when walking underwater. Their special helmet gives you the ability to breathe all the way down there without the use of scuba equipment.
You get to walk on the lagoon floor, where you’ll be ten feet under the surface. From this vantage point, you’ll be walking amongst the colorful fish for half an hour, including eels and stingrays, that reside in the coral gardens.
The two-and-a-half-hour excursion includes pick up and drop off from your hotel, professional instruction, and bottled water to keep you hydrated. We recommend it for those who don’t feel too comfortable swimming, and it serves people of all ages, from children to older adults. A rope is attached to the helmet, so they’re always aware of where you are.
3. Explore The Island With An ATV and Jet Ski Ride
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This ATV and jet ski excursion will take you across water and land. Starting early in the day, you’re greeted by a local guide and begin your adventure on a three-hour ATV ride with various stops and viewpoints along the route. You learn about local legends and visit historical and natural sites.
They then take you over to a motu to enjoy a Polynesian lunch complete with grilled fish, chicken, rice, and fruits. You then spend two exciting hours exploring the seas on a jet ski.
The transportation to get to the meeting point is included, along with the jet ski, ATV, lunch, and water. The tour guide will be with you throughout the entire time.
One thing I recommend when going on this private tour is to bring a light jacket for the ATV ride. Although the island is hot, it can get windy, and it may also be worth preparing in case of rain. It lasts 6 hours, so make sure you get some good sleep the night before. There are also plenty of other jet ski tours to check out.
4. Explore Mt. Popoti On An ATV/Quad
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If you’re looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-path adventure, exploring Mt. Popoti with an ATV is the way to go. From atop the peak, you’ll see stunning views below the lagoon’s crystal blue waters while experiencing the flora and fauna of the land above. This two and half-hour tour comes with snacks and refreshments to keep you energized and hydrated.
While the views are wonderful, getting there is the actual adventure. You drive your own ATV to the top of Mt. Popoti and through Faanui Valley along the rugged terrain. The ride lets you see all the beauty of the mountain, and guides help you learn all about the landscape and the local culture.
While you can always hike Mt Popoti, in my experience, unless you know the area well and are an adept hiker, it’s better to use an ATV. Even though we’ve hiked it before, we find it much easier to see everything this way.
5. Sailing Experience In Bora Bora
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If you’re looking to sail and enjoy some drinks, Sailing Bora Bora has a tour for you. You board the Vitamin Sea, a 40-foot catamaran that happens to be a former race boat, and head out into the open waters of Paradise Bay for 4 hours. The excursion gives travelers plenty of time to sunbathe and swim in the gorgeous lagoon.
After staring in awe at the majestic Mount Otemanu and swimming with the rays and fish, travelers are rewarded with some refreshments. Your local hosts will surprise you with their floating bar for a cocktail to make your experience even more magical.
This Bora Bora tour includes everything you need for a memorable night in French Polynesia with drinks and transportation right from your accommodations. It’s the perfect thing to if you’re looking to go on a romantic tour in Bora Bora.
6. Jet Ski and Snorkle Around The Island
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This tour starts with jet skiing and then moves onto the snorkeling part, allowing you to observe the abundant marine life in a popular snorkeling spot. It’s followed by lunch at the ever-popular Bloody Mary’s, one of the most famous bars in Bora Bora.
Mt. Otemanu will greet you from your jet ski, all while your guide enlightens you about the history, culture, and island life. You’ll even be enchanted with a coconut husking demonstration, along with plenty of free time to enjoy the water. After jet skiing, you can relax and enjoy a local lunch at Bloody Mary’s. The Mahi Burger is one of my favorites, and I’ve heard the wings are pretty tasty too.
The tour isn’t complete until you head out snorkeling with sharks and stingrays. The guides assist you in getting as close to these mighty but harmless creatures. Near the coral gardens, you can also swim with and learn more about the various species of fish that call this lagoon home. They drop you off back at your hotel when the tour is over.
7. Scuba Diving In Bora Bora
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While snorkeling in Bora Bora is one of the most popular things to do, scuba diving isn’t that far behind. Although, you do need to be a certified diver to go on this tour.
You get to go on two dives, with each dive at a different site. You can expect to see the wonders within and outside of the lagoon near the coral reefs. Marine life includes rays, sharks, and a plethora of other stunning fish. Each dive will be around an hour long and go 20 meters deep, giving you a chance to explore Bora Bora from an entirely different perspective.
Plus, the boat ride is spectacular as well. And in between the two dives, you’re treated to hot tea or coffee, water, and snacks to keep you alert for the entire adventure. You don’t need to worry about any scuba diving equipment or transportation.
8. Whale Watching on Bora Bora
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Swimming with stingrays and sharks is exciting, but you can’t forget about whale watching when heading to Bora Bora. While they don’t make any guarantees, the guides do their best to get you to see these magnificent creatures. If the conditions are right and the whale is accepting of people nearby, you might even be able to swim with them.
You will first embark upon this three to four-hour excursion by hopping on a 26-foot inflatable boat. The captain steers you out into the open waters of the mighty Pacific Ocean. Along the way, you can learn things about Humpback Whales while being able to listen to them through an underwater hydrophone.
The whale watching season in Bora Bora takes place between July and October. So if you’re visiting during these months, make sure to book it. We had quite a sight when we saw a huge humpback whale swimming alongside its calf last time we went on it. It’s quite a memorable thing to experience.
9. Lagoon Cruise And Snorkle with Sharks & Stingrays
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This 6-hour-long tour takes you around all of Bora Bora. The boat picks you up from your hotel and takes you to experience magical moments.
The powerboat will take you through clear waters alongside a coastline full of abundant greenery. With several stops along the way, you swim with the manta rays and other animals or watch in wonder from above while perched comfortably on the boat. For lunch, they prepare a buffet of fresh meats, fish, salads, and more from a traditional Polynesian spread.
After lunch, you explore the island’s summit with a short hike where the views are quite rewarding. You can also read this guide for a list of other hikes in Bora Bora.
They give you time to relax and enjoy the surroundings while watching a coconut husking demonstration. Before you leave, you’ll be serenaded with live music, giving this day-long cruise an enchanting ending.
The Bora Bora tour includes hotel pickup and drops off, snorkel and mask, lunch, and entertainment. However, it might be a good idea to bring your own snorkeling equipment or bring some from your hotel if it offers complimentary gear since their equipment is not the most up-to-date.
10. Explore Bora Bora With An Underwater Scooter
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If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind excursion, this scooter tour is for you. You can explore the wonders of the ocean below without water ever getting above your shoulders. You can go out alone or grab your partner or friend because this scooter can handle two people.
The two-hour adventure starts with a short ride on an inflatable boat that brings you to a floating platform. The instructor provides instructions and guidance on how to operate the scooter. After, you take off to explore the lagoon and the stunning creatures that live in Bora Bora.
Heading down into the water at a depth of about 10 feet, you’ll experience the magic of the ocean through a uniquely crafted panoramic dome that lets you see everything around you.
Fresh fruits and drinks are provided as part of it. I recommend this option for those not into typical water activities like snorkeling or jet skiing. There is not much on your end that you need to do except sit on the scooter while exploring underwater.
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