Note: This week I'm blogging and tweeting live from the Society Islands in French Polynesia. We're sailing aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin from Paul Gauguin Cruises and will also enjoy overnight stays at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti and Le Meridien Bora Bora.
m/s Paul Gauguin in Bora Bora's Lagoon Off Vaitape
Yesterday was our first of two days in Bora Bora. We woke early and headed to the Grand Salon at 8:15 am to queue up for the Shark and Ray Watching By Glass-Bottom Boat Tour. If you're looking for a low-impact tour that's also a bit more exciting than an air-conditioned bus ride around the island, this 1.5-hour trip is for you.
About 10 of us boarded a small glass-bottom boat and boated out to the lagoon to view black-tipped reef sharks and lemon sharks. Through the glass, we did manage to find two or three lemon sharks. They stay at the bottom of the ocean so you'll only see those through the glass or while diving. Our captain also baited the water and drew the attention of about 15 black-tipped reef sharks.
Our glass-bottom boat captain piloting us toward the shark-viewing area.
The view through the glass bottom of the boat.
You can just make out the outline of a lemon shark.
Here are two of the black-tipped reef sharks that stopped by to say 'hello' and get some food!
After we had our fill of shark photo ops, we moved to a more shallow part of the lagoon where we met some stingrays. These animals are very tame here and are used to people arriving each day to feed them. Your guide will attract the stingrays and feed them while you touch their backs (very silky) and swim alongside them.
Our guide feeding a stingray.
It is easy to get out of the boat and the water is very shallow in this part of the lagoon so there is no reason not to take part. The stingrays are very gentle and it is not scary at all. This is a short excursions but well worth the while! The cost per person is about $90.
After the tour, we headed back to the Paul Gauguin to pick up our overnight bag and went to Le Meridien Bora Bora for the afternoon and evening. I need to download our photos from that stop and then I'll upload some for you to see. The resort is stunning and we loved swimming with the sea turtles in Le Meridien's lagoon. Our overwater bungalow was also stunning. More details to come...
—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Photos © Leonard Hospidor and Andrea M. Rotondo
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