There are a few bad things about Bora Bora. Your guide will also take you to see the sharks and rays being fed, either from the boat or by swimming with them. Because it is illegal in Bora Bora, it is illegal to have a pet. The Hawaiian island of Hawaii receives more visitors per day than the entire French Polynesia year. To be precise, falling coconuts. It is relatively uncommon for a shark attack in French Polynesia, as it is always the result of human scorn or dubious behavior. In Polynesia, the image of the mao was quite different: the Polynesians, drawing a large part of their resources from the lagoon and the ocean, we quickly coast, recognized and respected the different types of sharks. Now, lets go over all of the specifics of this experience. The most popular snorkel sites to encounter sharks are: If you are a certified diver you have chances to see sharks while scuba-diving. Although shark attacks on humans are uncommon in Bora Bora, many sharks live there. It is a member of the Leeward Islands Group, which stretches from Australia to the United States. Bora Bora is extremely safe, but there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting the island. They prefer to swim in inshore waters and live on tropical coral reefs. If youre interested in viewing sharks while in Bora Bora, there are a few ways to make that happen. Thevakior Mao Mauri in Tahitian, the small blacktip reef shark (C. melanopterus) Generally greyish/brownish with a white belly, present in the5 French Polynesia archipelagosand are certainly themost commonspecie in our Polynesian lagoons. While tiger sharks are the most dangerous, there have been attacks by other types of sharks as well. The only way to get to Bora Bora is by boat or plane. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As far as I know, the only thing really dangerous in French Polynesia is the stonefish. Unprovoked shark encounters are less likely than lightning strikes and hunting accidents to result in injury or death. These stingrays are usually only aggressive if they are provoked or feel threatened in some way. It is the most dangerous venomous fish on earth, but people rarely die because of it (the risk of death may be higher for children). Most sharks eat other fish so that is what their senses are designed to recognize. The first Polynesian settlers arrived on the island in the 12th century, and Europeans first spotted the island in the 16th century. The water around the island is extremely warm, reaching no higher than 29C in the summer and 26C in the winter. Three of these attacks occurred near the island of Moorea, with the fourth taking place near Bora Bora. The biggest worry for me going back to FP is actually to drive the 405 freeway to get to LAX airport! In addition, the amount of blood that could be released into the water by a woman swimming while menstruating is very small. You can get close to stingrays and hand-feed sharks as part of a shark safari that lasts two hours and fifteen minutes. Yes, dont be afraid to go for a swim with the sharks if you are on your period. It lies in the central South Pacific Ocean, about 165 miles (265 km) northwest of Tahiti. Shoes are sometimes not enough to protect from its spines. Ocean Snorkeling Experience the underwater world like youve never seen it before. Is a half-day activity, so its a great option for an easy, shallow dive in the lagoon. Change your point of view and make you reconsider them as a noble animal instead of a man eater. Tanzania actually has the highest population of these predators in the world. Lemon sharks, on the other hand, are common in Bora Bora seas and can be aggressive. Far more are likely killed at sea, though we will never know just how many. Sharks are simply not attuned to sniffing out human blood because humans are not part of their diet. Dangerous Ocean Creatures in Bora Bora 2,674 views Jul 8, 2017 10 Dislike Share Save Beckcast 362 subscribers Bora Bora isn't all beautiful beaches and sunshine . A honeymoon in Bora Bora is an ideal choice. According to a recent study conducted at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, stingrays do not experience pain or fear from humans, instead preferring to be touched and curious. Unfortunately, this fish can be found in shallow waters, and its skin secretes a mucus that can retain sand or seaweed so it can camouflage. Spreads awareness about the safety of sharksand their habitat. Hook a variety of fish, including jacks, rainbow runners, blue fin trevally, bigeye trevally, small barracuda, needle fish, and snappers. The environment is fascinating in this way because there are so many marine life and a constant stream of images. Dont be concerned about not noticing them in time. Youll see sharks, rays, turtles, and fish on a lagoon tour. Coconuts! front page sensation title. As if it wasn't enough to have your luggage weighed on regular commercial flights, in Tahiti they weigh your body too. The Bad Nonos are mostly on the Marquesas (Nuku Hiva, most likely). <br>Whether you spend your time horseback riding in the Marquesas Islands or swimming with sharks, or just listening to the chorus of tropical birds from your hammock, The Islands of Tahiti are a paradise for many diverse species of plant and animal life! The peak season is between mid-August and the end of October. Being with someone who has more experience can increase the fun and ensure that you enjoy the swim. Simply be cautious at all times and watch how you act around these animals. The island is known for its beautiful lagoon, which is a popular tourist destination. Sharks can be found pretty much everywhere in the lagoon, so its just a matter of finding the right spot. Teavanui Pass This dive site has a depth range of 5 to 40 metres. There aren't any venomous snakes or insects. It only takes a few days to participate, and even then I have three more to go. In addition to coral and sea urchins, the sea urchin can cause serious puncture wounds. Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. The beaches can occasionally be home to hermit crabs. In French Polynesia, shark fishing is prohibited and a 1.5 million square mile shark sanctuary has been established. by Sean Arnett | Jan 3, 2023 | South Pacific Islands. Very unlikely! So I wouldn't worry. Animals are the only life forms on Bora Bora, and they are dogs, cats, sheep, and cows. They have neurotoxic venom, which is why they can kill ten people if they bite you. Because stingrays are used to being dependent on humans, I wonder if they will survive if the tours are cancelled. Other sorts of fish in the sea include jellyfish, lionfish, and stonefish, all of which should be avoided. In Tahitian, this is referred to as Bora Bora, or Porapora in the spelling. However, there is always a risk of being bitten by any animal, shark or otherwise, so it is always important to use caution when swimming in the open water. The Black Tip Reef Shark is up to 6 meters (20 feet) long and up to 1.5 meters (4.5 feet) wide. I met up with them in NZ.quite nasty little critters(fetched blood) I noticed they didn't bother the locals at all .They told me White folks don't have enough vitamin B in their systems. The island's location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean leaves it vulnerable to tidal waves whenever there's an earthquake in places as far away as Samoa or even Chile. Sharks do not target humans, nor do they hold grudges on them. As in any setting, be aware of your surroundings. The size of the shark is also a factor that needs to be considered. Swimming in Bora Bora is generally safe, despite the occasional scare. The island is only 15 square miles in size. Many large mammals, including elephants, can be found on Bora Bora. Keep in mind that the sharks in Bora Bora are mostly juvenile reef sharks, so youre not likely to see anything too dangerous. While this is admittedly a small sample size, it nonetheless paints a picture of French Polynesia as a relatively safe place when it comes to shark attacks. Spa owners also enjoy their tropical scents of plumeria and coconut oil, which are excellent at relaxing. To see the sharks you will have to take a boat excursion. While pain usually goes away after 6 to 48 hours, it can go on for days or even weeks. These sharks are attracted to the island because of the abundance of food in the waters. Thats understandable, given that fish is their primary source of nutrition. If you are concerned about your safety, it is a good idea to bring a leash and keep your distance from the animals. This will allow you to see the fierce shark swim close to you and fondle the rays with silky skin. It turns out that sharks have more reason to fear humans than the other way around. The island of Bora Bora has beautiful beaches and a lush rainforest on its northern tip. With the cean snorkelling tour, you can see everything youve always wanted to see. The French tourist was attacked by an Oceanic Whitetip shark in the off-the-shelf off-the-shelf of Tahiti. Indulge in a delicious lunch at a legendary Bora Bora restaurant, feasting on a menu of seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and local specials, before you go back on the water for your 2.5-hour shark and stingray safari. Despite this, there are several non-native species found on the island due to human activity. Illegal poaching and hunting: selling shark fins for soup andsport-fishingfor shark-jaw trophies. A small island of 15 square miles, it is located on the eastern coast of the island. The ocean is only able to access the lagoon via a single pass. This is because Bora Bora is a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Shark attacks are uncommon in Bora Bora. The Bora Bora Combo Tour includes a lagoon cruise and a 4WD tour that includes shark and stingray snorkeling. Through the lens of Polynesian culture, the art galleries and studios provide visitors with an unvisited perspective on the island. However, shark behavior experts are concerned that such practices may harm sharks. Every year, a market in around the world trades in shark fins worth between 26 and 73 million dollars. You can also bury your head in the water during those times, unless there are severe weather conditions and the rain lasts for days. However, what many people dont know is that Bora Bora is also home to a large number of sharks. Are there 2 bedroom overwater or beach bungalows? Aside from that, they can be fed clams, mollusks, crabs, lobsters, and other small sea creatures. With a plethora of marine life and stunning landscapes, Polynesia is an ideal diving and snorkeling destination. But don't worry, it is very unlikely that you will meet a stonefish. Is Bora Bora Safe To Swim In? But some of the most astonishing underwater wildlife can be found in the depths of Bora Boras waters including sharks. The Society Islands of French Polynesia are a collection of tropical islands. The mountainous island, some 6 miles (10 km) long and 2.5 miles (4 km) wide, has Mount Otemanu (Temanu; 2,385 feet [727 metres]) and twin-peaked Mount Pahia (2,159 feet [658 metres]) as its . After lunch at Bloody Marys, you can take a boat trip in a close encounter with black-tip reef sharks and stingrays. The pool boys tell me that because stingrays lack teeth, the risk of getting stung on their tails is localized, and they havent stung anyone in a long time. They reside beneath the green lagoons and are accustomed to human presence. 3.4/5 - (7 votes) alzheimer's anaconda banana spider black widow spider boa brown recluse spider cancer Colombia coral snake frog golden poison dart frog HIV jungle pacific coast pit viper scorpion snake spider. Yes. The ocean also loses heat by sending out infrared radiation (energy), mostly in the tropics. Its not uncommon for these sharks to come into contact with humans, but they should be treated with respect because they are apex predators. The government of the French Polynesian Kingdom has enacted shark protection laws throughout the territory since 2006. It is best to visit in the months of November through February when the weather is warm and the crowds are manageable. Sharks are unable to detect human blood because humans are not part of their diets. Yes, sharks can be found in Bora Bora. Bora Bora Surfing And Other Activities, Your email address will not be published. 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