Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Overnight we lifted anchor and sailed away from the bustling capital of Tahiti, Papeete, where we started another dream-like expedition exploring the South Pacific. We sailed about 200 nautical miles in a north-westerly direction, and began to see the dramatic outline of Bora Bora late this morning.
With its dramatic basaltic peaks soaring about 700 meters over a spectacular multi-coloured lagoon, this dot in the Pacific Ocean embodies most people’s idea of what a South Pacific Island should look like, and is often considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. After an orientation morning spent getting to know the ship and learning about various logistical aspects of the National Geographic Endeavour operations, we were all on deck to witness the entrance into the unforgettable lagoon surrounding the island, as our vessel passed through the Te Ava Nui pass that cuts through the spectacular coral reef that surrounds it, the only way into the lagoon.
The name Bora Bora, actually pronounced “Pora Pora” as the letter b doesn’t exist in Tahitian, means “first born”, as this seven-million-year-old island was the first island created after Raiatea, the traditionally sacred island from which all of eastern Polynesia was colonized. It is made up by a main island and several smaller high islands in the lagoon, and surrounded by a barrier reef that has formed a long ring of motu (coralline islets) around it, one of which, named Motu Tapu, is a paradisiacal desert islet which was ours for the afternoon.
The National Geographic Endeavour dropped anchor in front of the village of Vaitape, and several different options were made available to our guests on board. Shopping in town and taking island tours with local guides and transportation on the main island, or just heading straight to our motu for aquatic and beach activities in the warm, clear turquoise Pacific waters. Whilst some guests donned snorkel gear to explore the coral heads and start meeting some of the reef denizens, others took kayaks and glass-bottom boat tours around the islet. We were all treated to a surprise on shore, as our hotel staff set up drinks and a small BBQ on the beach.
Scuba divers had a great treat today, as we took our Zodiacs to the outer reef wall, and jumped in amongst myriad colourful reef fish – and sleek, slightly menacing-looking, sharks! All the creatures we encountered came closer than we were used to, especially when we first jumped in, as local dive operators have the habit of feeding fish in the area. Amongst the sharks we encountered were the elegant and fast-looking black tip sharks, and also the much larger but slower lemon sharks. We then continued on along a very healthy and thriving coral reef, exploring its many nooks and crannies for various other reef critters.
A great day for all concerned!
Overnight we lifted anchor and sailed away from the bustling capital of Tahiti, Papeete, where we started another dream-like expedition exploring the South Pacific. We sailed about 200 nautical miles in a north-westerly direction, and began to see the dramatic outline of Bora Bora late this morning.
With its dramatic basaltic peaks soaring about 700 meters over a spectacular multi-coloured lagoon, this dot in the Pacific Ocean embodies most people’s idea of what a South Pacific Island should look like, and is often considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. After an orientation morning spent getting to know the ship and learning about various logistical aspects of the National Geographic Endeavour operations, we were all on deck to witness the entrance into the unforgettable lagoon surrounding the island, as our vessel passed through the Te Ava Nui pass that cuts through the spectacular coral reef that surrounds it, the only way into the lagoon.
The name Bora Bora, actually pronounced “Pora Pora” as the letter b doesn’t exist in Tahitian, means “first born”, as this seven-million-year-old island was the first island created after Raiatea, the traditionally sacred island from which all of eastern Polynesia was colonized. It is made up by a main island and several smaller high islands in the lagoon, and surrounded by a barrier reef that has formed a long ring of motu (coralline islets) around it, one of which, named Motu Tapu, is a paradisiacal desert islet which was ours for the afternoon.
The National Geographic Endeavour dropped anchor in front of the village of Vaitape, and several different options were made available to our guests on board. Shopping in town and taking island tours with local guides and transportation on the main island, or just heading straight to our motu for aquatic and beach activities in the warm, clear turquoise Pacific waters. Whilst some guests donned snorkel gear to explore the coral heads and start meeting some of the reef denizens, others took kayaks and glass-bottom boat tours around the islet. We were all treated to a surprise on shore, as our hotel staff set up drinks and a small BBQ on the beach.
Scuba divers had a great treat today, as we took our Zodiacs to the outer reef wall, and jumped in amongst myriad colourful reef fish – and sleek, slightly menacing-looking, sharks! All the creatures we encountered came closer than we were used to, especially when we first jumped in, as local dive operators have the habit of feeding fish in the area. Amongst the sharks we encountered were the elegant and fast-looking black tip sharks, and also the much larger but slower lemon sharks. We then continued on along a very healthy and thriving coral reef, exploring its many nooks and crannies for various other reef critters.
A great day for all concerned!
