Sharks from both hammerhead and whitetip species live in the waters of Bora Bora. The island is known for its bungalows that overlook its lagoon and pristine beaches, as well as Jeep safaris that take you on a journey through its limestone-shrouded interior. They're widely considered to be one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, so exercise caution near rivers, streams, and forests, where they typically reside. Many shark attacks that result in death occur when swimmers and snorkelers mistakenly mistake seals for humans. Shark attacks in French Polynesia are rare and are always the result of shark scorn or dubious behavior by humans. Learn about the bends, also known as decompression sickness, before diving into the ocean. This improves your diving experience. Yes! Because there are sea urchins on the seabed and you might step on one, you should wear some form of footwear. Mount Otemanu is a remnant of an ancient volcano that dominates the landscape. As we have been living here for 10 years, we want to give you the real understanding and all the implications, without being biased. There are a number of factors that need to be considered when determining if a shark is dangerous or not. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There are a variety of reptiles in the lagoon, including geckos. Bora Bora is a relatively safe place when it comes to land animals. Despite its remote location, there are numerous ways to get to Bora Bora. Three of these attacks occurred near the island of Moorea, with the fourth taking place near Bora Bora. Only keep in mind that summers in Bora Bora can be rainy, but this has no effect on the water. There is no definitive answer to this question as shark attacks are notoriously difficult to track and often go unreported. You will find them in the freshwater source of Tanzania at the Mara River and Grumeti River. Might help in the fight against shark fishing. Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. However, shark behavior experts are concerned that such practices may harm sharks. In fact, the island is pest free! Several years ago, the issue of shark feeding in Bora Bora erupted into public debate. Despite the fact that cone snails are underrated, they can be found on the islands and pose a serious threat. There are a plethora of sea creatures to be found, despite the fact that there arent many land animals. Bora Bora is home to a wide variety of animals, both on land and in the water. Very unlikely! It is entirely up to the island to keep things quiet and enjoyable. As far as I know, the only thing really dangerous in French Polynesia is the stonefish. There is a high risk of tsunamis on the island, which can cause serious damage. In Bora Bora, natural disasters are of moderate concern, particularly tsunamis. Youre more likely to encounter a shark in Bora Bora than you are in other South Pacific destinations like Tahiti or Fiji, but theyre still unlikely to pose a threat to humans. stingrays and barracudas are among the many wild animals in the area. Fascinating due to its beauty and feared for its reputation as a bloodthirsty man-eater, the shark leaves no one unscathed. Is Bora Bora Safe To Swim In? What Country Is Bora Bora In I have written a lot about Bora Bora.About its beaches, its lagoon, the many activities one can indulge in, the food, the resorts, the adventure, the sharksbut there is one incredible experience left to share: feeding and swimming with stingrays. In the water, youll find a variety of fish, including eels, sharks, and rays. You can also bury your head in the water during those times, unless there are severe weather conditions and the rain lasts for days. If you want to experience a place where you can get up close and personal with some of the worlds most adorable animals, you should visit Bora Bora Wildlife Park. Its highest peak, Mt Otemanu is 727 meters high (2,385 ft), and rises up from the lagoon with lush emerald green hillsides and black volcanic rock. Your email address will not be published. Its an extremely safe place to visit in Bora Bora, but there are a few things to be aware of. But considering the vast number of people swimming with sharks in the lagoon of Bora Bora, every day, it is clear that any negative interactions with sharks arerare anomalies. Its not hard to see why Bora Bora is such a sought-after and prestigious island in the world. A needle-like harpoon is shot out of the nose of the shell into its prey. A wide variety of tropical fish and coral can be found here. Despite the dangers associated with Bora Bora, its beauty and serenity remain among the worlds most breathtaking and peaceful places. Otemanu. You can hire a Jet Ski for a single or double ride around the island, or you can hire a professional guide to do so. The ocean is only able to access the lagoon via a single pass. The Hawaiian island of Hawaii receives more visitors per day than the entire French Polynesia year. Because of the islands location in the Pacific, it is vulnerable to tidal waves whenever there is an earthquake. Sharks are typically more active during the daytime, so this is when youre most likely to see them. 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. The island is known for its beautiful lagoon, which is a popular tourist destination. However, I recommend you to take a second look at these magnificent creatures and considerfighting fear with facts. Shoes are sometimes not enough to protect from its spines. Sharks are simply not attuned to sniffing out human blood because humans are not part of their diet. If you see a stingray, do the stingray shuffle: shuffle your feet so you dont step on them. 7 Curious Colombian Animals. To get a sense of what makes Bora Bora so unique, here are some of our favorite pet-friendly hotels, activities for dogs, and restaurants. Sharks have a typical lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Dont be afraid to get as close to them as possible, but only with a qualified guide or shark expert. The only way to get to Bora Bora is by boat or plane. Many large mammals, including elephants, can be found on Bora Bora. A honeymoon in Bora Bora is an ideal choice. Aside from that, they can be fed clams, mollusks, crabs, lobsters, and other small sea creatures. Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. Sharks enjoy eating fish, but when they are on shark feeding tours, they are the most visible. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Its possible that Bora Bora will get very hot, so keep it packed in a way that keeps your body temperature as comfortable as possible. Sharks in Bora Bora, such as the Blacktip reef and lemon sharks, are accustomed to humans and behave in a friendly manner. End the safari with a final snorkeling stop at a vibrant viral garden. Bora Bora is a beautiful island located in the South Pacific. The island, which means first born in Tahitian, was the first to be created after Raiatea, and it is known as Porapora due to its Polynesian spelling. I am petrified, so I have no choice but to keep them at arms length. According to the International Shark Attack File, only 7 shark attacks have occurred in French Polynesia since 1580. Water vibrations are detected by vibrating sensors that you can detect with your feet. Surf walker shoes and watch were you walk. The lagoon has a variety of brightly colored fish, such as red, yellow, blue, and green varieties. They are the so-called owners of the lagoon, which is a must-see attraction. Ok, there are no snakes in Bora Bora but another danger is waiting for you just around the corner. However, they become accustomed to their surroundings and do not change them for many years. Required fields are marked *. If you consume one dose of this creature, ten people will be killed, so stay away from it. Shoes are sometimes not enough to protect from its spines. 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. The island, located about 230 kilometres (143 miles) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. The most popular snorkel sites to encounter sharks are: If you are a certified diver you have chances to see sharks while scuba-diving. The first few are sighted in June and the last ones depart our islands in early December. Every year over the same time period, humpback whales come to French Polynesia from Antarctica. 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. The region is home to hundreds of different fish species, including sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, manta rays, gray rays, leopard rays, and even humpback whales that occasionally visit. However, across the islands that make up "true" Indonesia, the most dangerous snake is the Blue Krait (aka Malayan Krait). Some of the sharks that have been spotted in Bora Boras waters include: reef sharks, lemon sharks, and hammerhead sharks. The blacktips shark measures an average from 3ft to 4ft for a maximum of 6.5ft. But dont worry, theyre not man-eaters and wont kill you. However, according to the International Shark Attack File, there have been a total of four confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in French Polynesia (of which Bora Bora is a part) since 2000. The lemon shark prefers to stay close to its home range and rarely strays more than a few kilometers from it. im talking about animals, any animals. Condensation releases the latent heat and warms the air. Be sure to pay attention to these magnificent creatures natural habitat, which is breathtaking. Hamara summed it best. Shark activities The number of sharks in Bora Bora is astounding. Nonetheless, it is always prudent to be aware of these types of crimes, which occur on a regular basis here. Youll see sharks, rays, turtles, and fish on a lagoon tour. 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. They inhabit the tropical coral reefs and prefer to swim in inshore waters. 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