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Bora Bora (by Claude Barrier)
Bora Bora This magnificent island is a pure jewel in the middle of the Pacific. The ancient say that it has been deformed by the tourism, perhaps.. but still it is so beautiful that really didn’t disturb us. The tour of the island (30 km) can be done with a cycle. The water is drinkable. Don’t hesitate to sip a cocktail at the strangely very accessible price in the luxurious frame of the big hotels. Bora Bora's sites are very varied and specifics: manta rays in Anua, lemon sharks in Tapu, spotted eagle rays in Toopua,… See the dive sites below and table with more information
Rangiroa Rangiroa's atoll, coral ring on the surface of the water, presents the specificity of wide passes, allowing the communication between the water of the lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. The dives are organized according to the tides which produce the various currents at the level of the passes: about every 6 hours, the lagoon empties side ocean, forming what one calls collectively " the outgoing current ", and after 40 mn, it is in the tour of the ocean to fill the lagoon for again 6 hours, giving place to the famous " coming out current", ideal for the drift dives. It is this game of tides with inversion of strong currents at the level of the passes that favours the meeting with a fauna outside the common, due to its size and its very strong concentration, making the famous reputation of Rangiroa's sites : The pass of Tiputa
Bora Bora sharks The pass of Avatoru
The diving centers The supply of the complete equipment is included in the fare. But for the divers who do not have a common size, it's better to bring your own suit. Generally, diving centers don't have many small sizes. However of the temperature of the water, we met divers who complained about the cold.
Accomadation Generally, the hospitality is excellent. We met some persons who were not satisfied with their home (neatness, hygiene, welcome …). Don’t hesitate to inquire before choosing an address. The formula "pension" is to privilege. First, it’s less expensive and second you can discover what means the legendary Polynesian hospitality HÔTEL LES TIPANIERS (MOOREA) : The hotel has the advantage to welcome the diving center Scubapiti. The breakfast (correct without more) is served in front of a magnificent frame. A small shopping center, renters of cars and motor scooter as well as cash distributor are in 5 mn away by foot. Cycles are lend to the customers. Neatness and impeccable hygiene. Accepted check card. VILLAGE PAULINE (BORA BORA) : Pauline doesn’t prepare meal but just next, there is an excellent small restaurant with very reasonable prices. The pension is at 10 mn in cycle of the Matira point (doubtless the most beautiful place of the island). It is possible to rent cycles to have a total autonomy. The Bora Diving Center picks up the customers (3 mn in car). Neatness and impeccable hygiene. Credit car accepted. PENSION CECILE (RANGIROA) : It is doubtless one of the best addresses of the atoll. Cécile is an exceptional person that you should meet. The hospitality is warm. Bungalows are gradually all renewed. Neatness and impeccable hygiene. Credit car accepted. Do not hesitate to take the diner: the meals are excellent. The six passengers diving center picks up the customers (5mn in car). The pension is situated in about 3 km of the village. You can rent a cycle but it’s not really necessary because hitch hiking works well if you avoid lunch time.
The journey
Food There is no particular precaution to take as regards of the food. But caution, the water is not drinkable except in Tahiti and Bora Bora. Mosquitoes The fortunate which go to the Marquises Islands will have the happiness to meet the famous "nono" (endemic mosquitoes). The meeting with the mosquito under its most known shape is inescapable on all the islands of Polynesia. After a "mutation of 30 years of nuclear attempts ", they are tough. So, famous OFF or 5/5 are indispensable. Do not hesitate to put the dose. For night, the pensions and the hotels distribute anti mosquitoes.
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If
Moorea and Bora Bora offer some activities (tour of the
island, walking tour or 4x4, etc…), Rangiroa is the realm of the
dive and there is nothing else to do. The dry season is from May till
October and offers better meteorological conditions. For the fans of hammer
sharks, it is better to leave between December and March. The local legislation
allows you to go down to - 29 m for the levels I and to - 49 m for the
levels II. The temperature of the water is between 26°C and 28°C and even
more under the influence of 'El Nino'. Note that the light is not really
useful: most of the dives are drift ones and the night dive is rarely
proposed and practised. 
Entering
current The cave with the sharks (11): spot of concentration of grey
sharks of reef. Drift dive in the master key, multiple cavities along
the reef, sheltering moray eels, soldier fish, surgeon
fish, and so on. End of diving in the lagoon, on white sand constellated
with group of coral sheltering babies eagle rays, white tipped
lagoon sharks, black tipped sharks. The crossing of the master
key (8): drift dive, setting with water in bleu / reef right outside,
end of the dive inside the lagoon (for confirmed divers, level 2 or advanced
water). Dive of environment to 360°. All the meetings are possible: dolphins
and wheel of barracudas, meets of manta rays, hammerhead
sharks hunting a flight of eagle rays... The plate with the
hammers (11): drift dive, setting with water in bleu / reef left outside,
end of the dive inside the lagoon (for confirmed divers, level 2 or advanced
water minimum). Possibility of seeing prestigious large hammerhead
sharks hunting a flight of eagle rays on the plate.. Leaving
current The “Eolienne” (9): dive ocean along the external reef right.
Turtle with scales, tunas with tooth dog, bumhead wrasse
and puffer furrow the perimeter. Splendid coral garden at the end
of the dive, with strong probability of surprising the manta rays
under the break of waves produced by the current. Very many cavities.
Blue (10): dive ocean with 15 minutes in the blue. Advisability of approaching
and of playing with the Tursiop dolphins of 4 meters length, nevertheless
players, and random meetings with respectful but frightening " the carcharhimus
falciformis ", commonly named silky shark. The angle: deep dive
at the right angle of the master key (reserved for confirmed divers, level
2 or advanced water minimum). Eagle rays, manta rays , concentration
of grey sharks, seen on the abyssal plain on the level of the overhang.
Gone up in the medium of the banks of surgeon fish, jack fish,
unicorn tang to finish with a wheel of barracudas. 
Entering
current: External Reef right (4): drift dive, setting with water side
left ocean / external reef, end of the dive in the left side of the lagoon.
Meetings with the impressive white tipped reef sharks of reef,
for the greatest pleasure of the video man. Dive very rich in fish banks,
with strong chance to finish the dive at the sides of manta rays
eating plankton in 5 meters of water. Crossed master key (5): drift dive,
setting with water side ocean / external reef right end of the dive in
the left side of the lagoon. Zone of privileged meeting of the white
tipped reef sharks, one of largest predatory of the reef. Evolution
in the medium of the fish banks: surgeon fish, barracudas,
jack fish before finishing the dive, there’s canyons full of anfractuosities
sheltering clearfin lionfish, moray eels and all kinds of
coral fish. Mahuta (2): drift dive in the lagoon, in the medium of the
coral fish banks, with strong chance to meet babies eagle rays
and manta rays. Leaving current External reef right: dive the external
reef. Meetings with the impressive white tipped reef sharks, for
the greatest pleasure of the video man. Diving very rich in fish banks.
End of dive in the bank of 10 height meters jack fish. 
Via
USA or Japan, the journey is very long and the jet lag is not to neglect.
For the transfer to other island, take a good seat into the plane for
the photos. Don’t buy the airport transfers to hotel proposed in agencies.
They are sold more expensive than the price of the regular bus. Furthermore,
it’s really nice and friendlier to take the famous trucks.