Private Bora Bora Diving Tour

Private Diving in Bora Bora — What to Expect

One instructor, one group, the entire dive is adapted to your level and your wishes

This is a fully private dive, just your group and a dedicated instructor, no other divers, no shared boat, no compromise on the dive site. The instructor chooses the site based on your experience level, your interests, and the conditions of the day.

Beginner divers get a full briefing, careful supervision, and a site chosen for calm conditions and accessible depth. Certified divers get a guide who knows where the mantas, eagle rays, and turtles are. Both groups get the undivided attention that only a private dive can offer.

The dive center behind this experience has been operating in Bora Bora for over 30 years. That kind of local knowledge, which sites are productive on which tides, where the cleaning stations are, when the mantas come in shallow, is what separates a good dive from an extraordinary one.

How the dive works

Here is what to expect from pickup to return.

1. 01
   Pickup from your accommodation — Transfer is included. The team collects you by boat or car between 1pm and 2:25pm depending on your location. Confirm your accommodation name when booking so they can arrange the method and exact time.
2. 02
   Briefing at the dive center — Your instructor goes through the dive plan, safety procedures, and equipment. Beginner divers get a full introduction to the equipment and descent technique. Certified divers discuss the site and what to look for.
3. 03
   The dive — One site, chosen for your level and the day’s conditions. The instructor stays with you throughout. Average depth and duration are adapted to your experience. Snacks, water, and soft drinks are provided on board.
4. 04
   Return transfer — The activity ends at the meeting point and the team arranges your return transfer. Total time including transfer and dive is approximately two hours.

What you might see underwater

Giant manta rays are one of the highlights of afternoon dives in Bora Bora, sightings are not guaranteed but not rare either

• Giant manta rays
  Found mainly at the Anau manta ray cleaning station, where they come to be cleaned by smaller fish. This site is for certified divers only, and the depth requires a dive certification. Not guaranteed, but a regular sighting when conditions are right.
• Stingrays
  The most reliably encountered larger species in the Bora Bora lagoon. Stingrays rest on the sandy bottom in the shallows and are commonly seen on both beginner and certified dives.
• Eagle rays
  Most commonly spotted around the Toopua dive site. Graceful and fast, they typically appear in pairs or small groups, gliding along the reef wall.
• Sharks
  Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks are encountered at Tapu Canyon, a deeper site for certified divers. Completely harmless and one of the more dramatic sightings available in Bora Bora.
• Sea turtles
  Turtles are present in the lagoon, but encounters are less predictable than with stingrays or eagle rays. A sighting is a bonus rather than an expectation.
• Reef fish
  Parrotfish, angelfish, moorish idols, and clownfish are found across all dive sites in the lagoon. The variety and density of reef fish is constant regardless of which site you dive.

Pickup and meeting point

Transfer is included at no extra charge. The team picks you up by boat or car between 1 pm and 2:25 pm. The method depends on your accommodation. Motu resort guests are collected by boat, mainland guests by car.

When booking, include the name of your accommodation so the team can confirm the transfer method and exact meeting time. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included

Who is this tour for

• Certified divers — you get a knowledgeable local guide, a site chosen for your level, and no waiting for less experienced divers. The instructor knows where the mantas and rays are.
• First-time divers — the private format is the best possible introduction to scuba. Full attention from the instructor, no group pressure, and a site chosen for calm conditions.
• Couples — priced per group of up to two, making this one of the most cost-effective private experiences on the island. One price, two divers, complete privacy.
• Anyone who tried a group dive and wants more — private dives go deeper, stay longer at interesting sites, and adapt to what you actually want to see.

Is this tour good for families?

Yes, for families with older children who are comfortable in the water. The minimum age is 10 years, though comfort in the water and physical size matter as much as age for fitting equipment correctly.

• Good for — teenagers and older children who are confident swimmers. One review specifically mentions booking for two teenagers with excellent results.
• Not ideal for — young children under 10, or children who are not comfortable with their face in the water. A snorkeling lagoon tour is a better fit.

Good to know before you book

• Book 12 days ahead — average lead time is shorter than most tours, but availability is limited given the private format. Book as soon as your dates are set.
• Afternoon departure — pickup is between 1pm and 2:25pm. This is an afternoon dive, which is when manta rays are more likely to come into shallower water.
• Specific requests welcome — the team is happy to adapt. If you want to focus on a particular site or species, mention it when booking.
• Wheelchair accessible — one of the few water activities in Bora Bora that is accessible. Contact the operator to discuss specific requirements.
• Medical conditions — not suitable for pregnant travelers or those with heart conditions or serious medical conditions. Standard dive medical requirements apply.
• Confirmation — received within 48 hours of booking.