Welcome to the famous Bora Bora Turquoise Lagoon and the lagoonarium in French Polynesia.
This travel guide contains EVERYTHING about visiting the Bora Bora lagoonarium!
Let’s get started.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- 🌊 Bora Bora Lagoon vs. Lagoonarium – The Bora Bora Lagoon is an open, natural ecosystem, while the Lagoonarium is a semi-enclosed marine park with guided snorkeling experiences.
- 🏝 Activities – At the lagoon, you can go snorkeling, parasailing, catamaran sailing, shark encounters, sunset cruises, and underwater photography tours.
- 💙 Why the lagoon is so blue – The turquoise color of Bora Bora’s lagoon comes from light refraction on the white sandy bottom and calcium-rich coral reefs.
Overview of the Bora Bora Lagoon
Although Tahiti is the largest island of all the French Polynesian islands, the tiny island of Bora Bora is world-famous for a reason – turquoise waters, white sand beaches, stunning natural beauty, and luxurious overwater bungalows.
HOWEVER, an item you simply cannot ignore is the famous Bora Bora lagoon. But what can you do there?
The lagoon and lagoonarium offer you many different activities. An introduction:
- 🐠 Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkeling
- 🏊♂️ Swimming in Bora Bora Lagoon
- 🪂 Bora Bora Lagoon Parasail
- ⛵ Sailing
- 🌅 Bora Bora Sunset Cruise & Dinner
- 📸 Aqua Photo Lagoon Tour
- 🦈 Bora Bora Shark & Stingray Snorkeling Cruise + Jet Ski Tour
- 🍖 Small-Group Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkel Cruise with Barbecue Island Lunch
Bora bora turquoise lagoon vs Bora Bora lagoonarium
Before we go deeper into all the different activities, it’s important to know the difference between the lagoon and the lagoonarium, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!
|
Feature |
Bora Bora Lagoon 🌊 (Natural Environment) |
Bora Bora Lagoonarium 🐠 (Man-Made Marine Park) |
|
Type |
Natural lagoon surrounding Bora Bora |
Semi-natural marine park on a private motu |
|
Environment |
Open, wild marine ecosystem |
Controlled, enclosed areas within the lagoon |
|
Activities |
Snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, boat tours |
Guided snorkeling, swimming with sharks & rays, cultural activities |
|
Marine Life |
Coral reefs, tropical fish, manta rays, sharks |
Tame sharks, rays, and fish in enclosed areas |
|
Access |
Free to explore with personal or tour boats |
Entry fee required, part of an organized tour |
|
Best For |
Adventure seekers who want to explore freely |
Families & beginners looking for a safe, guided experience |
|
Famous Spots |
Coral Gardens, Matira Beach, Aquarium |
Located east of the main island, part of a private tour |
|
Experience Level |
Great for experienced snorkelers & divers |
Ideal for beginners or those wanting a curated experience |
Bora Bora lagoonarium
The Bora Bora Lagoonarium is a natural aquarium on a private motu near Motu Piti Anau.
It offers a guided snorkeling experience in enclosed areas, making it great for beginners and families.
DID YOU KNOW: The Bora Bora lagoonarium is designed to promote coral growth by circulating cool, nutrient-rich saltwater from the deep ocean. The ideal conditions support coral regeneration and attract various fish species that find food and shelter in the reef.
You’ll swim with tropical fish, rays, sharks, and even sea turtles under the supervision of local guides.
Full-day options often include a barbecue picnic and a canoe tour.
- 📍 Location: Motu Piti Anau, Bora Bora
- 🎟 Entrance Fee: From 6,200 XPF (€52 / $70) per person
- ⏰ Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8 AM – 3 PM
Bora Bora Lagoonarium Price
Entry fees for the Bora Bora Lagoonarium depend on the tour package:
- Half-day tour: 6,200 XPF (€52 / $70) per person.
- Full-day tour: 9,500 XPF (€80 / $100) per person, often including a Polynesian barbecue lunch and canoe tour.
More details are available on the official Bora Bora tourism website.
What is the Bora Bora Lagoonarium known for?
The Bora Bora Lagoonarium is known for its guided snorkeling experiences in a semi-enclosed natural lagoon, where you can swim with sharks, rays, tropical fish, and sea turtles.
Unlike open-water snorkeling, this marine park offers a safe and controlled environment, making it ideal for families and beginners.
The Lagoonarium also features educational tours, cultural activities, and full-day excursions that include traditional Polynesian barbecue and canoe tours.
Does Bora Bora have a lagoon?
Yes, Bora Bora is home to one of the most stunning blue lagoons in the WORLD.
Travelers worldwide fly to Bora Bora to enjoy its palm trees, its famous Mount Otemanu, and, most of all, the shallow water and the natural beauty of the inner turquoise lagoon.
With its blue and turquoise water, this lagoon is entirely encircled by a protective barrier reef.
This means that, due to the NATURAL PROTECTION, you are guaranteed calm waters within the lagoon during the day, making it PERFECT for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
Bora Bora Lagoon Fish
The Bora Bora Lagoon is home to a range of tropical fish, thanks to its healthy coral reefs and clear, shallow waters.
Common species include parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish, and wrasses.
Larger marine life can also be spotted in deeper areas, such as manta rays, blacktip reef sharks, and stingrays.
Why is the Bora Bora Lagoon turquoise?
The turquoise color of Bora Bora’s lagoon results from a natural light refraction process involving sunlight and water composition.
The crystal-clear waters allow for deep penetration of the light, which then REFLECTS off the white sandy sea bottom, amplifying the stunning range of blue and turquoise shades of the sea that we see.
Another key factor contributing to the lagoon’s color is the presence of numerous coral reefs. These reefs are not only important for the marine ecosystem, but they also serve a purpose in creating the turquoise color.
Coral reefs are made of calcium carbonate, reflecting light’s blue and green wavelengths.
Top 8 Activities to Do at Bora Bora’s Lagoon
1) Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkeling
Snorkeling in Bora Bora’s lagoon is one of the best ways to experience its coral reefs and marine life.
Popular snorkeling spots include:
- Coral Gardens – A shallow reef with colorful coral and tropical fish.
- The Aquarium – Crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
- Motu Piti Uu Uta – A quiet reef with diverse sea life.
- Shark & Ray Lagoon – A guided tour spot where you can swim with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays.
Most snorkeling tours range from 8,500–12,000 XPF (€70–€100 / $80–$110) per person, with options for private excursions.
2) Can you swim in Bora Bora Lagoon?
Swimming in Bora Bora’s lagoon is possible and one of the BEST EXPERIENCES you and your family can partake in and relax.
If you stay in an overwater bungalow, you can quite easily jump off your balcony into the emerald waters of this tropical paradise.
3) Bora Bora Lagoon Parasail
One of the best things to do at the Bora Bora lagoon is to go parasailing.
By parasailing, you have a bird’s-eye view of the island’s turquoise waters, coral reefs, and overwater bungalows.
Flights take place at heights of 50–150 meters (165–500 feet) and last 15–30 minutes.
Parasailing is available from Matira Beach and Vaitape, with solo and tandem flights starting at 15,000 XPF (€125 / $140) per person.
4) Catamaran sailing
Another famous activity at the huge area of the inner Bora Bora lagoon is renting a catamaran for a day (with or without a captain) to sail around the island, explore secluded beaches and a private motu, and discover crystal-clear snorkeling spots only reachable by boat.
This excursion allows you to observe the lagoon’s wildlife in its natural habitat.
Relax on deck, enjoy a refreshing drink, sit back, and enjoy the panoramic views of Bora Bora’s iconic overwater bungalows and Mount Otemanu in the background.
A guided catamaran charter lasts 3–4 hours.
5) Bora Bora Sunset Cruise and Dinner
The Bora Bora Sunset Cruise and Dinner is an exceptional experience that combines the romantic vibe of a sunset cruise with a delicious dining experience under the stars.
This tour takes 2 to 3 hours, starting with a cruise around the lagoon to catch the beautiful sunset for an unforgettable experience.
Prices range from $100 to $150 per person.
After the sun dipped below the horizon, you are treated to an intimate dinner on board the ship. The dishes were local Polynesian cuisine made with fresh seafood.
We definitely recommend the experience for couples looking for a romantic evening.
6) Aqua Photo Lagoon Tour
This boat excursion focuses on underwater photography, so you can share these AMAZING UNDERWATER images on your Instagram.
During the tour, you snorkel or scuba dive with marine life.
You are provided (or the guide can make pictures) with high-quality underwater camera equipment.
The lagoon tour lasts 4 hours (a half day).
7) Bora Bora shark & stingray snorkeling cruise with lunch and Jet Ski Tour
This full-day combo tour is an adventure in the waters and features jet ski and snorkeling tours that offer must-see experiences like a dive with a shark and sting shark.
This tour is excellent if you want to simultaneously enjoy some fantastic sights and sounds at Bori Bora.
8) Small-Group Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkel cruise with Barbecue Island Lunch
This cruise differs from the others as you enjoy a barbecue island lunch! It is also in a smaller group, ensuring a more intimate experience.
After working up an appetite while snorkeling, you’ll be treated to a barbecue lunch on a secluded island, where you can enjoy traditional Polynesian dishes.
Conclusion
With the turquoise lagoon and lagoonarium, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage and history, Bora Bora lives up to her reputation as the “Pearl of the Pacific.”
This island isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a place to fall in love with.
