Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bright white sunlight arrived quickly, bathing the tropical blue and green seas of the South Pacific. In the early morning hours, the National Geographic Endeavour arrived in the Leeward Society Islands, poised just outside the beautiful island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. A tsunami alert was in effect after a strong earthquake was reported deep offshore near Fiji, so we were on hold to enter the legendary lagoon. When the alert was canceled, we gathered on deck as Captain Lampe sailed Endeavour into paradise, anchoring in the small bay just off the main town of Vaitape. Zodiacs whisked us ashore for a circle-island tour, and after several scenic stops, we were back to the harbor for a little shopping.
Our afternoon was at leisure, and most of us took advantage of the lounge chairs set up along the beachfront of the private island called Motu Tapu. From the white sandy beach we could wade, snorkel, swim, or simply float around soaking up the sun and the stunning views. Even in just a few feet of water, the diversity of fish was astounding and most were very approachable. Views to the north were of the quintessential peak Otemanu seen in nearly every photo of the island, its sheer cliffs covered in green foliage. Our wildly popular glass bottom boat accommodated many onlookers who chose to remain dry and above water, while the divers headed out for a “bubble” at the edge of Bora Bora’s fringing reef. Their report back included a myriad of fish including several species of sharks.
Cool drinks and big comfy beach towels softened the blow of our tough afternoon lounging around on our private little island, and a few of us were even lured in for an inviting massage by our resident LEX spa Certified Massage Therapist Sheila. It’s a tough life out here, but someone has to do it!
Bright white sunlight arrived quickly, bathing the tropical blue and green seas of the South Pacific. In the early morning hours, the National Geographic Endeavour arrived in the Leeward Society Islands, poised just outside the beautiful island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. A tsunami alert was in effect after a strong earthquake was reported deep offshore near Fiji, so we were on hold to enter the legendary lagoon. When the alert was canceled, we gathered on deck as Captain Lampe sailed Endeavour into paradise, anchoring in the small bay just off the main town of Vaitape. Zodiacs whisked us ashore for a circle-island tour, and after several scenic stops, we were back to the harbor for a little shopping.
Our afternoon was at leisure, and most of us took advantage of the lounge chairs set up along the beachfront of the private island called Motu Tapu. From the white sandy beach we could wade, snorkel, swim, or simply float around soaking up the sun and the stunning views. Even in just a few feet of water, the diversity of fish was astounding and most were very approachable. Views to the north were of the quintessential peak Otemanu seen in nearly every photo of the island, its sheer cliffs covered in green foliage. Our wildly popular glass bottom boat accommodated many onlookers who chose to remain dry and above water, while the divers headed out for a “bubble” at the edge of Bora Bora’s fringing reef. Their report back included a myriad of fish including several species of sharks.
Cool drinks and big comfy beach towels softened the blow of our tough afternoon lounging around on our private little island, and a few of us were even lured in for an inviting massage by our resident LEX spa Certified Massage Therapist Sheila. It’s a tough life out here, but someone has to do it!
