Bora Bora dive/snorkelling pics

[steveweast]

I just got back....here are a few pics



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRtrigger.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRtriggerface.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRshark1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRdeepwatershark.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRclam.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRclowns.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRmanta.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRshark3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRstonefish.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRpipefish.jpg

[steveweast]

A few more...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRkiffi1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRdeepwatertable.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRclams.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRsunset.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRbackdoorview.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRbungalow.jpg

[[G]h0S'][']

Beautiful pics! I love that lagoon scene. Amazing how you noticed that little pipefish. :rollface:

[MiddletonMark]

Beautiful, quite a fish-frenzy there.
Great shots, hopefully from an unbelievable trip.

I'd love to see/hear all you want to share about the trip, any insights you gained, or what really took your breath away.

Great photos! First class.

[gregt]

Very, very nice. What equipment did you use?

[drake66]

simply amazing. Shoot us some more pictures i'm sure you've got more :D

[steveweast]

well...I do have a few more....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRshark4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRmonti.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRlagoon.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRdeck.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRdeepwater1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/steveweast/LRrays.jpg

[steveweast]

I used a Sea and Sea 5000....but, I really need an external flash....maybe next time.

[steveweast]

Here's a story for you....Last Saturday, I was snorkelling off my bungalow photographing the clams, eels, fish, etc..... when a local flagged me down. He introduced himself and was quite nice..... at least that I could tell with my high school French. Anyway, he was collecting clams for his family's dinner....MAXIMAS !!!. In fact, he was being nice and schucked one right there in the water for me to try......I can't believe that I ate a bright blue raw maxima that would have sold here for $150. I didn't have the heart to tell him that one of those clams was worth what was probably a week's salary for him.

[[G]h0S'][']

Is that purple, encrusting sps at a shallow depth? Such color:eek2:

BTW, how did that maxima taste? heh heh.

[steveweast]

That monti was in about 3 feet of water.

[reelfreak]

Beautiful pictures, Bora Bora has always seemed like an amazing place to see.....Wow, now I've got to see it one day...

[ZippyBoy]

Great pics......looks even nicer than Australia.

BTW, the black tip in the second picture isn't happy. Were you feeding/chumming or just happen to get lucky?

What resort is that?

[Bear-E]

Gorgeous.

We are planning on going to Bora Bora this upcoming summer for our honeymoon. I too would love to know what resort that was...we are going to stay in one of the overwater bungalows as well.

Please let us know!!

Thanks,
Barry

[Lordhelmet]

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: I have got to travel in this lifetime.

[steveweast]

We stayed at the Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa

[derrikd]

AWSOME

[dufferdan]

Were you happy with the quality and service of the resort? Would you stay there again?
We are planning to go too.
Cheers
Great shots

[Bear-E]

I'm also curious how you liked the Bora Bora Nui.

We are just about set to book at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa.

[Shoreliner11]

That totally beats the vis. in Puget Sound WA, this weekend. Great pics. Makes me verrry jealous.
Aaron

[steveweast]

The Nui was fine....it's billed as a 5 star......It may be a Tahiti 5 star; but, it's not an LA, NY, London, or even Hawaii 5 star. I'd say more of a 4 star at best. The grounds are beautiful; but, the service is inconsistant and the spa average. There is a Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, St Regis, and a new Intercontinental currently under construction that are all opening within the next year. The Ritz Carlton looks especially nice. I'm hoping that with all the new 5 star properties opening at about the same time that there will be some great deals next summer.....but, for right now, there are only two high end properties....Hotel Bora Bora and the Nui. Past that, the properties drop off significantly......the next tier would be the Sofitel, Pearl Beach, Le Meriden and maybe the Bora Bora lagoon. The next tier after that would be the Noveltel, Topdive, and MaiTai. By local decree, the hotel limit for Bora Bora is 1500 rooms....and the addition of the new properties will reach that limit. In general, the hotel prices are significantly higher on Bora Bora than similar facilities on the mainland or even Hawaii...... however, the outer islands like Tahaa, Rangerioa, Manihi, etc offer better deals for similar vistas......it's Bora Bora that's expensive.

[Bear-E]

Thanks for the info!

[phishlet]

Unbelievable. Great pics. I'm jealous....

[hoot214]

amazing pics, i am actually going there for my honeymoon

[JenDub]

wow!!!! those pics are amazing=)

If you have anymore, please post. They are an inspiration.

was it hard to eat the maxima?

[drgabe]

Steve, needless to say those are some awesome pics.
Do you mind if I use one of the trigger pics as my avatar?

Also thanks for the info. I am a couple of years away from planning a dive trip of a lifetime and that region is on top of the list. I now have some reading to do! :)

[reefez]

Ritz Carlton going in on Bora Bora? There goes the neighborhood LOL. I love the poshness of the little bungalows over the 5 star resorts any day. I hope the french don't fry their little gem by allowing a crap load of resorts on that island. Awesome pics Steve.

[dvlhzdu]

Great Pics. We sent November of 2003 and stayed at Le Meriden. Amazing and we keep saying it 2 years later. The Viz is like nothing else I have ever experienced. Thanks for sharing the photos.

[steveweast]

Actually, the island politics have a ceiling of 1500 rooms...which will now be reached with the new additions. The Ritz, as well as the new Four Seasons, Intercontinental, and St Regis, are all bungalow accomodations.....just a little bigger than the other resorts on the island. My bungalow was about 1000 sq. ft. I hear the Ritz's smallest will be around 1500 sq. ft.

[Moloch_0]

We just came back from Bora Bora in August. Stayed at Le Maitai in the overwater bungalows. The overwaters were exceptional but the other rooms would have been ok if on a budget. Can't wait to go back.

Did you go to the "Coral Gardens?"

[steveweast]

We did dive Coral Gardens twice....but, the amount of coral was much better outside the lagoon.

[Moloch_0]

Yes, the coral over by the rays were just awesome as well as out by the motu. Damn I want to go back.

Nice pictures... thanks.

[reefez]

Steve I really love the pics. That purple coral in the second set of pics is awesome! Do you know what species that is? And how would you feel about me doing a oil painting of the diver sarrounded by fish? I could do that for you in trade for a frag from your tank. I'm pretty close to you allthough I have never seen your tank in person. I would love to come over and see it sometime.

[steveweast]

You're welcome to visit anytime. There is a local club here (PNWMAS) which has this months meeting next Sunday the 18th. Sometimes meetings are at my house.

That purple coral is an encrusting montiopora.

The oil painting sounds interesting. I would have an interest.

[reefez]

Ya I have been on the PNWMAS board. I'm not a member of the club however as of yet. I'm robz on that board. I was the one who called you the aquascape Jedi on the post for Randys new 300 gal. tank. I hope you diden't take offence to it. I was just trying to throw a little humor in there :) Anyhou I am an aspireing part time artist and am always looking for really good underwater pics to put on canvas. I think the pic of the diver is a great shot and if it is someone you know then it would be a really great surprise. Sometimes it is hard to find a way to get your art into peoples homes, so if you are really interested I would be glad to paint that for you. Let me know for sure, and I'll get started. I can go as pretty big on the canvas, so kind of think about how big you would want the painting to be, and let me know. Thanks for your interest Rob.

[steveweast]

Actually....the diver is my other half.....but, she is very particular about artwork in the house. Pretty much all our paintings are originals from well known artists....some of whom have pieces in the Hermitage (sp ? basically the Russian Louvre)......she has a few connections in the art world from her days of working with a well known local gallery. All our paintings/portraits coordinate with our home colors......so, a diving/fish theme will not fit in.....but, there are other possible locations....let me think about it.

[reefez]

Wow sounds like she is a huge art buff. I thought that was probably your other half. I can understand your hesitation. I am not a professional artist by any stretch of the iminagiton. However would not have said anything if I thought I could not give a good representation of the shot. I'm sure you have tons of great shots from various locations. I have done some landscape paintings as well as realism. Christian Lassen is one of my favorite artists and is basically the reason I started painting. After a trip to Lahina in 96 with my wife we stumbled on Lassen galeries and I was amazed at his work. I have actullay only been painting for 2 years so I am still learning a lot of techniques, and experimenting with new mediums. I could e-mail you some of my work so you can get an idea of my talent level. Thanks again for all the great shots of your vacation. The sunset shot with the overwater bungalows is a real gem too.

[steveweast]

I've seen Lassens work several times while in Lahina too. I think he is also in Laguna beach. I'll think about it....can you PM me with anticipated canvas size ???

[reefez]

You have PM Steve.

[Texas]

We visited several islands last year. Riatia was my favorite. The shallow water snorkeling is unbelievable. Lots of clams and coral everywhere. If you are on a budget there are hotels to stay at that are not near as pricey as the overwater bungalows. Of all the islands we visited Bora Bora was for sure the most expensive. Everyone should save their money to go. The water clarity is amazing. Even if all you do is snorkel there is plenty to see, do make sure you have at least a shorty or you will get cold before you finish seeing all you can see.

Another tip. Go to the Tahiti Air website and sign up for flight deal notifications. There are some on right now, of course from LA, that get you there and back for $400 or less. My husband and I are getting up in years so the stop in LA gives us a chance to stretch or legs before the longer leg of the trip.

[dolt]

We stayed at the intercontinental Bora Bora 1/05 (which I think is now the "old one" as the new one there is completed) and it was pretty nice - I agree with what steve says - the resorts are not what I would call five stars by other standards but are nice - we stayed in an overwater bungalow and the snorkeling all the way out to the break was great (roughly half mile and was not deeper than five feet) tons of maximas embedded in rocks but not a great amount of SPS

[steveweast]

Dolt....that hotel was taken out by a freak high swell this past September. All the over water bungalows were destroyed. The swell came in at 10pm.....imagine the guest's tryig to gather their belongings in the middle of the night and trying to reach shore as the water was inundating their room. The hotel is being reconstructed and is to reopen maybe in June 06.

[dolt]

wow - I was not aware of that - kinda scary - maybe I will rethink staying in overwater bungalows in the future! We had also been in bali just a few months before the first bombing a few years ago hanging out in those same areas - maybe bad luck follows me! (or maybe I am lucky to have avoided two disasters?)

[Lowredranger]

what kind of water temperatures do they usually have there? after seeing your pictures i may have to try and make that the destination for my honeymoon which will probably be in march or april of 2007 but my other half will not be happy if it is cold. is the snorkeling just as good as the diving or is most of the good stuff below snorkeling levels. thanks and great pics
Jason

[steveweast]

water temps are 78 - 80. Snorkelling is very good to great there.....much better than Hawaii.

[Texas]

I agree. The shallow water snorkeling is great there. I think the water temps when we were there in late August was around to 84. There is a inlet between Riatia and Tahaa where the coral heads are so close to the surface that you have to be very careful to not touch them. We got there by boat but there is a resort within swimming distance of this inlet with the over water bungelows, not sure which one it was but it would not be hard to figure out. From what we learned, while checking out several of the islands, there is good snorkeling at all of them. The people are friendly and will tell you where to go.

[Lowredranger]

i figured i would try to stay at least 5-7 days but may be shorter just because i would have to go all out for the wife and have the overwater bungalows. where did you guys look for the flights and were you able to get like a packaged deal or did you try and book a flight first and then the hotel since i looked at one point and the there were no flights when i was looking at a specific day to book a room. thanks

[steveweast]

It usually is best to go through a travel agent who specializes in the South Pacific. There are lots of transfer that need to be accounted for and they're used to dealing with them. For example, for our trip there we had....flt from LAX to Papeete...transfer to hotel until morning flight to Bora Bora....then transfer back to airport in morning.....then flt to Bora Bora..... then boat transfer to hotel on Bora Bora....and then the same going back. Here's a great website/forums on Tahiti

http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

[Lowredranger]

Thank you very much for the help now i am just going to have to save up for the extra costs of this trip but it will be well worth it. as long as i can find a baby sitter for the tanks and nothing dies this time. thanks again and any more information would be greatly appreciated.
Jason

[Texas]

If you go to Air Tahiti Nui's website there will be some package deals there for different numbers of days. You also might want to look at the Princess cruise lines site. They have a 9 and also an 11 day cruise around the different islands. You can have advanced reservations on the different islands to dive or snorkel as well as many other activities. It is not very expensive considering you get all you want to eat on a cruise and they can also arrange your air too.

The Air Tahiti flights are only on certan days on those days there are two that leave LAX each day in the afternoon. The returns are late in the evenings with you arriving in LA in the morning of the next day.

I have found some fair deals on packages on Travelocity as well.

It is not like going to a third world country where you are in danger in Polyniesia. It is easy to get around you just need to factor out where you want to go and how you will get there. You will most likely have to spend the arrival night in Papeete unless you are going to Moorea. It might be possible to get there the night you arrive. Not sure about that however. There is a ferry that goes over but I don't remember the scheduled times. I am sure if you go on any of the Tahiti info sites you can find that out.

If you are not a seasoned traveler you might want to stick with a package or cruise so that all the details are worked out for you. Keep in mind that Bora Bora is very expensive compared to the other islands which should be factored in on meals as well. I am fairly certain there are over water bungelows on all of the islands but that is easy to research.

I am sure you would both love it there.

[Lowredranger]

well i would say i am only a semi seasoned traveler being that i am only 22 but i have been on about 8 cruises and to australia. i will have to keep researching this as i am also coming from orlando so the flight to lax will need to be considered and time. i am not limited really on time it is more on money. i will check out the different sites. i love the water and the snorkeling but it is the future wife that as long as i have a hut on the water she will be sold so if there is another one of the islands that are just as nice but a little less expensive that is fine figuring that we will take the trips to go snorkel and such. thanks guys.
Jason

[Texas]

At 22 you are way more traveled than I was at that age.
Hope you can find a deal you can afford.

[Lowredranger]

yea i have been pretty fortunate but i have not had to contribute to most of those vacations and at least part of this one will be paid for but to go do what i want i am still going to have to save up some money for the trip.

[SwimAway]

amazing trip.. amazing pics... How did the clam taste?

[hoot214]

about how much does a trip to bora bora cost with an over water bunglo for a week

[steveweast]

Flight....about $800 from LAX each

Hotel....really varies from $300 - $1500 a night for overwater bungalows

Food........plan at least $100 per day

[dvlhzdu]

Steveweast's estimates are spot on. $1000.00 a night for the overwaters and $100.00/day/person for food. Bora Bora Dive Center was the group I used and they were fantastic, both in e-mail for scheduling purposes and in person for the dives.

[OCDep]

WOW...if I lived there I wouldnt need my 150 reef.

[ri]

Nice pics!!

ri

[nbd13]

Steve,

Excellent pics! I was in Bora Bora about 3-4 years ago and loved it!

I want to go back real soon.

May i ask who watched your tank while you were gone?

thanks

Nick

[steveweast]

The tank is completely automated....but, I have a neighbor buddy who comes over every other day to make sure everything is OK and to throw pre-measured fish fod in.

[nbd13]

Thanks, so i assume you do not do any water changes while you are gone? or is that part of the animated part?

also did you go to any other islands than Bora Bora or no?

thanks

Nick

[asphaltpilot]

Those pics are stunning. Amazing!

[steveweast]

No water changes while I was gone....I was only gone for two weeks. I only went to Bora Bora.

[Sloeber]

only two weeks.... only bora bora...

:lol:

[zemuron114]

steve,

what are the collection policies over there? Anything for the trade or completely regulated?

[steveweast]

There's no exporting from tahiti

[JE]

The reason i got my fish tank was my honeymoon in tahiti. we stayed at hotel bora bora and in my opinion it was the best place we stayed at in all three islands, moorea, bora bora, and rangiroa. we stayed in the few over water bungalows that ran around 1200 - 1500 a night! ouch!!! definately 5 star. but there are definately cheaper places you can stay that have just as beatiful lagoons, coral, fish, etc..

[Angel*Fish]

Any thoughts as to why Bora Bora is higher priced than the other islands? IOW might it be worth the extra cost?

[steveweast]

Bora Bora's 5 star resorts are much more elegant than some of the other outer islands.....and Bora Bora is more popular....hence the higher price. The Hotel Bora Bora, the Nui, the new Intercontinental, the new Ritz Carlton, and the new Four Seasons are all top notch facilities.....there are no other properties on the other islands that come close in ammenities. So, comparing these facilities to others on, let's say, Rangiroa or even Moorea.... is comparing apples and oranges. The high end resorts don't exist there....yet. It really comes down to what you're looking for....if you want to rough it, there's lots of choices. If, like me, you're looking for pampered elegance, unfortuneatly, there are only a few very high priced options.