#20471 - 02/05/03 12:59 AM
Shark Watching In FP
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sdnative
Junior Member
Registered: 01/15/03
Posts: 27
Loc: San Diego, California
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I am a recreational diver who very much enjoys diving sites where I can observe various species of shark. I will be traveling to Bora Bora and Moorea in Sept of 2003 and will want to schedule several dives while I'm there. However, I know virtually nothing about diving there (although I will do research before the trip). I was just wondering if anyone with some diving experience in the region could tell me what species of shark I can expect to see while in the water in FP. I assume that black tip, white tip, silver, and even lemon sharks are prevelant in the area, but I was wondering what the chances are of seeing a tiger or bull shark in FP? How about within the reef systems?
No mention of these more dangerous species are given when describing shark species in FP, but I know they must be there b/c the marine environment in FP is so similar to that of Hawaii, where tiger and bull sharks are fairly common.
[This message has been edited by sdnative (edited 02-05-2003).]
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#20472 - 02/05/03 07:44 AM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Lots and lots of Black Tips, maybe a Lemon if your lucky. Thats what you'll see and they are all as tame as puppies (with very big teeth). Make sure you go on a shark feeding dive and a manta dive (Bora Bora). Do not expect to just rent a tank and weights and go off by yourself. French laws are very funny about this (this makes the dive shop resposible for your safety). The other point is it will be expensive but well worth it. Here's hopefully what you'll see.
[IMG]http://www.scubadiving.com/members/memberimages/17444_2527_5.jpg[\IMG]
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#20473 - 02/05/03 07:46 AM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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That didn't work. Here's a link to some Tahiti pictures.
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#20474 - 02/05/03 02:59 PM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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Dan
Member
Registered: 02/18/02
Posts: 99
Loc: Walnut Creek, CA.
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I actually saw quite a few lemon sharks in Moorea, but all the species we saw were juveniles. If you want to see some large and more aggressive sharks I highly recommend Fiji, we saw lots of mature white and black tips as well as Lemon, Bronze Whalers & Bull Sharks on every dive, and not the little ones, all of them were 5 to 9 feet or more.
My wife and I plan to go to Rangiroa for our next trip to FP, I have seen pics and read in trip reports of a number of large sharks in the passes there.
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#20475 - 02/05/03 03:20 PM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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Earthman
Member
Registered: 06/27/03
Posts: 45
Loc: Aliso Visjo, California, USA
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Dan
In Rangi you will see lots of sharks. I saw groups of silver tip up to 10'. Lots grays, black and white tips. A few Hammerheads all large. Rangiroa is where to see BIG FISH. Manta's with 18' spreads. You won't be dissapointed...Did not see any bull or Tiger.
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#20476 - 02/05/03 03:51 PM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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Dan
Member
Registered: 02/18/02
Posts: 99
Loc: Walnut Creek, CA.
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Thanks for the advice, Earthman! I think our next trip will need to be at least 2 weeks, I need to hit a few more of the Society Islands. I also want to spend 3 or 4 days at the Kia Ora Sauvage while were on Rangi, so we will probably need to spend a week just on Rangi since I have heard there is no diving at KOS. Oh well, it's tough life but, some someone has to do it! 
BTW: How was the diving other then the passes, I have not heard much about it?
[This message has been edited by Dan (edited 02-05-2003).]
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#20477 - 02/05/03 05:19 PM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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sdnative
Junior Member
Registered: 01/15/03
Posts: 27
Loc: San Diego, California
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Thanks everyone for the good information and advice. It seems like the consensus is that the alrger species of shark would be most likely found in the "passes" (which I assume are deep water channels cutting through the reef systems) What about shark species within the reef systems (for when I'm not diving but just snorkeling or swimming)? Thanks again.
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#20478 - 02/05/03 06:33 PM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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We were told by guides on Rangiroa that Tigers hunt in the deep ocean waters (>300m I recall) during the day, so probably not much chance of seeing them. In the lagoon, you can see black tip, white tip, and maybe gray sharks while snorkeling, but mostly black tips.
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#20479 - 02/06/03 07:10 AM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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BarryG
Junior Member
Registered: 02/16/06
Posts: 2
Loc: Colorado
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while diving in Bora Bora I saw tons of black tips, some white tips and even a lemon. Do as Cecil suggested the shark feeding dive is outside the reef and was a great dive. Also the manta ray dive in the lagoon was great. The day I went we saw 9 of them, some of them were huge. There is also a spot to dive to see eagle rays in the lagoon we did see some. There is also another spot there that I think they called it North Point. It is outside the lagoon and was supposed to be really great for sharks and other fish as well.
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#20480 - 02/07/03 01:34 AM
Re: Shark Watching In FP
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sdnative
Junior Member
Registered: 01/15/03
Posts: 27
Loc: San Diego, California
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Really enjoyed the pictures!!! Awesome is the only word for them. Please don't hesitate to volunteer any more picture links, information, or advice. Thanks for everything.
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