#64954 - 07/10/07 10:54 AM
The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
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SashaK
Member
Registered: 07/10/07
Posts: 49
Loc: Chicago, IL
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I have been obsessing over Bora Bora for the past year and have been practically camping out on St. Regis Bora Bora website as well as every website related to Bora Bora. My husband hates to travel that far, but promised we can go soon. I need to know if water lagoon in Bora Bora is really that heavenly crystal turquoise color or if hotels enhance these photos to make it look so beautiful? Also, are there fish/sharks in the water under the over water bungalows? If so, that would put a big dumper on my plans to jump and swim in the lagoon by my own OWB. If you have been to Bora Bora - please share the truth! From pictures it looks like the most heavenly place on earth, but I need to know from real trevellers! Thank you so much in advance!
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#64956 - 07/10/07 11:03 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: SashaK]
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msoprano13
Member
Registered: 04/04/06
Posts: 121
Loc: New York
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just got back two weeks ago and the water is that heavenily. we were at the thalasso and feel that it had the nicest location for the overwaters. absolutely breath taking. also there arent many fish and no sharks by the bungalows.
enjoy
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#64957 - 07/10/07 11:10 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: msoprano13]
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SashaK
Member
Registered: 07/10/07
Posts: 49
Loc: Chicago, IL
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The reason I asked about sharks was because scubagal posted a few threads down: "Can't speak highly enough about the entire staff at the Bora Bora Nui. We were in horizon over water villa 124. Had a wonderful view of the ocean, the island of Tahaa, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. The villa itself was out of this world. One morning we saw a shark, a stingray, and an eagle ray cruise right underneath our villa."
I was shocked to see that!?
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#64958 - 07/10/07 11:11 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: SashaK]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Yes, the lagoon really does look like that. The color in those pictures is not touched up. I have not stayed at the St Regis, but from what I understand they do not have a ton of fish swimming around them yet. But even if they did, it only adds to the experience. The fish won't bother you at all. And neither will the sharks or the rays. Nothing to worry about at all.
Let me tell you a cute story about the color of the lagoon in Bora Bora. My husband was raised in Hawaii, he also spent 8 years on Guam, has visited a few other islands near Guam and also Jamaica, and we've been toseveral resorts in Mexico. On our way to Bora Bora (a place I always wanted to go), I asked him if he was excited about seeing Bora Bora. He said he's been to a ton of tropical islands...once you seen a few, you've seen 'em all. Tropical islands are tropical islands. He didn't expect Bora Bora to be any different. Well....looking out at the lagoon our first day just totally blew him away. He sat there for the first 3 days just staring at it and saying over and over...I can't believe how beautiful that is. I can't believe the colors. In his mind it just totally blew Hawaii, Guam ,and Jamaica out of the water. Not even close. It really is that beautiful! Take my word for it.
Edited by Patti. (07/10/07 11:16 AM)
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#64959 - 07/10/07 11:16 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: Patti.]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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The sharks are NOT like JAWS! We have this notion of encountering JAWS every time we hear the word shark. They are mostly black tip reef sharks. They do not eat people. There are no great white sharks there. There are many organized tours where you get in the water with the sharks and rays for feeding. It is cool as heck to do. They're not normally swimming around your bungalows. That's why she was all excited enough to point it out.
Edited by Patti. (07/10/07 11:18 AM)
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#64963 - 07/10/07 11:29 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: Patti.]
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SashaK
Member
Registered: 07/10/07
Posts: 49
Loc: Chicago, IL
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Patti your story about your husband and the blue lagoon almost made me cry! I have been forwarding the photos of Bora Bora to my husband on daily basis, but I have been also hesitant regarding their genuine origin.. I personally have enhanced photos of our honeymoon in Antigua to make the water look almost unreal, and was wondering whether hotels do just that.
I have been looking at many hotels in Bora Bora and I only like the water in St.Regis and (maybe IC Thalasso).. it just looks most clear and without what looks like reefs/rocks on the bottom.. I don't think we can afford St. Regis, but I feel like I would be crushed with dissapointment if I finally arrive to my dreamy Bora Bora only to find that the hotel we picked does not have that beautiful colored lagoon water or that I can't jump out of my OWB into the crystal waters because there are rocks or sharks!
So I guess what I am asking is, are most hotels with OWB in Bora Bora comparable as far as the quality of water underneath and beach, etc? THANK YOU!!
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#64965 - 07/10/07 11:43 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: SashaK]
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Sugrbear73
Member
Registered: 04/13/07
Posts: 96
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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SashaK - My husband and I stayed at the BB Pearl in April in an OWB. The water was amazing! Actually, the boat ride from the airport to the resort was wonderful. That's where we got our first up-close glimpse at the water. I have several pics from that boat ride and everyone accuses me of doctoring them. You just won't believe it until you see it.
I don't know about the other resorts but the beach at the Pearl left a little to be desired. It was small and seemed to be the collection point for any and all sea weed/grass/leaves that would wash ashore. And of course trash that some of the inconsiderate and ignorant tourists throw in the lagoon or don't bother to pick up when it falls in. The staff did rake and clean it each morning. They try to keep up with it. We were content on our deck so we never sat on the beach or at the pool.
As far as the water quality under the bungalow, it was perfect. Under each bungalow is a small coral garden. We had a few angel fish and a really cool eel. The water was crystal clear and the sand underneath was pure white. It was heaven!
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#64966 - 07/10/07 11:46 AM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: SashaK]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I can't help you much on the specific water quality and clarity at each hotel, because I have only been to one in Bora Bora. Many others in here can be of more help with that. But I do suggest you get working with a Tahiti Specialist (the one that runs this website is a great one!) to get more details on the different hotels and which ones more closely fit exactly what you are looking for. There are many great hotels on the island, it's pretty hard to go wrong with any of them.
Using a Travel Agent that specializes in Tahiti will be much more to your advantage than just using your normal TA. Like I said, the one that runs this board is highly regarded or going to the Tahiti Tourism website can link you to a local specialist in your area.
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#64970 - 07/10/07 01:02 PM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: Patti.]
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DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1878
Loc: Denver, Co.
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The sharks in BB are no big deal. I was about 3 feet from this one.
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Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
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#64973 - 07/10/07 01:32 PM
Re: The truth about Bora Bora - need to know!!
[Re: DenverJoe]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Check out Le Meridien (Bora Bora). I think it tends to have less aquatic life and more sand (that's actually a minus for many of us, but a plus for you).
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