Bora Bora: Morning Certified Dive Tour & Manta Rays, Nitrox Free

Summary

Morning dives in Bora Bora’s lagoon & reef with rays and sharks

You’ll slip into warm Pacific water with a local guide, spot manta rays gliding by coral gardens, share hot tea between dives with fellow divers, and maybe laugh at yourself trying to say “Mauruuru” right. Includes pickup from your hotel or pension plus free Nitrox if you’re certified—leaving you with salty hair and memories that stick around long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I saw from the boat was that wild blue — not just postcard turquoise but layers of it, shifting as we left the dock in Bora Bora. Our guide, Manu, had this easy way about him; he joked about “island time” when we waited for one more diver at Matira Beach. The sun was already sharp, but under the boat’s little roof you could smell sunscreen and salt. I kept fiddling with my mask strap, half nervous and half excited — I hadn’t done a morning dive here before.

We hit two sites: one inside the lagoon, where the water felt almost syrupy warm, and another just outside the reef. Manu checked the current and picked spots he said were “good for rays today.” He wasn’t kidding. On the first dive I nearly forgot to breathe when a manta ray glided past — so close its wingtips seemed to brush the sand. There were eagle rays too, moving in a loose formation like they’d practiced it. Someone’s fin clipped my shoulder (small group means five people max, but still), and we all laughed through our regulators. The coral gardens looked soft enough to sleep on — not that I tried.

Between dives we sipped hot tea and ate cookies that tasted faintly of coconut (or maybe everything tastes like coconut here). The air felt sticky on my skin while we swapped stories — turns out one guy had flown in from New Zealand just for this day trip in Bora Bora. Manu poured more tea and told us about his favorite shark encounters; he made it sound normal to see blacktips circling below us like curious dogs.

I used Nitrox tanks since I’m certified — no extra charge for that, which felt like a little win. The second dive ran longer than I expected; time gets weird underwater. When we surfaced, my hair was full of salt and my heart was pounding in that good way you get after something real. Even now, weeks later, I still think about how quiet it was down there except for my own bubbles rising up through all that blue.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning dives with instructor

• Pick up by boat or car
• Travel to first dive site
• First dive for 45-60 minutes
• Rest with tea, cookies, and fresh water
• Travel to second dive site
• Second dive for 45-60 minutes
• Return from dive site

Top questions

How many dives are included in this morning tour?

The tour includes two separate dives at different sites around Bora Bora.

Is hotel pickup included for this diving experience?

Yes, pickup is included by boat or car depending on your accommodation location.

What is the maximum group size for these certified dives?

The maximum group size is five certified divers per instructor.

Are Nitrox tanks available during the dive?

Nitrox tanks are available at no extra charge if you are already Nitrox certified.

How deep do you dive on this tour?

Dives go to depths of approximately 15-20 meters (about 60 feet).

Is food or drink provided between dives?

Yes, fresh water, hot tea, and cookies are served between dives on the boat.

Can beginners join this diving tour?

No, only certified divers who can dive up to 18 meters are allowed to join.

How long does each dive last?

Each dive lasts about 45-60 minutes depending on conditions and air consumption.

What’s included

Your morning includes hotel pickup by boat or car depending where you’re staying in Bora Bora, use of all necessary scuba equipment (with free Nitrox if you’re certified), two guided dives at different sites—one usually inside the lagoon and one outside the reef—and between dives there’s fresh water, hot tea, and cookies served onboard before returning you back after both dives.