Discover the 7 Sharks Found in Bora Bora

The waters off Bora Bora are home to a stunning array of tropical marine life. Many species of sharks spend part of their lives in the coastal waters of the island, including Bora Bora’s lagoon and extensive reef system. If you’re planning a trip, you may be wondering about the sharks found in Bora Bora.

In this guide, we’ll introduce the coastal ecosystem of Bora Bora and describe seven species of sharks found in these tropical waters. Read on to find out more.

The Ecosystem of Bora Bora

The island of Bora Bora is part of the Leeward Islands, which comprises the western region of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Bora Bora, a volcanic island, is surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean. This mountainous, tropical island is surrounded by a lagoon and a coral reef complex.

The coastal waters of the island average about 82 degrees Fahrenheit, making the region a haven for warm-loving sharks. Coral reefs, which contain over 25% of the world’s marine biodiversity, attract a range of shark species for hunting, nursery habitat, protection, and the company of fish that remove parasites from their skin.

Unfortunately, industrial civilization-driven climate change is increasing the temperate of the water in parts of French Polynesia, leading to devastating instances of coral reef bleaching. When the coral suffers, so do the sharks who depend on a thriving reef ecosystem. In 2020, high water temperatures in the coastal waters of Bora Bora caused significant bleaching events on some of the coral reefs surrounding the island. To protect the sharks found in Bora Bora, we must also protect the coral reefs.

7 Species of Sharks Found in Bora Bora

For now, the South Pacific waters of Bora Bora continue to be one of several home bases for migratory reef and coastal sharks.

Below, we’ll dive into seven sharks you may spot on a dive or snorkeling trip around the gorgeous region. If you’re planning a guide dive with sharks in Bora Bora, especially in the hotspot of the outer reef off Teavanui Pass, its critical to follow the guidance of your tour guide and treat the sharks with a great deal of respect. Sharks attacks are extremely rare in Bora Bora, and there have been no fatal shark bites in over 50 years in this area.

1. Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

One of the most common visitors to the waters of Bora Bora is the blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). They are primarily found living in water less than 100 feet deep and frequent the reefs of Bora Bora and the lagoon. Occasionally, however, they may dive to 210 feet in search of prey.

As their common name suggests, this shark primarily lives in reef environments and features distinct black coloring on the tip of its fins. Its body coloring is brown-grey on the upper portion and off-white underneath. These sharks typically grow up to 6 feet long and feed on reef fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and mollusks.

2. Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)

The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is the other most common species you may encounter swimming in the lagoon or reefs along the coast of Bora Bora. The upper portion of the shark is yellow-brown while the underside is pale yellow-white.

These sharks can reach about 9-10 feet in length and can live about 30 years. They can dive up to about 300 feet and enjoy a wide-ranging diet that includes numerous species of bony fish, rays, crustaceans, mollusks, smaller sharks, and seabirds.

3. Sharks Found in Bora Bora: Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

The grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is also one of the more common sharks found in Bora Bora. You can distinguish this species from the blacktip due to its larger size, lack of black coloration on its dorsal fin, and grey rather than brown body color. It does, however, feature black tips on its caudal fin and smaller, second dorsal fin.

This species tends to max out at about 6 feet long, although some individuals have been measured at a little over 8 feet in length. The primary diet of the grey reef shark includes reef fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans. You may spot these sharks swimming in loose schools near reef-drop-off areas. They tend to live in water less than 180 feet deep, however, this species has been known to dive to depths of 3,300 feet!

4. Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)

If you’re snorkeling or diving in the waters off Bora Bora, you may spot silvertip sharks, easily recognizable for the bright white markings on the tips of their fins. The body coloration of this shark is bronze-grey with bronze shading on the tops and sides, and white coloring underneath.

This species can grow up to 10 feet long and typically measures between 6.5 to 8 feet in length. They feed on bony fish, rays, cephalopods, small sharks, and crustaceans. These sharks have wide-ranging habitat distribution, inhabiting shallow reefs and offshore areas. They can dive up to an impressive 2,400 feet deep.

5. Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran)

Less commonly, great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) sometimes inhabit the coastal waters off Bora Bora. When these sharks do pass through these waters, they tend to swim through the passes and lagoons of Bora Bora, rather than the reefs.

The largest of all hammerhead species, these stunning animals can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Their average measurements, however, tend to be closer to 10-14 feet and about 500 pounds.

The great hammerhead has evolved to be primarily a seafloor predator, with stingrays, cephalopods, and crustaceans making up the bulk of their diet. Generally, this shark prefers to stay in shallow inshore and offshore waters of less than 330 feet. Occasionally, however, they will dive up to 1,000 feet, typically to prey on squid and octopus.

6. Sharks Found in Bora Bora: Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

Primarily an open-ocean species, you’re more likely to see a shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) on a diving trip a few miles offshore. However, they do sometimes pass through more coastal waters and reef environments. Inhabiting the South Pacific Ocean, these highly migratory animals have been known to pass through the waters of Bora Bora.

These slender, sleek sharks can measure up to 12 feet in length. Shortfin mako sharks are impressive predators and can reach burst speeds of up to 46 miles per hour. Their primary diet consists of bony fish, squid, porpoises, smaller sharks, and sea turtles.

7. Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

While you can mostly common spot tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) off the French Polynesian islands of Tahiti and Tuamotus, they also pass through the waters of Bora Bora. As a reef-associated coastal species, these sharks thrive in lagoons and coastal reef regions. This gorgeous species hold a deeply significant cultural and spiritual meaning for many indigenous people of the French Polynesian islands.

These powerful predators typically grow 11-14 feet long and weigh 800-1,400 pounds. They’re famous for their non-selective diet. Common prey for this species includes crustaceans, bony fish, cephalopods, smaller sharks, skates, rays, porpoises, sea turtles, marine birds, sea snakes, and seals.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Mayumi.K.Photography/Shutterstock.com