South Pacific Journey. Silversea, Silver Cloud, Bora Bora, 25 April 2025

 Bora Bora Bliss: Snorkeling with Sharks, Rays, and Rain Again

April 25th, 2025

Back on the paradise island of Bora Bora today, and what a day it’s been! 🏝️ 

Although the island is small—less than 12 square kilometres—it never fails to impress. 

Having already driven around the island, explored its stunning viewpoints, guns and hospitality. Today I was ready for something a little different. I’d booked the ships Shark and Ray Snorkelling Experience for the morning, and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

Sun rise over Bora Bora 

I was up early to catch our approach to the island from the deck of our ship. A silver lining of staying in an ocean-view cabin (as opposed to a balcony) is that it gets me out of bed early and up on deck to enjoy the views. Even though it was still cloudy this morning, there was no rain—thankfully. 🌥️

Since the Silver Cloud was anchored off the main harbour at Vaitape, we boarded Zodiac inflatables to make our way to shore. The staff had gone over the protocol for using the Zodiacs the night before—life jackets were provided in our rooms, and we had to wear them before boarding. 

Silver Cloud transport off the ship

First Stop: The Shark and Ray Adventure!
Once ashore, we were greeted by a lively local band, which instantly put everyone in a cheerful mood. 

The boat taking us to the sharks and rays was moored right by the dock, and the crew was fantastic! 

They serenaded us with cheerful tunes and played their ukuleles, which made the whole experience even more magical.

Snorkelling with sharks and rays was unreal. 🦈 The water was shallow, so you could easily stand up if you needed a breather, but the marine life was truly amazing. The sharks were so graceful, and the rays just glided through the water. 

It was busy in the lagoon, but the whole experience still felt so special and intimate. After that, we headed over to the stunning coral gardens for more wonderful snorkelling.

Lunch & Local Exploration
Back on the Silver Cloud, we had a buffet lunch that offered everything you could imagine—seafood, pastries, salads, and more. making it hard to choose what to have. 

Post-lunch, we ventured back into Vaitape to search for a nail bar (yes again!). After a bit of hunting, I found one right next to Jack’s Restaurant. 

Pedicure done, I set off on my next mission: a bank, since the nail bar didn’t take cards. Then we experienced a - torrential downpour. 🌧️ I sought shelter in a local shop, and somehow ended up with a few t-shirts. 
A Beautiful Farewell
After the rain cleared up, we boarded the ship once again, and I was ready to relax with a Mudslide cocktail as we sailed away from Bora Bora, watching it fade into the distance. 

Goodbye Bora Bora 

To cap it all off, I enjoyed a lovely dinner in the restaurant aboard the Silver Cloud. And, during the evening briefing, we received our snorkel gear 

Recommendations for Bora Bora:
Shark and Ray Snorkelling Experience – A must! It’s an unforgettable way to see the lagoon and its beautiful marine life. Just be sure to check the weather—cloudy days are common, but they don’t take away from the fun.
Jacks Restaurant – Great spot for a meal, and it’s conveniently located near the nail bar if you're in need of a little pampering. 
Local Shops – Don’t miss browsing the local boutiques, even if it’s just for some  souvenirs to remember your trip. 
Mudslide Cocktail – If you're on the ship, order one! It's the perfect drink to sip while you watch Bora Bora disappear into the horizon.
Overall, it’s been a perfect day in paradise. 

---