Information
Landmark: Anau Diving SiteCity: Rangiroa
Country: French Polynesia
Continent: Australia
Anau Diving Site, Rangiroa, French Polynesia, Australia
Overview
Anau Diving Site sits off the shores of Bora Bora, a jewel of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, where turquoise water hides coral gardens teeming with life.Anau’s famed for its dazzling underwater scenery and rich marine life, where divers can glide past stingrays, sharks, and other striking sea creatures in the clear, sunlit shallows.This is one of Bora Bora’s premier dive sites, drawing seasoned pros and first-timers alike with its calm, clear waters and reefs teeming with flashes of bright reef fish.The Anau diving site sits on Bora Bora’s western shore, just beside Motu Anau-a tiny island resting near the lagoon’s bright, shallow edge.The site lies in shallow water, so divers of all experience levels can reach it with ease.Beneath the surface, bright coral gardens, steep reef walls, and stretches of pale sand create a changing seascape to explore.In the crystal-clear water, where you can sometimes see as far as 30 meters, every dive feels like dropping into another world.The Anau site teems with life-schools of bright fish flash past, making it one of the most thrilling and rewarding spots for underwater exploration.Number one.In Bora Bora, StingraysAnau is a famous spot where divers slip into clear, warm water to glide alongside curious stingrays.You’ll often spot these graceful creatures gliding in loose, shimmering groups across the water.They’re naturally curious, gliding right up to divers for a close, unforgettable look.Many visitors take the rare chance to touch or swim alongside the stingrays as they sweep through crystal-clear water, a moment that often tops the dive.In the deeper sections at Anau, it’s common to spot Blacktip Reef Sharks and Lemon Sharks cruising by.They’re not aggressive, but watching these sharks glide in their own world adds a jolt of excitement to the dive.For seasoned divers, spotting these sleek predators is always a thrill-the flash of a dorsal fin against the deep blue never gets old.Some organized tours even include shark feeding, drawing them in close enough for an unforgettable, face-to-face encounter.Beyond sharks and graceful stingrays, Anau’s waters bustle with life: moray eels peer from reef crevices, Napoleon wrasse glide in bold colors, clownfish dart through swaying anemones, and schools of parrotfish, butterflyfish, and triggerfish shimmer past.Coral gardens bloom with nudibranchs, cruising sea turtles, tiny crustaceans, and countless other creatures, all sheltered by reefs rich in both soft and hard corals.These vibrant reefs shelter countless fish and open up a stunning underwater world for divers, where bright coral fans sway gently in the current.Bright corals in every shape and shade bring the reef to life, their ridges and curves catching the light as you glide past.The water stays warm all year, between 26°C and 30°C (79°F to 86°F), so you can dive without a chill, and visibility often stretches beyond 30 meters (about 100 feet).With crystal-clear water and depths between 5 and 15 meters (16 to 50 feet), this spot draws divers eager to see schools of bright fish drifting through sunlit shallows, making it ideal for both beginners and those with some experience.With its shallow waters and gentle, glassy surface, it’s a great spot for snorkeling.The prime time to dive at Anau is during Bora Bora’s dry season, from May to October, when the skies stay clear and the sea feels warm.This time of year brings bright sun and glassy, calm water-perfect for diving, with clear views and pleasantly warm temperatures.From November to April, the wet season adds a touch of rain and even warmer seas, yet Anau still offers great dives.Visibility’s a bit lower than in the dry season, with the water carrying a faint haze, but most people still reach the Anau Diving Site by joining a guided dive tour.On Bora Bora, local dive shops and resorts run trips to Anau, often bundling in snorkeling and diving-imagine gliding past a bright swirl of tropical fish.Most tours start with a quick boat ride from a nearby resort or port, the salt air sharp on your face.Many Bora Bora dive operators also supply everything you’ll need-mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, and tank-so you can step aboard ready to explore.If you’ve brought your own gear, you can still rent whatever else you need.Before heading out, the dive instructors gather everyone for a safety talk, walking you through the site, pointing out the fish you might spot, and explaining how to interact with the animals responsibly.With a guide leading the way, divers can explore the site safely, spotting coral fans swaying in the current.In the end, the Anau Diving Site in Bora Bora stands out as one of French Polynesia’s most thrilling yet easy-to-reach underwater adventures.You might slip into the water beside gliding stingrays, catch sight of a shark’s fin in the blue, or weave through coral glowing in shades of gold and violet-Anau offers dives that stay with you, no matter your experience.The water’s so clear you can see bright fish gliding past your fins, and the calm, glassy surface makes it a favorite for divers and anyone exploring Bora Bora.
