Snorkel· Bora Bora· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Bora Bora Coral Garden (Motu Tapu)
16° 31.7′ S · 151° 47.0′ W · approximate
The shallow coral gardens near the western barrier reef behind Motu Tapu and Toopua, where lagoon tours stop after the stingray sandbank: clear water, coral bommies and clouds of reef fish fed by the current over the reef.
Practical
Position is the OSM 'Jardin de corail' node on the western reef flat, south-west of Motu Tapu (approx). Tour boats combine it with the Motu Tapu stingray sandbank (NCL excursion description). Not to be confused with the better-known Coral Garden at Motu Piti Uu Uta on the south-east lagoon (separate entry). Reach by dinghy from the Toopua mooring zone, about 1.7 km, picking a path through the light-blue shallows with a bow lookout and the outboard tilted up; worm-encrusted coral heads lie inches below the surface (NauticEd). Expect current; don't stand on coral.
Best for
Dinghy snorkel from the Toopua moorings
Season
Best in sun-high light, 10am–2pm
Itineraries that stop here
Nearby
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui Beach (Motu Toopua, resort only)0.9 NM away
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui Restaurants (Tamure Beach Grill, Banyan)0.9 NM away
- Motu Toopua BBMS Mooring Zone (Bora Bora)0.9 NM away
- Sunken Sailboat Snorkel (Toopua channel)1.2 NM away
- Toopua Lemon Shark & Stingray Snorkel1.2 NM away
- Motu Tapu (private island, view from the water)1.4 NM away
- Toopua Iti Dive & Snorkel Site1.4 NM away
- Bora Bora Yacht Zones 20–90 m (Faanui, Hitiaa, Toopua, Vaitape, Bloody Mary's)1.5 NM away