Sunday 10 September – Swimming with manta rays

We started the day early before the wind got up sorting out Sporty Spice our Code Zero sail. She was wound the wrong way on the furler, we had to get her out the locker, hoist her up, unfurl her and bring the big flapping sail down. Then rewind the furler the right way and then get her back up to furl her. Of course little gusts sent the sail flapping and me, as I nearly took off holding onto her! Finally it was much better, I cranked the winch and Rowan dealt with the sail. We got there remarkably easily, but we were both pouring sweat at the end, which was before 9am!

We thought this would be our last full day in Bora Bora so we headed off to see the two recommended sites in the morning, the forecast was for rain all day but luckily we had good sunshine for our snorkelling. It was quite a long dinghy ride to the point on the island side where Manta Rays are known to frequent, this is all inside the reef, on the edge of the deep channel. We anchored and a couple of people who were snorkelling helped us with our anchor, which was kind, they were also looking for the rays. There was lovely coral quite deep but we saw no sign of the Mantas until a resort boat turned up and they called us over to see the Mantas. There were two of them, but the one just cruised up and down, such elegant swimmers. They told Rowan off for diving down, apparently you are not allowed to, which makes sense. All very reassuring that they are trying to look after their sea life, when they have so many tourists.

Heading up the deep channel

The Manta Ray point

We then headed over to the reef side, to a snorkel spot which was highly recommended to us. We went through the most beautiful colour water between two Motus (islands) to the site which lived up to its reputation even though there were a lot of tourist boats there, which was disappointing but it didn’t matter once we were in the water as the area was so large. There was wonderful coloured coral, and loads of dazzling clams, I still wonder how their colour choice is determined. The Go Pro photos will do more justice to them.

Nice calm waters for our long dinghy ride

The coral gardens between the two Motus (islands)

Gorgeous white beaches

Lots of different kinds of coral

Loads of bright clam lips

Different coloured clams amongst the purple coral

Pretty little blue fish

Leaving past one of the very high end resorts that has guards chasing any unpaying guests away

This resort has an amazing Motus all to itself

Heading home

Back on Pole Pole for the rest of the afternoon. The S African catamaran with the young family on Wanderlust turned up with their French friends on Viate, we tried to reciprocate their kindness by picking up their mooring ball for them. But by the time we got to them they were sorted, these guys are pros!

Rowan has been in touch with our Weather Router man Met Bob in NZ and he is advising us not to set off tomorrow, biggish winds and a 3m swell are predicted but dying off, so we should be good to go Tuesday, which is our new plan. Fingers crossed all the paper work has been successfully completed when we get to the Gendarmerie tomorrow. They will be checking that Hannah, Megan and Neville our crew that we arrived into French Polynesia with, have left. Fingers crossed all the form filling works. The Aussie guy doing the boat delivery made us laugh as he has his Aussie passport plus a French passport (I think he said his mum is French), obviously it is very handy for travelling especially getting into French territories, but he can’t speak a word of French, so all the authorities treat him with a huge amount of suspicion!