The Eastern Pacific - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 282

Great Snorkeling
Tahaa's coral gardens (map, #12) truly deserve the name. Snorkel the shallow slot between
two small motus on the west side of Tahaa, where fish swim through canyon-like slots
between the tightly packed coral. Leave your dinghy on the east side of the motu and wear
sandals for the walk to the west side, then float back through the coral gardens. Sunset
views from this anchorage are nothing short of spectacular with the profile of Bora Bora
punctuating the western horizon.
Sadly, much of Bora Bora's reef has fallen to storm and human damage, but a few captivat-
ing spots still remain. The southwest corner of the lagoon has some poor, but also some
truly spectacular reefs with coral of all shapes and sizes, in addition to a good variety of
tropical fish. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the granddaddy of all
moray eels. Anchor your dinghy carefully in a remote spot far from the beach hotel of
Motu Piti Uu Tai for the best spots (map, #2).
Snorkeling or diving among resident manta ray populations is an incredible experience.
One community frequents a spot near Bora Bora's Hotel Meridien, on the east side of the
lagoon. Look for the patch of deep water midway between the outer motus and the “main-
land” (map, #13). Another population can be found at the anchorage just inside Maupiti's
pass (map, #14). Both these places are deep and neither is crystal-clear, but the excursion is
well worth the effort, particularly if you find a cleaning station: a sort of manta ray well-
ness spa where tiny fish fuss over the mantas' sleek tuxedo coats.