Bora Bora, French Polynesia - November 4, 2026

A Return to Paradise with Patrick’s Tours

Well, here we are once again in beautiful Bora Bora, French Polynesia, and I think it is safe to say that this island has a special place in our hearts. This must be our fifth visit here, and after all these years, the turquoise lagoon, towering volcanic peaks and friendly Polynesian spirit never seem to lose their magic.

A little history before we get into our day. Bora Bora, originally known as Pora Pora, meaning “first born,” was settled by Polynesian voyagers around the fourth century. It was once an independent kingdom, with a proud history of Polynesian culture and leadership, before becoming part of the French colonial territory in the late nineteenth century. During World War II, the United States established a military supply base here, bringing an airstrip, roads and other infrastructure that would eventually help open the island to international tourism.

Today, Bora Bora is often referred to as the Pearl of the Pacific. Tourism is by far its main industry, with those famous overwater bungalows, luxury resorts and lagoon excursions drawing visitors from around the world. Fishing remains important to local life, while coconuts, copra, vanilla and other agricultural products have played a role in the island’s economy over the years.

And speaking of lagoon excursions, there was only one choice for us today: Patrick’s Tours!

Now, a little history about Patrick’s Tours. Patrick Tairua, a Bora Bora native, grew up immersed in the island’s traditions, learning about fishing, plantation life and Polynesian culture. His journey into tourism eventually led him to establish Maohi Nui in 2001, with the goal of sharing the beauty, history and traditions of his homeland with visitors. What began as Patrick’s passion for his island has grown into a wonderful local tourism operation, offering authentic lagoon experiences and traditional Polynesian hospitality.

With our group of 15, we boarded an early tender and were greeted by Patrick’s team, who had two boats waiting for us this time. Although his newer boat can accommodate up to 20 people, Patrick isn’t one to crowd his boats, so two boats it was! And how wonderful it was to see the friendly face of Rocky once again, now seventeen years old. It is always such a pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces in these beautiful islands.

Our two boats headed across the lagoon to our first stop, where the incredible manta rays awaited us. These magnificent creatures, some the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, move so gracefully through these warm, crystal-clear waters. Watching them glide effortlessly beneath us is simply mesmerizing. Who would have thought I would be swimming before 8:30 in the morning? LOL!

From there, we cruised over to where the stingrays and blacktip reef sharks like to play. Another amazing experience, and one of those moments when you pinch yourself and wonder if this is really happening. The sharks and rays are such an incredible part of the Bora Bora lagoon, and being able to experience them in their natural environment is something truly special.

Our next stop was the coral gardens, where the giant clams of so many beautiful colours await your arrival. Those brilliant blues, greens and purples are simply spectacular. And once again, I found myself thinking, “Pinch me, I’m back here again, only a year later!” There is something quite remarkable about returning to a place that has given you such wonderful memories and discovering that the magic is still there.

A Traditional Polynesian Feast

It was then time to head over to the private motu for our traditional lunch, and what a feast it was!

Lobster and tuna sizzling on the grill, along with the unearthed suckling pig, accompanied by all the fixings. Breadfruit, plantains, poi and the list goes on. The aromas alone were enough to make you hungry, but the food was absolutely delicious. Included beverages were water, pop, beer, and both red and white wine.

A true Polynesian feast as it were, enjoyed in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. What more could one ask for?

After lunch, there was time for a brief swim before the entertainment began. And what entertainment it was! A very talented young man treated us to an amazing fire show, lasting a good twenty minutes. His skills were simply incredible, twirling and tossing the fire with such confidence and precision. He was dressed in a little more than a traditional loincloth, LOL, but I think it is safe to say that nobody was complaining!

With the show finished and our bellies full, it was time to climb aboard our boats once again and finish our circumnavigation of Bora Bora. We cruised around the island, taking in those incredible views of Mount Otemanu, the lagoon and the surrounding motu before eventually docking back at the ship’s tender dock.

What a day! From swimming with manta rays before breakfast, to the stingrays, sharks, colourful coral gardens, a traditional Polynesian feast and that incredible fire show, this was truly one for the memory books.

Bora Bora, you have once again delivered in every possible way. A most memorable and incredible day here in this island paradise. And yes, we will most certainly be back!