FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What time do your charters leave? Can they leave earlier?
The morning charter has a 8:00 am meeting point at your hotel dock for an immediate departure to have you in the fishing grounds by 8:15 am. If you want to leave earlier that is no problem just send us a message to confirm before hand. All our charters are 100% customizable.
The afternoon charter has a departure of 1 PM.
When is the best time of year to fish in Bora Bora?
The best fishing in Bora Bora occurs between October through April where Blue Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna are numerous. In the South Pacific the seasons are opposite from North America so this is our spring and summer time when water temps are at their warmest. Warm water is optimal for large pelagic predators such as Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo. That being said Bora Bora is lucky enough to have a great year- round fishing season so no matter the month you decide to visit there is a good chance of catching fish!
What should we bring on our fishing trip?
When fishing in Bora Bora just remember that we are in the tropics and the sun is incredibly powerful. We recommend long sleeve shirts and hats and sunglasses are crucial to protect you from the tropical sun! You should bring sunscreen and your cameras to take lots of pictures. We've got a GoPro on the boat to take videos as well. Bring beach towels if you decide to go for a swim. We provide snorkeling gear and all the fishing gear you will need. Please be sure to take your sea sickness medicine at least 1 hour prior to coming on the boat or start using the patch 24 hours before, even though the waters are generally calm, it occasionally gets a little rough... Feel free to bring your own music to play on the boats sound system as well. Sometimes a light jacket helps too if there's a lot of wind. We do have a toilet in the cabin for your use as well. Lastly, we provide snacks and drinks but we ask people to prepare their own lunches with the hotel to bring aboard. IMPORTANT- Please don't bring bananas on the boat with you...its an old Hawaiian superstition that it brings bad luck and we hate bad luck when it comes to fishing so its better to be safe then sorry and just pack other fruits instead.
Is the water rough in Bora Bora?
Everyday is different out on the ocean but in general I would say we have moderate seas on average. Its not flat calm water but its not a rough, choppy sea either. It's more of rolling waves but I always tell our guests that if there is any doubt in your mind you should definitely take sea sickness medicine just to be on the safe side, even if you don't think you get sea sick. It's always a shame if you get sick on the boat and can't enjoy the full experience, so it's best to be prepared. Take Dramamine or another brand at least 1 1/2 hours before getting on the boat or the patch behind the ear is another option.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
We are happy to clean and prepare up to 25 pounds of fish for our guests but generally speaking most people are staying at the hotels so we'll cut up some nice fillets that you can bring back and have cooked for you at the hotel.
Do I need a fishing license?
No fishing licenses are required in Bora Bora and there is no limit to the quantity of fish we can catch.
Are food and drinks provided?
Drinks such as beer, sodas, and bottled water are provided on all tours for you as well as snacks such as fresh fruit like pineapples or mango, cheese and sausage, chips, etc, but lunch is not provided so the best option is to see with your hotel about having them make you a to go "lunch box". Feel free to bring your own alcohol as well if you would like, although beer is provided.
Can we cancel with no penalty?
Yes, if you cancel your trip up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure time we will reimburse you the full amount of the charter ( Minus a small 5% processing fee). Canceling within the 48 hour mark will result in a 100% charge of the total trip amount as these dates were blocked especially for you and won't leave us enough time to get another booking. However, we understand that in life there are unforeseen circumstances that arrive, the best thing to do is contact us and let us know the situation and we will try to work with you on it.
Do we need to tip the crew?
Yes, tips are greatly appreciated but only if you had a great time and believe your captain and crew did everything possible to find you the fish.
What is the max number of people that can go?
For deep sea fishing excursions the max number of passengers is 4 people + our 2 crew members. We are very strict on this limit for deep sea fishing as per regulations in French Polynesia, however for lagoon fishing around Bora Bora we can take up to 6 passengers. So if you have a large group this might be a great option or split up the groups and do a morning and a afternoon half day deep sea fishing charter.
What safety features is your boat equipped with?
The most important safety feature is that our boat has 2 motors which in the unlikely event that one stops working we can always rely on the second one to get us home safely. We also have a 6 person inflatable life raft, emergency positioning radio beacon, fire extinguishers, radio communications, and all the necessary flotation devices to ensure that everyone on the boat is protected. Boston Whalers are also world famous for being unsinkable which gives our guests an added peace of mind.
Do you offer snorkeling tours as well?
While deep sea fishing is our main activity we do offer private snorkeling tours around Bora Bora which take you to all the popular spots such as the shark and stingray sites as well as some secret spots of our own that we only share with our guests. Families and guests that want more privacy love the comfort of our Boston Whaler boat and our ability to take you to spots away from the crowds to give you a more unique experience. Like our fishing trips, our snorkeling tours are 100% customizable for our guests. If you want to go sight seeing around the island, or stop over at Matira Beach for a swim, everything is possible.