FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What time do your charters leave? Can they leave earlier?

The morning charter has a 8:15 am meeting point at your hotel dock for an immediate departure to have you in the fishing grounds by 8:30 am. If you want to leave earlier that is no problem just send us a message to confirm beforehand. 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 typically occurs between October through April where Blue Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna are numerous but since 2023 we have not seen a difference with large Yellowfin and Marlin biting all year. 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 Ocean rough in Bora Bora?

Everyday is different out on the ocean but in general I would say we have moderate seas on average. It's not flat calm water. Some days are choppier than others depending on wind and swell. You can expect 3-4 foot waves which is ideal for fishing in our opinion 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 the night before and at least 1 1/2 hours before getting on the boat giving the medicine time to work in your system. Taking medicine once you're on the boat and feeling sick will not help...

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?

Gratuity is never expected but always 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 aboard the Kaivea and Reef Hunter and 6 guests aboard the Kaimanu. 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 between 6-10 passengers depending on the boat you choose. So if you have a large group a great option might be taking two boats and having a little fishing competition between friends.

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.

What happens if the weather is bad and we can't go out?

We offer a Full Refund or the option to reschedule your fishing trip if the weather doesn't allow us to fish. We still operate during the rainy season as this is our peak fishing months as well. Many people choose to fish through the rain but that is up to the guest if they wish to still go out and once we leave the lagoon you are committed to the charter. If being seasick is a real concern you should try to reschedule the trip to a better day.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a "marine head" aboard the Kaivea which is a small porta-potty located in the cabin. It is not particularly convenient or practical and is used mostly for emergencies but available if need be. The Reef Hunter does not a have a toilet but there are plenty of opportunities when lagoon fishing to jump in and swim. Our 30ft World Cat, the Kaimanu has a full bathroom for your comfort.

I am travelling to Bora Bora on a cruise ship. Can we go fishing?

Absolutely, we are happy to accommodate cruise ship passengers. Departures for cruise ship passengers are from the main harbor at Vaitape. This is the same location the cruise ship transfer boats will drop you off and it's a small harbor so you can't miss us.

We highly recommend booking in advance as you may only have a 1-day window during your cruise so booking early ensures your reservation.

Do you offer shared charters?

Yes, sometimes it is possible to organize a shared charter if we can find two groups wanting to fish on the same day. Let us know and we can pencil you in the calendar and ask other customers booking around this time if they'd be interested in splitting the trip. Another great way to find guests to share a charter is with the people you meet at the hotel, there's always a fisherman at the bar so strike up a conversation and I bet you can find someone who wants to go fishing.

How many boats do you operate?

We have three boats in our fleet in Bora Bora. The first is the KAIVEA, a 27ft Boston Whaler Conquest with fighting chair, outriggers, the works for deep sea fishing. The second boat is a 20 ft Center Console called the Reef Hunter. Perfect for lagoon fishing, casting poppers, flyfishing, and snorkeling excursions around Bora Bora. The Reef hunter also has all the necessary gear for deep sea fishing as well. Lastly, our largest boat is our 30ft World Cat Dual Console.

Questions About Bora Bora

Can We Fish From Our Overwater Bungalow in Bora Bora?

Yes you can. While it is frowned upon it's definitely worth it to give it a shot. The best advice is to be discreet and only fish at night. There's a large variety of reef fish to be caught under your dock so have fun and remember to catch and release.

Best Restaurants in Bora Bora?

My favorite spots are the St. James and the Lucky House. Both have a great vibe and really good food and drinks. Some other popular spots are the Bloody Mary's and the Villa Mahana.

Don't miss an opportunity to try out a local food truck as well. If you're cruising around town during the day look for Aito Hotdog and Shave Ice and there's also a great food truck next to the hardware store QBB that makes the best sandwiches.