Bora Bora Swim Do you want to swim around Bora Bora? Contact us about this swim.
About
Circumnavigation Swim of Bora Bora In the lagoon The Bora Bora Ultra Marathon Ocean Swim is a fully guided swim around the island of Bora Bora. We help swimmers achieve their goal of circumnavigating this world-class tropical paradise, known for its turquoise lagoon and vibrant marine life. The swim takes place entirely within the lagoon, with a minimum distance of 23 km, starting and finishing at the same location. The inaugural Swim Around Bora Bora was organised by Samoa Swim & Events in early October 2019. The Class of 2019 included four swimmers: Jessica Evans, Tracey Messinger, Martyn Southall, and Roger Soulsby. The official distance of the ultra marathon swim varies depending on the chosen starting point, ranging between 23–25 km (14.3–15.5 miles). The direction of the swim is determined in advance to align with prevailing conditions. This swim record applies to swims operated by Samoa Swim & Events. All swims attempted and completed are formally documented based on how each swim was monitored.
Swim Window
The best chance for success in your swim is a one-on-one guide around Bora Bora. Swimmers will be allocated a swim date. You will need to be in Bora Bora for a minimum of five days to allow for reserve weather days. The cost of the swim varies depending on how many other swimmers will be taking part in the same window. Talk to us about your swim and let's start training toward achieving your goals.
Accommodation - there are a variety of accommodation options on Bora Bora from high-end 5-star resorts to excellent home stays and Airbnb accommodation. We can help you with a one-stop shop or book your accommodation directly with your travel agent.
Options Non-ratified swim Your goal is to swim around Bora Bora with boat support. You are not concerned about ratification. Cost is $3,000 NZD. Pick your own date. We will work with you and guide you around Bora Bora. Talk to us about group rates.
Ratified Swim Your goal is to swim around Bora Bora and have your swim ratified as an official ultra marathon swim under International Marathon Swim rules. All the data and photos and visuals provided. Talk to us. Single swimmer - $6,000 2-3 swimmers - $5,000 per swimmer 4 plus swimmers - $4,500 per swimmer Same window, different swim days
Do you want to do the double - Tahiti to Mo'orea & Swim Around Bora Bora? Talk to us.
Sāmoa Swims & Events Since 2018, we have been hosting swim tours and ultra marathon swims across Tahiti, Mo'orea, and Bora Bora. With a deep knowledge of the islands of French Polynesia, we’ve helped long-distance swimmers achieve their ultra marathon swim goals in these stunning tropical locations. In addition to French Polynesia, we also organise ultra marathon swims in Sāmoa (Apolima Strait) and in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Seti Afoa (Director) Our other Marathon Swims Apolima Strait (23 km) Samoa Apolima Double (46 km) Samoa Tahiti-to-Mo'orea (22 km) Firth of Thames swim (22 km) NZ Rangitoto Island (21 km) Auckland NZ Pōnui Island (24 km) Auckland NZ Aitutaki (20 km) Rarotonga
BORA BORA HONOURS
MADDY SNELL (Vlad Swim, AUS) SPEED RECORD ALL TIME RECORD F/M Swim date: Friday 7 November 2025 Start & finish: Raititi Point Minimum distance: 24 km Swim Time: 6h 24m Direction: anti-clockwise Age at Swim date: 23 Start time: 5:10 am Finish time: 11:34 am Referee/Neutral Observer: Seti Afoa Recorder: Seti Afoa Feeder, Lucy Snell / Vero Wong Boat Ma'ohi Nui II / Aea Finish Photo: Samoa Events
VERO WONG (Vlad Swim, AUS) Swim date: Thursday 6 November 2025 Start & finish: Raititi Point Minimum distance: 24 km Swim Time: 8h 48m Direction: anti-clockwise Age at Swim date: 27 Start time: 5:40 am Finish time: 2:28 pm Referee/Neutral Observer: Seti Afoa Recorder: Seti Afoa Feeder, Lucy Snell, Maddy Snell Boat Ma'ohi Nui II / Aea Finish Photo: Samoa Events
CHRISTINE FREAK (Vlad Swim, NSW, AUS) Swim date: Saturday 5 July 2025 Start & finish: Pitiu'u Uta motu Minimum distance: 23.3km Swim Time: 7h 25m 43s Actual swim distance: 23.8 km Direction: clockwise Age at Swim date: 29 Start time: 7:03 am Finish time: 2:29 pm Referee/Neutral Observer: Seti Afoa Recorder: Seti Afoa / Eric Bateman Swim captain, Eric Bateman Finish Photo: Samoa Events
ERIC BATEMAN (Vlad Swim, NSW, AUS) Swim date: Thursday 3 July 2025 Start & finish: Matira Beach Minimum distance: 23.3km Swim Time: 9h 15m Actual swim distance: 24 km Direction: Anti-clockwise Age at Swim date: 52 Start time: 6:40 am Finish time: 3:55 pm Referee/Neutral Observer: Seti Afoa Recorder: Seti Afoa Swim captain, Christine Freak Finish Photo: Samoa Events
NICK EDWARDS (Aotearoa New Zealand) Swim date: 2023; Monday, November 6th Start & finish: Inter Continental Bora Bora Thallaso & Spa Minimum distance: 23.3km Swim Time: 7h 14m 50s Actual swim distance: 25.9 km Direction: Anti-clockwise Age at Swim date: 34 Start time: 5:49 am Finish time: 1:03 pm Referee/Neutral Observer: Seti Afoa Recorder: Seti Afoa Finish Photo: Samoa Events / Seti Afoa
JESSICA EVANS (Australia) Swim date: Friday 11 October 2019 Starting: Matira Beach Finishing: Matira Beach Minimum distance: 23.3km Swim Time: 6h 59 m 00s Actual swim distance: 27 km Direction: Anti-clockwise Age at Swim date: 34 Referee / Neutral Observer: N/A Recorder: Scott Newman Boat: Scott Newman Finish Photo: Samoa Events / Seti Afoa (Matira Beach)
TRACEY MESSINGER (New Zealand) Swim date: Monday 14 October 2019 Starting: Sofitel Private Island, Bora Bora Finishing: Sofitel Private Island, Bora Bora Minimum distance: 23.3km Swim Time: 9h 42m 50s First official ratified swim Original record holder for ratified swim Actual swim distance: 25.5 km Direction: Clockwise Age at Swim date: 49 Neutral Observer / Kayak: Seti Afoa Recorder: Richard Messinger, Leana Gallo-Morice Boat: Samuel Tinorua Finishing Photo: Samoa Events / Seti Afoa (at Sofitel Private Island, Bora Bora)
MARTYN SHOUTHALL (Australia) ROGER SOULSBY (New Zealand) Unsuccessful Attempt Swim date: Saturday 12 October 2019 Starting: Sofitel Private Island, Bora Bora Finishing: DNF Swim abandoned at Bora Bora Bungalows before Ta'ihi Point Minimum distance: 23.3km Swim Time: 7h 30m 00s Actual swim distance: 13km (DNF) Direction: Clockwise Age at Swim date: 56 & 69 Neutral Observer/Kayak: Seti Afoa Recorder: Joanne Southall / Hihi Tetuanui Boat: Jackson Tinorua / Hihi Tetuanui Water Photo: Samoa Events / Seti Afoa (Martyn and Roger at Matira Bay early in the swim)
(Martyn returned 2 days later to swim the unfinished half)
