Shark and Ray Feeding Upon boarding the boat, your skipper will go through the checklist of what to bring with you: Towel, snorkel, mask, fins and reef walkers. Depending on the location where you arrive, you may be advised to leave your fins in the boat (for fear of disturbing the sharks). Next, the skipper's first mate jumps into the water and secures a floating rope. Everyone will be instructed to hold onto the rope floating "face down" with their snorkel gear on. The skipper checks to make sure everyone is safely on their side of the rope (which is of paramount importance) as he pulls out the shark food. You wait with anticipation as the sharks come out, one after the other, to rip and tear up the bait. The sharks may give you a demo of their amazing sonar as they swim directly towards you and, at the very last second, make a sharp turn away from you. The only thing between you and them is the rope and your heartbeat.

Later, coast through the clear Polynesian waters to meet the sting rays. Look off to the side of the boat and you'll know when you've reached your destination. Known as the most graceful animals of the sea, these enormous creatures will glide with elegance past your boat again and again. Their fluid movement will make you think they are flying under water. Put your reef walkers on, and when the guide gives you the green light, jump in! They swim all around you. Your skipper teaches you how to touch them. Kiss one of these curious giants encircling you, and its wings actually flap rapidly with approval, creating quite a splash! More on Sting Rays: Sting rays have a 'disc' span (wing span) of about 3 feet. They are also more intelligent than sharks. Plankton is one of their favorite foods, but they eat small fish and crustaceans as well. Because they are bottom feeders, their nostrils, mouth, and gill slits are located on the underside of their bodies. The ray uses its gills to eat by sucking water in through them. This allows plankton to remain in its mouth while water is pumped out. Then, the plankton are channeled into the ray's stomach to be digested. Rays reproduce between May and October. When they reach about 10" in length they sexually mature. Female rays give birth to two or three pups per litter. Rays learn to evade predators by spending much of their time on the sandy bottom, flapping their wings to throw sand on their bodies. Near the sting ray activity, your guide personally takes you snorkeling and points out interesting things in the lagoon. He teaches you what to touch and what not to touch. Explore all the beautiful colors of the Tahitian coral gardens and their residents!

Next, you and your group arrive to your motu, where you will receive a live demo on how to climb a coconut tree, collect the fruit, split the shell, drink the milk and grate the coconut "Tahitian style". After an exciting day in the hot sun, the spread of fresh coconut, watermelon and pineapples laying atop banana leaves is a welcomed sight.

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