Tahiti - Bora Bora Island

TAHITI
BORA BORA ISLAND

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean.

The island, located about 230 kilometres northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef.

In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres.

The major settlement, Vaitape, is on the western side of the island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon. The products of the island are mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and coconut trees, which were historically of economic importance for copra.
The main languages that are spoken by people in Bora Bora Island are French and Tahitian although most inhabitants that inter-act with visitors have good comprehension of the English language.

WHAT TO SEE?

The island of Bora Bora is actually a volcanic caldera. This geography has produced a lagoon, well protected from waters by the surrounding motus (islets). The lagoon, and the tropical underwater life, including sharks and rays, provides fantastic opportunities for many forms of water-based recreation, ranging from swimming, through snorkelling and scuba.

Very few go to Bora Bora for the historic relics. However, you might want to take a peek at the few WWII remains and the archaeological Polynesian relics in one of the tours of the island.

WHAT TO DO?

Water Activities

The tropical sea sometimes reaches 30ºC, making it perfect for various water activities. Swimming in the lagoon in perfectly clear warm water has the advantage of being free and can be very enjoyable. The beaches of Bora Bora are not huge by any standards, nor are they crammed with people. The most famous beach, Matira Beach is at the southern tip of the main island.


Land Activities
The island is about 20 miles around, and bikes and small buggys are available for rent at various sites.
You can do horseback riding along the motus on the fringe of Bora Bora as well as biking.

The Jeep tours are well worth a trip. You'll have a good time climbing through some rough trails on the island, and you'll get some breathtaking views. In addition, you'll tour the American WWII ruins, such as gun emplacements and bunkers.

 
 

HOW TO GET THERE AND TO MY HOTEL?

Air Tahiti flies several times a day from Tahiti to Bora Bora Airport.

The airport is located on a small motu (islet) north of the main island. Transfer to the main island or to accommodations located on other motus is done by boat. The major accommodations have counters at the airport. For the accommodations located on the main island, you will need to take the (free) ferry to Vaitape. From there, small buses will usually pick you up.