Tahiti > Bora Bora

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Bora Bora is a volcanic island in the Society Islands archipelago of French Polynesia. It is an ideal vacation spot for relaxation, romance, and losing yourself in it's beautiful landscape. Numerous high-class resorts lend a touch of luxury and magic. A bit of planning can allow you to enjoy Bora Bora's splendor on smaller budgets.  Getting there Air Tahiti flies several times a day from Tahiti. Flights are quite often full and reservations are recommended.   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.   Get around Vaitape is the arrival point of the ferry from the airport, and is the only "town" of any size of the island. At the southern tip of the main island, Matira is the location of the largest beach as well as several hotels and restaurants. The central part of the island is extremely mountainous, tough to access and not inhabited (devoid of roads of any kind).   The way you get around in Bora Bora depends greatly on your accommodation and its location. Several resorts are actually located on motus and not on the main island, hence the need of boat transportation to get anywhere. Boat transfers from those motus resorts to the main island or between the resorts and the airport are usually provided.   On the main island, there is only one sealed road, but public transportation is extremely limited. Accommodations located on the island generally provide a transfer to/from the Airport ferry quay. Taxis are also available. Operators of activities and restaurants sometimes (but not always) provide a transfer to/from the accommodations.   Renting a bicycle or a small buggy can be an option if you plan to have your freedom on the main island, but the road is sometimes very narrow and in poor shape.   See The island is actually a volcanic caldera, and its stunningly beautiful lagoon is well protected from the outside waters by the surrounding motus. The unusual shape of Mount Otemanu (728m), and its smaller neighbor, Mount Pahia, combined with the spectacular water color variations of the lagoon guarantees some breathtaking scenery.   The final approach to the airport is particularly impressive. Seats on the left side of the plane offer the best views (seats are not reserved).   The abundant tropical underwater life of the lagoon is also a major attraction. A mask, a snorkel and two fins is all you need, and most hotels provide them for free.   Very few go to Bora Bora for the history. However, if you have seen enough of the lagoon, you might want to take a peek at the few WWII remains and the archeological Polynesian relics in one of the tours of the island.   Do There are comparatively more activities in Bora Bora to keep you occupied than in other islands of French Polynesia. Being practical, while lazing under the sun in a white sand beach, a good book will be in every case a very useful item to bring. As weird as it may sound, it actually sometimes rains in Bora Bora (and sometimes even a lot). The vast majority of the activities take place outdoor, and there are no cinemas, libraries or museums to visit, so even if large resorts do lend books and games, bring some good reading with you.   Water Activities The tropical sea sometimes reaches 30C, making it perfect for various water activities. Swimming in the lagoon in perfectly clear warm water has the advantage to be free and can be very enjoyable. The beaches of Bora Bora are not huge by any standards, nor are they cramped with people. The most famous beach, Matira Beach, is at the southern tip of the main island of Tahiti.   You do not have to pay a lot to enjoy Bora Bora. Just like swimming, Snorkelling is possible in many areas close to the shore, and even in Matira Beach you will be surrounded by multicolor tropical fishes in seconds and in shallow waters.   Several companies operate snorkeling tours in the lagoon, bringing you by boat farther off the coast (and even sometimes out of the lagoon). A popular tour is the Shark & Ray Snorkel Safari. Ray feeding is typically done in shallow waters inside the lagoon. For the shark feeding, the boat operator may take you a few hundred meters into the Pacific, where 10-20 small sharks may swim about the boat, largely avoiding any snorkelers courageous enough to swim near.   Scuba Diving is also very enjoyable in Bora Bora. Sharks (mostly black tip and lemon sharks, attracted by the aforementioned feeding tours), turtles, Manta rays, Napoleon fishes are aplenty in a usually clear and warm water.   Jet ski tours around the interior island are well worth the effort as they allow to appreciate the scenery from various viewpoints.   Kiteboarding is getting popular at the Southern tip of Matira.   Land activities The island is about 20 miles in circumference and it is well worth the investement to explore the island's perimeter. Bikes and small buggies are available for rent at various sites.   There is horseback riding along the motus on the fringe of Bora Bora, as well as biking and Jeep tours - explore the island's rough terrain, sweeping views, and American WWII ruins (gun emplacements and bunkers).   Get out Maupiti, located 40 km from Bora Bora, is a smaller but equally charming volcanic island with less tourism. It can be reached by the Maupiti Express, an express ferry that departs from Vaitape three times a week.

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