Bora Bora
The spectacular beaches and waters of Bora Bora offer a tropical getaway with the Pacific sun beating down to keep visitors hot and happy.
Bora Bora travel guide
The epitome of a perfect paradise island, Bora Bora in the South Pacific is French Polynesia’s pride and joy. It’s a bucket list destination, what dreams are made of… Located just west of Tahiti, the island is a pleasure playground, with a variety of activities to keep even the hardened adventurer happy, from all the usual exciting water sports to exploring the island’s inner reaches in a 4x4 vehicle.
Here you can feed rays and sharks, go skydiving, stay in stunning overwater bungalows (Bora Bora was the first island to offer these) and either participate in endless water activities, or lie back and relax. It’s all up to you.
Bora Bora is small – you can easily travel around the island in 3 hours – and at its center, in the midst of tropical jungle terrain, lies the dormant volcano, Mount Otemanu. You can explore the island by renting a car, bicycle or 2-seater buggy to see its natural beauty. Bora Bora’s charm also lies in its French influence, evident in the stunning food, the language and a special cachet.
The main village, Vaitape, is the island’s most developed area, with a selection of shops, banks and supermarkets. The rest of the island’s coastline is lined with luxurious resorts and hotels, all offering an idyllic getaway – but be aware: Bora Bora is popular and very expensive.
Whenin Bora Bora you can stay in your own little bit of luxury on the water.
Best time to visit: Visit in the shoulder seasons – spring (April) and fall (November) just before or after peak season (May to October), when the crowds are less and prices are a little less expensive. Low season (December to March) is the rainy season.
Best Area for Sightseeing: Explore the island at leisure. See Things to do in Bora Bora, below, for some great ideas.
Shopping in Bora Bora: Most of the resorts have boutiques with stunning, expensive offerings. In Vaitape you’ll find some stores selling souvenirs such as sarongs, soaps, oils, baskets and pottery as well as more upmarket stores that cater to the cruise crowd. Look out for stalls offering items at better prices and visit the market near the ferry terminal on Sunday mornings for handicrafts.
Food & Restaurants in Bora Bora: Sublime fresh seafood is the order of the day every day in Bora Bora, and the tropical fruits are plentiful and delicious. Most visitors have meals at their resort, but there are a few fine dining restaurants where the food is superb and the prices are high. Look out for food trucks by the beach for more reasonably priced traditional dishes.
Nightlife: While hotels and resorts offer entertainment, the rest of the island is a peaceful place. You can enjoy a stargazing tour and visit a nightclub at one of the hotels like Club Med Bora Bora. The Bora Bora Yacht Club has a restaurant and also offers dancing and fun on a Saturday night. Be aware: Bora Bora’s facilities are shut on a Sunday.
Beaches: The island’s largest and most popular beach is Matira Beach, about 5 miles from Vaitape, lined with resorts, a few restaurants and shops. Many of the beaches are privately owned by the hotels located there, but there are some you can visit.
Things to do in Bora Bora:
- Go snorkelling to discover magnificent coral gardens.
- See the manta rays in Anau.
- Explore the island at leisure on a bicycle.
- Explore Vaitape on a Sunday morning to scour its famous market.
- Climb rocky Mount Otemanu.
- Visit the jungle interior on a 4x4 adventure.
- Visit the Bora Bora Lagoonarium, a natural aquarium on a small island (motu) on the island’s east coast where you snorkel with wildlife guides.
Best way to get around: Rent a bicycle, 2-seater buggy or car to explore. Taxis are expensive and the bus service is slow.