Bora Bora Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Bora Bora

Bora Bora is the super model of the South Pacific, where celebrities hang out by the jet loads. The legends, mysteries, and romance associated with the words "Bora Bora" bring an almost mystical presence to the island, but, at a hefty price tag.

Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty thanks to a necklace of Coral and 'Motu's (small islands) encasing a lagoon with a mountain based central island as the centrepiece. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes. Bora Bora's lagoon is its most treasured feature, and allows the traveler many opportunities to experience it in a variety of ways. Windsurf, jetski, scuba dive, swim, bask in its warmth... the list goes on.

Bora Bora is truly an experience worth having. A wonderfully relaxing place to be as well as a great island for you to experience, your Bora Bora vacation will never be forgotten.

Accommodation on the island consists of around 10 hotels which are geared entirely to the wealthy and luxurious and all feature the popular Overwater Bungalow. The budget option of these hotels is the 3 star Matai Polynesia which is relatively affordable, whilst the luxurious end consists of a few 5 star options, most notably the St Regis (where the top end accommodation can cost as much as $15000 USD a night).

Bora Bora is primarily a relaxation paradise with some great sightseeing and local activities on offer. Sightseeing options include: ancient maraes, leftover World War 2 cannons and bunkers, and exotic lagoonarium, Tahitian dancing and various island tours to name but a few. More specifically attractions and activities on Bora Bora include:

Watersports - with special sections for scuba diving and sailing, plus snorkeling , surfing , windsurfing , jetskiing , waterskiing , swimming , kitesurfing .

Relaxation - motu picnics , bus & mini van tours , glass bottom boat , private lagoon tours , sunset cruises , massage

Adventures - 4x4 safaris , parasailing , deepsea & sportfishing , shark & ray feeding , hiking & climbing

Island Fun - eco, cultural, & nature touring , lagoon excursions , horseback riding , light tackle fishing , Aquascope , Aquasafari, Lagoonarium , camping , flightseeing

Recreation - casual walking , bicycle riding , tennis , volleyball , billiards , massage .

Amenities - Shopping, Services & Restaurants - local art galleries & studios , black pearls & jewellery , giftshops, boutiques & more.

Also, a list of general services: drugstores , cyber cafes , "the" visitor's center , and all the island's restaurants & food choices are available on the island.

Suggest a change to the Bora Bora Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population:
Languages:
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc
Currency code: XPF
Local Times:
France - Tahiti - Papeete

Country Dialling Code: +689
Voltage: 127V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

French Polynesia lies in the Eastern part of the South Pacific with 35 islands and 83 atolls in over 5 million sq km of ocean. Made famous by the Mutiny of the Bounty, its enchanting scenery, beautiful people and the vivid colours of French painter Paul Gauguin, French Polynesia has become one of the icons of the South Pacific.

Captivating Tahiti and her 118 attendant islands and atolls, all radiating with iridescent green and turquoise, make up the country of French Polynesia, a French overseas territory that is spread across an area of the South Pacific that is as big as western Europe.

Encompassing five vast archipelagos, Tahiti is the largest island in the most populated archipelago - the Society Islands. Tahiti has only a few nice swimming beaches although there is excellent beach surfing off the attractive black sand beaches on the north and south coasts. The main attraction of the island, which many pass by in haste for the flashier wonders of Bora Bora, is the incredibly beautiful and often dramatic tropical scenery with its hiking trails through tropical forest to refreshing and remote waterfalls.

Neighbouring Moorea also has some of the South Pacific's most attractive tropical scenery with the added attraction of some fine golden sand beaches.

The famous lagoon of Bora Bora, with its picturesque setting and picture postcard white palm fringed beaches, lies in the western portion of the Society Islands about a 45 minute flight from Papeete. In between are Huahine, an equally attractive lagoon with gorgeous beaches but far less commercial than Bora Bora, and the twin islands of Tahaa and Raiatea which offer excellent sailing, scuba diving and more off the beaten travel.

The Tuamotu Islands, a sprawling mass of coral atolls, lie to the east and south east of Papeete and offer secluded beach resorts with excellent snorkelling and scuba diving.

The remote Marquesas Islands in the north, and Astral Islands in the south are both rich in culture and archaeological sights and offer splendid and dramatic coastal scenery.

French Polynesia cooking methods combine the South Pacific with French, Italian and Chinese influences. This shows up in the flashy restaurants and the roadside mobile snack bars, les roulottes. Food is still cooked in traditional pit ovens that are common throughout the Pacific. A hole is dug in the ground, stones are placed within it and then a fire is lit to heat the stones. The food, wrapped in banana leaves, is placed on top, and then the hole is filled in again with earth. The baking process takes several hours. In French Polynesia this kind of oven is called an ahimaa and the feast is called a tamaaraa.

Life is pretty laid back in French Polynesia dress standards are casual, even in the trendiest restaurants and beach wear is mostly just below the waist. Church is very serious and Sunday is the day of worship (fully clothed).

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