Guide for unique travel experiences in Bora Bora

All about Bora Bora

You want to visit Bora Bora and its surrounding area but you do not know what to do ? You want some tips about Bora Bora from someone who lived there enough time to have an opinion on this paradise ? You only want to have some information about unique travel experiences and access to beautiful photos of French Polynesia ? You are at the right place.

I have been working as a Finance Intern in the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora for six months. I had the opportunity to live the experience of Bora Bora and explore various islands in the area, that you will discover in this article. Enjoy !

You’ve probably heard of Bora Bora, the pearl of the Pacific. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean (see on the map), this island is full of wonders. You cannot go to French Polynesia without spending a few days in Bora Bora. Change of scenery guaranteed.

          Discovering the island and its inhabitants

One of the first things to do when you arrive is to go to the only public beach in Bora Bora: Matira Beach, recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Stop at the small restaurant on the beach «Chez Mamie» to eat a delicious raw fish with lemon or coconut milk, one of the best of the island.

I strongly recommend you to rent a bike near Matira Beach to tour the island in 3 hours. You can stop at different places to take spectacular pictures of the lagoon and stop at the Fitiuu Point cannon. You will have a beautiful view of the islands Tahaa and Raiatea but also after a few minutes walk, you will reach a small beach little known from tourists where you will have the opportunity to snorkel to discover many spectacular fishes.

Regarding food, I advise you to eat a tuna sashimi in front of the sunset at the Bora Bora Beach Club, near the public beach or for an aperitif, I recommend you the Yacht Club or the Saint-James to have the best sunset view. During your stay in Bora Bora, eat once in a restaurant on a hotel during a heiva performance (traditional Polynesian dance). The show is really worth it. You can even participate in the show and dance in front of your beloved if the heart tells you.

          Discovering the lagoon

Well known for its breathtaking lagoon, you need to do water activities. The lagoonarium of the Saint Regis is really beautiful, you can spend a day there if you wish. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to snorkel in the lagoon to discover the seabed. That is to say that the once multicolored corals are now unfortunately very dull due to a huge cyclone in 2010  and the influx of tourists… However, doing paddle on the lagoon remains magical, the water is so transparent that you won’t have to swim to see the ocean floor!

Furthermore, one of the most popular activities on the island is shark and ray. Swim with stingrays and sharks during a whole a day, while enjoying a typical Polynesian meal is a true happiness. In the same idea, scuba diving can be a nice experience during which you may meet mantas rays!

Finally, I strongly recommend you to spend a day on the motu (small island) Fanfan around Bora Bora. It is not very expensive and you will have an amazing view of the Mount Otemanu of Bora Bora. You will feel like Robinson Crusoe enjoying delicious traditional dishes. If you’re lucky, you may run into leopard rays during your snorkelling getaways.

          Discovering its mountains

But water activities are not the only possible activities in Bora Bora. Indeed, some local inhabitants are real hikers and will be glad to accompany you on your mountain walks. For the more intrepid, I advise to climb Mount Pahia which gives a stunning view of Bora Bora and the surrounding islands (6 hours walk) and to climb to the cave of Bora (3 hours). The climb is difficult: you have to climb with ropes sheer cliffs; but once you get to the top, you won’t regret it! However, never take these walks without a guide.

Finally, for the less adventurous, there are many other equally charming walks: going to the Popoti mountain, the kings' walk where you can see the Avatar tree… etc. Enjoy local mangoes and bananas on your way, it’s a pure delight.

From Bora Bora you can also visit the surrounding islands such as Maupiti, Tahaa and Raiatea.

          A layover in Maupiti

The ideal solution is to rent a sailboat in Bora Bora for the weekend to discover the island Maupiti. Eat on a motu, spend a few hours on heavenly beaches, climb Mount Maupiti and swim with the manta rays, ride around the island by bike or car are the main activities you can do on this island. It is still preserved from all tourist activities, which makes it even more beautiful. However, you will also see that the locals who still live on this island are really poor…

          A layover in Tahaa and Raiatea

I strongly advise you to rent a car to visit Raiatea, to travel around the island and to stop on the way to various places. The sites not to be missed are indicated on the road but head to the main town to eat a delicious tuna tartare facing the sea, then continue to the archaeological site of the island to learn more about Polynesian culture. Finally, hike through the lush jungle of Raiatea, it’s breathtaking.

But above all, don’t miss going to Tahaa. Once in Raiatea, a canoe takes you in fifteen minutes to its twin island Tahaa. Discover local rum production and vanilla plantations. It is one of the most renowned vanilla in the world and is the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron. But when you discover the flavors of this vanilla, you will understand why! You can also visit pearl farms and see how Polynesians make black pearls that are so famous and renowned all over the world. Finally, I recommend you go snorkelling in one of the most beautiful and large coral gardens in French Polynesia. Octopus and colorful fish are at the rendezvous.

To finish this article about Bora Bora and its surroundings, I will talk about the two great events not to be missed in French Polynesia for those who would be undecided about their departure date for this paradise. Heiva is the most popular party in French Polynesia. The whole island competes throughout the month of July through songs, but especially dances, traditional activities, decorating fairground houses or flowered floats, to highlight their heritage. It is a magical moment.

                                                                                See Travel Photo Gallery here 

Also, the famous canoe race : the Hawaiki Nui Va'a takes place in early November. It is a great sporting moment that brings together thousands of people for a breathtaking inter-island race. The arrival in Bora Bora on the beach of Matira is spectacular.

I hope you enjoyed this article and do not hesitate to contact me here for any further information about Bora Bora and French Polynesia. See here more unique travel experiences.