Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Borabridge.jpg
Author: K5 Boardshop


Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is within the Leeward Islands group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located 230km northwest of Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia.

The main island of Bora Bora is an extinct volcano consisting of two peaks named Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. A shallow lagoon surrounds the main island, and a barrier reef encircle it, providing protection against the open ocean. Islands that have emerged out of the barrier reef are called "motus", or "isles".The name comes from the Tahitian word "pora-pora", which means "first born".

Bora Bora
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BoraBora_SEtienne.jpg
Author: Samuel Etienne


Bora Bora is believed to have seen human habitation since the 4th century, when the people of Tonga arrived there. However, it was known to the West after James Cook arrived in 1777. It was used as a military supply base during the Second World War, even though it never saw any fighting. The airstrip at Bora Bora was the only international airport for French Polynesia, until the Faa'a International Airport at Papeete was opened in 1962.

As of August 2007, there are just about nine thousand people living in Bora Bora, mainly in Vaitape, on the west side of the main island. Bora Bora today is heavily dependent on tourism. It caters mainly to upmarket tourists and many 5-star resorts have been built here. The resorts are often built on the motu or on stilts over the crystal clear lagoons. The guest can enjoy a wide variety of sea-related activities including shark and ray feeding excursions. Snorkelling and scuba diving are two other popular activities.

Bora Bora at sunset
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bora-Bora_-_Coucher_de_soleil.JPG
Author: Remi Jouan

How to go to Bora Bora

Air Tahiti has 5-6 daily flights between Faa'a International Airport (PPT) and Bora Bora. Airlines flying to Faa'a International Airport include Aircalin (to Nouméa), Air France (to Los Angeles), Air New Zealand (to Auckland), Air Rarotonga (to Rarotonga), Air Tahiti (to Afaraeitu, Avarua, Fare, Rarotonga, Tiputa, Tuherahera, Uturoa, Vaitape), Air Tahiti Nui (to Auckland, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Osaka-Kansai, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sydney, Tokyo-Narita), Hawaiian Airlines (to Honolulu) and LAN Airlines (to Hanga Roa, Santiago de Chile).

Travel within Bora Bora

If you are staying on an offshore atoll or island, your resort will have a boat transport at the disposal of guests to take you to Matira, the main island. On the main island itself, there is only one tarred road, so you can expect transportation to be limited. You will quickly find out about the bus that goes up and down the street half way round the island.

An option is to rent a bicycle or motorcycle to ride around on your own, allowing you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Take note that although Bora Bora is an "expensive destination", the roads are not always well maintained.

Sights in Bora Bora

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.