Bora Bora - Unquestionably the most mythical of the Pacific islands remains the island of all dreams.

Honeymooners and romantics from around the world have laid claim to Bora Bora where the castle-like Mount Otemanu pierces the sky above the crystal lagoon with its unique over the water bungalows that offer a magical oneness with this extraordinary environment.

So much has been written about Bora Bora, and yet it is hard to find the right words to describe the magic that emanates from this island.

Seen from the air, Bora Bora has been compared to that of "a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls".

The airport, built by the US forces in 1942, is located on a palm fringed motu about 20 minutes by boat from the main village of Vaitape.

Some other remnant of the US presence are 2 large cannons hidden in the lush hills overlooking the lagoon.

The view of Bora Bora from the airport is truly breathtaking, and as you travel across the spectacular lagoon you will soon understand why it is the main area of attraction for most visitors.

Bora Bora itself is rather small, and can be circled by car in about an hour.

The lagoon is 3 times the size of the land mass and offers an amazing range of hues of blue and turquoise as you navigate its crystal waters.

To the southeast of the island is the Coral Garden, a natural underwater park where all types of fish and corals are found.

Off the Point Matira there is an area where the huge and graceful manta rays congregate for your viewing pleasure. There are other types of ray such as the beautiful spotted ray and the friendly gray ray which love to be petted during the "ray feeding" excursions.
At the entrance of the pass, the "White valley" teems with gray sharks and barracudas in a never ending ballet.

Most of the temples (Marae) having been destroyed during the last century by the English missionaries, and unfortunately there is little archeological remnants left.

The lagoon offers a multitude of activities and excursions, one of the most popular being the Shark feeding (video) where from chest-deep water you watch local divers feed 4' to 5' reef sharks by hand. It's a lot of fun and totally safe. The same routine is done with a large group of friendly gray rays (video).

You can also take a circle-the-lagoon excursion with motu picnic, rent a small boat, visit the Lagoonarium near Le Meridien Hotel and take a 4x4 excursion to the panoramic view points and the US cannons.

Bora Bora Hotels and Resorts

Most of the recent Bora Bora hotels and resorts have been built on islands (motu) in the lagoon surrounding Bora Bora.  They mostly face into the lagoon and the mountain of Bora Bora and offer privacy, over the water bungalows, pristine water and extraordinary views. 

Bora Bora was the first ever  to feature over water bungalows over 30 years ago (Hotel Bora Bora).  With a few exceptions, overwater type of accommodation is still only ever found in French Polynesia due to the unique protected lagoons and the very even tides.
All the resorts listed below offer over the water accommodation.

Hotels Located on the motus (islands) around Bora Bora lagoon:
   - the St Regis Resort and Spa ***** Deluxe
   - the Four Seasons Resort and Spa ***** Deluxe
   - the Intercontinental Thalasso-spa Resort *****
   - the Starwood Bora Bora Nui *****
   - the Sofitel Motu *****
   - the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort ****
   - the Le Meridien ****
   - the Pearl Beach Resort ****

Hotels Located on Bora Bora island proper:
    - the Le Moana Intercontinental****
   - the Sofitel Bora Bora Resort ****
   - the Le Maitai ***

                              All Islands - Hotels and Resorts Reviews

TOURIST OFFICE
(Comité du Tourisme)

Bora Bora Information

If you want to telephone to Bora Bora, the country code is 689, before the numbers given here (there is no city code).

VAITAPE is the main village at the ferry terminal.

Motu Mute is Bora Bora airport, on an island in the lagoon.

AIR TRANSPORTATION
(Includes boat shuttle to and from airport)

BUS SERVICE AT FERRIES ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

AROUND THE ISLAND
TOUR BY TAXI

CAR RENTALS

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

YACHT CHARTERS

DEEP SEA FISHING

MISC. WATER
ACTIVITIES

LODGING
WITH PRIVATE FAMILIES

CAMPING

RESTAURANTS
IN HOTELS

For meal prices, please see our Hotel Page

RESTAURANTS
OUTSIDE HOTELS

ART GALLERIES / BOUTIQUES

BANKS