Official Language:
French
Secondary Language:
English & Tahitian
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Currency:
Pacific French Franc
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Population:
Approximately 4,225 people call Bora Bora home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Bora Bora Tahiti: The climate on the Island of Bora Bora and the rest of the Society Islands is considered tropical and can be divided into two basic seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season (Polynesian Summer), is between the months of November to April, receiving approximately 3/4ths of the annual rainfall of French Polynesia between these months. The humidity during this time can be quite heavy and muggy and cloud cover is common. Storms are frequent, brief, and unpredictable.(Average rainfall for Papeete is 1800mm). Temperatures will range from
80-86°F (27-30°C), with the hottest months being February and March. Day to night temperature fluctuations are minimal. This "wet season" is considered the "off season" for tourism.the "dry season" - May through October, is the "on season" for tourism. This is the Polynesian winter. Temperatures generally range from between 75-82°F (24-28°C) and rain is rare. Day to night temperature fluctuations are minimal.
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Bora Bora lies 150 miles (240 km) northwest of Tahiti in the leeward Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore "motu" islets inside a protective coral necklace. There is only one navigable pass, facing the principal village of Vaitape. 18 miles (29 km) of partially paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, old Army bunkers and cannons left over from World War II, when 5,000 American GIs made a "friendly invasion." Matira, the public beach, has white sand and warm, shallow water. Bora Bora's lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. Bora Bora Diving The lagoon of Bora Bora is constantly replenished with ocean water from the ocean swells that crash over the fringing reef. In the center of the lagoon one side of the extinct volcano still stands as a tall mountain. The old crater has eroded and is now submerged. Within the lagoon the depths of water vary from a few inches to 120 feet. The diving inside it is pure delight.
The first inhabitants of Bora Bora were Polynesian settlers, who sailed their canoes into the island's gorgeous lagoon during the 9th century. The name given to the island was "Porapora," during the reign of Chief Puni "The Terror." Then, during World War II, American armed forces were stationed on Porapora and called the island "Bora Bora." Despite the fact that there is no "B" in the Polynesian language, common usage prevailed.This luxurious island was formed three or four million years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions. Today the island is almost entirely devoted to tourism. At times, visitors and temporary residents can outnumber the locals in certain areas.In the center of the island, two dominating, black rock peaks stand amongst dazzling blue waters. They can be seen at any angle, and are a truly magnificent sight to behold. Bora Bora's Lagoon is another of the crowning visual achievements that blesses the island. You can wind surf, scuba dive, swim, jet-ski, or just soak up the warmth of the tropical sun. There are so many activities in Bora Bora that it is best to plan your trip ahead of time. Otherwise, you will end up either forgetting or missing out on some of the island's best features. Deep sea fishing for the Bora Bora marlin, driving off on a 4X4 safari excursion, or parasail through the sparkling blue skies. Chances are if you are feeling adventurous, Bora Bora has the ability to offer you whatever it is you want to do.The landscape of Bora Bora resembles a circle of coral reef with a glorious emerald in the center. It is a surreal atmosphere that is so picturesque hours can be spent gazing at the sights. The horizon is so beautiful, and the ambiance so romantic that it is no wonder that Bora Bora has become one of the premier honeymoon destinations for American couples.
Cruise ships anchor in the Fare Piti Quay in Faanui; 1.9 miles from Vaitape village. Nearby is the glorious Bora Bora lagoon, which amazes all that come ashore. In Faanui and Vaitape village. Transportation in Bora Bora either by land or by sea, a taxi can take you anywhere you want to go. Prices vary tremendously, but one of the most reliable services is Jacques Isnard taxi service (689/67-72-25). Fare Piti Rent A Car can be reached at (689/67-65-28) or EuropCar Bora Bora at (689/67-70-15). Rental cars in Bora Bora start at $65-$75 a day for small Fiats. Hondas and Toyotas are local favorites but will cost you at least $100 a day, possibly $150 depending on the features you desire. Contact Bora Bora Taxi Motu and rent your own Power Boat (689/67-60-61). Taxi Motu is the only place on the island where you can rent your own boat and cruise around the Lagoon in style. As a result, this service has become extremely pricey. Depending on the make and model, and what you desire in a power or pedal boat, the cost differs by hundreds of dollars. Occasionally you can negotiate, so try your luck if you wish. The Bora Bora Visitor’s Bureau has an office on the wharf and you can rent a scooter or automobile right across the street.
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Attractions |
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Snorkeling and Scuba Diving:
Bora Bora offers many diving and snorkeling sites for visitors of the island. These activities are by no means limited to the lagoon, although the lagoon is the most popular. Many great dive sites are offered in the deep sea that surrounds Bora Bora. The open ocean features much deeper waters, so you can swim with marine life not found in the lagoon. However, for diving outside of the lagoon, prior experience is often recommended. In your deep-sea diving adventures around the island, you are likely to encounter barracuda, giant eels, rays, and various species of shark. An additional diving experience can be found between the months of August and October, when humpback whales are migrating.
Certified and noncertified divers alike can swim among the coral heads, sharks, rays, eels, and some 1,000 species of colorful tropical fishes out in the lagoon here. Every resort has a scuba diving program. Both 30-minute introductory courses and one-tank lagoon dives cost about 6,500CFP ($65), and open-water and night dives are priced at 8,000CFP ($80). Bora Diving Center, Based adjacent to Hotel Bora Bora, friendly dive operators Michel and Anne Condesse offer morning, afternoon, and evening dives from their Bora Diving Center (tel. 67.71.84; fax 67.74.83; www.boradive.com). They provide buoyancy compensators, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, regulators, and all other equipment, which my traveling companion found to be in excellent condition (but be prepared for the metric system; depth and pressure gauges display measurements in meters and kilograms). They also teach PADI certification courses.
The island's other major dive operator TOP dive Bora Bora, (tel. 60.50.50; fax 60.50.51; www.topdive.com), also has top-of-the line equipment and some of the best dive boats in French Polynesia. Its base is on the northern outskirts of Vaitape.
Sportfishing For combined sailing and fishing, American Richard Postma's Tara Vana (tel. 800/200-1213 in the U.S., or 67.77.79; www.taravana.com) is the world's first sail-powered luxury game fishing boat. This 50-footer is available for day trips or overnight charters to the other Leeward Islands. Sailing or fishing costs from 90,000CFP ($900) for a half day, to 120,000CFP ($1,200) for a full day, including food but not alcoholic beverages. You can go on a nonfishing sunset cruise for about 6,500CFP ($65) per person. Among Richard's first guests were actors Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan (when they were still a couple). Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson Lee came along later.
Other Watersports:
Every hotel has some water toys for its guests to use, and hotel activities desks can arrange fishing, diving, and other watersports. You don't have to stay at the Sofitel Marara (tel. 67.70.46) or the Bora Bora Beach Club (tel. 60.59.50) to use their equipment and facilities, but you do have to pay a fee. You can go water-skiing, sail on Hobie Cats, paddle canoes, and get a bird's-eye view of the lagoon while hanging below a parasail.
Bora Bora Kayaks:
Based at Village Pauline, (tel. 67.72.16; www.boraborakayak.com) rents one and two-person sea kayaks ranging from 1,000 CFP ($10) for 1 hour to 3,500CFP ($35) for a whole day. These quality boats were made in the United States and come equipped with snorkeling and fishing gear.
Shark-feeding:
It is likely to be one of your most indelible memories of this island. Your hotel will book you on one of these trips, which you must try. Expect to pay about 7,500CFP ($75) for a full-day outing.Some excursions go to the Bora Bora Lagoonarium (tel. 67.71.34), a fenced-in underwater area off a motu near Le Meridien Bora Bora, where you can swim with (and maybe even ride) the manta rays and observe the sharks (which are on the other side of the fence here). The Lagoonarium is open Sunday to Friday. Your hotel will arrange transfers or a rental boat, or contact René et Maguy Water Taxi Motu (tel. 67.60.61).A much drier way to see the underwater delights is in the semisubmersible vessels Aquascope Moana View (tel. 67.61.92) and Spirit of Polynesia (tel. 67.64.00), which operate along the outer edges of the lagoon and along the reef outside the pass. The 50-minute voyages cost about 5,000CFP ($50) for adults, 3,200CFP ($32) for children 4 to 12. The transfer boats leave Vaitape wharf several times a day, but call for reservations.
The Circle Island Tou:
Because the round-island road is only 32km (19 miles) long, many visitors see it by bicycle (give yourself at least 4 hr.), scooter, or car. Some of those sights mentioned below may not be easy to find, however, so consider taking a guided sightseeing tour around the island. Otemanu Tours (tel. 67.70.49) still uses one of the traditional, open-air le truck vehicles, which adds an extra dimension to its trips. You can book them at any hotel activities desk. They charge about 2,500CFP ($25) per person.If you do it yourself, begin at the wharf in Vaitape, where there's a monument to French yachtsman Alain Gerbault, who sailed his boat around the world between 1923 and 1929 and lived to write a book about it (thus adding to Bora Bora's fame).From the wharf, head counterclockwise around the island. The road soon curves along the shore of Povai Bay, where mounts Otemanu and Pahia tower over you. Take your time along this bay; the views here are the best on Bora Bora. When you reach the area around Bloody Mary's Restaurant, stop for a killer view back across the water at Mount Otemanu.The road climbs the small headland, where a huge banyan tree marks the entrance to the Hotel Bora Bora on Raititi Point, then runs smoothly along curving
Beaches
Matira Beach, Bora Bora’s most popular but not overcrowded, sweeps around from Raititi Point to Matira Point west of the Hotel Bora Bora. Trips around the lagoon are popular and usually include a motu picnic and swimming and snorkeling in the pristine waters. Matira offers a terrifically relaxing atmosphere, with restaurants and facilities nearby. Beaches To arrange a glorious picnic on a white sand beach, contact Moana Reva Tours (689/67-60-27). These relaxing luncheons are held on Moto Pitii Aau Beach, and all of Polynesia's specialties are offered. Grilled fish, sushi mixed with spices, and fresh fruit are some of the most scrumptious delights. A full day picnic will usually cost $75.
Matira Beach, one of the South Pacific's finest. You can do some good snorkeling just off the end of the beach closest to the hotel. When the road curves sharply to the left, look for a narrow paved road to the right. This leads to Matira Point, the low, sandy, coconut-studded peninsula that extends out from Bora Bora's south end. Down this track about 50 yards is a public beach on the west side of the peninsula, opposite the Inter-Continental Bora Bora Beachcomber Resort. The lagoon is shallow all the way out to the reef at this point, but the bottom is smooth and sandy. When I first came to Bora Bora in 1977, I camped a week on Matira Point; the Inter-Continental Bora Bora Beachcomber Resort is only one of many structures in what was then a deserted coconut grove completely surrounded by unspoiled beach.Up the east coast, you'll pass through the island's busy hotel and restaurant district before climbing a steep hill above Club Med. A trail cuts off to the right on the north side of the hill and goes to the Aehautai Marae, one of several old temples on Bora Bora. This particular one has a great view of Mount Otemanu and the blue outlines of Raiatea and Tahaa islands beyond the motus on the reef.You will go through a long stretch of coconut plantations before entering
Anau:
A typical Polynesian village with a large church, a general store, and tin-roofed houses crouched along the road.The road goes over two hills at Point Haamaire, the main island's easternmost extremity, about 4km (2 1/2 miles) north of Anau village. Between the two hills on the lagoon side of the road stands Aehautai Marae, a restored temple. Out on the point is Taharuu Marae, which has a great view of the lagoon. The Americans installed more naval guns in the hills above the point.On the deserted northwest coast you will ride through several miles of coconut plantations pockmarked by thousands of holes made by the land crabs known as tupas. After turning at the northernmost point, you pass a group of overwater bungalows and another group of houses, which climb the hill. Some of these are expensive condominiums; the others are part of defunct project that was to have been a Hyatt resort. Across the lagoon are Motu Mute and the airport.
Faanui Bay:
The Faanui Bay was used during World War II as an Allied naval base. It's not marked, but the U.S. Navy's Seabees built the concrete wharf on the north shore as a seaplane ramp. Just beyond the main shipping wharf at the point on the south side of Faanui Bay is the restored Marotetini Marae, which in pre-European days was dedicated to navigators. In his novel Hawaii, James Michener had his fictional Polynesians leave this point to discover and settle the Hawaiian Islands. Nearby are tombs in which members of Bora Bora's former royal family are buried. If you look offshore at this point, you'll see the only pass into the lagoon. The remains of two U.S. guns that guarded it stand on the hill above but are best visited on a safari tour.As you enter Vaitape, Magasin Chin Lee is a major gathering place for local residents. It's a good place to soak up some island culture while trimming your thirst with a cold bottle of Eau Royale.
Moana Adventure Tours :
(689/67-61-41) has been around for 30 years and offers the best Lagoon adventures. For Lagoon Outrigger Canoe Cruises.
Bora Bora Trekking :
(689/67-72-81) is a great company to contact. Explore the island peaks of Mounts Uhe, Pahia, and Otemanu. The hiking paths are maintained to insure safety, and a helicopter pick up can be arranged for longer hikes or parasail through the blue skies.
Safari Tours :
Excitement can be found everywhere, but the Safari Expeditions are a way to really get your blood pumping. Depending on your driver, you can be in for a real thrill. A 4X4 Jeep Safari is a truly adventurous couple of hours. Call Bora Bora Jeep Safari (689/67-70-34) to book an appointment.The regular tours stick to the shoreline, but some head into the hills in open-air, four-wheel-drive vehicles for panoramic views and visits to the old U.S. Navy gun sites. The mountain roads are mere ruts in places, so you could get stuck if it has been raining. Dany Leverd's Tupuna Four-Wheel Drive Expeditions (tel. 67.75.06) is the best. Book at any hotel activities desk. Dany charges about 6,500CFP ($65) per person.
Shopping:
At the wharf in Vaitape several merchants offer tee-shirts, pareus, and other souvenirs. Other shops and jewelry stores dot the street to the right of the pier. Crafts and gifts can be found at small shops all over the island. Resort shops are geared for the upscale shopper.
Matira Pearls: One of the best places on the islands to shop for black pearls, this store is operated by two Americans -- Steve Fearon, whose family once owned a piece of Hotel Bora Bora, and Steve Donnatin, who's been living here since 1984. Set and loose black pearls start at $100. Unlike other stores, the customized settings here are designed to emphasize the pearl, not the gold. The shop also has a selection of bathing suits, aloha shirts, and T-shirts.
Alain and Linda Art Shop (689/67-70-32). The work of local artists is shown off at Alain and Linda Art Shop. Sculptures, paintings, and art books feature works by artists who live and work on the island. The Rosine Temauri Masson Gallery (689/67-72-04) also features a great collection of work by Bora Bora artists
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Bora Bora Tahiti :
Bora Bora Island Travel Information
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