Bora Bora - Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a volcanic island belonging to the Society Islands of French Polynesia.

To know

This Polynesian island in the South Pacific tops the list of the most extraordinary places in the world.

The island is also known by the name Pearl of the South Seas.

It should be noted that Bora Bora is one tremendously expensive destination. Anything (refreshments and activities) ranges from "expensive" to "indescribably expensive".

Geographical notes

The island itself is in fact located in the center of a lagoon, surrounded to the north and east by two long ones motu, respectively called Motu Mute (on which Bora Bora airport is also located) and Motu Piti Aau. To the north-east the coral reef surfaces with young motu, separated by short stretches of shallow sea, and with the islet of Tevairoa. Finally to the southwest another rises motu, Motu Toopua. Between the latter and Tevairoa there is another small islet, Teavanui, near which there is the only point where the coral reef is interrupted and through which the lagoon can communicate (especially at the level of naval connections) with the 'Ocean. For the rest, the coral reef surrounds Bora Bora like a dam, and this also to the south, where they do not emerge from the water. motu or islets.

The altitude varies from 0 m to 727 m (Monte Otemanu) a.s.l.

The original name of the island would be more correctly called Pora Pora (Firstborn), from the Tahitian language.

When to go

The climate in Bora Bora and the surrounding islands is considered tropical. Unlike other places, the seasons can be divided into two: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season (Polynesian summers) runs from November to April with an average precipitation of 3/4 of the annual rainfall. During this time, the humidity level can be high all the time. Storms during these months are frequent and unpredictable. The rain is about 1,800 mm! And the temperature is 30 ° C. The dry season runs from May to October, during this period tourism is at its peak on the island. During these months the temperatures drop by a few degrees and rain is rare. The best part of the climate in Bora Bora is that the water temperature hovers around 30 ° C on average. However, during this period of mass tourism (May-October) the prices skyrocket and there are a lot more people around.

Background

Inhabited since the 4th century AD. by the ancient Polynesians (who called it Vava'u), it was first sighted by Europeans in 1722, with the Dutch navigator Jakob Roggeveen. In 1769 it was again sighted by James Cook, who set foot there for the first time in 1777. About half a century later, precisely in 1820, the London Missionary Society founded a mission there. In 1842, however, the island was transformed into a protectorate French. During the Second World War, Bora Bora hosted a base American, including 5,000 soldiers and 9 ships. The island was also equipped with a system of fortifications, to defend itself from the attacks of the Japanese.

The island of Bora Bora currently relies on tourism on a large scale, which is why the seven distinctive luxury resorts of the island have been built.

Spoken languages

The main languages ​​spoken in Bora Bora are the French and the Tahitian, however many non-native people of the island who interact with visitors have a good understanding ofEnglish, such as employees of hotels, resorts, markets and tourist areas. The main tourists on the island are Americans, Japanese ed Europeans.

Some main words used by the natives in Bora Bora are:

• Hello - Ia Orana
• Goodbye - Nana
• Yes is
• No - Aita
• Man - Tane
• Woman - Vahine
• Child - Tamarii
• Friend - Hoa
• Polynesian - Ma 'ohi
• Great - Nui
• Small - Iti
• Morning - Poipoi

The alphabet consists of 13 letters:

• 5 vowels: A, E, I, O, U
• 8 consonants: F, H, M, N, P, R, T, V

Consonants B, G and K are also used more rarely, but they are not native to Tahiti. (In fact for example Bora Bora was called "Pora Pora").

Fortunately, the pronunciation is more similar to Italian than to English or French, except for some letters such as E (read as ay of "bay" in English).

Culture

There are something like nine hundred people living in Bora Bora, they hold tight to their culture, myths and traditions handed down by the Polynesian Gods. The inhabitants have their own traditional songs and dances for the island. They love to share their culture with visitors. They prefer to live in a relaxing atmosphere, in fact their philosophy is "Aita pea pea", which means "Don't worry".

Territories and tourist destinations

Urban centers

How to get

By plane

The best way to get there is to take an international flight to Tahiti, then take a flight of less than an hour to Bora Bora.

Air Tahiti departs several times a day from Tahiti. The flights are only very often full, so it's not a bad idea to make a reservation.

Air Tahiti departs from:

• Papeete/Tahiti: 4 direct flights a day, 50 minutes of travel
• Moorea: daily, 50-minute journey
• Huahine: daily except Wednesday, 25-minute journey
• Maupiti: Sunday, 15 minutes of flight
• Raiatea: daily, 20 minutes of flight

The airport is located on a small motu north of the main island. Transfer to the main island or to the accommodation located on the motu are carried out by boat. For accommodations located on the main island, take the (free) ferry to Vaitape. From there, small buses can be taken. Air Tahiti offers a free sailboat to transfer from the airport to the main village, Vaitape, via "Bora Bora Navette".

How to get around

Vaitape it is the arrival point of the ferry from the airport, and is the only "city" of any size on the island. At the southernmost tip of the main island, Matira it is the place with the largest beach along with various hotels and restaurants. The central part of the island is extremely mountainous, difficult to access and uninhabited (even without roads of any kind).

How to get around Bora Bora largely depends on your accommodation and location. Many resorts are largely located on the motu and not on the main island, hence the need for boat transport to go anywhere. Sea freight from motu up to the main island is often included in resort services. The main island accommodations often also offer free transportation to the airport dock.

On the main island there is only one asphalted road. Public transport on the island is limited, consisting of a single bus which passes halfway around the island approximately every hour. Taxis are available.

Operators of activities or restaurants guarantee (not always) the transfer from the accommodation, be sure to check when you book.

Renting a bike or a small buggy can be an option if you intend to manage yourself on the island, but the roads are often very narrow and in poor condition.

What see

The island of Bora Bora is in effect a caldera of a volcano. This geographical peculiarity has created a lagoon, and the marine fauna, including sharks and manta rays, guarantees fantastic opportunities for various forms of underwater recreation, starting from swimming, to snorkeling and diving if you want to immerse yourself in this unique habitat.

In addition to the magnificent view beneath the surface of the lagoon, the dominant and unusually shaped peak of Mount Otemanu, which reaches 728 meters above sea level, and its smaller neighbor Mount Pahia, are very worthy attractions. The combination of the beautiful lagoon and these impressive peaks provides virtually an endless opportunity to take great photos that will make anyone who sees them jealous when you return home.

Very few people travel to Bora Bora for historical artifacts. In any case, if you've seen enough of the lagoon, you might want to check out WWII artifacts and Polynesian archaeological remains on one of the island tours.

Another destination is the "Bora Bora Lagoonarium". An experienced diver will be a guide to bring you face to face with turtles, sharks, manta rays and numerous other fish inhabiting the island. As the suffix" ..rium "implies, this aquarium is a commercial attraction and a zoo that puts captive its creatures confining them by barriers inside the establishment. For those who do not inspire diving, there is even a small submarine. Many travelers have considered this destination as one of their all-time favorites.

Events and parties

• Hawaiki Nui Va'a (In October). It is an international competition for Polynesian pirogues (va'a in Tahitian) which takes place in October each year between the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora.  

What to do

There are many activities you can do for free, such as swimming in the lagoons, swimming with dolphins, feeding sharks and manta rays, and enjoying the famous and magnificent sunset.

Many activities are sea oriented, such as diving or snorkeling. In addition to these, there are many other activities such as paragliding, deep fishing (which is unique as Bora Bora is home to over 500 species of marine creatures).

There are also hiking and climbing for families. You can also take private lagoon cruises, bus tours and many trips to the Motu. The island also offers a scenic flight, through special helicopter tours.

There are comparatively more activities here on Bora Bora than on other islands in French Polynesia. If you want to do something while relaxing in the sun on a magnificent white sand beach, a good book is a very useful item to bring. It may seem strange, but in Bora Bora it can sometimes rain (even a lot). The vast majority of activities take place outdoors, and there are no cinemas, libraries or museums to visit, so even if the big resorts have books and games available, it's best to bring some good books.

Water activities

The tropical sea sometimes reaches 30 ° c, making it perfect for various water activities. Swimming in the lagoon in perfectly clear and warm water has the advantage of being free and can be very enjoyable. Bora Bora's beaches aren't huge, nor are they packed with people. The most famous beach, Matira Beach, is at the southernmost tip of the main island.

You don't have to pay a lot to enjoy Bora Bora. Just like swimming, snorkelling is also possible in many areas near the shore, and even at Matira Beach it will be possible to be surrounded by numerous multicolored fish in shallow water. Remember to keep good protection against the sun as the sun gets stronger as you can get bad burns by being in the water for too long a period of time.

Several companies carry out snorkeling tours in the lagoon, taking you by boat far from the coast:

• Shark & ​​Ray Snorkel Safari. Feeding sharks and manta rays is typically performed in the shallow waters of the lagoon. About 10-20 sharks as well as 10-15 manta rays will approach the boat and swim around it, largely avoiding any snorkeler brave enough to want to swim together. 
• Shark Boy. Bookable through the "Bora Bora Pearl Resort". 
• Jourdain Tetuanui, ☎ 689 677 934. It offers a variety of services starting from water taxis to tours, from fishing to feeding. 
• Windward Islands Yacht Charter. One of the largest yacht charter companies in the world, they take care of every charter need, from boats to luxury yachts from French Polynesia. Operates from various offices around the world (UK, USA, Hong Kong, Dubai, Germany, Italy, France, Spain is Switzerland). 
• TopDive Scuba (In Vaitape). 
• Nemo World Scuba (In Matira). 
• Aquasafari. If you don't have a diving license, but still want to enjoy the underwater scenery, this is an option. You don't actually have to know how to swim or how to wear a diving suit and children from 8 years of age are welcome. 
• Jet ski tour. Around the inner island are very valuable activities as they allow you to appreciate the scenery from various points of view, although they involve noise and pollution. 

The Kiteboarding is becoming popular in the southern tip of Matira.

Land activities

The island is about 32 Km in circumference and bikes and small cars are available for hire in various parts of the island. "Circumnavigating" the island on foot will be worth it.

Also Jeep tour they deserve. It is very nice to climb various difficult trails on the island, and it will be possible to enjoy the breathtaking views. In addition, you will be able to visit the American remains of the Second World War, such as artillery positions and bunkers.

It is possible to access the summit of Mount Pahia on foot, although no one will tell you how, unless you have a guide, as some amateur hikers have been lost or injured. To reach the start of the trail, walk 100m north of the Vaitape port crossroads. There will be a shopping arcade on your right. Look for a dirt road in the middle of the old vending machine and the snacks towards the north exit of the porch. Follow the dirt road for about 150m and look for a small meadow of grass on your left just after the last house on the road. It is wise to ask the owner for permission to pass, as you will have to cross private property to access the path, which will seem very undefined at first, but will take shape just after the first 10m. Continue along the path to a fork, which will present you two more paths to the north and south (through a plantation and a field respectively), and the main road to the east. Make sure you are well equipped, as the 600m elevation gain to climb will be concentrated over a relatively short distance. Also be sure to identify trees or rocks with white-red-white markings that will show you the way. Some of these last stretches can be precarious, so be careful to keep your grip and watch out for stones that you might accidentally drop especially if someone is under you. The rope climbing at the end is very exciting! If you want more, hike south along the little-traveled path for iconic views.

Shopping

The rich culture has greatly influenced the shopping market. Travelers have various choices from art galleries, studios, shops that are created in traditional and modern environments. There is also an abundance of jewels and black pearls.

Taking into consideration the cost of everything in Bora Bora, which sometimes defies the imagination, it is a healthy choice to buy as much as possible (including food) before heading here. Consider this option if you plan to eat at home.

In case you need something on the island, you can find a medium to large grocery store in Vaitape (called Chin Lee) with a modest choice of food and drink. A smaller grocery store near Matira Beach can be useful in case you don't want to go back to Vaitape, but the choice is much more limited.

The "specialty" of Bora Bora are the Black Pearls. Commonly known to the world as Tahitian Black Pearls. Today Tahitian Black Pearls have become exotic gems sought after by celebrities as well as pearl enthusiasts. The most popular place to buy black pearl jewelry is "The Farm" al Bora Bora Pearl Company.

How to have fun

Night clubs

• Le Récife Discothèque (About 1km north of Vaitape), ☎ 689 677 387. Fri-Sat 23: 00-03: 00. The only nightclub in Bora Bora. 

Where to eat

The island of Bora Bora is heavily influenced by culture French, hence the rich local and French cuisine. However, there is a large selection of international restaurants.

Moderate prices

• Bounty Snack (Matira). Very reasonable prices and excellent Tahitian cuisine. 

Average prices

• The Villa Mahana. A small French restaurant with only 5 tables. It serves the best French food on the island from an amazing chef. It is preferable to book. 
• Matira Pizza. 11: 00-14: 00 and 16: 00-19: 30. A small shack that provides a multitude of different pizzas at reasonable prices. They are located on the main road between Sofitel Marara and Matira Beach. Order pizza there and head south to the Tiara Market for drinks. 

High prices

• Bloody Mary's (It is located at the southernmost tip of Poifai Bay, approximately halfway between Nunue and Matira Beach). 50/70 € per person. One of the most famous restaurants in Bora Bora. Many people might be surprised by the service (speed instead of quality ...). Outside they have a large table with the names of all the famous people who have eaten here, for example Pamela Anderson, Pierce Brosnan, Carlos Delgado, Marlon Brando and Janet Jackson. If you are looking for a place to drink, this is one of them. 

Where stay

It is perfectly possible to spend your life savings at an incredibly luxurious, high-class resort in a matter of days. However, a little planning can allow you to enjoy awe-inspiring scenery on a smaller budget.

The motus of Bora Bora offer numerous facilities in which guests can stay.

Moderate prices

You can save some money on activities by staying in one of the guesthouses.

• Sunset Hill Lodge, ☎ 689 792648, @[email protected]. 50-70 €. It is nestled in a small Zen garden with a small waterfall, probably the cheapest place with this quality in Polynesia. 

Average prices

• Manureva House. € 1,600 per week. Two luxury bedrooms, one bathroom, can accommodate up to 5 people. Located in the peaceful and residential northern part of the island, it guarantees one of the most beautiful views of the lagoon. Manureva House is located on the slope in a well-kept tropical garden with a small private beach for its guests which is just 100 meters from the house. It is also called "Condominium". 

High prices

Keep in mind that the establishments listed below have prices in excess of several hundred Euros per night, with suites exceeding thousands of Euros per night.

A popular form of accommodation on the island are overwater bungalows. Many resorts offer this type of accommodation due to the greater sea mass than land. Some overwater bungalows have a bottom window and are designed on traditional Bora Bora island homes.

• Maitai (Matira), ☎ 689 40603000. It offers (comparatively) overwater bungalows at a more modest price, not as gorgeous as its neighbor The Intercontinental, but beautiful. The rooms are located both on the pier with its overwater bungalows, and on the beach. 
• Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort (Matira). It has overwater bungalows and a swimming pool overlooking the sea. 
• Sofitel Motu Bora Bora (On the motu overlooking Matira). It enjoys fantastic views of the island and has a magnificent snorkelling station (snorkel boat tours come to this area). The beach is a bit small, but the resort in general is much more intimate than many other resorts on the motu. Note: different from the Beach Resort. 
• Intercontinental Le Moana Bora Bora (In the tip of Matira on the main island), ☎ 689 604900, ☎ 1 800 496 7361. You don't have a view of the island (well, you're on it). Nonetheless, this is a classy resort with everything you can expect from the price. 

• Le Meridien Bora Bora, ☎ 689 605151. Great hotel, a 5 star. Very expensive, but there have been several controversial reports regarding staff behavior. It is a popular destination for Japanese weddings and offers a beautiful turtle sanctuary. Overwater bungalows are new. It resides on a motu distant from the main island, trips to this are made by shuttle. The overwater bungalows offer a floor window to view the water and you can observe some 'wildlife' in the waters just surrounding the hotel. 
• St. Regis Bora Bora, ☎ 689 40607888. Each room (100 in total) is a suite with a luxurious bathroom. Most of the rooms are overwater villas, some with pools or spas. Overwater villas have floor panels and lights in the water that will make the lagoon shine in the room. Guests are 80% American, of which 80% on honeymoon. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban stayed here during their wedding. There are two excellent restaurants, one of which is by Chef Jean Georges. The viewing angle on the main island is truly impressive. 
• Four Seasons Bora Bora. 5-star resort with excellent services and warm hospitality. 

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

• Maupiti - located 40 km from Bora Bora, it is a smaller and less touristy volcanic island, but equally splendid. It can be reached via the Maupiti Express, a ferry that operates 3 times a week from Vaitape.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Bora Bora
• Commons contains images or other files on Bora Bora