Bora Bora is a beautiful paradise island located in French Polynesia‘s South Pacific, northwest of Tahiti. It has an airport, so you can reach it either by plane or by boat. They call it the Jewel of the South Seas: not only that its beautiful beaches and clear water are almost impossible to rival, it also offers a lot of activities and you will have a hard task finding a visitor who will complain about being bored while visiting Bora Bora. In this guide, we will cover the most interesting assets of Bora Bora, hopefully making you fall in love even before visiting it. We surely did.
CLIMATE
Bora Bora is a tropical island and yet does not have a typical tropical climate. There rarely are extremely hot days and the weather is warm and pleasant throughout the year. Thanks to gentle ocean breezes and northeast winds, the difference between night and day temperatures is such that you will enjoy romantic evenings and sleep in the open almost whenever you desire.
BEACHES
All Bora Bora beaches have one thing in common: mesmerizing beauty. White sand, turquoise, azure blue, emerald, you name the shade of blue, with an average temperature between 26 and 29 OC throughout the year, all of it surrounded by palm trees. A lot of the beaches are privately owned but there are public beaches as well. The most famous one is Matira Beach, situated on the southern tip of the island. It is a mile of white sand, with all the characteristics mentioned above. Plus, it is backed by green hills and different Bora Bora resorts. Its shallow water and flat bottom makes it ideal for families with children. Another beautiful public beach is the one on Motu Piti Aau with a beautiful view of Mount Otemanu.
ACTIVITIES
If you are an active holiday type of person, you will be more that pleased by what Bora Bora has to offer. Whether it is snorkeling in the completely see-through water, fishing from a boat or from the land, diving at the Coral Garden, a natural underwater park where numerous kinds of fish and corals can be seen, or witnessing and even participating in the famous shark and ray feedings, it is very unlikely that you will ever feel bored. You can also go cruising around the island, where you will be able to reach the secluded places unavailable from the land. Then, there is kite surfing, jet skiing, paragliding, parachuting, practically anything you can think of. If you are a moderate fan of heights, you can go hiking on Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, but make sure you have a guide. Despite their calm and welcoming look, these mountains can be a big challenge even to the most experienced mountaineers. Also, do not forget to experience something unique: swimming with the turtles at the Le Meridien Bora Bora hotel is a bliss you will never forget.
FOOD
Cuisine and beverages of Bora Bora are yet another thing that will stay carved into your memory. The choice of restaurants, beach bars and food markets is so vast that it requires a separate guide. The waters of the Pacific Ocean are filled with fresh sea food, so there’s nothing else to do but to indulge yourself.
PEOPLE
The hosts in Bora Bora are very welcoming, polite and friendly. They speak several languages, Tahitian and French, but they are very fluent in English too. All these characteristics will certainly make you feel at home and you will have no problems in communication, either in restaurants, shops and cafes, or in the markets and local goods stores.
To sum it up, Bora Bora is one of those rare places on Earth where you have everything necessary to enjoy your holiday throughout the year. Furthermore, no matter how many times you visit, you will always discover something new and experience an activity you did not have the chance to try during your previous visits. Bora Bora is a place that you always return to, or a place that you never leave once you have experienced it with an open heart and mind. See you soon, again.
Norah Martin has fallen in love with Bora Bora after visiting it earlier this year. She now itches to travel to other island destinations and wishes to experience as much sun and sea as she can, away from her home in Australia.