Bora Bora

Featured Island:

Bora Bora

Country:

French Polynesia

Island Capitals:

Vaitape

Population:

8,927

Major Airports:

Faa'a International Airport - Tahiti

Major Airlines:

Air Tahiti

Description:

Bora Bora is situated in South Pacific Ocean and is in the Society Islands archipelago region of French Polynesia.

Bora Bora is an atoll, which refers to a lagoon surrounded by land or coral, and the centre of the island has the remnants of an extinct volcano rising in two peaks.

Bora Bora was originally inhabited by Polynesian settlers around the 4th century, however the first European settlers were not to make it till 1777 when Captain James Cook landed. The missionary society arrived in 1820 and founded a protestant church in 1822. Bora Bora was made a protectorate of France in 1842.

Today Bora Bora is dependent on tourism and over the last few years resorts have been build on the island surrounding the lagoon. Some time ago Hotel Bora Bora was the first to build over-the-water bungalows.

Bora Bora is the place to be if you looking to relax and enjoy a long beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters.

Highlights

The Lagoon
Boat tours
Scuba diving
Mount Otemanu

Landmarks / To Dos:

The Lagoon at Bora Bora is filled with marine life and you can swim here till you heart's content. It has crystal clear waters and is sheltered from the rougher ocean making it warmer as well.

You can feed the sharks and sting rays on a boat tour and even get in the water and snorkel around them. They do have a tendency to avoid swimmers and snorkels by you will get closer than most if you get in the water.

If you are a little more advanced you can try scuba diving. It will also get you up close and personal with the sharks and sea turtles that are often attracted by the feeding boat tours. Defiantly not for the faint hearted but an experience you will never forget.

For people wanting a little more solid ground under their feet there is always the extinct Mount Otemanu or simply hire a bike and go around the islands. It's only about 20 miles the whole way round and will give you a whole new perspective on this island paradise.

The abundant tropical underwater life of the lagoon is still a major attraction and with bungalows over the water it's perfect for relaxing in this unique environment.