Bora Bora

Located 143 mi. (230 kms) northwest of Tahiti lies the idyllic island of Bora Bora. The island has gained international fame as a mecca for jet-setting vacationers and romantics for whom money is no object.

What captivates the traveller is the sheer physical beauty Bora Bora and this can best be seen as your plane descends over the island. An immense, multi-hued lagoon surrounds the island and its’ fringing motus (islets). And the iconic Mt. Otemanu pierces the sky from the middle of the island. Spend time here and you can see why the novelist James Michener calls Bora Bora “the world’s most beautiful island.”

Bora Bora’s airport is on Motu Mute at the northwestern edge of the barrier reef. There you will be met by motor-launches that ferry you across the lagoon to the various hotels. Not far from the airport is Motu Traveairoa home to the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort.

The road around Bora Bora is a mere 19 miles (32 kms) and can best be covered by car, scooter, bike or in the accompaniment of one of the escorted Circle Island Tours. All tours start in Vaitape, the hub of the island. Heading south along the western edge of the island is Povai Bay which is a great vista point for shots back toward Mt. Otemanu, especially from the pier of renowned Bloody Mary’s Restaurant. Or a great place for a romantic, tropical dinner is La Villa Mahana Restaurant. Across the Bay, on Motu Toopua sit the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa and The Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa Luxury Collection.

Continuing the drive toward the southern tip of the main island, Raititi Point marks the entrance to luxurious Hotel Bora Bora and the start of Matira Beach, one of the finest in the islands. At Matira Point, is the Intercontinental Le Moana Beach Resort. As we swing up the island’s eastern side, you’ll find the Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort and the Sofitel Marara Bora Bora. Sitting just off-shore is the Sofitel Motu Bora Bora.

Driving through lush coconut plantations, we next pass through the sleepy village of Anau. Take time out, near Haamaire Point (the eastern most land point) to see the restored Aehautai Marae. Motu Pitiaau which rests just inside the eastern barrier reef, and its neighboring motu, run from the airport all the way down to Matira Point. Le Meridien Bora Bora sits on the northern end of Motu Pitiaau and the Lagoonarium – undersea experience, is nearby.