Bora Bora Vacations

Your Bora Bora vacation begins with captivating views of sheer physical splendor as the plane descends over the island. An immense multi-hued lagoon surrounds Bora Bora and its’ fringing motus (islets), with the castle-like Mt. Otemanu piercing the sky from the middle of the island.

Spend some time here and it quickly becomes apparent why novelist James Michener calls Bora Bora “the world’s most beautiful island.” Located only fifty minutes northwest of Tahiti by flight, the idyllic destination is often lauded as a mecca for jet-setting vacationers and romantics for whom money is no object, though Bora Bora resort packages and vacation deals are often available.

Those planning a honeymoon in Bora Bora will not be disappointed. Lush tropical slopes and valleys blossom with hibiscus, and perfect white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters where colored fish animate the coral gardens. Bora Bora could easily be described as the center of the romantic universe, where luxury resorts and spas dot the island with overwater bungalows, thatched roof villas, and fabled ambience. It’s not a surprise that starry-eyed lovers travel from around the world to spend their honeymoon in Bora Bora.

Pora Pora - the ancient name of the island, meaning "first born," came from legends describing this as the first island to rise when Taaroa, the supreme god, fished it out of the waters. Bora Bora was first settled by early Polynesians who arrived on canoes during the 4th century. Later on, when the Tahitians lost the French Tahitian War, Bora Bora and all the other islands became property of France. By the 1900s the population of the island had grown, and during World War II it served as a military supply and airplane base. Relics from World War II can still be seen on the island today. French is the main language spoken on Bora Bora, with about 20 percent of the population speaking Tahitian.

Bora Bora’s airport is located on Motu Mute, an islet at the northwestern edge of the barrier reef. Your Bora Bora vacation starts with a quick ferry ride that will take you across the lagoon to the islands’ various resorts and hotels. Not far from the airport is Motu Traveairoa, home to the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort. Just across the bay on Motu Toopua sit the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa and The Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa Luxury Collection.

The road around Bora Bora spans a mere 19 miles and can be covered by car, scooter, bike, or via the escorted Circle Island Tours. All tours start in Vaitape, the largest city and hub of the island.

Raititi Point , the southern tip of Bora Bora, marks the entrance to the luxurious Hotel Bora Bora as well as the start of Matira Beach, a mile of exquisite white sand and the most popular public beach in the islands. Over three decades ago, Hotel Bora Bora built the first overwater bungalows on stilts over the lagoon. Today, overwater bungalows have become a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts and offer an ultimate Bora Bora vacation experience.  Some of the islands’ premiere resorts are located along this stretch of beach, including the Intercontinental Le Moana Beach Resort at Matira Point.

On the island’s eastern side you will find some of the most luxurious Bora Bora resorts, such asSaint Regis Bora Bora Resort and Hotel Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, as well as Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort and the Sofitel Marara Bora Bora. Sitting just off-shore is the Sofitel Motu Bora Bora.

Aside from its world-class resorts, Bora Bora is known for unique and high-end boutiques and for its fine restaurants featuring international cuisine. As for the activities on Bora Bora, you can choose from parasailing, snorkeling and diving, visit to the Lagoonarium undersea experience, shopping for local art, Tahitian pearls, perfumes and oils, and precious wood handcrafts, and unforgettable shark and manta ray feedings. One thing is for sure, you will not get bored on your Bora Bora vacation.