Things To Do & Places To See In Bora Bora
In this section of the Bora Bora travel guide, we’ll cover all the island’s interesting sites, both on land and on the lagoon.
Pro Tip
Check out at this Bora Bora itinerary to see how to arrange your time on the island.
Vaitape Village
There’s no particular reason to visit Vaitape other than for some (overpriced) shopping, dining, and to take advantage of the usual amenities you would expect to find in the island’s main village. You’ll find a few stalls along the main road selling black pearls and souvenir shops. After sunset, Vaitape hosts a few food trucks (roulottes) along its quay for casual dining.
Guided Island Tours of Bora Bora
You can certainly explore Bora Bora at your own pace with a rental car, scooter, or bicycle. But If you want to learn about the island’s history and the ins and outs of living in Bora Bora, a guided island tour is a great option. The most popular guided tour operators in Bora Bora are Bora Bora Explorer and Natura Discovery. Their routes are similar, but each has a different twist. For a bit of adventure, guided ATV tours visit the island’s top sites and do a bit of off-roading.
Pro Tip
Guided island tours are usually on a half-day basis. I recommend joining the morning tours as the weather tends to be clearer.
Pofai Bay
The southern section of Pofai Bay offers an excellent view of Mount Pahia. Navigate to Poofai Point and walk around for the best shots. There’s also a small pearl farm nearby, but it may have closed its doors permanently by the time you visit.
Cross Island Road
Pofai Bay also marks the island’s narrowest section, an ideal spot for a road connecting both coasts via the interior. Guided tours will bring you up here, but if you’re exploring on your own, navigate to Āmanahune. Access is from the west coast, where you’ll head inland on a dirt road. Park your car beneath the large tree and follow the very steep path to the antennas. It’s a short but tough climb on a cement road. From up here, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of Pofai Bay and the east coast, with even neighboring Taha’a Island clearly visible in the distance.
Matira Peninsula
The Matira Peninsula forms the southernmost point on the main island. It forms a shallow and calm bay that has developed into the center of tourism in Bora Bora. The peninsula and its surroundings are crowded with beaches, shops, restaurants, tour operators, and hotels. But there are also residents living in Matira, with the southern tip of the peninsula beyond the coastal road pretty much off-limits to the public.
Matira Beach
The official public beach is located around the bend in the coastal road. Here, the shallow area of the lagoon extends hundreds of meters in the direction of the barrier reef. There isn’t much to see underwater, but this giant bathtub certainly has its advantages. There are facilities and a shelter, as this is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, though there is very little space to lie down on the sand. I recommend this particular spot if you’re traveling with small children.
Matira Bay
The prettiest beach on the main island and one of the best beaches in French Polynesia lies next to Snack Matira. Here, you’ll find a long stretch of soft sand, deeper water, some coral heads, and shade beneath the palm trees (avoid trees with coconuts). It’s a popular beach with local families, and parking is tough on weekends and holidays.
Marae
The coast around Faanui is home to a few ancient Polynesian temples called marae. I didn’t find any signs pointing me out, and I seem to have missed them. If you’re visiting other islands, you’ll surely have much more impressive options.
Fitiu’u Point
Fitiu’u Point is one of the most impressive places in Bora Bora. It’s part of an elevated peninsula that creates magnificent Vairou Bay. If you’re coming from either direction, the road leading to the peninsula is the only steep section of the coastal road. You can enjoy the views of Mount Otemanu and the bay from the main road or pay the local family the small entry fee (in cash) and explore the peninsula on foot.
Operation Bobcat
After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States officially entered World War Two. As part of the War in the Pacific, the US Army built installations on many Pacific Islands. Partnering with the French authorities, the Americans built a large supply base in Bora Bora. As part of Operation Bobcat, an airport was built on Motu Mute (still used today), swamps were dried, wells were dug, roads were paved, and cannons were erected in strategic spot to protect against a Japanese attack. Many of these WWII relics now rust under the tropical rain and sizzle under the South Pacific sun.
The main attraction in the peninsula is the WWII canons. Fitiu’u Point boasts the most accessible canons on the island. The canons are located in a clearing at the edge of the peninsula, requiring a short hike over an uneven surface to reach.
Continue walking beyond the canons for magnificent views of the lagoon and the overwater bungalows across the lagoon. It’s strange to think how a peaceful island like Bora Bora was once crowded with soldiers instead of tourists.
At the tip of the peninsula, you’ll see a sign pointing towards the beach. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic lunch, and you might even spot some manta rays, so bring your snorkeling gear.
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Pro Tip
It takes about an hour to fully explore the peninsula and reach Fitiu’u Point. Wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water, and sun protection. Bring beach and snorkeling gear if you’ll head down to the beach.
Additional WWII Sites
On the west coast of the island, head to the Faanui or the Canons Américains WWII sites. Both sites involve a steep climb and might require asking permission from potential landowners. Some of these sites still even have the adjacent ammunition bunker still intact.
Paoaoa Point
Paoaoa Point is another one of Bora Bora’s peninsulas. It provides breathtaking and close-up panoramic views of the lagoon colors and the mountainous interior in a single frame. A track veers from the coastal road and heads to the tip of the peninsula. At some point, you’ll find a trail leading to the scenic lookout. Please note that the peninsula is a residential area on private land. You must ask permission from the locals before entering.
Bora Bora Naval Museum
The Bora Bora Naval Museum is a small museum that’s managed by history buffs with a particular interest in ships that have sailed in Polynesia throughout the years. There is a collection of model ships, including the HMS Bounty and Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso, as well as traditional sailing canoes and their modern versions. The museum should be free to enter, but donations are welcome.
Lagoon Tour
Measuring roughly three times the size of the main island, exploring Bora Bora’s magnificent lagoon is an absolute must. It is considered one of the finest lagoons in the world, and there are many ways of exploring it, such as on a jet ski and unique boat tours. The most “classic” way is joining a guided lagoon tour. Choose from half-day or full-day lagoon tours, with the difference usually being the added BBQ lunch. If you have the time and budget, go for the full-day tour. Here’s why.
Depending on the supplier, the full-day lagoon tour usually begins with some snorkeling outside the lagoon pass. Beneath the waves are dozens of reef and lemon sharks waiting to play. Your guide will dive deep and play with the sharks as if they were man’s best friend.
Back in the comforts of the protective lagoon, the next stop is in an area known as the coral garden. This is a busy section of the lagoon, but the crew will time your visit so it’s not too congested. Put on your snorkeling gear, jump into the water, and swim with the colorful fish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the resident moray eel and perhaps even a stonefish.
The next stop is usually in a shallow area of the lagoon. Much like in the lagoon tour in Moorea, you’ll step off the boat and get close and personal with the resident stingrays as harmless reef sharks circle the group looking to get in on the action. It’s a surreal experience feeding these creatures. Their skin is jelly-like, and they just suck the food out of your hand.
Most tours then usually circle the island before heading to the lunch spot. Circling the island from the lagoon not only gets you close to some of the well-known five-star resorts but it also provides a unique vantage point to the island’s incredible skyline.
Lunch should already be ready by the time you make landfall on a dreamy motu (islet), far away from any imaginable stress. Lunch is plentiful and is usually followed by a few demonstrations that teach you some of the basics of living on a tropical island. You’ll then have some time to explore the motu, swim, and relax before heading back to your accommodation.
Hiking In Bora Bora
Bora Bora has some serious hikes, taking you to summits with views you’ll never forget and even to caves. The problem is you’ll need to hire a guide (see ‘safety in Bora Bora’), and there may not be one available, not to mention the high costs. The most popular hikes are the Valley of the Kings (easy), Mount Popoti (moderate), Mount Ohue (difficult), the cave beneath the summit of Mount Otemanu, and Mount Pahia (difficult).
Scenic Flights in Bora Bora
Looking for something truly memorable? Scenic flights in Bora Bora capture the best views of this little slice of paradise. Take to the skies in scenic helicopter flights or small airplanes. You can also opt-in for scenic flights that take you to Bora Bora’s heart-shaped atoll, Tupai.
Day Trip to Tahaa or Maupiti
If you’re craving some Polynesian authenticity, consider the expensive but well-organized day trips from Bora Bora. Consider this option if you have “an extra day” to spend in Bora Bora or if you want to visit these lesser-known islands but don’t have enough time. The island of Tahaa shares the same lagoon as Raiatea. It’s very low-key, has no airport, and it’s where the finest vanilla in the world is grown. The island of Maupiti is a miniature version of Bora Bora. It has no resorts, just an island small enough to be circled on foot and a dreamy lagoon.
What’s Next?
I hope you’ve found this Bora Bora Travel Guide useful. For more information about Bora Bora and French Polynesia, check out these recommended guides.
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