Bora Bora – Unquestionably the most mythical of the Pacific islands remains the island of all dreams.
So much has been written about Bora Bora, and yet it is hard to find the right words to describe the magic that emanates from this island.
Seen from the air, Bora Bora has been compared to that of “a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls”.
Bora Bora airport, built by the US forces in 1942, is located on a palm fringed motu about 20 minutes by boat from the main village of Vaitape.
Some other remnant of the US presence are 2 large cannons hidden in the lush hills overlooking the lagoon.
The view of Bora Bora from the airport is truly breathtaking, and as you travel across the spectacular lagoon you will soon understand why it is the main area of attraction for most visitors. The lagoon is 3 times the size of the land mass and offers an amazing range of hues of blue and turquoise as you navigate its crystal waters.To the southeast of Bora Bora is the Coral Garden, a natural underwater park where all types of fish and corals are found.Off the Point Matira there is an area where the huge and graceful manta rays congregate for your viewing pleasure. There are other types of ray such as the beautiful spotted ray and the friendly gray ray which love to be petted during the “ray feeding” excursions.
At the entrance of the pass, the “White valley” teems with gray sharks and barracudas in a never ending ballet. Most of the temples (Marae) having been destroyed during the last century by the English missionaries, and unfortunately there is little archeological remnants left.Most of the recent hotel/resorts have been built on islands (motu) in the lagoon surrounding Bora Bora. They mostly face into the lagoon and the mountain of Bora Bora and offer privacy, pristine water and extraordinary views.Bora Bora was the first ever to feature over-the-water bungalows over 30 years ago (Hotel Bora Bora). With a few exceptions, this unique type of accommodation is still only ever found in French Polynesia due to the protected lagoons and the very even tides.
Restaurants:
Hotel Bora Bora – very gourmet, very romantic, great show and killer ambiance for their BBQ.
Villa Mahana – fairly new – arguably the best food on the Island. The ambiance is beautiful and romantic. There are five tables on the main level, and two tables up a few stairs that get reserved early. If you can, try to get the table at the very top, but if you can’t, don’t worry, there isn’t a bad table there.
Fare Manuia – 5 min. walk from the Intercon Moana Beach (Matira), nice place, intimate, top rate food with reasonable prices. Top Dive – Upscale/fancy restaurant, romantic, good to excellent food, very expensive.
Bloody Mary’s – Fun casual ambiance, Ok food and service, very touristy, and expensive.
La Bounty – casual outdoor dining, rated very well on most forums.
Pirate Bar – on the water, occasional Manta Ray viewing, nice atmosphere, reasonable prices.
Bamboo House – nice relaxed ambiance, mixed reviews.
Snack Matira – sandwiches, burgers, fries, etc.
Ben’s Pizza – pizza, burgers, fries, etc. Open until 5:00 pm.
Restaurant Patoti – snacks, burgers, fries, and also serves a variety of fish, steak, duck, and desserts.
The Snack Matira Beach – Close to the Hotel Matira. Can be accessed from the road or from the beach. Good breakfasts for reasonable prices. Decent Ham and Cheese omelets for less than 1000cfp. They also serve lunch and dinner. Cheeseburger and fries is 1300cfp.
L’Appetisserie:In the back of the main little shopping center in town (Vaitape) – good little sandwiches and snacks, croissants, ice cream, and a few computers to check your E-Mail. Serves beer and wine.
Snack Bora Burgers: – Next to post office; small fast food place; has good burgers and fries as well as croque-monsieurHorseBack Riding – Ranch Reva Reva, on private Motu for Beach and interior ride.
Bora Bora Lagoonarium – next to Le Meridian, swim with the sharks and many other sea creatures, can also purchase a movie of you swimming with the Sharks.
Sunset Cocktail Cruise – aboard the “Taravana” with Captain Richard, sails from many of the hotels, can be booked through your hotel or travel agent.
Boat rentals – based at Matira Beach near Le Matai, small aluminium boats with 6 hp – no permit required, larger boat (15 hp) requires a boat license.Parasailing – Bora Bora Parasailing, offers single and double person rides, no age limit

Shopping:
Black Pearls – many places around the Island, rent a FunCar and shop around.
Souvenirs and Shops – the Flea Market Building near the wharf in Vaitape. Tiare Market, turn left out of the Sofitel Marara, it’s about a five-minute walk. China Lee Market in Viatape. O.P.E.C., on the road from Viatape to Matira Point. Boutique Fareani north of the ICB, it sells ice cream bars and nick knacks.