Bora Bora, a small South Pacific island in French Polynesia, has quite the reputation.
It’s one of the region's most relaxed island destinations, and also one of the loveliest: Encircled by small, sandy islands and coral reefs, Bora Bora is home to massive forests and a towering central mountain peak that frames Polynesian adventures. Between its dashing good looks and laid-back atmosphere, Bora Bora packages are an easy choice for a single-island holiday.
In an ocean this beautiful, it's no wonder Bora Bora holidays tend to include a lot of activity on or in the water. Guides can take you out deep sea fishing for marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi, tuna or jack. Check out life from the perspective of the lagoon's leopard rays and (mostly) harmless sharks at well-known dive and snorkelling sites. Book a boat tour, or stay on dry land. The beaches never lose their cool—travellers who end up at Matira Beach know what they came to enjoy, and it doesn't involve whining about the price of shell necklaces. Catch great views from Tupitipiti Point, view the archaeological ruins at Marae Taianapa, and visit the Musee de la Marine near Taipi Point for a bit of island history. The forested islands on the west and south coasts are privately owned but accessible to guided excursions, which you can book from most resorts or in Viatape. Tour the island's ring road with one of Wotif’s Bora Bora car hire options, and you'll have access to many of Bora Bora's finest viewpoints and hiking trails, some of which are inaccessible without a vehicle of your own or a guide.
For shopping on your Bora Bora holiday, you'll find art galleries, markets and general stores in Anau and Viatape the latter also has higher-end shops specialising in pearls and jewellery. Great finds include locally grown vanilla pods, black pearls and monoi oil, a fragrant fluid made by soaking Tahitian gardenia flowers in coconut oil.
Some of the best eating on holidays to Bora Bora may be in the snack shacks and "roulettes" (food trucks) along Matira Beach. Their poisson cru (fresh fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and tossed with fresh coconut) is a dish you won't soon forget. Hotels and resorts offer formal dining, more complex dishes and imported lamb from New Zealand, while smaller cafes and some supermarkets (look for the "magasin" sign), feature simpler options between Viatape and Matira Beach.
The nightlife in Bora Bora is confined primarily to resorts, where locals offer music, traditional dance performances and free-flowing drinks. Beautiful sunsets are common in an island setting, and they create the ideal time to carry a drink (or three…) down to the beach for a relaxing stroll and chat. If you’d like access to the island's best beaches and private clubs, look into our Bora Bora holiday packages.
Not quite ready to give up the island life? Our Fiji holiday packages can be the perfect extension to a Bora Bora holiday. Come make your dreams of the tropics a reality with Wotif!