5 Day Trips to Take in Bora Bora
Photo credit:
Pixabay
An island surrounded by palm-covered motus (islets), Bora Bora, is one of the most sought-after tropical paradise islands in the world. Boasting of natural beauties like crystal-clear blue lagoons, coral gardens and lush tropical slopes and valleys, and overwater bungalows that are the blueprints for romance and luxury, this island also offers the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.
Is Bora Bora on your list of destinations to visit? If so, here’s a list of day trips you can add to your list of things to do in Bora Bora:
1. Off-road 4X4 circle island safari
Discover the rich history and culture of Bora Bora beyond the postcard-perfect overwater bungalows and sandy beaches. On this tour, you’ll take a ride in a modified 4X4 with elevated seats. A tour guide will show you the following places:
- Matira Beach – a secluded beach with clear turquoise water.
- Vaitape – Bora Bora’s main town where you can check out the food trucks
- Anau viewpoint - the most amazing views of Bora Bora. Also, visit a sacred stone of Hiro.
- American World War II gun site - learn about the American GI cannons from World War II. Bora Bora was a refueling base for US troops from early 1942 to mid-1946. There are seven cannons, and initially, there were eight. Visitors can climb on the cannons and enjoy the view of Maupiti Island and Teavanui.
- A local home to see a pareo (sarong) print demonstration and learn how to wear a pareo. And taste fresh tropical fruits.
For this tour check out
Natura Discovery.
2. Boat cruise, snorkeling tour with a traditional lunch at a motu
This six-hour boat cruise, snorkeling with traditional lunch at a motu tour offers a combination of adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion and a chance to be close to the sea creatures.
If you want to have time to snorkel in a coral garden with over 700 species of tropical fish, visit a stingray feeding area, get close to blacktip reef sharks and stingrays, this is a tour for you. There’s opportunity to see lemon sharks swimming next to the boat when you’re outside the lagoon.
The tour ends with a traditional lunch at a motu offering views of
Mont Otemanu, the highest peak in Bora Bora. Here you’ll see a coconut tree climbing demonstration and learn about the many uses of coconuts.
Check out
Lagoon Service for their specialized tours.
3. Black pearl diving
Go black pearl diving with
Bora Bora Pearl Company and learn about the secrets of the Tahitian cultured pearl. In this tour, you have a chance to dive to the bottom of the lagoon and find your pearl and keep it too.
4. Circle island tour on jet ski
Riding a jet ski on your own is the way to go if you want to see the spectacular sights of Bora Bora’s lagoon. You’ll have a chance to stop at the Strip of White Sands, visit the private motu where the “Couple’s Retreat” movie was filmed and watch a demonstration of the uses of coconuts.
Moana Adventure Tours offer a 2-hour Bora Bora jet ski tour.
5. Scuba diving
Bora Bora is rated one of the best scuba diving destinations for experienced divers and beginners alike. Scuba diving is available in the lagoons and the coral reef of Bora Bora.
Top Dive offers scuba diving at the following centers:
- Vaitape
- InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa
- Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
Bora Bora is one destination I long to visit. I’ve been thinking about this out-of-the-way island of the French Polynesia since meeting my brother-in-law’s cousin, Giles from
Papeete,
Tahiti, the capital city located about a 45-minute flight from
Bora Bora.
Giles’ tales and photos of Tahiti prompted me to contact the Tahiti Tourism Board and conduct my research on the islands. After much research, Bora Bora still stands out among the five groups of French Polynesian islands.
For more information, visit Tahiti Tourisme’s website or
download their PDF for more information about this fantastic destination.