Bora Bora is an island lying in the Society Islands, a group belonging to the territory of French Polynesia that also includes the gorgeous islands of Papeete and Tahiti.
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Bora Bora is an island lying in the Society Islands, a group belonging to the territory of French Polynesia that also includes the gorgeous islands of Papeete and Tahiti. Inhabited since the fourth century by Polynesians, the island chain was visited by Europeans for the first time in the eighteenth century. Along with Tahiti, it has earned its name as a world-famous vacation destination.
Four million years ago, the island was forged from cooling lava erupting from volcanic activity. Extinct volcano peaks that form an amazing background set against the blue pacific waters and white sands dominate the center of the island. The main island of Bora Bora features steep and jagged peaks of Mt. Pahia (elevation of 2,165 feet). As one approaches from the sea or air, one can’t help but be awed by the basalt obelisk of Mt. Otemanu (2,379 feet), the remains of an extinct volcano, a natural sculpture that towers majestically over an island of intense emerald green. Surrounding the island is a deep blue lagoon and a long barrier reef. The main town of Bora Bora is Vaitape, a settlement of about 8,000 people.
Bora Bora’s rugged main island and a few smaller islands are completely surrounded by beautiful and virgin coral reefs. The warm shallow water of Bora Bora’s lovely lagoon is world famous for its unspoiled beauty. An almost unbroken expanse of warm, white sand surrounds the island, providing it with a white collar of perfection for sun worshippers.
Bora Bora is the very island that had travelers hocking their worldly possessions for a romantic sojourn, nights in the island’s over-water bungalows that belly up against its dreamy lagoon and days spent on the beach, nearly always in shadow of the mythically sculpted Mount Otemanu. Then there are the beautiful and friendly Polynesians.
To get to the Bora Bora Islands, you first need to reach Papeete, the capital city of the main island Tahiti. Air Tahiti offers several services per day and it is easy for you to get there. A large number of sea crafts also schedule regular trips to Bora Bora Islands from French Polynesia. Polynesia Helicopters will offer you birds eye view over the islands.
While the best weather on Bora Bora islands is during the winter months like June, July, and August. The very best time to visit Bora Bora is during April or May. The weather is more comfortable than during the height of summer, the humidity is reduced, and the summer rains are over. Best of all, since the crowds do not yet arrive you’ll enjoy not crowded resorts, low season rates, with an excellent chance of an upgrade!
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
On this mystical island with its necklace of white-fringed coral islets, Four Seasons elevates the excitement to redefine South Seas escape. Exotic over-water suites, and beachfront villas with pools, immerse you in ultramodern comforts and the spirit of French Polynesia. Culinary art embraces operatic sunsets over the island’s primeval peaks. Introduce your family to sea turtles and kite-surfing across the impossibly blue lagoon. Spirit yourselves away in a spa by the rolling Pacific surf. Surrender to the liberating service of a luxury resort unmatched on Bora Bora. The Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora offers 121 spacious hideaways within 100 over-water bungalows and 7 beachfront villas. Nestling around the Bora Bora lagoon and its outer beaches, they overlook the lagoon’s turquoise waters and spectacular views of Mount Otemanu. Minimum room rate – XPF 75,000 (USD 845)
Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa
Perhaps only once in a lifetime do we get the chance to fully realize our dreams, pity, it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s an island in the South Pacific where dreams come true every day. In the shelter of palm trees, we have created one of the world’s most spectacular resorts, a place where your every whim will be satisfied, your every dream fulfilled. We call this spectacular retreat Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa. Located on a beautiful private inlet of Bora Bora, this exclusive luxury resort is the new benchmark for elegance in French Polynesia. Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa is the most exclusive bay on a pristine white sand beach and crystal blue lagoon luxury resort in French Polynesia. It features studio and one-bedroom suites.
St Regis Resort Bora Bora
Just saying the name Bora Bora stirs the wanderlust in any traveler. With the debut of St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora in June 2006, this fabled archipelago in the South Pacific assumes a new magical luster, as blissful paradise and world-acclaimed luxury come together. Edged by powdery sands and a tranquil lagoon, the resort represents the epitome of carefree elegance. 100 exquisitely designed guest rooms are highlighted by over-water and beach villas, many with terrace whirlpools or private swimming pools. The one-, two- and three-bedroom villas range in size from 1,550 square feet to the resort’s ultra-luxurious 13,000-square foot Royal Estate. Three delectable restaurants await you, including an overwater dining room, featuring Mediterranean and Pacific Fusion cuisine. For dreamy relaxation, there’s a main pool with swim-up bar and a romantic adult pool with private daybeds. The Spa at St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora – on its own private lagoon island – offers a state-of-the-art fitness center and an incomparable array of island-inspired indulgences. Rising in the distance, the towering majesty of Mount Otemanu is an ever-present symbol of the lofty luxury and impressively personalized service of St. Regis. The celebrated St. Regis Butler ensures that everything is possible – from arranging an unforgettable day of yachting and diving, to supervising every detail of a lavish “at home” dinner with family and friends. In every way, St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora is the ultimate resort experience. Minimum room rate – XPF 88,800 (USD 1,000)
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort
At the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort you can discover the sparkling magic of the lagoon, admire the awe-inspiring Mount Otemanu while luxuriating in the peace and tranquility of the surroundings. Come enjoy the gentle beauty and welcoming spirit of the 5 star Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort. This resort is located on the island Motu Tevairoa, 10 minutes by boat from the Bora Bora airport, 15 minutes from the main city of Bora Bora Vaitape. It offers 50 Over Water Bungalows, 10 Beach Bungalow Suites and 20 Garden Pool Suites. Special efforts have been undertaken to recreate the feeling of a traditional Polynesian “fare” (home) for the 6 Garden Pool Suites and 14 Premium Pool Suites. All offer a very spacious bathroom area with both a separate shower and a full size bath tub. The vanity area and the bath tub feature glass tables tops to look into the lagoon.
InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa Bora Bora
Located on Motu Piti Aau (‘Two hearts’ in Tahitian), InterContinental Resort and Thalasso-Spa Bora Bora is the newest Five Star Hotel on Bora Bora. The resort called for revolutionary solutions in both environmental protection and comfort. The sea water air-conditioning system is unique in french polynesia and eliminates pollutants effects. This deep sea water is also used in the Thalasso-Spa, the first one to be built in the southern hemisphere. This desalinated, extraordinarily pure deep sea water, containing an excellent complement of nutritional of mineral salts will be bottled under the label ‘Vai Moana’ right at the Spa. The architects and interior designers, in cooperation with the InterContinental Hotels Group have combined Polynesian tradition and contemporary style, making this resort hotel unique beyond compare. Minimum room rate – XPF 68,500 (USD 770)
Like all Islands in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is a water lover’s paradise! Imagine Bora Bora’s lagoon as a giant, warm, crystal clear water pool and recreational playground available to all types of water lovers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. World class scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, and jetskiing are among the more popular activities, but there’s also the aquasafari, waterskiing, and more. It’s no wonder that many of Bora Bora’s travelers come to this magical island just for the water sports alone!
Certainly among the most popular relaxing activities on Bora Bora island are its many lagoon sightseeing cruises and tours. Some of these are pre-organized, daily occurrences running along well trodden tourism lines while others are tailored specific to the clients custom requests. Classic glass bottom boat ride lets you enjoy the beauty of the Bora Bora marine life without ever getting wet if you don’t want to. Glide gently over various, multicolored and exotic coral and fish life. Guided by local experts, this is a very unique boat!
The bus and minivan tour on Bora Bora specialize in taking you to the most popular and commonly seen attractions along the coast road and is a great way to get an excellent overview of the island. The tours don’t take too long, and are a very relaxing way of seeing the island.
On these tours, there is always a knowledgeable guide describing the details and history of what you are seeing: ancient maraes and other cultural sights including vanilla and pearl farms.
One of the more popular and relaxing things to do on Bora Bora islan$ has to be enjoying a lovely picnic on one of the lagoon’s outer lying crystal white sandy beach MOTUS. There are a few local businesses that specialize in arranging these lovely picnics and getting you to and from the motus in some unusual manners.
For nightlife and entertainment there is always Le Recif. The place on the Society Islands (outside of Papeete) that can really be considered to “go off” dancing, heavy drinking and partying all night long, this place is open on Fridays and Saturdays only and usually gets going around 12:00 pm. Hip-hop, rap, reggae, trance%rC funk, and some trippy island dance music make for a pretty happening music scene. Young(ish) locals seem to make up about 90% of the clientele, mostly because tourists usually don’t find out about it soon enough definitely worth a look see if you like to dance and party late night. After a long, hard day of playing on Bora Bora island, there is nothing better to do at the end of the day than treat yourself to a nice massage. The Maru Spa’s product line is developed locally, with the greatest respect for nature, its fauna and flora, and, of course, for guests and therapists.
Marù Spa’s therapists come from various backgrounds and work rather intuitively, placing the emphasis on healing and caring rather than on techniques. The guests and their needs are their primary concerns – personalized treatments can be developed after a private consultation with the spa director, Mrs. Brigitte Cicéron.
Bora Bora Island is the most well known and traveled French Polynesian Leeward Island. This means there are a lot of travelers and tourists year round on the island looking for things to do, see, buy, or eat. From the finest of Black pearl shops and unique arts and crafts stores to general merchandise, Bora Bora is a shopper’s paradise. As for restaurants and dining, the famous island has a great number to choose from including the finest in French cuisine and tasty local treats. 
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