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Bora Bora (about 8,800 inhabitants) is an island of volcanic origin, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands about 230 km north-west of Tahiti. The island measures approximately 29 sq km and is crossed by a single 32 km road that runs parallel to the coast.
This is a mountainous island dominated by the peaks of the Otemanu (727 meters) and Pahia (661 meters) mountains, which characterize its appearance, making the physiognomy of the island unique. A wonderful lagoon surrounds the island which is completely enclosed within a coral reef, on which only one opening opens, the Te Ava Nue pass.
Inside the lagoon there are a multitude of islets called in Polynesian motu. They form an almost continuous strip along the eastern and northern part of the island. In these islands there are idyllic beaches and from here you can have spectacular views of the main island and its characteristic mountain.
The island’s airport is located on the northernmost islet of the lagoon, the motu Mute. The most important center of Bora Bora is the small town of Vaitape which is located along the west coast. Other small villages are those of Faanui and Anau.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: WHAT TO VISIT
The island of Bora Bora is probably the best known island in French Polynesia. Famous for its wonderful lagoon and for the particular shape of its highest mountain, Mount Otemanu (727 meters).
The island is surrounded by an almost complete coral reef, connected to the Pacific ocean only by a pass, that of Teavanui. Along the coral reef there are numerous islets (motu in Polynesian) rich in fine white beach and from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the main island with its mountains.
Bora Bora is crossed by a single 32 km road that runs along the coast. The road is excellent for cycling, it is only 32 km of flat road. To cover it all it takes at most about 2-3 hours including stops. Along the road that goes around the island you can make interesting stops at the remains of the numerous artillery positions of the Second World War, mounted here by the Americans in anticipation of a Japanese assault never arrived.
The island also has much older remains, there are in fact some ancient Polynesian temples (marae), all located along the road or a short distance from it. These include the marae Aehua-tai, Taharuu, Fare-Opu (which has turtle petroglyphs on its stones), Taianapa and Marotetini.
The only beach on the island is located at the Punta Matira in the far south of the island. The other beaches are numerous, exclusively on the motus that surround the lagoon.
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HOW TO GET THERE: AIR FLIGHTS AND FERRIES
PLANE: The most commonly used way to reach Bora Bora is by plane. Air Tahiti, the internal flight company of French Polynesia has numerous and daily connections with Tahiti. But there are also direct flights to some of the other islands of the Society and Tuamotu.
The Tahiti-Bora Bora route is served by 8-10 daily flights, some are direct flights, while others stop in Huahine, Raiatea or Maupiti. The non-stop flight between Tahiti and Bora Bora takes 50 minutes. The island is also connected by direct flights with the islands of the Tuamotu archipelago of Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau and Manihi.
The island’s airport is located on a small island in the lagoon, the Motu Mute, located in the far north of the island. Once you arrive at the airport, you are transferred on a boat and transported to the small village of Vaitape. The journey takes place in the lagoon of the island, it is one of the most beautiful transfers in the world.
FERRY: Another way to get to Bora Bora are the Hawaiki Nui (2 trips per week) and Vaeanu (3 trips per week) ferries. These ferries connect Tahiti with Huahine, Taha’a, Raiatea and Bora Bora. The journey time by ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora including stopovers varies between 16 and 18 hours.
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