Bora Bora with Maupiti
Shopping Nightlife Sports and Activities

There are three popular ways to explore Bora Bora: by boat on the lagoon, by 4WD into the interior exploring the hills, and by driving around the 32-km (20-mi) main island road.

While it's very popular to drive around on one's own, if you have limited time it might be better to book an organized Circle Island tour. There are several marae (ancient Polynesian temples) and seven remaining WWII guns tucked away in the jungle interior, which are best pointed out by the experts.

If you want to cycle, it takes a good four hours to circle the island.

Sort by:
Fodor’s Choice A-Z
5 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
Loading...

  • 1. Anau

    Town/Village

    Anau is almost directly opposite Vaitape on the east coast, although you have to go around the island to get there. Here you'll get a glimpse of authentic Polynesian life. There's one small church with a steeple and a few shops. The lagoon is very narrow at this section, as Motu Piti Anau is only a mile away. There's a great view of Mt. Otemanu from the town.

    PK 18.5 via north road (clockwise), Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

  • 2. Bora Bora Lagoonarium

    Zoo/Aquarium

    This natural aquarium and water park is located on a private island near the Motu Piti Anau, not far from Le Meridien Resort. The family owners run half-day and full-day visits that include swimming with marine animals, ray and shark feeding demonstrations, circle-island tours in an outrigger canoe, and snorkel visits to the famed coral gardens at the southeast end of the main island. Alternatively, visitors can spend half a day just swimming, exploring, and learning about marine life. The owners also run a small guesthouse, called Pension Lagoonarium, on the main island's east coast.

    Private motu, off Anau, Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia
    -67–71–34
    www.boraboraisland.com/lagoonarium

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 7,000–9,500 CFP, Daily 8:45–3:45

  • 3. Faanui

    Town/Village

    This village, perched on Faanui Bay, is about 5 km (3 mi) north of Vaitape. It has a lovely pastel pink church in the shadow of a mountain. This area was once the stronghold of the former ruling family, the Pomare, which explains the presence of several marae not too far away. There are a few shops and stalls with brightly colored pareos (sarongs) fluttering in the breeze. Nearby are the remains of the former U.S. naval base, built in 1942.

    PK 5.2 north, Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

  • 4. Matira Beach

    Beach

    This lovely beach at the southern most tip of the island graces both sides of Matira Point and is about 1.5 km (1 mi) long. Technically there are two beaches—west and east—with Matira Point in the middle. It's one of the few public access beaches on the island. Several luxurious resorts, shops, eateries, and activity centers are located on or near the beach making it a tourist hub. The beach is located about 6 km (4 mi) from Vaitape; take a taxi, ride your scooter or bike, or wait for the local, but somewhat unreliable, L'Truck.

    PK 6 south, Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

  • 5. WWII Guns

    Military Sight

    There are seven giant cannons on Bora Bora, perched on the hills above the four points of the island. U.S. servicemen stationed on the island during WWII installed them. Like the marae they can be difficult to find. Their general locations are the hills above Matira Point (about 6.5 km [4 mi] south of Vaitape); Fitiiu Point (on the east coast about 15 km [9 mi] from Vaitape via the southern route); and at Farepiti and Tereia Point (which are 2 km [1 mi] and 8 km [5 mi] north of Vaitape). The best way to see them, or some of them, is on an exciting but very bumpy 4WD tour.

    Main island, Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

No sights Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Sights in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Town/Village (4) Museum/Gallery (1) Zoo/Aquarium (1) Ruins (1) Beach (1) Military Sight (1)

Recommended Fodor’s Video

  2. Destinations
  3. Australia and The Pacific
  4. French Polynesia
  5. Bora Bora with Maupiti
  6. Things to Do
  7. Sights