Bora Bora is an island lying in the Society Islands, a group belonging to the territory of French Polynesia, which also includes Papeete and Tahiti. It has been inhabited since the fourth century by Polynesians, and was visited by Europeans for the first time in the eighteenth century. Along with Tahiti, it has become a world-famous vacation destination.
The main island of Bora Bora features two steep and jagged peaks, Mt. Pahia (which reaches an elevation of 2,165 feet) and Mt. Otemanu (2,379 feet), the remains of an extinct volcano. 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.
A series of motus, or small islands, rise a few feet along the outer reef. The motus are flat and covered with sand and scrub vegetation. Several provide isolated sites for luxury hotels, which offer guests small bungalows built directly over the waters of the lagoon. The main island has a series of small and curving bays, most with narrow coastal shelves that rise steeply to the interior mountain peaks. A forest of tall coconut palms rises above Point Matira, at the southern limit of the island.
The most important business of Bora Bora is tourism. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the island and its scenic tropical surroundings. Snorkeling, sailing, jet-skiing and scuba diving are favorite sports in the lagoon, which is protected on all sides from rough seas by the reef. Gun emplacements built by the U.S. military and dating from World War II also draw tourists interested in the island's recent history. Commercial operators offer hiking guides and excursions to the interior via 4x4 vehicles. There are several traditional Polynesian temples open to visitors, as is the small hamlet of Anau along the eastern coast.
Bora Bora is linked to the outside world via air transport through the islands of Tahiti, which lies 143 miles to the southeast. An airstrip on the nearby islet of Motu Mute accommodates small aircraft. A small road circles the island, with a single public bus running at regular intervals to transport residents and visitors. Hotel buses and launches also ferry passengers between Vaitape and the outer islands. Scooters, bicycles, pedalos and rental cars are available on Bora Bora for private transportation.
The Bora Bora Lagoonarium offers visitors the chance to observe close-up a variety of sea creatures, including mantas and sharks. Scuba divers can choose from several coral reefs and island shoals teeming with mantas, sharks and colorful reef fish. The island has several dive operators who provide equipment, guides and transportation to and from dozens of dive sites. Parasailing boats circle the lagoon, giving guests an excellent view of the island and the reef from a hundred feet above.
