2024
Bora Bora is a volcanic island surrounded by a lagoon and coral barrier reef and, for good reason, one of the most famous islands in the world.
It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and overwater bungalows. It is also undoubtedly the most beautiful island from a bird’s eye view. We did not pay for the helicopter ride or parachute jump….but the above picture is thanks to Google!
We spent 2.5 days on Bora Bora. One of those days was circling the island in one of these Electric Fun Cars. Nonstop, it would have been a one-hour drive, but we spent 3+ hours, with an inferior map, to get an overview of the island. The ‘boots on the ground’ viewpoint offered a pleasant but ordinary ride.
The second day was a little more adventurous…ATV’s! As we discovered, these were not for the faint of heart! Although we again circled the island on the ring road, a decent part of our trek was off-road and in some cases, felt somewhat treacherous (at least for seniors!). This was more of a bumpy “Indiana Jones”-style adventure!
Both experiences helped us discover some nooks and crannies of the island. We enjoyed the activities, but they did make us realize that the natural beauty of Bora Bora is best observed from the water or the air! The communities themselves are, well, just small island communities!
Yet, among the peaceful turquoise lagoon and palm trees waving in the wind, there are giant 9-inch caliber cannons! Until the middle of the 20th century Bora Bora was just one of the countless small undeveloped and remote islands where people supported themselves with fishing and farming. That changed during the second world war, when the US army chose it as a military supply base for the South Pacific fleet.
4000 soldiers came to the island in December of 1942, along with ships, airplanes and defense cannons. Americans built roads, a water distribution system and an airport, and widened the entrance into the lagoon.
They set up cannons at strategic points throughout the mountainous landscape, where they sit unused to this day. The enemy never appeared on the horizon, but the abandoned cannons make for an interesting stop on a tour of the island!
One of Bora Bora’s most iconic images is the stunning Mount Otemanu, an extinct volcano rising majestically in the center of the island. Mount Otemanu is one of two peaks of an extinct volcano located at the center of the island. Rising 2,400-some feet above the lagoon, this volcanic remnant makes for a dramatic photo op! Unfortunately, we were no longer of the age to do the hike to the top!!
Matira Beach is the largest public access beach in Bora Bora making it extremely popular with visitors. The water is crystal-clear, and the sand is soft and downy. Unfortunately, we did not bring our suits along, so we did not enjoy jumping in!
But we jumped in the next day when we had a Full-Day Lagoon Cruise, with snorkeling!
Again, the island was set up to feed our group, but this time, the tables actually sat in the water! The fish would love to come and give us a pedicure while we were eating!
We were instructed on making different types of baskets, how to husk a coconut and how to get the fresh coconut out of the shell! These guys were really hilarious and provided a good show! We liked their outfits, too!!!
Then, we had to relax a bit before returning to the ship!!!
We saw a lot of these outriggers. At times, they would paddle along side of the ship, trying to keep up! They are integral to the region’s maritime culture, reflecting both the ingenuity and deep-seated traditions of its people. They have lateral support floats attached to one or both sides of the main hull which are pivotal for stability in the open ocean. It is these types of boats that facilitated long-distance voyaging across vast stretches of the Pacific…..enabling the widespread settlement of Polynesia’s islands.
This visit to Bora Bora left an indelible impression of breathtaking natural beauty. The island, often dubbed the “Pearl of the Pacific,” with its stunning turquoise lagoon, vibrant coral reefs, and lush, emerald-green peaks, is absolutely captivating.
2/2024