Bora Bora
Bora Bora
A turquoise lagoon around soaring rain forest- romantic and alluring in equal measure
A turquoise lagoon around soaring rain forest- romantic and alluring in equal measure
Bora Bora is a stunning tropical paradise located in the South Pacific, just northwest of Tahiti. Its crystal-clear turquoise waters, lush green hills, and pristine white sand beaches make it a popular destination for travelers looking for a tropical getaway. One of the most iconic sights in Bora Bora is its towering volcanic peaks, which rise dramatically from the island's lush jungles. These towering mountains offer breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and are a popular spot for hiking and exploring. One of the best ways to experience Bora Bora is by staying in one of its famous overwater bungalows. These luxurious accommodations sit on stilts over the crystal-clear waters and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lagoon. Many of these bungalows are equipped with private infinity pools, allowing guests to take a dip and enjoy the stunning scenery at any time. In addition to the overwater bungalows, Bora Bora also offers a variety of other luxurious accommodations, including beachfront villas, hillside retreats, and stunning resorts. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, Bora Bora has something to offer every traveler. When it comes to activities, Bora Bora has something for everyone. Whether you want to relax on the beach, go snorkeling or scuba diving in the turquoise waters, or take a scenic hike through the lush jungles, there's something for everyone here. The island is also home to a variety of marine wildlife, including colorful tropical fish, rays, and sharks, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving excursions. In addition to the natural beauty and outdoor activities, Bora Bora is also home to a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can experience traditional Tahitian dance performances, visit historic temples and marae, and learn about the island's Polynesian heritage. For those looking for a little more excitement, Bora Bora offers a variety of water sports, including kite surfing, paddleboarding, and jet-skiing. And for those who want to simply relax and soak up the sun, there are plenty of sandy beaches to lounge on, as well as spas offering a variety of treatments to help you unwind. In conclusion, Bora Bora is a tropical paradise that offers something for everyone. Its stunning scenery, luxurious accommodations, and wealth of activities make it the perfect destination for a tropical getaway. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, Bora Bora is sure to exceed your expectations.
The view from the plane that greets your descent into Bora Bora is a picture that speaks a thousand words. A glinting turquoise lagoon around soaring rainforest-covered basaltic peaks marks the start of your Bora Bora holiday. A holiday in Bora Bora is romantic and alluring in equal measure.
It is unsurprising then that Bora Bora honeymoons are extremely popular amongst newlyweds in North America. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a destination for spending time with your sweetheart in a luxurious hotel room. A holiday in Bora Bora offers snorkelling, hiking, lagoon tours, diving, parasailing and much more. Holidays to Bora Bora do not however offer what you would expect from a typical beach destination. Although you will find white sand beaches around lagoons, it is the over-water bungalows and thatched-roof villas nestled along stunning shorelines that make this destination a picture of paradise on earth.
Instead of crowds and high rise towers, Bora Bora holidays feature tropical flowers adorning valleys and hillsides. The vegetation is lush and fragrant, and tropical fruits together with the catch of the day are sold by locals on small roadside stalls. Starting with sweeping beaches in the south and moving up through ancient Polynesian temples hidden in the jungle, you will be able to explore the whole island in a few hours. The 8,880 Polynesians who live on the island relish nothing more than to entertain visitors with music and dance whilst showing off their treasured lagoon and its marine inhabitants.
A holiday to Bora Bora will take you 143 miles northwest of Tahiti in the South Pacific. The island is only six miles long, but it still manages to accommodate two towering volcanic peaks and a dazzling turquoise lagoon ringed by a coral reef. The waters around the island are rich with marine life that no aquarium can match. A snorkelling excursion will take you through coral gardens swarming with tropical fish, lemon sharks, moray eels and green turtles. Gigantic manta rays and nemo-like clownfish gracefully circle the lagoon. If you prefer to admire the water without getting wet then consider a trip on Polynesian-style outrigger canoe, glass-bottom boat or a sunset catamaran cruise accompanied by Tahitian singers and dancers.
Studded with tall coconut palms, Matira Beach is located on the southern end of the main island and is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in French Polynesia. Stretching for two miles, the crystal-clear waters are shallow all the way to the coral reef. Dining outside of the luxury hotels will give you the chance to experience local flavours and there is no shortage of choice. From fresh oysters and Australian steaks to ahi tuna marinated in local vanilla oil and salads of lobster, prawns and caviar- holidays in Bora Bora will leave you satiated and desiring more at the same time.
Being such an incredibly popular island for honeymoons among North Americans, Bora Bora has its high season and largest crowds during June and July, but for those with a choice of when to go there are probably better times of year, depending on your goals, so we’ll discuss each season below.
As with all other tropical islands, Bora Bora has two seasons rather than four. There’s a rainy season and a dry season, and being a bit south of the equator, its “summer” is from December through February while the “winter” is from June through August. However, as you can see on our main weather in Bora Bora by month article, the temperatures are nearly identical all year long, and even the rainfall is somewhat consistent compared to many other islands in the South Pacific. The rainy season runs more or less from mid November through mid April, but cloud bursts are possible at any time.
The best weather, with slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidities, runs from May through August, but most hotels raise their rates only from June through October. Again, this is partly due to the number of weddings and honeymoons during this period, so if you go during June or July you’ll be seeing a lot of newlyweds. All the resorts, including those with overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, have their peak rates during this period. Fortunately, most of these are only 10 or 20% more than their low-season rates, so there isn’t a huge swing at most places.
Bora Bora is certainly a hot spot for scuba diving and snorkeling, and if these water sports are big motivators for you it’s another reason to come between April and November. The heavier rains the rest of the year tend to upset the clear water and make visibility less ideal for periods of time, though there’s still plenty of great diving weather all year.
From November through March the weather is a bit hotter and humidity is higher all day, but the more dramatic change is the rainfall. Like in most tropical places, the rain tends to come in dramatic bursts, often lasting only 30 to 60 minutes, and then clearing up. This sometimes happens overnight, but it’s also fairly common in the late afternoon. If you come from December through March you might have overcast skies for many hours each day, though it’s rare to go one for longer periods. Also, when the summer clouds move in quickly you can get some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see in your life.
With all of the above in mind, the best time to go to Bora Bora is in either April or May. You’ll get the low-season hotel rates plus the best weather and great scuba diving. It’s just a matter of fewer people in North America taking vacations during these months, so demand is lower, and the resorts are happy to offer great rates to encourage visitors.
