10 Best Things To Do In Bora Bora
The definitive guide Bora Bora might be the most beautiful place in the world. A must-visit destination for anyone who loves the tropics. This tiny island, a speck in the vast South Pacific, is a remote paradise waiting to be explored.
Famous for its cerulean lagoon and ubiquitous overwater bungalows. The island has so much to offer with its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reef, lush green mountains, and luxury resorts.
The main activities on the island are snorkeling, and diving, the island is renowned for having pristine dive sites. One of the most unique things about Bora Bora is that the water is so clear you can see the colorful coral reefs and marine life meters above the water.
Bora Bora is one of our top travel destinations and we hope this list of the 10 best things to do in Bora Bora gets you inspired to plan the trip of a lifetime.
The 10 best activities in Bora Bora
1. Stay in an Overwater Bungalow
A once-in-a-lifetime experience, the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora give travelers a unique opportunity to sit above the beautiful Lagoon and watch the marine life below float by. Most of the bungalows are located on private motu's (islets) that surround the outer reef of the lagoon.
Overwater villas are entered via jetties that extend out from the private islets and are positioned facing the island of Bora Bora looking at the spectacular views of Mount Otemanu.
It is a surreal experience to wake up with the aquamarine waters below you, and the jaw-dropping mountain vista in front. You can swim out directly from your balcony and soak up the views in 27°C water.
Some of the world's best hotels have built villas overwater in Bora Bora. We recommend the overwater huts at Four Seasons, St Regis, Le Meridien, and Conrad Hilton Bora Bora Nui.
2. Manta Rays & Reef Sharks
The shallow waters and calm currents of the Bora Bora lagoon make it the perfect place to dive for manta rays and reef sharks.
Dive enthusiasts rate this location as one of the best in the world due to its visibility. The crystal clear waters allow divers to watch the majestic mantas at a safe distance and be able to clearly see them at lower depths.
One of the reasons the marine life is thriving in Bora Bora is that they have banned commercial fishing, which helps with maintaining a healthy ecosystem of reef sharks and lemon sharks.
If you do a dive tour to see the manta rays, we recommend stopping by the Upa Upa bar. Here you can celebrate and great dive experience while sipping on cocktails in support of the local manta trust.
For tours, we recommend booking with Moana Adventures . They can provide a more luxurious private tour with their 25' Cap Camarat. For an amazing day out on the water, book the full day trip swimming with reef sharks and manta rays.
3. Matira beach
Matira beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the main island. You'll find it located on the coastal road just after the main town near Matira point. Here you can find sparkling blue, warm waters, a white sand beach, and local shops selling Tahitian pearls.
We recommend planning a day trip to Matira beach and enjoying some of the adventurous activities out on the water. Matira Jet Tours, a local tour company, is located at the end of Matira beach. They have a range of exciting things to hire, including kayaks, paddle board rentals and jet ski tours.
You can also hire ATV's and Quad bikes from Matira Jet Tours if you want to explore the rest of the island.
We think the best way to spend the day here is to enjoy some water sports out on the lagoon and once you've worked up an appetite head 5 minutes down the road to dinner at our favorite local restaurant in Bora Bora, La Villa Mahana. You can make reservations for their 5-course degustation here
4. Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of our top picks of things to do in Bora Bora. You can spend all day cruising on the outer edges of the lagoon on a tour, stopping at little is motus and reefs.
Snorkeling tours are also a great way to see more of the island so we recommend doing this activity on one of your first days.
The beautiful coral gardens are a must-see, with a kaleidoscope of colorful coral reefs and tropical fish. The crystal-clear waters are also home to hawksbill sea turtles, eagle rays, moray eels, and fevers of sting rays.
For more advanced freedivers and snorkelers, you can also try some sites on the outer reef. The outer reef has a striking deep wall of coral. One of the best sites is a sheltered area just off the main passage into the lagoon, here you may also get a chance to see lemon sharks and larger reef sharks as well as some larger turtles.
There are many private tours and group tours available but we recommend Tohora with Simon who is a very experienced guide and has a specialized boat that can get closer to the reef's edge than any of the other tours, providing an unparalleled experience.
5. Mount Otemanu
Mount Otemanu is the remains of an ancient volcano, with sheer limestone cliffs that rise up into the clouds. The volcanic island mountain provides a dramatic backdrop for a spectacular sunset and can be seen from many of the island's private motu's out on the lagoon.
We think one of the best ways to see Mt Otemanu is via a private helicopter ride.
On the helicopter tour, you'll be able to get up close to the staggering peaks of Mount Otemanu and soar above the island, taking in the azure waters of the lagoon below.
You'll circle the entire island and see the unique lagoon views of all the resort bungalows jutting out from the motu's and making beautiful patterns over the water below.
We recommend booking with Tahiti Nui Helicoptors, we would suggest booking this well in advance as it can quickly book out
6. A Jeep Tour or 4x4 Tour
Take a tour of the interior of the island and enjoy a day of adventure seeing all of the best places inland. Head on a jeep safari trip or private 4x4 day trip as a unique way of touring many of the main islands' heritage sites.
On the tours, you can see historic sites including the Faanui WWII Canons lookout - a remnant of the World War, visit ancient Polynesian temples, and discover Faanui valley's local fruits and foods.
The 4x4 day tours allow you to see some of the island's most beautiful viewpoints as well, with Matira Ringo's lookout providing sweeping views of the island.
7. Sunset Cruise
Bora Bora comes alive under the orange hues of the sunset. If you’re a romantic island proposal then book a sunset cruise.
Budding photographers will find Bora Bora’s golden hour produces unbelievable images. With a range of sunset tours available, you can choose anything from a glass-bottom boat to traditional outrigger canoes.
Many of the sunset boat tours of Bora Bora provide options to add on a romantic dinner on a private island or at St James restaurant.
We recommend the Bora Bora Catamaran sunset sail, where you can revel in the warm orange glow of the sunset while listening to lounge music and sipping on wine.
8. Four Seasons Bora Bora Cultural Dinner
The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, a premier luxury destination, is nestled on its own private islet at the outer edge of the reef. For an unforgettable experience, the resort offers a cultural dinner and show night that celebrates the rich heritage of Polynesian culture.
Set against the idyllic backdrop of the resort's private beach and lush gardens, with the infinity pool shimmering nearby, guests are treated to a spectacular evening. The event features traditional island dances, mesmerizing fire shows, and an array of dishes that highlight the flavors of French Polynesia.
The culinary delights include Poisson Cru, a refreshing raw fish and coconut dish, and locally caught sautéed Mahi Mahi. This cultural evening at Four Seasons Bora Bora promises a feast for the senses, blending vibrant cultural performances with mouth-watering cuisine.
9. Humpback Whales
One of the most memorable Bora Bora activities to try is swimming with humpback whales. You'll have an unforgettable day exploring the underwater world in the middle of the pacific ocean with some of the most enchanting sea creatures in the world.
The whale watching season in Bora Bora runs from July to November each year, as the whales migrate up to French Polynesia for warmer waters to give birth and reproduce. Mid-August - October is the best time to try and see humpback, but be aware that the migration timings can change each year.
Simon from Tohora is our recommended guide for whale watching tours as he is truly passionate about the Humpback whales, maintaining his tours with the utmost respect for the whales, making it one of the better places in the world to interact with them. Tohora also has a boat equipped with a directional hydrophone that provides high-quality sound that captures the mesmerizing sounds of the whales singing.
10. Relaxing Spa Day
After all the action of whale watching, flying in helicopters, and shark diving you'll want a day of tranquility and there is no better place than at a day spa. Fortunately, Bora Bora has some of the world's best day spas available and many of them will have you nestled amongst lush tropical fauna looking out at hypnotic lagoon views.
For couples looking to have a romantic day together then we recommend booking a relaxing massage at St Regis and their day spa island. The day spa island is set on its own small islet surrounded by a manmade lagoon that has one of the best views of Bora Bora. Here you can spend the day with your partner soaking up one of the most romantic spots in Bora Bora while being pampered.
If you are looking for a good facial, then head to Hina Spa at Conrad Bora Bora Nui where you'll be able to soak up the views of Mount Otemanu, and then head down for one of the world's best facials using famous french skincare brand Biologique Recherche. The treatments at Hina spa can be finished off with a steam or sauna and tea in their relaxation room.
Honourable Mention - Bloody Mary's
Set amongst one of the best beaches on the island is Bloody Mary's, a renowned restaurant and part of the Bora Bora Yacht Club. Bloody Mary's is steeped in heritage as it has operated locally on the island since 1979.
Having a beer at Bloody Mary's when you arrive in Bora Bora is considered a rite of passage for sailors and fishermen, get in on the experience and wash your local brew down with some of the freshest catch on the island.
Bloody Mary's gets their seafood straight off the boat and offers diners a chance to select their raw fish to have cooked to their liking while being regaled in stories of how the iconic site came to be.
Bloody Mary’s is currently closed for rennovations and hoping to open again soon, with a fresh look and hotel offering, we can’t wait to update you on the new digs once it has reopened.
Final Thoughts
Nothing really compares to arriving in Bora Bora and seeing the breathtaking scenery for the first time. Enjoying a holiday in Bora Bora is simply magical. There is so much to do, a wonderful array of delicious foods to eat, and beautiful scenery to take in.
We hope this small summary of activities helps you plan your trip and encourages you to jump on a flight to this idyllic tropical island. Trust us, you won't regret it!
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