This is a collection of the top 20 things to do in Bora Bora for great travelers who want to explore the beautiful island and make the best out of their stay.
As we all might know Bora Bora is a small 29.3 km2 island in the middle of the south pacific ocean. Being the part of French Polynesia their main language is French. They also speak Tahitian as the first inhabitants of the island. There is nothing to worry about, though if we speak neither of these languages because everyone on the island has a great knowledge of English due to the tourism. And that’s enough of raw information for now. Let’s see that list of the best things to do in Bora Bora!
1. Go On a Circle Island Jet Ski Adventure
The best was to see every edge of the island is to take a 2-hour jet-ski tour around it. There are a lot of companies who offer different packages with guides who will tell you many useful and interesting information about the island while you can take photos and videos of the beautiful landscape. You can either go with a group or reserve a private tour.
2. Go Parasailing
Parasailing is an even better way to go around the island. While enjoying the warm and fresh breeze hitting your face you can see through the clear water and observe the manta rays, sharks, and other species under the water. A normal private tour is 25 minutes at most companies but it can be extended obviously.
3. Polynesian Dinner Show
There are a lot of resorts on the island that provide dinner shows once or twice a week. It is advisable to plan your holiday knowing this information and if you have the opportunity to go and see one you won’t regret it for sure! It includes great dancers and fire performers who will amaze you. If you want to know more about the time schedule of these events it is the best to contact your resort and ask.
4. Have a Romantic Dinner on the Beach
It is a fact that there are a lot of couples celebrating the honeymoon or great anniversaries on the island. But even if you just go there with your girlfriend or wife and celebrating no special occasion it will be the best romantic opportunity to arrange a dinner at the beach during the sunset. The local restaurants are prepared for such things and they are happy to lay a table for you wherever you want it to be.
5. Glass Bottom Boat Tour
If you want to see more fish and enjoy the comfort of an ordinary boat you should consider hopping on one of them that has glass bottom which allows you to see more of the wildlife under the water with a lot of colorful fish, crystal blue water and the sight of the island in the background.
6. Have a Private Motu Picnic
It is always a good idea to have a picnic wherever you are especially if you are in a beautiful island like Bora Bora. You can even have the option of having a picnic nearby your resort or being taken away to a remote spot where you can enjoy more privacy and the almost untouched nature. There are a lot of companies that organize boat or helicopter transport to hose kind of places.
7. Go on a photo excursion
If you want you can hire a private speed boat for yourself and go anywhere you want to. It is also advisable to take a professional photographer with you in order to make sure you are captured from the best angles and you will have beautiful pictures as memories of your sunny holiday.
8. Jeep Safari
If you want to discover the land rather than the water, there are endless opportunities to do so as well. The best one is to take a Jeep Safari tour. They always take you to some villages and give you insights of the people’s life there. Also, you will be taken to the cannons that remained from the world war II. The whole journey takes around 3 hours so it is definitely worth it.
9. Swimming with Sharks and Manta Rays
If you have ever dreamt of swimming with sharks and rays this is the opportunity you must take. It is obvious that you will need to hire an experienced guide to saving yourself from trouble. Those powerful creatures can be dangerous if you don’t know how to behave around them! Your guide will make sure you are safe all the time and you can allow yourself to brush against that big mantra ray if he/she says so.
10. Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
If you are a certified diver there is nothing to wait for, just jump right into the clear and warm ocean and enjoy the magnificent environment. Make sure you have a nice waterproof camera because you definitely don’t want to miss the opportunity to capture the things you see there. Reef Discovery is one company that will take you to different spots that are known to be the most beautiful ones.
11. Matira Beach
A free beach where you can definitely spend the whole day. The sand is soft and downy and the people are nice. There are a lot of shops and eateries there as well. Locals say it is never too crowded even though there are a lot of visitors there. You’ll find the beach about 4 miles south of Vaitape.
12. Coral Gardens
This reef is not really far below the water so you won’t need to be a professional diver to see the beauty for yourself. All you will need is a basic snorkeling equipment and you can start discovering. It is highly recommended to bring water shoes or aqua socks because here the shore is not sandy rather filled with corals and rocks.
13. Vaitape
The main city in Bora Bora. If you want to explore some great boutiques grab something to eat and take your wife on a shopping spree you can count on the Vaitape. If you still want to enjoy the sight of the ocean book a table at the Bora Bora Yacht Club.
14. Shark and Ray feeding
If it is not enough for you to simply see those animals from a boat or the shore. You actually have the opportunity to feed them too. Look for companies that offer this and book one tour right away. This could really be one of the most interesting things to do in Bora Bora if you are interested in animals and nature. Sharks and rays look dangerous and big there but they are just as harmless especially if you are with a good guide.
15. Bora Bora Lagoonarium
It is a natural aquarium located on the east side of the island. The special thing about the aquarium is that it really wasn’t built by humans but nature. You can enjoy snorkeling among the turtles, fish and other animals or if you opt to do so you can go for a guided canoe tour as well.
16. Aquabike adventure, Personal submarine scooter
If you are looking for really unique and cool things to do in Bora Bora this could be one of them. Progressive immersion is done from a hydraulic platform and an experienced diver will accompany you during your time under water. This excursion is not permitted for children under 8 years old and for women who are pregnant.
17. Sportfishing
Even if you are not into fishing that much the experience it will give you will be totally worth it. And if you have a passion for fishing it is a must. It is the best to take your own fishing equipment if you want to stay on the cheap side but there is an option to hire a private charter with a professional and experienced crew who will provide you with the best equipment and everything you need to know.
18. Bloody Mary’s
If you think we are telling you to visit a simple bar or restaurant that’s not entirely true. Bloody Mary’s is not a simple one at all. It’s an experience! You walk on sand floors, sit on coconut stools under a thatched roof and are surrounded by exotic plants. Just call for a free shuttle and you will be there in no time.
19. Heiva i Bora Bora
If you still don’t know the time you want to visit the island but you are sure that you like festivals then Heiva i Bora Bora is something that you should consider. It is organized near the quay of Vaitape featuring a big stage, a program of parades, dance, singing and sports contests, as well as beauty pageants and floral floats.
20. Bora Art Upstairs
If you are interested in arts this should be one of your special things to do in Bora Bora. You can find loads of Polynesian works of art, including paintings and carvings by local artists and artisans. If you like one of them obviously you can buy them as well.
