These two islands make up a total of 2.7 hectares (6.6 acres) of private island paradise situated in the Bora Bora lagoon.

About Bora Bora

Bora Bora is one of the most famous islands on the planet, renowned for its unbelievable beauty, romance and mysticism. An extinct volcano forms two towering black peaks on the centre of the island.

The island is surrounded by a brilliant blue lagoon and fringing reef – the perfect location for your very own private island.

Bora Bora’s magical waters offer a variety of water sports including windsurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, and swimming. The island is famous for the scuba diving in and around its beautiful lagoon. Many species of sharks and rays can be spotted in the magical waters.

Quite a few of the island’s dive masters offer shark feeding excursions. French is the official language of French Polynesia. English is becoming popular among the younger generation. As of 2000, the population of Bora Bora was about 4,500 people. The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon, by the airport.

Bora Bora relies on its tourism and has many upscale resorts favaoured by American and Japanese tourists. Many tourists come to Bora Bora for a beach holiday, but are surprised to learn it’s a lagoon destination with relatively few beaches. Regardless, Bora Bora’s stunning lagoon offers ample activity and scenery.

Location

Bora Bora is located in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, about 260 km northwest of the capital, Papeete. The centre of the island rises to two peaks, Mt. Pahia, and the highest point, Mount Otemanu, reaching 727 metres (2,385 ft.).

History

The island was settled by Polynesian people around the 4th century. James Cook led the first group of Europeans to visit the island in 1777. In 1842, Bora Bora was made a protectorate of France. During World War II, following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan,

Bora Bora was chosen as a South Pacific military supply base by the United States. An oil depot, airstrip, seaplane base, and defensive fortifications were built on the island.

The island never witnessed combat because the American presence on Bora Bora went uncontested during the war. The base was officially closed on June 2, 1946, but many American personne refused to leave because they had grown to love the island and its people.

The development of the airstrip in World War II meant that Bora Bora remained French Polynesia's only international airport until Faa'a International Airport was opened in Papeete, Tahiti in 1962.

Getting There

Air Tahiti has five flights daily to Bora Bora from Papeete, at a cost of about 14,000 XPF one-way. Public transport on the island consists of a single bus that goes halfway around the island and back every hour or so. Bicycles are recommended for tourists. Small electric cars are also available for hire in Vaitape.