Bora Bora islands are considered to be a jewel of the South Pacific. Bora Bora is basically a volcanic island in the Society Islands archipelago of French Polynesia with Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the remnants of an extinct volcano at its centre. Surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef, Bora Bora islands are among the most heavily touristed of the Leeward Islands. Awarded the title of “the best island in the world” by U.S. News, Bora Bora island, with its dramatic scenery of a multi-colored lagoon, white-sand beaches, over water bungalows and emerald water make it a perfect honeymoon destination.
Bora Bora were first inhabited by Polynesian settlers around the 4th century AD. The islands have been named after the ancient name Pora Pora meaning “First Born” in Tahiti. As per legends, Taaroa, the supreme god fished Bora Bora islands out of the waters. Although the first letter “B” does not exist in the Tahitian language, when Captain Cook first heard the name he mistook the softened sound of the Tahitian “P” for “B” and called the island Bola Bola.
The climate on the island of Bora Bora is influenced by the surrounding Pacific Ocean and can therefore be classified as tropical. Broadly, Bora Bora experiences two basic seasons: the wet season (Polynesian Summer) and the dry season (Polynesian Winter):
Wet season or Polynesian Summer, is usually between the months of November to April. Temperatures ranges from 27 – 30 degrees C during these months. Brief and unpredictable storms can be expected. The humidity level during this time is high and cloud cover is common. February and March are the hottest months of the Polynesian Summer. Due to the humid weather, this season is usually considered the “off season” for tourism. While this may not be the most favorable weatherwise, travellers running on a tight budget can choose this season due to the advantage of lower average pricing for most products and services. The second season is the ‘dry season’ or Polynesian Winter, which usually lasts from May to October. Temperatures are generally in the range between 24-28 degrees C. July is the heavily traveled month in the Bora Bora Island tourism calendar. So, visitors should make their travelling plans to Bora Bora Islands accordingly.
In order to get to the island of Bora Bora there are a couple of options tourists can opt for. By air, your best bet is to arrive at the capital city of Papeete on the main island of Tahiti- Nui in French Polynesia via Tahiti-Faaa International Airport. Bora Bora is located about 230 kilometres (143 miles) northwest of Papeete. Alternately, you can also opt for a direct flight to outer Motu called Motu Mute, the nearest airport island. Within the Bora Bora islands, rental cars, bicylces etc. among others are available to explore the island.
Get enthralled by the splendid scenery offered by Bora Bora islands and enjoy a relaxing vacation while here. However, if you get a tad bored of lazing around, here are a few spots which you can visit:
• Taking a guided 4×4 Circle Island Tour to explore the ancient Marae.
• Take a look at the coastal guns and cannons from World War 2, perched on various different strategic points throughout the island.
• Shop for Tahitian Black Pearls at the local market.
• Indulge in cost free activities such as swimming in the lagoons, swimming with dolphins, shark and ray feeding.
To get far away from the madding crowd, Bora Bora is your place!
