BORA BORA ISLAND

INTODUCTION

Bora Bora is located on a dormant volcano 🌋island, set on one of the most beautiful and crystal-clear lagoons🗺 in the world, colored in a million shades of blue. Known for gorgeous luxury resorts🏤 and numerous adventurous activities, it is one of the northwestern islands that make up The Islands 🌅of Tahiti. . The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef🎢. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu🛳, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft).

HISTORY

The original name of the island in the Tahitian 🕰language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning "First Born"; an early transcription found in 18th- and 19th century accounts, is Bolabolla or Bollabolla. During World War II, ⏳the United States picked Bora Bora as a base for military supply, oil depot, air strip and seaplane base. They also 🎐constructed defensive fortifications around the island. Luckily though, 🪄no combat took place here and the presence of American troops seemed to be accepted by the opposition forces. According to the history📻 of Bora Bora, the United States Military Base officially closed 🪔on June 2, 1946 following the end of the war. However, many Americans refused to leave the island as it had become 📦close to their hearts. Some Americans were even forcibly asked to leave 📤following complaints from their families on the mainland. The abandoned base became French Polynesia’s only 🪛international airport until Faa'a International Airport🚆 opened in the 1962 in Papeete, Tahiti.

CLIMATE

The climate in Bora Bora🏞 and the surrounding Islands are considered to be tropical. Like with 🌙most places the seasons can be divided into two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet 🌨season (Polynesian summers) runs from November till April with an average run fall off 3/4ths🌚 of the yearly precipitation. During these times the humidity levels can be at an all time high. The storms during 🌪these months are frequent and unpredictable. The rainfall is about 1800 mm or 71 inches! ⛱And the weather is 86 f or 30 c. The🌕 dry season running from May to October this is when tourism is at its peak on the Island🌘. During these months the🌥 temperature is a few degrees lower and rain is rare. The best time weather wise with the least risk of storms is in their Winter months🪐. The very best part about the weather in Bora Bora is that the water temperature🌡 hovers in the mid 80's (30C) on average. However during this high tourist season (May - October) 🌞tourist prices sky rocket and there are many more people around.

CULTURE

The main languages that are spoken by people🫂 in Bora Bora Island are French and Tahitian although most inhabitants that interact with visitors🏌‍♀️ have good comprehension of the English language. Most tourists🏃‍♂️ that visit the island are Americans, Japanese and Europeans.The English Missionaries made a concerted effort to wipe🧞 out all Polynesian culture when they destroyed the temples and carvings and banned dancing and religion. Fortunately 🧙many of the Polynesian customs have prevailed and can be seen today. Recently efforts💂‍♂️ have been made to revive the original Polynesian culture through traditional music and arts. The traditional instruments include pahu and toere drums and the nose flute known as vivo. Guitars 🎸and ukuleles 🪵migrated to Bora Bora and a style of music was developed that has hints of country western mixed 🗽with the classic South Pacific island style. The tamure 🛖is the classic dance of Bora Bora is still alive and plays a big part in island 🧱festivities.

POPULATION

Bora Bora’s population of roughly 10,000 people 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦live in three villages: Anau, Fa’anui, and Vaitape. Vaitape is the principal village and administrative⛷ center of Bora Bora and is home to about half of the island’s population of 4,927 people. Fa’anui is the second-largest village with a population of about 2,962 people, followed by Anau with 1,973. 🇲🇫French Polynesia has a much larger population of about 280,900 people. The administrative center of Bora Bora is on the settlement of Vaitape, which is also the largest of the villages🙅‍♀️ on the island.

DESTINATION

The island is about 20 miles⚛ around, and bikes and small cars are available for rent at various sites. It is well worth the investment to ride the perimeter🏝 of the island

Vaitape is a destination for visitors searching for signature souvenirs such as Tahitian black pearls, shell jewelry,💎 colorful pāreu wraps, wooden handmade 🖍crafts, and scented soaps and oils. Vaitape is easily seen by taking a short walk around the public beaches of Bora Bora, and it is generally crowd-free, except when cruise ships🛳 and touring ships🚢 are in the area. This is where you will see an increase of tender boat traffic to the Vaitape wharf from the various cruise and touring🌸 ships.

The Jeep tours are well worth🚗 a trip. You'll have a good time climbing🧗‍♂️ through some rough trails on the island, and you'll get some breathtaking views. In addition, you'll tour the American 🍖WWII ruins, such as gun emplacements and bunkers. A few of the Jeep tour companies, like Vavau Adventures Bora Bora, have exclusive access to steep mountain roads to magnificent views, where tourists🗼 and other companies normally are not allowed to enter.The white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, spectacular colored fish🦈, and manta rays🐠 invite Bora Bora tourists to go scuba diving and snorkeling 🏊‍♀️to explore the beauty below the surface. Diving is a very popular activity in Bora Bora and it has great dive sites for both beginners and advanced divers. Explore the outer reef or dive the pass to see a variety of marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, and many species of fish. Bora Bora is especially well-known as a great spot to dive with graceful manta rays.

FAMOUS FILMS AND BOOKS

“Couples Retreat,” the 2009 romantic comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Kristen Bell, was filmed at the St. Regis Resort in Bora Bora, and “The Bachelorette” season finale starring Ali Fedotowsky was filmed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, the same place “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” shot three episodes of its sixth season while on the island.Other movies filmed here that may surprise Bora Bora tourists include, “Mutiny on the Bounty (1962),” “Bora Bora (1968),” “Hurricane (1978),” “Sky Pirates (1986),” and “Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931).”Bora Bora relies heavily on the tourism industry to fuel its economy, and its fabled blue lagoon is - according to novelist James A. Michener - "So stunning, that there are really no adequate words to describe it." Made famous by books, movies, and its stunning beauty, the island is now besieged by tourism and overcrowding.

You should really go there to relax yourself and have a great time.