Bora Bora Lagoon
Bora Bora
A blue-green lagoon ringed by coral reefs and small islands (motu), with overwater bungalows, snorkeling and sharing the water with sharks and rays. It is widely regarded as the ultimate honeymoon destination.
Bora Bora is a volcanic island encircled by a barrier reef. Around its central main island lies a band of lagoon in striking shades, from creamy white over shallow sandbanks to turquoise and deep sapphire, bordered by coral islets (motu) lined with coconut palms. Resorts such as St. Regis, Four Seasons, Conrad and InterContinental build their overwater bungalows over the lagoon near the motu, so you can look down through glass floor panels at the fish below. The classic experience is a half-day or full-day lagoon boat trip: swim with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays in the shallows, snorkel over coral gardens, and enjoy a Polynesian lunch on a private motu. You can also go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, take a seaplane sightseeing flight over the lagoon, or dive (the outer reef is home to lemon sharks and manta rays). Matira Beach on the southern tip of the main island is a free public beach, ideal for visitors who are not staying at a resort. Getting there: from Tahiti, take Air Tahiti for about 50 minutes to Motu Mute airport (located on a motu), then continue by resort speedboat or ferry to the main island's Vaitape. Please note: follow your guide's instructions during shark and ray encounters, and never touch the animals. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Resort dining is very expensive.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Mount Pahia Hike
- Mount Otemanu
- Marae Fare Opu
- Vaitape
- Bloody Mary's
- WWII American Cannons
- Matira Beach
- Motu Tapu