| Country | Airport | Place |
| French Polynesia | BOB | Bora Bora |
A layover in Bora Bora is a fantastic journey through the turquoise waters, lush green forests, and riveting history. I am captivated by the beautiful surroundings whenever I am on the island. I love to soak in the views, the breeze, and the hues. It is not just an island; it is a liberating experience altogether. Check out some of my best experiences on the island.
Sea Exploration in Bora Bora
The crew and I love to imbibe the island in everything we do. Living in overwater bungalows is one such ultimate experience that we look forward to on our layover in Bora Bora.
One of the best things about staying in these tropical villas is that we get easy access to all the top activities & attractions of the island. Some best ones, in my opinion, are:
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Matira Beach:
The beach is the hotbed of everything Bora Bora has to offer. If we have a one-day layover, we spend the entire day here. Not only is it always bustling with activities, but it is also one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever come across in all my layovers around the world.
The turquoise water, bright sunshine, stately palms, lush green backdrops with Mt. Otemanu & white sand everywhere. Even if you are not an adventure buff, simply the vibes of the beach will energize you. It is a fantastic place to bask, relax, taste local cuisine, and whatnot! It is not a place; it’s an emotion.
I love the beach because it offers terrific cruises and tours. I have gone on several of these, including the jetski tour, lagoon and lunch cruise, and snorkeling adventure cruise. Each one has been a fun experience that draws me back to the island every now and then.
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Aqua Bike & SUP Experiences:
While Snorkeling is quite common in almost all island destinations, Bora Bora brings its own uniqueness to the whole experience. You get to explore the waters riding an underwater scooter!
Yes, the Aqua bike adventure is one of my favorites. I love marine life, and this is a stunning way to explore it. Call it a bike or a mini-submarine, but it is undoubtedly a fun ride.
While underwater explore is fantastic, SUP or stand-up paddle is a leisurely overwater experience. It is precisely as the name suggests, there is a small paddle, and you row it standing on it.
As it was a new experience for most of us, we preferred paddling in the flat waters, but I’ve heard this could be a lot more fun if we go downwind. Next time, maybe we will try that.
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Shark and Stingray Feeding Tour:
Bora Bora adds its unique flavor to snorkeling because you can snorkel with the sharks here! It’s not just a crazy thought; it is a reality!
I had never seen so many different kinds of sharks in my life, and if it were to me, I would prefer maintaining a safe distance. However, the Black-Tip Sharks here are very friendly and social. They won’t devour you to the last morsel.
We even came across Lemon Sharks and Stocky Sharks. Unlike me, if you are daring enough, you can even ride the Lemon Shark.
But sharks are not the only exciting species here. You even get to feed the friendly stingrays. Taking this tour is an absolute must if you want to have an authentic Bora Bora experience.
Land Exploration in Bora Bora
Although sea explores are the most attractive way of exploring Bora Bora, even the land explores are a lot of fun. Some of my favorite ways of exploring this beautiful island’s topography are:
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Hiking at Mt. Otemanu & Mt. Pahia:
On a layover in Bora Bora, not traversing the Mt. Otemanu Hike is a sin. It is an adrenaline-pumping adventure and a top photo opportunity. The black peaks are surrounded by lush tropical jungles and azure blue lagoon.
Although Otemanu is a top hiking destination, you can’t reach its summit as the volcanic rock slopes are extremely fragile. But the hike up to the base is totally worth it. My favorite part of the hike was searching for the old WWII cannons scattered all around. We even played a cannon-spotting game.
If you want to soak in the 360 views from the top, hike up to Mount Pahia, the second-highest peak in Bora Bora. However, it is an expert climb and takes 6 hours, so if you are going for it, then don’t plan anything else on that day.
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4×4 Jeep Tour:
Bora Bora is truly a land of enchantments; the more you explore, the more there’s left to explore. The crew and I took a 4×4 jeep safari tour across the island, and the experience was inexplicably wonderful.
The whole experience was so authentic; we went through the lush green forests till we reached the Faanui Valley Viewpoint. We tasted traditional fruits, including coconut and bananas, laid down beautifully on a banana leaf.
Also, our guide kept us engaged by telling such fascinating legends about the islands that we didn’t even realize when the 4-hour tour came to an end.
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Tahiti Pearl Market:
I always love to take a piece of the island back with me. My favorite souvenir from Bora Bora is the famous black and white pearl jewelry made from locally-farmed pearls.
These pearls are collected from 20 feet underwater, and each pearl is unique memorabilia. My favorite part of the whole experience is that we can choose the pearl we like the most and then get it set into jewelry on-spot.
Although these can be a little expensive, I have never seen anything more exquisite in my life, so it feels worth every penny.
Food Exploration in Bora Bora
Beach fun and land explores are terrific Bora Bora attractions, but the food here is even better. On our layover in Bora Bora, we love exploring the local delights; some of my favorite places and food are:
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Bloody Mary’s:
Apart from the most delicious seafood and steak offerings, the place’s ambiance is so enticing. The bamboo and timber architecture with thatched roofs and lantern lights makes it look incredibly romantic and beachy.
The menu is expansive with fresh seafood, Mexican delights, and vegetarian options. I love their Bacon Cheese Burger with Swiss and American Cheddar and Pineapple garnishing.
They even offer some delicious cocktails, house wines, and home-brewed beer to go with the food. Overall the place offers a fun vibe and delightful meals.
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Moi Here & Restaurant Matira Beach:
Another one of my favorite places, Moi Here, is great for cheap on-the-go bites and a mesmerizing sea view. It is located very close to the blue lagoon, so you can combine your shark and stingray tour with a meal here.
It is not a fine dining place, but it is fun to chill out with your friends and crew. As it is situated right at Matira Beach so, it offers the easiest access.
For a fine dine experience right at the beach, Restaurant Matira Beach is the perfect place. The open-air restaurant allows you to experience the fresh breeze from the lagoon as you feast on the best Japanese sushi in Bora Bora.
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Tasting the Local Beer:
Whenever I am in Bora Bora, the one thing that’s always on my to-do list is at least a pint of the famous Hinano Lager. You can get it everywhere you go, be it a beach bar or a fine dine restaurant. Its bitter, crisp flavor makes it very unique.
It blends well with almost all kinds of food. Also, the locally brewed ones are very cheap. Although Tahiti is the primary brewing island, it is readily available in Bora Bora also.
Nānā Bora Bora – You’re Bewitching!
Every layover in Bora Bora has been a magical experience; however, there is so much left to explore. Next time I am all set to take the bike tours around the quaint fishing villages and visit the turtle sanctuary. I can’t wait to head back.
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