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- ''This article is about the island of Bora Bora. For the administrative commune (municipality) from which depends the island, see Bora-Bora.
Bora Bora () is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island, located about 260 km northwest of Papeete (French Polynesia's capital), is surrounded by a lagoon and a fringing reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano, rising to two peaks, Mt. Pahia, and the highest point, Mount Otemanu, reaching 727 meters (2,385 ft.).
The island is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Bora-Bora, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands.
As of 2002, the population was about 7,250 people. The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon.
The original name in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning "First Born".
The products of the island are mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and coconut trees.
History
The island was settled by Polynesian people about the 4th century. While the island was sighted by earlier explorers, James Cook led the first group of Europeans to visit the island in 1777.
In 1842 Bora Bora was made a protectorate of France.
World War II
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, and an oil depot, airstrip, seaplane base, and defensive fortifications were constructed. However, the island saw no combat as the American presence on Bora Bora went uncontested over the course of the war. Although the base was officially closed on June 2, 1946, so many American personnel loved the island and the people that they refused to leave. Some had to be forcibly removed following complaints from their families.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. The airstrip at Bora Bora was never able to accommodate large-sized aircraft.
Today
Today the island is mainly dependent on tourism. Over the last few years seven high-end resorts have been built on motus (small islands) surrounding the lagoon.
Thirty years ago, Hotel Bora Bora built the first over the water bungalows on stilts over the lagoon and today, overwater bungalows are a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts. These private bungalows offer stunning views of the lagoon and mountain, easy access into the lagoon and are very luxurious, spacious, and priced accordingly...
Bora Bora's main attraction is its calm and crystal-clear lagoon offering the full array of nautical activities, the most famous being the Shark and Ray Feeding Excursion. There are also land excursion, such as by 4x4 up the hills to see the old WWII cannons and get a bird's-eye-view of the multicolored lagoon.
Air Tahiti has five or six flights daily to the island from Tahiti (as well as from other islands), at a cost of about 14,000 XPF one-way.
Although French and Tahitian are the main languages spoken by the inhabitants, people in contact with tourists generally have some command of English. Most visitors to Bora Bora are Americans, Japanese and Europeans.
Public transport on the island is fairly limited, consisting of a single bus that goes halfway around the island and back every hour or so. Bicycles are the recommended method of transport for tourists, if your hotel will not arrange your transport for you. There are also small fun-cars for hire in the little town of Vaitape.
There are some excellent restaurant on the islands, a few offering world class cuisine using the local ingredients and products.
Bora Bora is famous for snorkeling and scuba diving in and around its colorful lagoon. Many species of sharks (harmless) and rays can be seen in the transparent water. There are a few dive operators on the island offering manta ray dives and shark-feeding dives.
External links
- Bora Bora Islands Pictures Stunning Pictures of the Bora Bora Islands
- Island Information and Resource
- Bora Bora entry on WorldAtlas.com
- Travel Forums on Bora Bora
- Amazing Picture Gallery of the Islands (focus on Le Meridian hotel, cca 40 pictures)
- Bora Bora Visitor Information
- Map of Bora Bora
Society Islands | Double-named places
Bora Bora | Bora Bora | Bora Bora | Bora-Bora | בורה בורה | ボラボラ島 | Bora Bora | Bora Bora | Bora Bora | Бора Бора | Bora Bora
"Bora Bora"