Bora Bora is where? In which country is the island of Bora Bora?

Exotics and romance on this Pacific island abound. Recreation will be fame, if you try to use at least part of the opportunities available there for an interesting pastime.

From Tahiti to the northwest

To the question: "Bora-Bora is where?" You can answer this way: "From Tahiti to the north-west." And more precise: "240 kilometers is not such a long distance."

One of the islands of French Polynesia, Bora Bora, is located in the center of the most beautiful lagoon on the planet, which can rightfully be considered as such. The island itself is small in size, its area is only about 30 square meters. Km. But the lagoon, formed by the atoll, is three times larger. It, in turn, is surrounded by coral islands, which serve as a breakwater protecting the island from the stormy waters of the Pacific Ocean, so inside the lagoon there is peace and quiet.

So, where the island of Bora Bora, there are the most luxurious hotels in French Polynesia, because this is a favorite vacation spot for most of the world's celebrities.

A bit of history

It is known that in the IV century AD. The first people appeared on this island. However, there are practically no data on its ancient inhabitants, about their culture and everyday life. The first European to land on Bora Bora was James Cook. This happened in 1769.

A little later, in 1786, a navigator from France Louis de Bougainville, arriving on the island of Tahiti, declared him, as well as other islands located in the area, including Bora Bora, the possession of France. Thus, French Polynesia was founded.

During World War II, the US military deployed to Bora Bora and the nearby small coral islands. They turned this island into their base, installed there military equipment and built a runway. By the way, this strip for a long time was the connecting link of the islands of French Polynesia with other countries. Only in 1961 an airport was built in Tahiti.

Awesome island resort

The tropical climate with refreshing sea breezes makes the island a year-round resort. There are clearly defined two seasons. From November to February, the island is hot and humid, from March to October - cool and dry. Bora Bora is where? There, where the average temperature throughout the year is 27 ° C, and where you can relax with great comfort all year round.

By the way, the first hotel opened on the island only in 1961. But now there are more hotels there than on all the islands of French Polynesia combined. There they like to relax the stars of politics, cinema, business.

However, not only five-star hotels are in demand. We offer romantic rest and small islands of Bora Bora, where bungalows are located directly on the water, on special piles. How wonderful it is to watch the sunset on the terrace of this bungalow!

Nature - as in a fairy tale!

And this is not an exaggeration. Bora Bora is where? Where there is an emerald lagoon with clear water, a scattering of cozy coral islands called motu, palm groves, orchards, a mountain range with three peaks ...

Three mountains are Pakhia, Mataihua and Oteman. The latter is the highest (727 meters). But all three are strongly weathered edges of the crater of an extinct volcano. The rest of the island consists of basaltic lava, while the small part of the island consists of coral remains and sand layers.

In the lagoon from the ocean, there is only one passage, deep enough (55 meters), from the south-west side. The passage is called Teavanui, and in its transparent depth one can often see an interesting sight - a cluster of gray sharks and barracudas. However, the underwater world of the lagoon is very diverse and entertaining. Therefore, those who are perplexed: "Bora-Bora - where is it?", You can answer: "Where there is an opportunity to swim with dolphins and sharks, watch the ramparts and moray eels, admire the beautiful tropical fish."

Polynesians, or Tahitians

Local people live mainly on a flat coastal strip, because the central part, covered with mountains, is difficult to access.

According to the 2007 census, the local population of the island was 8,880 people. Most of them (about 5000 people) live in the only major settlement and administrative center of the island - Vaitape. There is even a Christian church.

The inhabitants of the island speak Thai and French. But many of them understand and English, because they have to communicate with tourists, and not only as a service staff.

For example, many vacationers on the island go to the Polynesian village with pleasure. There you can get acquainted with local customs, see and hear traditional dances and songs for these places, try national dishes and even learn how to prepare them. This is famous for the resort of Bora Bora, where there are a number of modern hotels and there are many interesting places for active beach holidays.

Traveling around the island

The ring road along the coastlines the whole island, its length is 32 kilometers. Public transport is represented by a single bus that runs about once per hour.

The best way to travel around the central island is to rent a bicycle, scooter or car. Only during the trip should you beware of domestic animals: pigs, chickens, dogs, who run freely around the neighborhood.

It is even better to travel by Bora Bora on foot, simultaneously looking at all the sights of the island. In such walking tours, it is not superfluous to have a local guide who will tell a lot of interesting things and will take you to the most inaccessible places of Bora-Bora, where possible, of course.

Sights of the island

The Lagoonarium is located in the central part of the island's lagoon. This is an open aquarium where there are a lot of tropical fish. In an ordinary aquarium, you can observe the fish only on the other side of the glass. The difference between an open aquarium is that you can take a mask and tube and swim among stingrays, sharks, turtles and other tropical fish. And under the supervision of instructors you can even feed these marine predators - sharks and rays.

Coral garden can be found on a small island with the English name Sofitel Motu. The water here is absolutely transparent, and between the beautiful coral placers you can perfectly see floating colorful fish. But it's best to wear a mask and fins and make a company with ramps, moray eels, sea urchins, black sharks and other tropical fish. You can swim over the coral garden and kayak.

Another of the attractions makes the island of Bora Bora famous. "This is where the pearl farm is located!" - fans of exotic rest will immediately exclaim. Indeed, there you can see the entire process of the birth of a pearl inside an oyster. Then you can go to the store and buy local pearls.

Mount Oteman is a popular hiking place on the island. The truth can only be climbed on the "shoulders" of the mountain, its vertical peak is inaccessible, primarily because the soil on it represents a scree. To go to the mountain it is necessary on a clear day, so that the beauty of the surroundings can be clearly seen and that dirt is not squished under the feet (if it does rain, it is possible). But it is better to take along a local guide. And then you can see the remains of ancient settlements, ceremonial sites, religious sanctuaries, try exotic fruits.

Of course, not all the sights of the island are described here.

How to get there

Now you know a lot about Bora Bora. Where is the country that includes the island? Recall, French Polynesia - it's not even a country, and the overseas community. But how to get there?

Of course, by plane. Although for him the path is not close, especially since there is no direct flight. First you need to fly about 9.5 hours from Moscow to Tokyo. Then another 11.5 hours from Tokyo to Tahiti. And, finally, another 45 minutes to Bora Bora.

The last part of the way can be done on a high-speed catamaran, incidentally making a photo on the way to the lagoon and the island of Bora Bora; Where there is a passage Teavanui, there you can observe remarkably beautiful landscapes.