Within Walking Distance

From the tender pier, stroll northward through Vaitape, Bora Bora’s largest town. As you walk you’ll see the town’s pretty evangelical church, topped with a red steeple, standing at the base of soaring Mount Pahia.

Beyond the Port Area

Most visitors to Bora Bora, French Polynesian, prefer spending their time out on the sparkling water—and who can blame them? The translucent seas encircling this island gem and its motus (islets) teem with marine life that few aquariums can match: Moray eels, green turtles, manta rays and more. Explore the lagoon and Bora Bora's turquoise seas with a snorkeling excursion to coral gardens swarming with tropical fish. You can also get out on the jewel-like waters in a glass-bottom boat, or catamaran.

Carnival cruises to Bora Bora offer adventures for land lovers. Discover the island’s lush valleys and climb its’ highest peak, Marira, by four-wheel-drive and you will see some of the most breathtaking, panoramic views. The island’s circle road curves along the shore of Povai Bay, where Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia tower above—providing the best views on Bora Bora. From here, head to Bloody Mary's Restaurant & Bar, where you can sip Polynesian-style mai tais, dine barefoot on the soft sand floors, and enjoy views of Mount Otemanu across the water.

Beaches in Bora Bora

Powdery white sand trace small peninsulas that stretch deep into sandy-bottom lagoons, where pristine waters are shallow all the way to the coral reef. Here you can experience marine life up-close and personal with Bora Bora Aqua Safari Helmet Dive. If you’re looking for a one-of-kind underwater adventure, Bora Bora Certified Scuba offers divers a very special viewing experience. Look for lemon and black-tip sharks, napoleon wrasses and jack fish, tuna and moray eels.

Shopping in Bora Bora

Most of the shopping on Bora Bora cruises is in Vaitape, where you'll find several souvenir shops and upscale black-pearl dealers. Other boutiques and shops are scattered along the main road, especially in the Matira hotel district.

Travel Tips

• French and Tahitian are the official languages, although English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
• The French Pacific franc is the official currency.
• Bora Bora enjoys a balmy tropical climate and tropical showers can pass overhead at any time of the year.
• Bora Bora cruises anchor offshore in Pofai Bay and tender passengers to the Vaitape dock.