Bora Bora –
General Information
Part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia,
Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group in
the Pacific Ocean. This mountainous island is
located at about 230 kilometres northwest of
Papeete. It has Mount Otemanu and twin-peaked
Mount Pahia as its highest peaks; peaks of black
rock which are the remains of an extinct volcano
in the centre of the island. The often lushly
vegetated mountains drop to narrow coastal
strips or directly into a lagoon or the sea.
Bora Bora is surrounded by coral reefs, and on
the west side of the main island is the large
lagoon in which the smaller islands of Toopua
and Toopuati protect a spacious harbour, popular
with yachtsmen. Bora Bora's lagoon is its most
treasured feature. All these peculiar
characteristics together give as a result an
impressive landscape.
Bora-Bora comprises the island of Bora Bora
together with the surrounding islets that come
out from a huge coral reef and the atoll of
Tupai, located 20 kilometres north of Bora Bora.
The islets that surround Bora Bora are Motu
Tapu, Motu Ahuna, Tevairoa, Motu Tane, Motu
Mute, Motu Tufari, Motu Pitiaau, Sofitel Motu,
Motu Toopua and Toopuaiti. The islands are
protected from the force of the sea by almost
completely encircling barrier reefs. The
permanent population of Bora Bora is 8,880
inhabitants according to the 2008 census.
Vaitape, the principal village and administrative
centre of the commune, is on the western side of
the main island. The commune is in the
administrative subdivision of the Leeward
Islands divided into 3 districts: Vaitape,
Faanui and Anau.
The economy of the island is mostly limited to
what can be obtained from the sea and the
plentiful coconut trees, which have historically
been of economic importance for copra, though
tourism is Bora-Bora's primary industry.
Bora Bora is a world known tourist destination
famous for its luxury resorts, many of them
built on small islands or motu around the
lagoon. Nowadays the island mostly depends on
tourism. Over-water bungalows on stilts over the
lagoon are a one of the main characteristics of
most Bora Bora resorts. Among these bungalows
you can find from comparably cost-effective
basic accommodations to very well-appointed and
high-priced places to stay.
Most of the tourists that visit Bora Bora come
from the United States, Japan and Europe. Even
though French and Tahitian are the main
languages spoken by the inhabitants, people in
contact with tourists generally have some
command of English.
Regarding transportation, Bora Bora Airport, on
Motu Mete in the north, provides about six daily
flights to and from Papeete on Tahiti. Rental
cars and bicycles are the recommended means of
transport in the island, as there is no
collective public transportation. There are also
small fun-cars that you can hire in Vaitape.
World known for its marvellous beaches,
transparent blue waters and its ideal tropical
climate, Bora Bora has everything you need.
Water sports, excursions, relaxation and
adventure that include shark and ray feeding,
deep-sea and sport fishing and parasailing are,
among other activities, some of the
entertainment options you will find in this
superb place.
When considering things to do in Bora Bora you
will be surprised due to all possible
activities, excursions and sports you can enjoy
here.
Bora Bora is also the perfect setting for a
unique wedding, an idyllic honeymoon or a
romantic getaway. Tahitian weddings and renewing
wedding vows using interesting traditional
Tahitian methods are also popular
activities.
GENERAL INFORMATION
|
Capital |
Vaitape, on the western side of the main
island
|
Language |
French and Tahitian |
Land Area |
40.3 square kilometres |
Population |
8,927 inhabitants (2007 est.) |
Temperature |
26 - 33°C (72 - 86°F). |
Climate |
Tropical- warm and humid |
Time Zone |
GTM+11:00 |
Postal Code |
98714 /98730 |
Government |
Overseas collectivity of France |
Mayor |
Gaston Tong Sang (French Polynesia) |
Religion |
Evangelical,Christian, Protestant and
Roman Catholic
|
See More...
The
Meridien Bora Bora Resort Review