The pearl of the Pacific or Bora Bora
About 140 miles (225 km) northwest of Tahiti, in the western Leeward group of the Society islands of French Polynesia, is where you’ll find Bora Bora.
It is a rough, hilly, volcanic island with a sizable lagoon encircled by stunning coral reefs and islets.
It is usually interpreted to mean “first born” in Tahitian, where the sound is closer to Pora Pora.
Polynesian colonists and traders originally settled at Bora Bora in the fourth century.
The first European to see the island was the Dutch adventurer Jakob Roggeveen in 1722, but James Cook would become the first European to set foot on the island in 1770.
Prior to the French annexation of Bora Bora in 1888, the island was still a sovereign country.
The island supported American military supply operations during World War Two.
An oil storage, an airfield, and naval defences were among the military improvements made on the island during “Operation Bobcat.”
The little airport was French Polynesia’s sole international airport after the war until 1960.
All of the islands in French Polynesia received limited autonomy and citizenship in 2004, but they all remained subject to French administration and legal jurisdiction.
Less than 9000 people called Bora Bora their permanent home as of the year 2008.
On the westernmost tip of the main island is Vaitape, where the bulk of people reside.
There are many workers for the coconut plantations on Tupai, the largest atoll, but no permanent residents.
While Tahitian is widely used, French is the official language.
The island of Bora Bora is only 11.3 square miles (29,266,865 sq. km) in size, but it is home to a magnificent lagoon and stunning coral reefs.
The island, which has a volcanic origin, is steep and ragged, with exposed black granite on its highest peaks.
Two different black stone summits, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, which are the relics of an extinct volcano, are located in the island’s centre.
Pahia, at 2,165 feet (660m), is the shorter of the two, while Otemanu reaches a height of 2,379 feet (725m).
There are numerous tropical trees, plants, and flowers present despite the region’s volcanic origins.
Orange trees, vanilla bushes, and coconut palms are examples of common variations.
There are plenty of nonis, a well-liked tropical evergreen with edible fruit.
Because of its volcanic background, Bora Bora has no native mammals.
There are, however, some invasive species on the island as a result of human activity.
It’s typical to see dogs, cats, cows, horses, and sheep.
In contrast, the island is home to a wide variety of bird species.
White Terns, Pacific Swallows, and Black-winged Petrels are frequently sighted.
On Bora Bora, you’ll also recognise several additional species that are regularly seen across French Polynesia.
The waters of Bora Bora are home to an abundance of marine life.
There are many different fish species to be found, such as red snapper, jackfish, and lemon sharks.
It’s common to see dolphins, sea turtles, and humpback whales that are migrating.
The abundance of ray species on Bora Bora, including leopard, eagle, and the enormous Manta Ray, has made the island famous throughout the world. This is due to the plentiful marine plankton in the area.
The hot and muggy Polynesian summer season lasts from November to April.
The average monthly rainfall is over 10 inches, while the summertime temperature peaks at 85 degrees.
Less than 4 inches of precipitation fall each month during the somewhat cooler but significantly drier winter in Bora Bora.
Because Bora Bora is a well-liked tourist location, getting there is not too difficult.
The only international airport in French Polynesia is Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti, where you must first arrive by plane.
Tahiti is located 225 kilometres (140 miles) northwest of Bora Bora.
Flyers from Papeete can land at the airfield in Bora Bora.
On Motu Mete, an islet that is part of the main island of Bora Bora, is where the airport is located.
To go to the main island or resorts on smaller neighbouring islands, one must take a boat from the airport.
