Things to Do I have not Done…
by Kakapo2
With a day only you have to set priorities, and our two priorities was to see as much of the island and the landscape as possible and have a swim in the bathtub-warm water of the lagoon. This was perfect, as with the slow pace of the one-gear bicycles we got a feeling of the life on the island, and did not just tick tourist attractions with the tour guide being the only local you would meet.
So things we have missed, including some things we would not even have wanted to experience were:
Boat or outrigger canoe tour around the island with shark and manta ray watching.
Go diving.
Tour in a glass-bottom boat or submarine.
Helicopter Flight over the island.
Do jetskiing or wake-boarding.
Check out the marae. (As we had visited marae on the other French Polynesian islands, especially Raiatea, we neglected the search for those on Bora Bora, as we did not want to miss to get into this lagoon.)
We could have checked out some of the WW2 defense guns. There would have been time to check out at least one, especially the one at Matira Point, I have to admit… However, in an updated (online) guide, the Moon Handbook of Tahiti, I read that residential construction blocks the access track, so they cannot be visited anymore…
The Lonely Planet Guide describes the locations quite well. Note them on a map before you set out. The South Pacific Handbook by David Stanley, on the other hand, says that most cannons are not worth the walk(s) – but the views you get from there are worth the effort in most cases.
We could have snorkelled in the Coral Garden but preferred to relax on the beach and swim at Matira Beach..
Go on a mountain safari tour in a 4WD vehicle or quad bike.
Go trekking in the centre of the island. (We would have loved to do this but there was no time.) The most strenuous walk is up to Mt. Pahia, it takes about 5 hours, and you should not go without a guide, most travel books say.
Sail on a yacht.
Visit the Lagoonarium (turtles, sharks, rays and tropical fish).
Swim with turtles at the care centre at the Meridien Hotel.
Visit the Marine Museum (Musée de la Marine) in Faanui which is said to have nice model ships..
Visit the Coral Nursery Toa Nui under the overwater bungalows of the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa.
You see, you have to choose carefully what you want to do, not only because of time restraints. To do it all you might have to win Lotto first ;-)
Parkroyal Resorts on Tahiti,...
by meirs
Parkroyal Resorts on Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora In Moorea, the resort offers a chance to swim with its dolphins, which are kept in the lagoon at the resort. For about $120US you can spend about 45 mins with the dolphins and have your picture taken with them. If you prefer to stay out of the water, you can still see the dolphins from the garden and overwater bungalows that surround the lagoon. The resort also offers free canoes, which you can take out to small islands across the lagoon. On our way to one of these islands we saw a group of stingrays and encountered 4 harmless reef sharks.
In Bora Bora, every guest receives complimentary snorkel gear and fins for the length of their stay. These come in very handy. You can step off the porch of your bungalow into a lagoon that's filled with tropical fish, and a stingray that visited every night. The bungalow also has a glass coffee table with a top that opens to the coral underneath the room. You can feed the strange shaped and colorful fish that gather at the coral from your living room. The picture included is that of our bungalow in Bora Bora.
In Tahiti, the resort has a wonderful restaurant, great grounds, and unique pools. We only spent one night there before our flight home.
Hotel Bora Bora for total...
by grannysmith
Hotel Bora Bora for total splurging and honeymooners, the Sofitel Ia Ora in Moorea for expensive tastes, the Maitai Polynesia for a smaller budget,Tarariki in Moorea for cheap accomodation.
Topdive for diving, Beachcomber in Tahiti for transit,
Club Med Moorea for laid back with kids and camp atmosphere. When possible, book the overwater bungalows. Waking up and going to sleep over water is a dream!
Becahcomber Intercontinental...
by DreamTravler
Becahcomber Intercontinental in Bora Bora.
For one night depending on the time of year you are looking at anywhere from 450 a night to well over 600 a night US dollar. This hotel is wonderfull for familys and couples alike. When they finish there renovations it will be even better with the addition of a pool and more overwater bungalows. They have a great resturant on site and the snorkleing is unbeliveable.
Stay at the Sofitel Coralia...
by Swiss_Yalcin
Stay at the Sofitel Coralia located near the Airport.
On Bora Bora and Morea I stayed at the Club Med. The food is included. If I wouldn't have booked the Club Med, the whole trip would cost me the double. The food at Club Med is very delicious and a big variety selections of local and international cuisine. Even the Wine is included. And there is even a japanese corner for the only very few visitors from Japan and also for japanese food lovers.
French Polynesia is VERY VERY...
by dreamworld
French Polynesia is VERY VERY VERY expensive...and I don't see why since I went to neighbouring islands such as Fiji and Vanuatu which are even better, buch much more affordable.
Most of the people in French Polynesia is overrating and you get limited comfort for a normal rate. Only top expensive hotels (made for honeymooners) are ok but you should make an hold-up to a bank prior to going to this part of the world !
In Papeetee, I found out a youth hostel which I can't remember the name. It was dirty, noisy, and quite unsafe...but still expensive.
In Bora Bora I had to sleep in a huge 20 people dormitory which was the only 'affordable' place (full of spiders and ants...but this does not annoy me so much). DON'T GO to Bora Bora if you are on a tight budget.
In Moorea, the huge camping including some bungalors was much better and ok with rates. Clean and safe...and next to a beautiful lagoon.
Forum Posts
Wedding in Bora Bora?
by cordy25
I seen Bora Bora recently on a travel show & have fell in love with the idea of going there on my honeymoon. However because of the price I would have to really scrimp on my wedding.
So I was wondering if anyone knows if you can get married on the island? This way I would still get the honey moon of my dreams & a lovely wedding.
Re: Wedding in Bora Bora?
by sabsi
Hi!
Sorry to destroy your dreams. You can get married on Bora Bora - but you have to spend 4 weeks in French Polynesia before you are allowed to do so.
Sorry!
Sabs
Re: Wedding in Bora Bora?
by delcity
look here for a link to that country and to bora bora. ( www.towd.com )
RE: Wedding in Bora Bora?
by nhawk
I am getting married in Bora Bora in December. By that I mean we are having the ceremony, which I consider the wedding, but it is not legal in the terms of marriage in the USA. We will be legally married on our way home in Hawaii, on the beach in Maui. There are so many fantastic ceremonies in Bora Bora. Let me know if you want details. Check out Tiki Village at www.tikivillage.pf/ for a really unique ceremony and/or most hotels have their own packages. Well worth the $$ you would spend on a traditional ceremony back home!
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