Sofitel Bora Bora Motu Private Island

The Grocery Store Matira Point

by keida84

The grocery store from the Sofitel Motu is just a short boat ride away to the sister hotel, Sofitel Marara, go throug the lobby and to the street, turn left and walk just a bit. Tiare market is just across from the Bora Bora Motel.

Hours:
Monday through Saturday:
6:30am to 1:30pm
3:00pm to 6:30pm

Sunday:
6:30am to 1pm
3pm to 6pm

The great bread goes earlyafter all, this is French Polynnesia

A Motu Getaway

by Kakapo2

Before you roll down to Matira Point you have a great view of one of those motu getaways.

Whatever you think of the Sofitel hotel chain, they just have spectacular resorts.

This one is the Sofitel Motu Coralia.

Better you do not ask me for the tariffs… ;-)

The best tip I can give you: Start saving for your stay!

Honeymoon in Bora Bora

by sunnysarah

"Paradise on Earth!!"

We spent 9 glorious nights in the Sofitel Motu Bora Bora over-water bungalow. It was pure luxury and we spoiled ourselves with this hotel!
We were picked up at the airport, given fresh flower lei's and driven by boat to the hotel. At the dock when we arrived we were greeted with a cool towel to refresh ourselves with and a cold coconut to drink as we checked in at the open air recpetion area. The hotel is small and exculsive. There is only one restaurnt and bar and no pool. All of that can be used at their sister resort across the lagoon, a quick free boat trip away.

Walking to our bungalow we kept stopping take more pictures. We were just blown away by how beautiful everything was, especially the water. It was SO clear and blue and so many fishies!!

A couple of days it rained, but usually at night and not for very long. The first few days we were there it was calm, but afterwards it was windy everyday. It wasn't bad because it was so warm, the breeze was nice. But it did churn up the water some and reduce the visibility.

"Bugster, Viatape, and Bloody Mary's"

One day we rented a "bugster" for 4 hours and toured around the island. The floor of the coconut forest was full of holes inhabited by crabs! Apparently you can eat the crabs if you feed them a diet of coconut for a month, to clear out their systems i guess? We saw these crabs holes all over the island.

We went up one road and on the way back there was an electric gate closing us in!! We were in shock! We honked a few times and someone in the closest house beeped us out.

the "big city" of Vaitape. There are 2 banks, post office, 2 supermarkets, snack huts and tons of pearl shops and pareo (sarong) shops. An open air mini bus left from the Novotel 3 times a day and took us to the town in about 15 minutes. We went there twice.
Bora Bora is so expensive its crazy. Breakfast in a little pattiserie was over $25 and to have our pics put onto a disc was $50 CAD. Even the bus was $10 return each.

Had dinner at Bloody Mary's like everyone says you have to. Was good but the people beside us waited over and hour for their food. Bathroom wasn't THAT great, but whatever.

We were picked up in the outrigger boat at 9:45 by Pierrot, the owner of the small tour company. We headed out into the lagoon to feed and swim with the Sting Rays and Reef sharks. The day couldn't have been better, sunny and calm. The water is unreal. Never have we seen water so beautiful and clear. It was about 10 minutes by boat from our hotel to where the sharks and rays are. Even before we were at the spot Peirrot pointed out some rays swimming below the boat.

Pierrot tossed some fish bits in the water and next thing you know, there were 8 sharks and over a dozen rays. I could not wait to jump in the water!! The rays look like they are flying in the water. The feeling of being in the water and surrounded by sharks!! I could hear the Jaws music in my ears.

Next stop was some snorkelling in a "coral garden" 15 minutes or so away. The water was much deeper there and with a strong current. All it takes is a little bread in the hand and you are surrounded by 1000's of colourful fish. The snorkelling here was some of the best we've experienced. Topped only by the Red Sea in Egypt. It just seemed so untouched, no suncreen clouded water, no dead coral and tour buses to fill the lagoon.

We toured around the entire island, and checked out all the other hotels and their bungalows. In the next year there are 3 mega hotels opening up. I think we planned this trip in the nick of time. With each of those hotels probably capable of 300 guests a day( in water bungalows) plus staff, the island with be packed!

We hung out in our private "pool" while Pierrot prepared our lunch. We feasted on fresh salad, and tuna cru , then prawn skewers and a lobster tail, steaks, mahi mahi and potatoes and finally fruit for dessert. Of course we washed it all down with champagne!

Lagoo-mania

by Kakapo2

Raiatea and Tahaa in the background, behind a chain of motu.

You see: plenty of (leaning) coconut palms to create fore- and background ;-)

View to the Sofitel Motu Coralia.

Stillife at Matira Beach.

Another shot of Matira Beach.

Vairau Bay.

Bora Bora

by localpics

"Sofitel Motu Hotel"

This is the walkway to the hotel. We took a water taxi from the airport and we were greeted at the dock by several members of the hotel staff, including a guy strumming the ukele. They gave us fresh fruit juice, floral lei's, and cold towels. The check-in process was great. They took us straight to our bungalow and checked us in right there.

"Renting a Car"

We drove this little rental car around the island of Bora Bora.

Mt. Otemanu is in the background.

Mt. Otemanu

"Bora Bora Sunset"

Sunset viewed from our bungalow.

"Polynesian Show"

We caught a Polynesian Show at the restaurant in the Sofitel Marara hotel.

"Rainy Day"

Be prepared for some rain every now and then. Overall, we were very lucky with the weather. This shot was taken on one of the few rainy days that we experienced.

Another shot of the Sofitel Motu hotel in Bora Bora.

This shot was taken at sunrise from the deck of our bungalow in Bora Bora.

"Sofitel Motu Hotel (cont.)"

A view of Mt. Otemanu from our bungalow in Bora Bora. This shot was taken shortly after sunrise.

Looking towards the beach bungalows.

A view of the overwater bungalows at the Sofitel Motu hotel, with Mt. Otemanu in the background.

"Sofitel Motu Hotel (cont.)"

This is the view across Taahina Bay from the hotel reception area.

Relaxing on the private beach at the Sofitel Motu hotel.

A view of the Sofitel Motu hotel from the lagoon.
>> Next stop on the trip: Rangiroa