Things to do in  Bora Bora

Bora Bora’s reality looks like every traveler’s dream: white sandy shores surrounded by turquoise and cobalt waters, the island’s center populated by an extinct volcano shrouded in dense foliage. This quiet island is a favorite of honeymooners and luxury travelers, but is free of the party-seeking set; if you’re in search of nightlife, this is not your spot. Most visitors spend their days vacillating between lounging on the sand-ringed motu (outlying islands) and getting active with water-based pursuits such as snorkeling, diving, parasailing, jetskiing, and hiking. Vaitape is the island’s largest settlement, seated on the major channel into the central lagoon, and most tours, whether by land or sea, depart from there. Visitors can explore the interior of the island on a hiking tour or an excursion by 4x4 jeep through the rugged landscape, while snorkeling and scuba tours allow participants to get a glimpse of the vibrant underwater world, including resident tropical fish, sharks, and stingrays. History buffs will enjoy learning about French Polynesian culture and the history of the US in Bora Bora during World War II, and those hungry for aerial views can take a helicopter tour to see the extinct peaks of the Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu volcano, as well as the surrounding islands of Taha'a, Raiatea, Tupai, and Maupiti.