Bora Bora stands out as my favorite of the three French Polynesian islands we visited, primarily because it simply defies logic with its secret recipe to making its waters even more crystal clear than its neighboring islands’, and honestly, I’m completely baffled by how that’s even possible.
Bora Bora is a place where reality seems to blur with fantasy. The moment you arrive, the vibrant blues of the lagoon and the imposing Mount Otemanu, a dormant volcano, take your breath away. The overwater bungalows, perched over the crystal-clear waters, feel like your own private slice of heaven. The days are a whirlwind of water adventures, from snorkeling with colorful fish to gliding over the still morning water on an SUP. But it’s the evenings that truly enchant, as the sunsets paint the sky with fiery hues that pave the way for the star-filled night sky. Bora Bora is a place where time slows down, where the worries of the world fade, and where you can’t help but wonder if you’ve stumbled upon paradise itself.
At only 11.8 square miles, Bora Bora is a relatively small island. It consists of a central, extinct volcano encircled by a lagoon and barrier reef. This reef creates a unique ecosystem and acts as a natural shield, protecting the island and its beautiful beaches. As of 2017, it had a population of 10,605. The people of Bora Bora are predominantly of Polynesian descent, and while French is the official language, Tahitian and English are also spoken.
We stayed two nights on Bora Bora, the initial night at the Royal Bora Bora Hotel. Despite our room being situated across the street from the ocean we found the hotel to be delightful. The dining area, perched right by the ocean, offered fantastic cuisine and evening entertainment in the form of live music and Tahitian dancing. After checking in and getting ourselves comfortable, the afternoon swiftly turned into evening. We treated ourselves to tropical cocktails, dined, made reservations for a jet ski adventure the following day, marveled at yet another breathtaking sunset, and called it a day.
On our second day on Bora Bora, I seized the opportunity for an early morning run, and it turned out to be one of the most scenic runs I’ve ever experienced. Witnessing the sunrise over this paradise was an absolute delight. Then after a satisfying breakfast, I prepared myself for my jet ski adventure. I had some reservations, fearing that a guided tour might limit my freedom to enjoy jet skiing to the fullest. Boy, was I wrong! This tour turned out to be an absolute blast. Since Rosie wasn’t keen on jet skiing, I went by myself, and there were two other people on the tour. We circled a substantial part of the lagoon, and upon reaching a tranquil beach, one of our guides set up a fresh fruit platter on the back of his jet ski while we swam – it was a rejuvenating experience! Jet skiing itself was a ton of fun, but what truly made this adventure exceptional was the unbelievably warm, crystal-clear water that surrounded me throughout the ride. At one point, we had a minor hiccup with one of the jet skis having some mechanical issues. While waiting for a replacement, we took advantage of the opportunity to watch the sting rays and full throttle the other jet skis around the lagoon. The presence of all those graceful stingrays swimming around us added an extra layer of excitement as we watched them glide and even engage in playful chase games.
After my thrilling jet ski adventure, Rosie and I made our way to the Continental, our over-water bungalow, which turned out to be an absolutely extraordinary experience. The room featured a captivating glass “coffee table” that allowed us to witness the mesmerizing underwater world right beneath our feet. Adding to the enchantment, the hotel provided fish snacks, and the coffee table conveniently slid open, enabling us to feed the fish directly from our room! Additionally, the hotel offered complimentary use of kayaks, canoes, and SUPs. I had been eager to try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) for a few years, so I gave it a shot. It took a bit of time to find my balance, but I eventually got the hang of it. I even had the pleasure of taking Rosie along for a ride. As I paddled around the tranquil lagoon, Rosie enjoyed an afternoon of snorkeling in the most beautiful water you can imagine. We swam well into the evening, basking in yet another breathtaking sunset, followed by a star-studded night sky that seemed to stretch on forever.
Coffee on our deck the next morning, our last morning, was pure bliss. Saying goodbye to this fairytale was bittersweet…reality awaited, but we weren’t quite ready to leave. We soaked up as much of the beautiful Bora Bora sun as we could before the inevitable departures began – Rosie’s first, followed by mine a few hours later. I did some more SUP’ing, acquiring a golden glow and a sense of tranquility to return home with. The boat ride back to the airport was complete with a double rainbow to bid adieu, a fitting farewell to this unforgettable vacation.
