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Top 10 Facts about Bora Bora, French Polynesia


 

Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia. This beautiful island is surrounded by sand-fringed islets. The turquoise lagoon is protected by a coral reef and is a famous spot for scuba diving.

Bora Bora is a popular luxury spot where guests get to stay in bungalows suspended over the water on stilts. This island is only 727 metres above sea level.

It is famous for its crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and endless blue skies. This is no wonder why the island is a favourite of many honeymooners. 

Here are the top 10 facts about Bora Bora.

1. We may have been pronouncing the name wrongly

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The natives of the island pronounce the name different from how we say it. In the Tahitian dialect, they pronounce the letter B as P. Therefore, it is Pora Pora.

In Tahitian, the name means firstborn. When explorer Jacob Roggeveen landed on the island, he and his crew could not pronounce the name correctly, they adopted the name, Bora Bora. A name that has been used since then.

2. Bora Bora was once a US military supply base

This island may be in one of the most remote locations in the world, but that did not save it from the events of the Second World War.

The United States used the island as their military supply base. Lovers of history can see the Guns of Bora Bora. These are seven giant canons that the American Army used to defend itself against the Japanese.

The military base was known as Operation Bobcat had 9 ships, 7,000 soldiers and 20,000 tons of war arsenal. They had the guns at strategic locations on the island. 

There was no combat in Bora Bora. The American base was closed in June 1946. 

3. Bora Bora is known for its precious black pearls

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One unique and precious gemstones are black pearls only native to Bora Bora. These pearls are extremely rare, beautiful and expensive.

A necklace made from black pearls can cost up to $50,000. You can purchase one from the boutiques in Papeete Market alongside other souvenirs.

The colour of the pearls at Bora Bora ranges from black to green to blue to grey.

4. Matira Beach in Bora Bora is the most beautiful in the world

Bora Bora is home to Matira Beach, one that is considered to be the most beautiful beach in the world.

Matira Beach is an unrefined paradise characterized by swaying palm trees, powdery sand and turquoise water that almost seem like a picture from a magazine.

In the evening, watch the dreamy sunset over the deep horizon. Matira Beach is secluded but also the largest and only public beach.

This beach has shallow water for swimming and is perfect for snorkelling.

5. Bora Bora is a caldera of an extinct volcano

Photo by Samuel Etienne – Wikimedia

More than 4 million years ago, this island was formed by a volcanic eruption. It was not inhabited for a while, the first people are known to live there is Tonga.

The landscape of this French Polynesian island is unique. It was formed by the bubbling of molten lava beneath the Earth’s crust.

This unique landscape is best admired when arriving by plane. There are several small islands along the rim of the dormant volcano.

6. Bora Bora is an Overseas French Territory

Bora Bora is a tropical island in French Polynesia. There are other 118 islands that are divide into five groups. Bora Bora is halfway between Australia and the USA.

Tahiti is the most populous island out of the five island groups and is home to nearly 69% of the population of French Polynesia. All Tahitians are French citizens and the official language is French.

This island became a French colony in 1880. It was later incorporated into the French Colony of Oceania.

Unfortunately, the foreigners brought with them fatal infectious diseases that wiped out the indigenous population.

7. There is no public transport on the island

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Bora Bora is made up of 3 villages: Anau, Faanui and Vaitape. The population here is less than 9,000 permanent residents. The entire island has a total area of 29.3 km.

Its size makes the island too small for public transport. This does not mean the movement is paralyzed.

There are rental cars, bikes, two-seater buggies for hire or one can choose to walk. One can also get on a rental motorboat to explore the lagoon. 

The island has only one main road that runs along the shoreline.  

8. Flowers in Bora Bora have meaning

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Almost everything in Bora Bora has a meaning. Flowers are part of this list. When a woman has a flower on her left ear, it is an indication that she is married or engaged.

On the opposite, the flower being on the right ear means the woman is single and available. It is a nice local way that young people use to flirt. 

9. Bora Bora has three villages

Bora Bora is a tiny island comprising of 3 villages: Anau, Faanui and Vaitape. The main island is Vaitape. It is on the western part of the island.

There are about 5,000 people living on the island and it has essential businesses like banks, post offices, restaurants, cafés, a hospital and a gas station.

On Sundays, the locals have a flea market selling goods such as clothes, jewellery and other handicrafts.

10. The coral reef in Bora Bora is one of the best in the world

Bora Bora is a UNESCO Heritage site. It has several beautiful corals and coral gardens. One popular activity here is snorkelling.

There are several coloured fishes to admire under the water. Most of the hotels on this island have a rehabilitation program for the coral reefs.

This conservation program has seen several endangered species saved and released back to the water. They breed crustaceans like stingrays and manta rays.

As a manmade attraction, this lagoon remains to be one of the top tourist attractions on the island.