The Island of Bora Bora

The Most Beautiful Island in the World.

Bora -Bora - Unquestionably the most mythical of the Pacific islands remains the island of all dreams.  Honeymooners and romantics from around the world have laid claim to Bora Bora where the castle-like Mount Otemanu pierces the sky above the crystal lagoon with its unique over the water bungalows that offer a magical oneness with this extraordinary environment.

 Lush tropical slopes and valleys blossom with hibiscus, while palm-covered motu circle the lagoon like a delicate necklace. Perfect white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters where impossibly colored fish animate the coral gardens. So much has been written about Bora Bora, and yet it is hard to find the right words to describe the magic that emanates from this island.

Seen from the air, Bora Bora has been compared to that of "a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls.
           
The airport, built by the US forces in 1942, is located on a palm fringed motu  about 20 minutes by boat from the main village of  Vaitape. Some other remnant of the US presence are 2 large cannons hidden in the lush hills overlooking the lagoon.
           
The view of Bora Bora from the airport is truly breathtaking. And as you travel across the spectacular lagoon you will soon understand why it is the main area of attraction for most visitors.
         
Bora Bora itself is rather small, and can be circled by car in about an hour. The lagoon is 3 times the size of the land mass and offers an amazing range of hues of blue and turquoise as you navigate its crystal waters.
           
To the southeast of the island is the Coral Garden, a natural underwater park where all types of fish and corals are found.
           
Off the Point Matira there is an area where the huge and graceful manta rays congregate for your viewing pleasure. There are other types of ray such as the beautiful spotted ray and the friendly gray ray which love to be petted during the "ray feeding" excursions.
           
At the entrance of the pass, the "White valley" teems with gray sharks and barracudas in a never ending ballet. Most of the temples (Marae) having been destroyed during the last century by the English missionaries, and unfortunately there is little archeological remnants left. Bora Bora lagoon offers a multitude of activities and excursions, one of the most popular being - where from chest-deep water you watch local divers feed 4' to 5' reef sharks by hand. It's a lot of fun and totally safe. The same routine is done with a large group of friendly gray rays. You can also take a circle-the-lagoon excursion with motu picnic, rent a small boat, visit the Lagoonarium near Le Meridien Hotel and take a 4x4 excursion to the panoramic view points and the US cannons.

Bora Bora Resorts have been welcoming couples for over 40 years and their special amenities have been fine tuned to perfection. From sunrise to sunset, each resort has designed their own blend of unique romantic experiences for their guests to choose from. Most of the recent hotel/resorts have been built on  islands (motu) in the lagoon surrounding Bora Bora.  They mostly face into the lagoon and the mountain of Bora Bora and offer privacy, over water bungalows, pristine water and extraordinary views. The Bora Bora Hotel was the first hotel ever  to feature over the water bungalows. With a few exceptions, overwater bungalows are still only ever found in French Polynesia due to the protected lagoons and the very even tides.

Australia’s Travel Tips

Australia has a stable political system and low crime rate on a world scale and so Australians experience a safe lifestyle. It is generally a safe destination with tourists enjoying unhindered travel experiences in terms of their personal safety and security.  However, as with all travel at home or away, you should observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions.

The Australian sun is very strong. Always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion, even on cloudy days. If spending the whole day outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly.  Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Australians live with the risk of bushfires. The danger period is from late spring to summer and during this time observe some simple safety precautions. Before setting out on a journey, inform yourself of bushfire risks through TV, radio and newspapers reports. When camping, use designated fireplaces and comply with road warning signs and total fire bans. If you must light a fire, always extinguish it completely with water.

Australia’s beautiful beaches can hold hidden dangers in the form of strong currents called rips. Avoid them by always swimming between the red and yellow flags - they mark the safest place to swim on the beach.  Lifesavers wearing red and yellow uniforms generally patrol beaches during the warmer months of October to April, but some of the most popular beaches are patrolled all-year round. Never swim alone, at night, under the influence of alcohol or directly after a meal. Always check water depth before diving in and never run and dive into the water from the beach.

Shark attacks in Australia are very rare, however may be fatal. Shark netting on Australian beaches deter sharks, but you can further reduce your risk by always swimming between the flags on patrolled beaches and not swimming at dusk or evening. Avoid swimming alone, a long way offshore, at river mouths or along drop-offs to deeper water.
Crocodiles live in rivers and coastal estuaries across northern Australia, often changing habitat via sea. When travelling near crocodile habitats, observe safety signs and don’t swim in rivers, estuaries, tidal rivers, deep pools or mangrove shores. Also seek expert advice about crocodiles before camping, fishing or boating.

Marine stingers are present in tropical waters from November to April.  During this time you can only swim within stinger-resistant enclosures, which are set up on the most popular beaches. You will also need to wear protective clothing when swimming, snorkeling or diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Always observe warning signs.
When bushwalking or hiking, you can avoid snake and spider bites by wearing protective footwear and using your common sense. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Deaths from snake bites are extremely rare and there have been few deaths from spider bites since anti venoms were made available in 1981.