FACILITIES
Performances: Local musicians entertain nightly at the Matira Terrace Bar. There is also Polynesian cultural entertainment at Hotel Bora Bora’s weekly beach barbecue. Another weekly feature is traditional island singing and dancing, with sunset cocktails and canapés at the Pofai Beach Bar.

Boutique: The resort boutique offers a selection of local art and craft with a range of books and island clothing, including hand-dyed Tahitian pareus.

Black Pearl Showroom: Hotel Bora Bora houses a black pearl showroom with certified jeweler. The black pearl industry has grown to become the second largest after tourism.

Tennis: Two tennis courts, lit for night play, are located on the resort grounds. Tennis rackets and balls are complimentary. The resort also offers basketball and volleyball.

Raititi Lounge: The lounge is an activity centre as well as a games room and book exchange. It includes a TV and DVD player, pool table, two card tables and a selection of games. Island and sea excursions can also be arranged at the Raititi Lounge.

Massage: Guests may enjoy a massage in the privacy of their bungalow or faré or in the Faré Tarumi (massage room).

EXPERIENCE
Hotel Bora Bora offers an extensive range of water-based experiences from snorkeling and diving in some of the Pacific’s clearest waters to sailing, fishing and leisurely sea canoeing to explore isolated islands armed with nothing more than a paddle and a picnic lunch.

SNORKELING AND DIVING
Some of the island’s best snorkeling is just a few steps into the encircling lagoon and the resort’s three beaches offer a continuous parade of tropical fish. Scuba diving, with full equipment and lessons, is available for both beginners and certified divers. A number of dive sites are easily accessible within the lagoon and beyond the barrier reef.

SAILING AND OUTRIGGERS
Hotel Bora Bora offers half-day or full-day sailing excursions to neighboring islands in the Leeward group aboard a 15-metre sport-fishing catamaran. Sea-going charters of up to three days are available, as are regular sunset cruises. Guests may also take the newly restored pirogues à voile (Tahitian sailing canoes) out into the lagoon. These classic outriggers are made from hollowed-out tree trunks.

FISHING
Fishing is a popular pastime, both within the lagoon and out in deeper blue water. Close to home, guests could troll for blue and silver trevally using light tackle or try their hand at saltwater fly-fishing. Deep sea hauls can range from tuna and Wahoo to marlin and mahi-mahi.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Swimming: Surrounded by three white-sand beaches, Hotel Bora Bora is made for sea-and-sun lovers. Indeed, the sun sets directly in front of the hotel, just off the main beach.

Snorkeling: Hotel Bora Bora’s three beaches see a continuous and colorful parade of tropical fish. Some of the island’s best snorkeling can be found just a few steps into the lagoon surrounding the resort. A natural current runs through the southern point, attracting an abundance of sea life, from manta rays to blue-fin trevally and more. Guests can hand-feed the reef fish without getting their feet wet.

Jet Skiing: From Matira point, beyond the hotel, a guide will accompany guests on jet-skis around the island, exploring parts of the lagoon not easily accessible by boat.

Aqua Safari: For non-divers, the Aqua Safari is a unique way to experience the undersea world. Guests can walk through schools of multi-hued fish to a depth of 10 meters into the crystal-clear lagoon, wearing a special oxygen-fed helmet.

Beach Picnics: Guests cruise the lagoon, stopping for snorkeling and beachcombing. There’s time to walk a section of the 40-kilometre barrier reef, only a few meters away from the big waves of the South Pacific. Lunch is served picnic-style on a deserted motu (islet).

Polynesian Tour: Aboard a motorized outrigger canoe, an English-speaking Tahitian guide provides an informative tour of Hotel Bora Bora’s lagoon and the history of the island.

Island Exploring: Guests may want to take a four-wheel drive safari into the mountains. The expedition includes a visit to the cannons left behind after World War II, as well as a ride to an ancestral plantation.

Circle Island Tours: Travel round the island while an English-speaking guide points out historical highlights as well as insights into everyday life. The excursion can be done using a van or a private car with driver. Bora Bora may be toured by bicycle as well.

Vaitape Village: The island’s main village, Vaitape, is set at the foot of Mount Pahia. It is the island’s commercial and administrative centre. There is just one main road around the island, and it goes through Vaitape, past assorted churches whose bells peal loudly on Sundays. At last check there were no stoplights though there is a stop sign in front of the village police station.

Helicopter Tours: Bora Bora’s peaks and barrier reef can be viewed from the air. This is also a good way to visit some of the neighboring islands.

Horseback Riding: Ride along the lagoon’s edge or explore an islet on horseback.

Parasailing: A powerboat carries guests high above the blue lagoon allowing them to soar among low clouds and the sea birds.

Shopping: Bora Bora has a variety of clothing and craft shops. The island’s colorful cotton pareus are popular, and the black pearls of Polynesia are world famous. There’s art, too, as a number of painters, sculptors and photographers call Bora Bora home.