Main Island & Vaitape

Vaitape is the only "town" on Bora Bora — a tranquil village with around 5,000 inhabitants on the west coast of the main island. Here you'll find the harbor (arrival of ferries and cruise tenders), the only supermarket, the post office, banks, and a handful of restaurants and boutiques. Vaitape is not a tourist center — it is an authentic Polynesian village that has preserved its character.

Sights in Vaitape

• Alain Gerbault Monument — At the harbor stands the monument to the French sailor Alain Gerbault, who in 1929 was the first Frenchman to cross the Atlantic alone and is buried in Bora Bora. The monument marks the arrival point for all visitors.
• Eglise Protestante — The white Protestant church with its colorful windows is the spiritual center of the village. On Sundays, the locals flock in colorful dresses and flower-adorned hats to the service — a beautiful picture of Polynesian piety.
• Handicrafts & Pearl Boutiques — Bora Bora is famous for Tahiti pearls — the black pearls of the South Pacific. In Vaitape and along the coastal road, you'll find several pearl boutiques where you can buy pearls directly from the producer (from 3,000 XPF / 25€ for a single pearl, jewelry from 10,000 XPF / 84€).
• Local Markets & Roulottes — At the harbor and near the supermarket, you'll find "Roulottes" — mobile food trucks serving Poisson Cru (raw fish in coconut milk), tuna steaks, crepes, and fries for a fraction of the resort prices.

Matira Beach at the southern tip of the main island is Bora Bora's only public beach — and one of the most beautiful in the world. Powder-white sand, shady coconut palms, crystal-clear water in all shades of turquoise, and the view of the lagoon with the motu islands in the background. Here, tourists and locals meet alike.

What Makes Matira Beach Special

• Shallow, Warm Water — The water slopes extremely slowly, making the beach perfect for families and non-swimmers. You can stand in waist-deep water for hundreds of meters.
• Snorkeling — At the northern end of the beach lies a small reef with colorful fish — free and directly accessible from the beach.
• Sunset — Matira Beach faces west: The sunset over the lagoon, when the silhouettes of the motus and palms sink into the golden light, is the most beautiful moment of the day.
• Free — Unlike the resort beaches on the motus, Matira Beach is public and free to access. There are no loungers or umbrellas — bring your own towel.

The main island of Bora Bora can be completely circumnavigated on a 32-kilometer coastal road — by bicycle (3–4 hours), scooter (1 hour), or car. The road is flat and well-paved, with the sea on one side and Mount Otemanu on the other.

Highlights of the Island Tour

• American World War II Cannons — Bora Bora was a US military base during World War II (Operation Bobcat, 1942–1946). Several original coastal guns still stand on the main island, which never had to fire a shot. The largest is on the hill above Faanui — with a fantastic panoramic view.
• Marae Marotetini — The most sacred archaeological site of Bora Bora: an ancient Polynesian temple (Marae) made of massive coral stone blocks. Once a place of chief ceremonies and religious rituals. Today, a quiet, atmospheric spot between palms and the sea.
• Faanui & Anau — Two small villages with beautiful churches, local shops, and the feeling of experiencing the "real" Bora Bora. In Anau, a charming Catholic church stands right by the water.

Hikes

• Mount Pahia (661 m) — The most challenging and rewarding hike on Bora Bora. 3–4 hours round trip, steep, slippery, and without a marked path — only with a guide! The view from the summit over the entire lagoon and surrounding islands is breathtaking. From 8,000 XPF (67€) per person with a guide.
• Mount Otemanu — Base Camp — A hike to the foot of Otemanu (the summit itself is only for extreme climbers). About 2 hours, moderately challenging, recommended with a guide. The view of the lagoon is spectacular.
• Valley of the Kings — A lighter walk through a lush valley with tropical plants and historical Marae (temples). About 1.5 hours, possible without a guide.