Ten things to do in Bora Bora

What are the 10 must-do activities in Bora Bora?

Ride the lagoon, snorkel with rays and reef sharks, lie on Matira Beach, eat on a motu, drive to the hill lookouts, see the WWII guns, visit a vanilla farm, hike, browse Vaitape and, in season, watch whales.

1. A jet ski loop of the lagoon behind a guide. The two-hour tour circles the island.
2. A snorkel with rays and blacktip reef sharks. The shark snorkel takes an afternoon.
3. Matira Beach, the public beach in the south, for a swim and the sunset.
4. Lunch on a motu, on the lagoon safari or a jet ski day.
5. The hill lookouts by 4x4 or ATV.
6. The WWII guns from the years the island was a US supply base.
7. A vanilla plantation with a tasting.
8. A hike, with a guide for the harder trails.
9. Vaitape, the main village, for pearl shops and crafts.
10. Whale watching from July to November with a licensed operator.

Why ride the lagoon by jet ski?

Because it is the fastest way to see the whole lagoon in one go: the bungalows, the motus, the reef and every side of Mount Otemanu, in about two hours.

No licence is needed on a guided tour, and the guide stops for a swim and a motu visit. The tour around the island includes a coconut husking demonstration on an islet. The per-jet-ski loop stops in front of Otemanu and is booked per jet ski for up to two. A guest on that loop called it "The most fun thing you can do in Bora Bora".

Our tour comparison sets out which jet ski tour suits whom.

Where can you snorkel with rays and sharks in Bora Bora?

On a boat tour to the shallow sand where stingrays and blacktip reef sharks gather, and at the coral gardens. Anau, in the east, is the place for manta rays.

Air Tahiti Nui names three spots: the coral garden at Motu Toopua in the west, Anau at the east tip for mantas, and Motu Tapu, south of Teavanui Pass, for its dense fish. Boat tours reach them, and the guide picks the spots on the day.

The lagoon safari spends a full day on the water with three snorkel stops and a picnic. The shark safari day adds a jet ski loop and lunch. The animals are not fed, and sightings are not guaranteed. The sharks and rays guide explains what you might see.

Which is the best beach on Bora Bora?

Matira Beach, on the southern tip of the main island. It is public, white and shallow, and it faces the sunset.

Many visitors call Matira the island's finest beach. Lonely Planet puts it at about 1.6 km long and suggests bringing a mask: the right side, as you face the water, is a decent snorkel spot. Rays sometimes come close to shore here too. Stay for sunset. It costs nothing.

One thing to know: in December 2025 a strip of the southern reef off Matira became a full reserve where all activity is banned. It runs along the barrier reef, about 500 m into the lagoon and 250 m out to sea, per Outremers360. Our post on the Matira reef reserve explains the boundary.

Can you see the WWII guns on Bora Bora?

Yes. The island was a US supply base from 1942 to 1946, and coastal guns still stand on the hills. The ATV and 4x4 tours visit the lookouts.

After Pearl Harbor, the US set up a refuelling and supply base on Bora Bora, known as Operation Bobcat. Thousands of US troops landed in February 1942. They built roads, quays, a fuel depot and the airfield on Motu Mute, per Tahiti Tourisme. The island saw no fighting, and the base closed on 2 June 1946.

At least eight large coastal guns were installed, per Wikipedia. Two restored cannons stand at Fitiiu point near Anau in the east, renovated in 2021 with panels in Tahitian, French and English, per Outremers360.

ATV or 4x4: which land tour should you book?

The ATV if you want to drive yourself off-road. The 4x4 if you would rather ride with a guide at the wheel. Both pair the land with a jet ski.

The ATV day asks you to bring a driver's licence, and it picks up from main-island hotels; cruise guests are met at the Vaitape cruise port. The 4x4 day also visits a plantation with pareo tie-dye, coconut oil and fruit tasting. A guest on the ATV day wrote: "ATV was so fun and we drove on lots of different terrains."

From the GetYourGuide listings as read in October 2026.

An ATV morning to the WWII guns, two lookouts and a vanilla farm, then a jet ski to a Polynesian barbecue on a motu.

6 hours · ATV morning, jet ski afternoon

Book this Tour details

Can you hike on Bora Bora?

Yes. Popoti is the family-friendly trail. Pahia and the walk to Otemanu's cave need fitness and a guide. The summit of Otemanu is not a hiking route.

Air Tahiti Nui recommends guided hikes to Mount Pahia, to Otemanu's cave, to Pohue and to Popoti, the easiest of the four. Lonely Planet describes the Popoti trail as just over 4 km and about 90 minutes, with lagoon views, and one of the few you can walk without a guide. Most other trails are unmarked, so ask your hotel or hire a guide.

Start early, carry plenty of water and wear proper shoes. After rain, avoid wading through muddy water barefoot: the health service warns about leptospirosis.

What else is there to do in Bora Bora?

Browse Vaitape, watch whales in season, take a helicopter to Tupai, dive, sail, kitesurf or paddle, and book a spa.

Vaitape, on the west coast, is the main village and the place for Tahitian pearl shops, crafts and the quay where the airport boat lands. Lonely Planet notes there are no pearl farms on Bora Bora itself, so the shops are where you learn about pearls.

On the water and in the air: Tahiti Tourisme and Air Tahiti Nui list diving, sailing, kitesurfing, kayak and paddleboard, deep-sea fishing and helicopter trips to Tupai, a heart-shaped atoll nearby. From July to November, licensed operators run whale-watching trips. For timing, see the best time to visit.

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