50 Interesting Bora Bora Facts

Over 50 fun facts about Bora Bora including 25 fun facts about Bora Bora especially for kids plus learn more about its geography, geology, and much more!

About Bora Bora
Fun Facts About Bora Bora
Fun Facts About Bora Bora for Kids
Geography and Geology
What is Bora Bora Famous For?
How did Bora Bora Get its Name?

Fun Facts About Bora Bora – About Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island located in the French Polynesia, specifically in the Society Islands archipelago. It is known for its stunning turquoise lagoon, white-sand beaches, and lush tropical landscapes. Bora Bora is often considered one of the most beautiful and romantic destinations in the world, attracting honeymooners and travelers seeking a luxurious and idyllic getaway.

In addition to the fun facts about Bora Bora, key features of Bora Bora include:

Lagoon and Coral Reefs: The island is surrounded by a large, shallow lagoon with crystal-clear waters. The lagoon is protected by a barrier reef, creating a calm and inviting environment for swimming, snorkeling, and various water activities.
Mount Otemanu: Bora Bora is a volcanic island, and the centerpiece of the island is Mount Otemanu, an extinct volcano that rises 727 meters (2,385 feet) above sea level. The mountain provides a dramatic backdrop to the picturesque landscape.
Luxury Resorts and Overwater Bungalows: Bora Bora is known for its exclusive and high-end resorts that offer luxurious overwater bungalows. These bungalows sit on stilts above the lagoon, providing guests with direct access to the crystal-clear waters and stunning views.
Cultural Richness: The local culture of Bora Bora is influenced by Polynesian traditions, and visitors can experience traditional dance, music, and cuisine during their stay.
Water Sports: The lagoon and surrounding waters offer excellent opportunities for various water sports, including snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, and jet skiing.
Shark and Ray Feeding: Bora Bora is famous for its shark and ray feeding excursions, where visitors can safely interact with and observe blacktip reef sharks and stingrays in their natural habitat.
Matira Beach: Matira Beach is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island, with its soft, powdery sand and shallow, calm waters.
Sunset Views: Bora Bora is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, which paint the sky with a spectrum of colors over the tranquil lagoon.
Natural Beauty: The island’s untouched landscapes, including coconut groves, tropical flowers, and lush green hills, make it a paradise for nature lovers.

In addition to the fun facts about Bora Bora, Bora Bora’s exotic beauty and serene atmosphere make it a dream destination for travelers seeking a luxurious and romantic escape surrounded by nature’s wonders.

Fun Facts About Bora Bora – Fun Facts

Here are 25 fun facts about Bora Bora:

Bora Bora is located in French Polynesia, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of Tahiti.
The island is surrounded by a barrier reef and a large, shallow lagoon, creating a mesmerizing turquoise-colored oasis.
The local language spoken on the island is Tahitian, but French and English are also widely spoken due to its status as a French overseas territory.
Bora Bora was originally named “Pora Pora” by the early Polynesian settlers, meaning “first born.”
It is often referred to as the “Romantic Island” due to its reputation as a top honeymoon destination.
The iconic Mount Otemanu is the highest point on the island and is a dormant volcano.
Bora Bora is a coral atoll, and the volcanic peaks are remnants of past volcanic activity.
The island is surrounded by a stunning coral reef, making it a haven for marine life and snorkeling enthusiasts.
The lagoon is home to several species of sharks, including blacktip reef sharks and lemon sharks, which can often be seen during guided shark-feeding excursions.
The local currency is the CFP franc, and the island is known for its high-end resorts and luxury accommodations.
Bora Bora was used as a supply base by the United States during World War II and still has remnants of old cannons and bunkers.
The island’s official flower is the tiare, a fragrant white flower similar to a gardenia.
The concept of overwater bungalows originated in Bora Bora, and it remains one of the most popular destinations for these luxurious accommodations.
The island is surrounded by “motus,” small islets covered in coconut palms and white-sand beaches, perfect for picnics and exploration.
The famous underwater world of Bora Bora includes colorful coral gardens and abundant marine life, making it a paradise for scuba divers.
Bora Bora’s climate is tropical, with warm temperatures year-round and a wetter season from November to April.
The traditional Polynesian dance, known as “Otea,” is a lively and rhythmic performance often showcased in local cultural events.
The island has no natural source of fresh water, and its drinking water is supplied through rainwater collection and wells.
Bora Bora’s culinary scene often features fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and traditional Polynesian dishes, offering a delicious and unique dining experience.
The annual Heiva festival celebrates Polynesian culture with traditional dancing, singing, and sporting events, attracting visitors from around the world.
The island’s shallow lagoon and warm waters are ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, allowing visitors to explore the lagoon’s beauty at their own pace.
In addition to sharks, the lagoon is home to rays, including the graceful manta rays that glide through the waters.
Bora Bora has a small population, with the majority of residents living in the main village of Vaitape.
The island is surrounded by beautiful coral gardens, and snorkeling is a popular activity to witness the vibrant marine life up close.
Bora Bora’s breathtaking landscapes and romantic ambiance have made it a favorite filming location for movies, TV shows, and advertisements.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Bora Bora!

Fun Facts About Bora Bora – Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 25 fun facts about Bora Bora that kids might enjoy:

Bora Bora is an island in the South Pacific, and it looks like a tropical paradise with its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters.
The island is home to cute and friendly blacktip reef sharks, which kids can safely observe during guided shark-feeding tours.
Bora Bora has a real-life “Treasure Island” feel with hidden coves and little motus (small islets) to explore.
The traditional Polynesian dance called “Otea” is performed during special events and is lively and exciting to watch.
Kids can stay in overwater bungalows, just like houses on stilts above the water, where they can jump right into the lagoon from their bedroom!
The local flower, the tiare, smells amazing and can be worn as a pretty necklace or used to decorate the hair.
The island’s lush green hills are perfect for playing hide-and-seek or imagining adventures with pirates and jungle explorers.
The warm and shallow lagoon is great for swimming and snorkeling, where kids can see colorful fish and maybe even rays.
Bora Bora is famous for its stunning sunsets that paint the sky with amazing colors like pinks, oranges, and purples.
The island has its own legends and myths about magical creatures and ancient gods, adding to the sense of wonder.
During special festivals like Heiva, kids can join in on the celebrations with games, dances, and delicious Polynesian food.
The local fruit, such as coconuts and pineapples, taste incredibly fresh and sweet, perfect for tropical treats.
Kids can learn a few words in Tahitian, the local language, like “Māuruuru” (thank you) or “Maita’i” (good).
The warm tropical climate means kids can run around barefoot and enjoy being in their swimsuits all day long!
Bora Bora is an excellent place for stargazing, and kids can spot constellations they might not see back home.
Some of the fish in the lagoon are as colorful as rainbows, like the parrotfish with their bright hues.
Kids can go on fun boat rides to explore the lagoon, see coral gardens, and wave at the dolphins and sea turtles they might spot.
Bora Bora is a place where they can see real-life palm trees, just like in their favorite adventure movies!
The island’s underwater world is like a magical aquarium with corals, sea stars, and even sharks swimming around.
Bora Bora is a perfect spot for beach games like building sandcastles, flying kites, and playing beach volleyball.
The traditional outrigger canoes are fascinating boats that kids might want to try paddling in the lagoon.
The warm ocean waters are ideal for kids to learn how to swim or practice their swimming skills.
Kids might feel like they’re walking on water when they walk on the soft sandy shallows of the lagoon.
The island’s friendly locals will often greet kids with big smiles and make them feel welcome in their tropical paradise.
Bora Bora is a place where kids’ imaginations can run wild with endless possibilities for exciting adventures!

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Bora Bora!

Fun Facts About Bora Bora – Geography and Geology

In addition to the fun facts about Bora Bora, here’s a description of the geography and geology of Bora Bora:

Geography: Bora Bora is a small island located in the South Pacific Ocean, specifically in the Society Islands group of French Polynesia. It is situated about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of Tahiti. The island is relatively small, with a total land area of approximately 30 square kilometers (12 square miles).

Bora Bora is part of an atoll, which is a type of coral reef island that encircles a lagoon. The island’s main feature is its stunning lagoon, which is a shallow, clear, and mesmerizing turquoise body of water that stretches around the island. The lagoon is protected by a barrier reef, making it an ideal environment for various marine life and water activities.

The island’s landscape is dominated by Mount Otemanu, an extinct volcano that rises 727 meters (2,385 feet) above sea level. This volcanic peak stands tall at the center of the island, creating a picturesque and dramatic backdrop for the surrounding scenery.

Bora Bora is surrounded by small islets called “motus,” covered with coconut palms and white sandy beaches. The motus add to the tropical paradise charm of the island and provide excellent spots for picnics, exploration, and relaxation.

Geology: Bora Bora is a coral atoll, which means it is formed on top of a volcanic foundation with coral reef growth over time. The island’s geological history began with the formation of an ancient volcanic island. As the volcanic activity subsided, the island slowly eroded over thousands of years, leaving behind a fringing coral reef around its edges.

Over time, the coral reef grew upward and outward, creating a lagoon within the protective ring of the reef. The lagoon’s shallow and calm waters are the result of this process, providing an ideal habitat for a diverse array of marine life, including colorful fish, rays, sharks, and coral formations.

The volcanic origin of Bora Bora is evident from the presence of Mount Otemanu, the dormant volcanic peak at the heart of the island. Although the volcano is now inactive, its presence contributes to the island’s unique topography and makes it a recognizable landmark.

In addition to the fun facts about Bora Bora, Bora Bora’s geology, with its volcanic history and coral reef formation, contributes to the island’s natural beauty and makes it a dream destination for travelers seeking a tropical paradise with breathtaking landscapes and a vibrant underwater world.

What is Bora Bora Famous For?

Bora Bora is famous for several reasons, making it one of the most renowned and sought-after travel destinations in the world. In addition to the fun facts about Bora Bora, here are the key things that Bora Bora is famous for:

Stunning Lagoon: Bora Bora’s main claim to fame is its mesmerizing turquoise lagoon, surrounded by a coral reef. The lagoon’s crystal-clear waters and calm environment create an idyllic setting for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.
Overwater Bungalows: Bora Bora is often associated with luxurious overwater bungalows. These iconic accommodations allow guests to stay in luxurious villas perched on stilts above the lagoon, providing direct access to the water and stunning views.
Romantic Getaway: The island is renowned as a top honeymoon destination and a romantic paradise. Its breathtaking landscapes, luxurious resorts, and intimate ambiance make it a dream location for couples seeking a memorable and romantic getaway.
Mount Otemanu: The dormant volcano, Mount Otemanu, is a prominent feature of Bora Bora’s landscape. Rising 727 meters (2,385 feet) above sea level, it provides a picturesque backdrop for the island’s stunning scenery.
Shark and Ray Feeding: Bora Bora offers unique opportunities for visitors to safely interact with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays during guided feeding excursions in the lagoon.
Crystal-Clear Waters: The incredible clarity of the lagoon’s waters allows for excellent visibility, making it a snorkeler’s and scuba diver’s paradise.
Tropical Beaches: The island’s white-sand beaches with swaying coconut palms are picture-perfect and a quintessential representation of paradise.
Tahitian Culture: Bora Bora provides visitors with the opportunity to experience Tahitian culture and traditions through dance, music, and local cuisine.
Breathtaking Sunsets: The island is famous for its spectacular sunsets, which paint the sky with vibrant hues of pink, orange, and purple.
Exquisite Marine Life: Bora Bora’s lagoon is home to an array of colorful fish, rays, and coral formations, attracting snorkelers and divers from around the world.
Heiva Festival: The annual Heiva festival celebrates Polynesian culture and traditions with traditional dance performances, music, and sporting events.
Exclusivity and Luxury: Bora Bora is known for its high-end resorts, offering a level of luxury and privacy that appeals to discerning travelers.
Polynesian Pearls: The region is famous for its beautiful Tahitian pearls, and visitors can explore pearl farms and purchase these exquisite gems.
Water Sports: The island offers various water activities, including paddleboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, and parasailing.
Unspoiled Nature: Bora Bora’s remote location and protected environment contribute to its unspoiled and pristine natural beauty.

In addition to the fun facts about Bora Bora, Bora Bora’s stunning landscapes, luxury accommodations, vibrant marine life, and romantic ambiance have earned it a well-deserved reputation as a bucket-list destination for travelers seeking a tropical paradise and an unforgettable experience.

How did Bora Bora Get its Name?

A final fun fact about Bora Bora is that the name “Bora Bora” has its origins in the Tahitian language, which is the native language of French Polynesia, including the Society Islands where Bora Bora is located. The island was originally named “Pora Pora” by the early Polynesian settlers, and over time, it evolved into “Bora Bora” as pronounced by European explorers and visitors.

The name “Pora Pora” in the Tahitian language means “first born” or “first born child.” The reason behind this name is not entirely clear, but it is believed to refer to the first child of the legendary Polynesian navigator, Ta’aroa, who is considered to be one of the creators of the Polynesian islands.

The pronunciation change from “Pora Pora” to “Bora Bora” is common in the history of island names, as European explorers and settlers often anglicized the names to make them easier to pronounce or spell. This alteration led to the more familiar and recognizable name, “Bora Bora,” which has since become famous worldwide as a symbol of tropical paradise and natural beauty.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Bora Bora!