Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Volcanic Peak, Turquoise Lagoon, and Overwater Bungalows

The lagoon — encompassing both the island and the ring of motu (coral islets) on the outer reef — is the central experience. Lagoon tours by outrigger or motorized boat visit the coral gardens where blacktip reef sharks and stingrays congregate in shallow sand pockets, a product of decades of feeding by the tour boats that has made the animals habituated to human presence. Snorkeling in the shark and ray area is done while the boat anchors and passengers enter the water; the sharks are small (1-1.5 metres) and behave as they would around food rather than people, which is the point. The coral gardens at the outer reef edge have more diversity than the sandy areas and are part of most full-day lagoon circuits.

The perimeter of the main island can be driven in a 4WD vehicle or on an ATV in about two hours, covering the range of coastal scenery from the resort side (east coast) to the less-developed western and northern shores. The American gun emplacements from World War II, installed at Fitiiu Point and other coastal positions after the fall of France made French Polynesia strategically significant, are scattered along the perimeter road and are accessible without organized tours. Mount Otemanu's summit is not accessible by trail for ordinary hikers — the volcanic pinnacle requires technical climbing — but the valley hike with a guide reaches the base and gives ground-level views of the peak from the interior. Most operators offering the valley hike are based in Vaitape.

Matira Beach, at the island's southern tip, is Bora Bora's only public beach and one of the finest in French Polynesia — a long, gradual-entry white sand shore with calm lagoon water protected by the outer motu. Snorkeling directly off the beach over the coral scattered in the shallows is possible without a boat. The Matira Point area has several restaurants, both overwater establishments associated with the nearby resorts (which are open to non-guests for lunch with reservation) and land-based options serving fish and French Polynesian food at lower prices. Overwater bungalow lunch at one of the established resorts — Four Seasons, InterContinental, or St. Regis — is the aspirational Bora Bora experience for many cruise passengers; advance reservation is required and prices are at the high end of French Polynesian dining.

The motu Piti Aau on the southeastern reef edge has the best snorkeling for soft coral variety accessible from Vaitape by organized tour. The waters off the outer reef are popular for shark diving (including lemon and tiger sharks in deeper water) operated by the local dive operators based at Vaitape, though these are advanced-level activities not suited to casual snorkelers. The town of Vaitape itself is small — a waterfront street of shops, a bank with ATM, a few pearl jewelry outlets selling the Tahitian black pearls that are Bora Bora's main retail draw — and most activity on call days is on the lagoon rather than on land.