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- Matira Beach — The island’s only long public sandy beach and the best place to swim right off the shore. Soft coral sand, shallow turquoise water, and great sunsets make it a perfect spot to people-watch, picnic, or take a calm evening swim that feels unmistakably Bora Bora.
- Mount Otemanu lookout & lagoon base — That jagged volcanic peak is the island’s silhouette and reason half the postcards exist. You can’t just drive to the summit, but boat rides around the base and short viewpoint stops give dramatic photos and a visceral sense of how the island grew out of the sea.
- Mount Pahia hike — A steeper, quieter climb than Otemanu that rewards you with sweeping views of the lagoon and motu ring. Fewer tour groups go here; take a local guide, expect some scrambling, and you’ll feel like you’ve
- Matira Beach — The island’s only long public sandy beach and the best place to swim right off the shore. Soft coral sand, shallow turquoise water, and great sunsets make it a perfect spot to people-watch, picnic, or take a calm evening swim that feels unmistakably Bora Bora.
- Mount Otemanu lookout & lagoon base — That jagged volcanic peak is the island’s silhouette and reason half the postcards exist. You can’t just drive to the summit, but boat rides around the base and short viewpoint stops give dramatic photos and a visceral sense of how the island grew out of the sea.
- Mount Pahia hike — A steeper, quieter climb than Otemanu that rewards you with sweeping views of the lagoon and motu ring. Fewer tour groups go here; take a local guide, expect some scrambling, and you’ll feel like you’ve found Bora Bora away from the resorts. (Hidden gem — locals know this one.)
- Bora Bora Lagoonarium / Coral gardens — Shallow, protected snorkeling spots where you can float over bright coral, kid-friendly reefs, and friendly rays. It’s not just a photo-op: the clarity and variety of fish in these shallow gardens are what make the lagoon unique.
- Teavanui Pass (main channel) — The deep, shimmering gateway between the open ocean and the lagoon. Boat trips and snorkel tours here bring you close to blacktip reef sharks and large rays in their natural current—an up-close marine encounter you won’t easily replicate inland.
- Vaitape town & market — The island’s working hub: bakeries, produce stalls, small shops, and everyday Polynesian life. Walk the main street, try a local pastry, and watch fishermen come in—this is where Bora Bora’s daily rhythm is visible beyond the resorts.
- Motu Piti Aau island-hopping and picnic spots — The cluster of motus on the lagoon’s edge has tiny sandbars, secret snorkeling coves and calm picnic beaches that local skippers love to stop at. Arrange a small-boat tour and spend a lazy afternoon on a near-empty patch of sand.
- Motu Tapu secluded islet — A small, less-visited motu with excellent snorkeling right off the sand and very few day-trippers. It’s one of those quiet little beaches where you can spread a towel and have the ocean to yourself if you time it right. (Hidden gem — simple and special.)
- Scattered WWII relics and coastal bunkers — Remnants from the American military presence in 1942 still dot parts of the island and some motus: rusting guns, concrete bunkers and old foundations. They’re quiet, haunting reminders of Bora Bora’s unexpected role in modern history and are easy to explore during island drives or boat trips.
- Small marae (Polynesian temple) sites near the villages — Stone platforms and ruins tucked close to settlements that point back to pre-contact religious life and community gatherings. They’re modest and often overlooked by honeymooners, but visiting them (with respect) gives a direct cultural link that says more about local history than many glossy attractions. (Hidden gem — culturally rich and low-key.)
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.