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Bora Bora: Sun and Fun in French Polynesia!

If your vacation plans include a tropical island that seems to have jumped right out of a movie screen, then Bora Bora is for you. Located about 140 miles northwest of Tahiti in the French Polynesian Islands, Bora Bora is famous for its incredible beauty, which includes sand fringed islets sitting on the outer reef, and the multi-hued lagoon that surrounds the island. Bora Bora is an outdoor lover's paradise, with a setting rivaled by few places on the planet. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island, forming a majestic backdrop to the blue waters below. A day in this particular paradise can include swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, fishing, hiking, or simply working on your tan on some magnificent beach.

Watersports of all description are popular activities on Bora Bora. The natural lagoon that surrounds the island is virtually free of waves, and makes the ideal setting for a nice afternoon swim or for snorkeling among the reef and sea life. A road that extends around the perimeter of the island takes visitors past countless different beaches covered with pristine sand. One beach in particular, Matira Point, stretches for 2 miles around a flat, coconut shaped peninsula. Adventurous beach goers may want to take a plunge into the Lagoonarium, a portion of the lagoon dedicated to interaction with the area's marine life. Knowledgeable guides will coax you through encounters with sea turtles, rays, and even sharks!

The shallow waters, marine life, and intricate reef system make Bora Bora an ideal location for a scuba related vacation. The multi-colored lagoon is a symphony of scenic beauty, and is home to over 500 species of fish. Away from the lagoon, there are enough wall dives, drift dives, and cave dives to please any scuba diving aficionado. Hugely popular is night diving, where the main attractions are the various ray species that patrol the waters beyond the lagoon. In addition to the huge manta ray encounters, leopard, bat, eagle, and stingrays also swim in large schools around Bora Bora. Out further from the reef, sea turtles, dolphins, and even migrating whales can be routinely seen during diving excursions.

For those who want to remain on dry land, hiking on Bora Bora can be a rewarding sight-seeing experience. It is easy to explore most of the island in a couple of days. Those looking for a more hearty challenge will want to hike to the peaks of Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. These hikes are for only experienced hikers and walkers, due to the ever-changing nature of the terrain. For those who complete the journey to Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora's highest point, the reward is an incredible view of the island, surrounding lagoon, and reef system.

For a complete "get away from it all" experience, rent a charter boat and hire a knowledgeable sea captain to take you on a scenic cruise of the area. Sailing and combination sports fishing tours are readily available. Anglers will want to toss in a line in search of marlin, swordfish, tuna, and wahoo, among others. Boats are available for either half-day or full-day trips. If you want to end a day at the beach by taking a moonlight cruise around the lagoon, plenty of captains are available to make it happen.

Bora Bora has been visited by celebrities, dignitaries, and luminaries from all over the world. The island's appeal is legendary, known throughout the globe as one of the most exotic island destinations on the planet. Replete with incredible beaches, crystal clear waters, a reef system alive with aquatic life, and an interior that reminds one of a tropical jungle, Bora Bora has something to offer every vacationer!