Things to Do in Bora Bora: Essential Activities & Experiences

Bora Bora isn’t an island you visit in the usual sense. There are no museums, few classic tourist sites, no bustling city to wander. The island is experienced differently — on the water, up in the hills, at a Polynesian pace. Here’s what actually deserves your time, organized by the kind of experience you’re after.

Bora Bora’s lagoon is ranked among the most beautiful in the world — and unlike a lot of travel-writing superlatives, this one holds up. The water has a rare clarity and range of color, marine life is abundant, and the motu (small islets) ringing the island make for unforgettable stops. Whatever the length of your trip, at least half a day on the lagoon is non-negotiable.

The Lagoon Boat Tour

This is the signature excursion. Over a half-day or full day, a local guide takes you to snorkeling spots, coral gardens, and motu with white-sand beaches only reachable by boat. Formats vary — small groups, outrigger canoe, motorboat — but the core experience stays the same: an immersion around Bora Bora you won’t forget.
Plenty of operators run this kind of tour, but here are the two we recommend, tested and approved:
Full-day tour with Lagoon Service →
Half-day tour with Bora Bora Cultural Tours →

Swimming with Rays & Sharks

One of the most striking experiences in French Polynesia. In a shallow area of the lagoon, dozens of stingrays glide around visitors. Harmless, curious blacktip reef sharks round out the scene. Guided by local operators, this outing is accessible to everyone, including kids and non-swimmers. As with the full-day tour, here’s the one we recommend: Half-day snorkeling tour →
Our dedicated guide: a full comparison of the different formats available (full-day, half-day, catamaran, jet ski, private VIP tour) — See our complete guide to Bora Bora lagoon tours →

The inner lagoon offers ideal conditions for self-guided snorkeling — excellent visibility, warm water, and marine life visible right from the surface. Fins, mask, and snorkel are all you need to spot tropical fish, coral, and rays in their natural habitat. Most accommodations provide this gear free or as a rental.

For divers, sites outside the lagoon — along the barrier reef and beyond — offer an experience on a different level. Visibility regularly reaches 100–130 feet, the terrain varies, and pelagic species (gray reef sharks, tuna, napoleon wrasse) show up more readily than inside the lagoon.
Inside the lagoon, some excellent dives are also available, notably with manta rays on the island’s east side.
To make the most of it, we recommend the 2-tank dive package →

Bora Bora’s main island is easy to see in a single day. The road that circles it runs about 19 miles — a lovely morning by bike, or an hour by scooter to make the full loop. This ring road hugs the coast, passes through villages, runs by local guesthouses, and offers steady views of the lagoon and the mountain.

4×4 Island Tour

To go beyond the roadside, 4×4 excursions climb into the island’s hills, reach WWII-era American gun emplacements, and take in panoramic lagoon views from the ridgelines. Bora Bora served as a rear base for the US military in the Pacific — the military remnants, guns, and fortifications scattered across the high ground are still clearly visible and make for an interesting detour. Expect roughly $70–$105 per person for a guided half-day excursion. See the Tupuna Safari 4×4 Tour →

Vaitape Village

The island’s main village, Vaitape can be seen in about an hour. It’s home to the island’s handful of shops, the local market, snack stands, and restaurants. It’s also the departure point for shuttles to the motu. Not a must-see attraction in itself, but Vaitape gives a useful glimpse of everyday Polynesian life that contrasts well with the resort world.

After a day on the lagoon or a morning exploring inland, Matira Beach is the natural place to unwind. It’s Bora Bora’s only true public beach — a 1.2-mile ribbon of white sand at the island’s southern tip, with shallow turquoise water, coconut palms, and a view of Mount Otemanu. Swimming, snorkeling close to shore, paddleboarding, sunset watching: it’s also the go-to spot for locals on family days out.
Access is free and open, with no set hours or gate. It works for a half-day or a full day of relaxing, and it’s the one place on the island where you can genuinely “go to the beach” the way you would at other tropical destinations — without private-resort prices.
(Note for Emmanuel: the FR version links to a dedicated Matira Beach guide — that page doesn’t exist yet on borabora-island.com. Add the link here once it’s built.)

Bora Bora isn’t just scenery. Polynesian culture here is alive, welcoming, and accessible to travelers who take the time to look into it.

Marae (Ancient Temples)

These open-air stone temples, built from volcanic rock, are remnants of pre-European Polynesian civilization. Bora Bora has several, spread across the main island and a few motu. Visiting one takes just a few minutes but adds a historical and spiritual dimension to a trip that many visitors find surprisingly meaningful.

Traditional Dance Shows

Polynesian dance — with its costumes, drumming, and storytelling through movement — is one of the region’s strongest cultural expressions. Several resorts host evening shows, sometimes open to non-guests. Quality varies by property, but the best performances are striking. On Sundays, Polynesian hymn singing (himene) at local churches is also worth catching — a quieter, more authentic moment.

Local Food

Poisson cru (raw fish marinated in coconut milk) — Polynesia’s national dish — shows up on menus across the island, from casual snack stands to fine dining. Simple, fresh, and distinctly Pacific, it’s worth trying away from the hotel restaurant. Tropical fruit, Moorea pineapple, grilled fish, and ma’a tinito (a dish cooked in a traditional Polynesian oven): local food is a genuine entry point into island culture. A traditional oven experience (ahima’a) can be arranged through some operators.

Some activities go beyond the usual and are worth considering if you want to make a trip extra memorable.

Private Lagoon Tour

An outrigger canoe and a guide, just for you, for a full day with lunch served with your feet in the water. The ultimate premium experience for marking a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Book the private VIP day in Bora Bora →

Helicopter Flight

From the air, Bora Bora reveals a geography you simply can’t perceive from the surface — the lagoon seen from above, with its gradients of turquoise and emerald, Mount Otemanu, the motu, the barrier reef. A 15- to 30-minute flight runs roughly $230–$400 per person, depending on the package and duration. Slots are limited: book well ahead, regardless of season.

Jet Ski Island Tour

Several operators run these tours from the main island or from the motu. A great way to cover the lagoon and take it all in.
Book a jet ski tour →

Sunset Cruises

A few operators run boat outings timed specifically around sunset — with champagne, music, and a view of the lagoon washed in red and orange. Romantic, simple, and consistently well-rated by honeymooners. Expect $90–$140 per couple.
Our recommendation: Sunset catamaran cruise →

What’s the one must-do activity in Bora Bora?

The lagoon boat tour, with a snorkeling stop and a visit to the motu. It’s the experience that best captures what makes Bora Bora unique — the lagoon, the marine life, the white-sand islets. If you only do one excursion, make it this one.

Do I need to know how to swim to enjoy the lagoon?

Not necessarily. The ray and shark outings happen in very shallow areas where you can stand. Surface snorkeling doesn’t strictly require swimming ability — flotation vests are available. Excursions are always guided by local operators.

How much time should I set aside for activities?

On a 7-night trip, two half-day lagoon excursions, one ray-and-shark outing, and a free day by bike or scooter cover the essentials without overpacking your schedule. Bora Bora is also a destination where doing nothing is entirely justified — the setting makes the case for itself.

Can I book excursions once I’m there?

Yes, outside peak season. In July–August, the best tours fill up weeks in advance — book ahead. For helicopter flights, book early no matter the season.