Bora-Bora Things to Do Tips by jmpncsu

4X4 Jeep Safari Tour Excursion Review

Since most of our activities in Bora Bora involved the water, we wanted to do something on land and booked a 4X4 Jeep Safari Tour through the hotel (Sofitel). The tour was OK, but not as good as I had expected, especially given the quality of the other tours we had done. Unfortunately, it was booked through our hotel and I don't have a receipt, so I don't know which tour company it was. First, the driver was late picking us up at the hotel, although someone did call the hotel to let us know they were running late. From the hotel, we drove around the southern end of the island and went up a dirt road near Matira Point to an overlook. Steve, the driver, actually went up in reverse part of the way! At the top, we stopped for a bit to take some pictures from the overlook then went back down the hill and across the street to the Pearl Farm. I had bought my wife a pearl in Tahiti, but it was neat to look around anyway. Then we drove through Vaitape and went up another dirt road to the WWII cannons. This was the steepest and bumpiest road and felt like a roller coaster at times. We took some pictures around the cannons then headed back down and headed to Paarara Mountain Artist, an art studio at the just below Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, but it was closed. Great views of the mountains and Faanui Bay though. I can see how an artist would have plenty of inspiration with the views here. Then we drove back down and finished the loop around the island. I enjoyed the tour, but for the cost, I think it should have been a lot better. Despite picking us up late, the tour ended before the scheduled time (I guess since the art studio was closed). And seeing the WWII cannons was neat, but the other two main attractions were businesses. I think other tour operators have much better 4X4 tours.

Directions: Pickup from hotel

Lagoonarium Eco Tour Shark/Sting Ray Feeding Review

We did the lagoonarium eco-tour, booked through our hotel, Sofitel. We did not actually go to the lagoonarium on this excursion, but it was probably my favorite thing we did in Bora Bora. We were picked up at the dock promptly at 9 AM and headed out around the island. The main tour guide was Steven "Spielberg", who loved to make movies. Steven, Niho, and the others on the boat were great - making jokes, playing Polynesian music, and telling us about the history and nature on and around Bora Bora as we made our way to our first destination, near Motu Tapu. They chummed the water and quickly there were numerous reef sharks and other tropical fish around the boat. We jumped in the water and snorkeled around, watching the sharks and fish eat. Niho (I think he's part fish) would swim down and grab their dorsal fins and have them pull him around. I didn't try that - not because I was afraid of the gentle sharks, but I couldn't hold my breath that long! After about a half hour, we headed to our next destination in much shallower water and were almost immediately swarmed by sting rays. The rays came up to eat even allowed us to give them a kiss! Then we headed to our last destination - the coral garden near Motu Toopua. The swarms of beautiful fish were amazing. We had the chance to feed the fish and swim around the coral seeing all the fabulous marine life, including eels and clownfish. Here, Niho swam to the bottom (about 20 feet), laid down, and blew air rings up to the surface. I was amazed how long he could stay underwater. After that, they took us back to our hotel. This was a great excursion - highly recommended to anyone visiting Bora Bora. The sea life is amazing and the tour guides were great. You can also buy a DVD of the trip that Steven records. Its very expensive (~13,000 xpf), but we splurged for it since we had such a nice time.

Address: BP 56, Vaitape, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Directions: Pick up at hotel.

Phone: 689 67 71 34

Website: http://www.boraboraisland.com/lagoonarium/

Massage at Le Spa

Le Spa is the spa located at the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort, just a few feet from the restaurant. My wife and I had a one-hour massage shortly after we got there to relax from the plane rides and we enjoyed it so much, that we got another one before we departed so that we would be relaxed for the long flight home. The masseuses offer three different fragrances of oil for the massage and it is performed in a relaxing hut on the water. I would definitely recommend this to relax sore muscles before or after a long flight to Bora Bora

Address: BP 6, Nunue, 98730, French Polynesia

Directions: Just past the restaurant

Phone: (+689)605500

Website: http://sofitel.com/gb/hotel-0564-sofitel-bora-bora-marara-beach-and-private-island/index.shtml