"4X4 Jeep Safari Tour" Excursion Tip by jmpncsu

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