| Looking for an island getaway that's a little off the | | | | The exotic island of Bora Bora offers so much more |
| beaten path? Consider Bora Bora, an island in the | | | | for the adventurous traveler than just sandy beaches. |
| South Pacific located in French Polynesian. Though this | | | | The island is volcanic, making for some of the most |
| island offers some of the best beaches in the world, | | | | unique hiking destinations in the world. While Bora Bora |
| it's not as well-traveled as some of the other islands in | | | | is not home to many land animals, it easily makes up |
| this area, making it an ideal escape for those hoping to | | | | for it with the rich variety of birds and marine species, |
| avoid the crowds. | | | | including numerous species of manta rays and sharks. |
| The island of Bora Bora is surrounded by a reef, In the | | | | If you want to explore the marine life of Bora Bora, |
| center of the island is a long-dormant volcano, rising | | | | consider partaking in a manta ray dive or |
| into Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. The western | | | | shark-feeding dive. |
| side of the island is home to Vaitape, the major | | | | Bora Bora has a lengthy history, stretching back at |
| population center of the island. Bora Bora is home to | | | | least 1500 years. The island was first settled by |
| about 9,000 residents. International travelers can fly in | | | | Polynesians around the fourth century; the name they |
| and out of the area via the Faa'a International Airport in | | | | gave the island was Vava'u. Europeans first sighted |
| Tahiti, another island of French Polynesia. Air Tahiti flies | | | | the island in 1722, and Protestant missionaries arrived in |
| several flights daily to the air strip on the island, which | | | | 1822. By 1842, Bora Bora had become a French |
| dates to World War II. Although Tahitian and French | | | | protectorate. During World War II, the island served as |
| are the languages you'll most often hear on the island, | | | | a base for the United States military. Naval cannons |
| many inhabitants know some English due to their | | | | set up around the island were intended to protect |
| frequent contact with tourists. Bicycles are the | | | | inhabitants and supplies from a potential enemy attack. |
| recommended mode of transportation, though there | | | | After the war, during which Bora Bora saw no |
| are also some cars for hire and a limited bus system. | | | | combat, the base was officially closed. Many |
| Of course, as with all the islands in the South Pacific, | | | | American personnel, however, loved the island so |
| Bora Bora will certainly fulfill your desire to lounge in the | | | | much that they became permanent residents. |
| sun and take in a picturesque tropical landscape. | | | | In recent decades, several tourist resorts have been |
| Those looking to enjoy the beaches should visit | | | | built on the small islands surrounding Bora Bora's central |
| between May and October, during the dry season. | | | | lagoon, many of which stretch out over the water, |
| Avoid traveling there during February and March, which | | | | providing a spectacular view. Tourists will find |
| are both the hottest and the wettest months on the | | | | everything from basic accommodations to luxury |
| island. On the other hand, the other months of the wet | | | | resorts. Popular tourist attractions include not only the |
| season can be a great time to get a deal on travel | | | | blue waters and sandy beaches, but also the World |
| arrangements, if you don't mind the rain. | | | | War II-era cannons and other historical sites. |