Visit to the town of Bora Bora
Most island tours and many Bora Bora hotel packages include a visit to the town. The towns of Bora Bora embody the colourful, warm and laid back life of the island. A visit to the town of Vaitape is unavoidable on your trip to Bora Bora, as this is the main town on the island, thirty minutes from the Tahiti airport.
Most of the hotels in Bora Bora are located in Vaitape and it is also where the ferries dock. It is located across the Teavanui Pass, the only entrance to Bora Bora’s famous lagoon. Vaitape is also the government base in Bora Bora. It has a huge pier and public square. It is also the commercial center of Bora Bora where you can find a wide selection of handicrafts, clothing and black pearls.
A visit to the town of Faanui is also popular with travellers. Faanui is the name of a town and a bay located on the northwest coast of Bora Bora. One of the fascinating places in Faanui is Farenua, the largest marae in Bora Bora. A “marae” is a sacred place of worship built with stones. A visit to the green valley village of Faanui is typically included in safari tours and the culmination of this trip is the spectacular view of Fannui Bay from the top of a mountain.
Faanui is a former US troop station during World War II’s Operation Bobcat, which is why many naval guns remain in this town. They are rusty now but are very popular tourist attractions. Also in Faanui you can visit fruit and flower plantations and pareo workshops. A pareo is a wrap-around cloth similar to a sarong, which is a very popular souvenir in Bora Bora.
To visit a picturesque town, you should head to Anau. This town is on the east side of Bora Bora and is not usually frequented by tourists. If you want to experience the charm of an old world Polynesian village, visit Anau. You will also find ruins of ancient temples here. Anau is also an excellent snorkeling and diving site for beginners. Some of the sea creatures you’re likely to see in this part of Bora Bora’s lagoon include sea anemones and clown fish, moray eels, huge manta rays, and sharks.
A visit to the town of one or all of the places mentioned above is sure to enhance your trip to Bora Bora. Ask your hotel or resort manager or travel agent if they can arrange a village tour for you, or check if it’s already included in your travel package.