Fun Fact Fiesta Logo

Top 10 Bora Bora Fun Facts: Uncover the Island's Secrets and Marvels

illustration of bora-bora
Dive into a sea of curiosities and discover the most fascinating and lesser-known tidbits about the stunning island paradise of Bora Bora.

1. Mount Otemanu's Dating Profile

If Mount Otemanu had a dating profile, it would boast of being "the life of the Pacific party" and a self-proclaimed "Queen" of French Polynesia, with interests in hiking, scenic views, and volcanic reminiscing: Towering 727 meters above sea level, this captivating geo-babe isn't just an extinct volcano's remnant but a stunning volcanic peak formed from the uplift of oceanic crust, making it Bora Bora's most swipe-right-worthy natural wonder.
Source => tripadvisor.com

2. Lagoon with 130-foot Visibility

Who needs X-ray vision when you've got Bora Bora lagoons: Marvel at the 130-foot visibility in its pristine waters, where neon fish party with stingrays and sharks beneath the majestic peaks of Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. Bora-Bora, meaning "first born" in Tahitian, truly sets the bar high as one of the earliest settled islands in the region.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

3. Operation Bobcat: WWII Pit-Stop

Before Starbucks, there was Operation Bobcat: During World War II, Bora Bora served as a crucial pit-stop for over 1,000 American Navy vessels needing to refuel, with the island hosting 3,500 servicemen and infrastructure like an airfield, two airstrips, and a fuel depot. Today, you can still catch a glimpse of its historic role with military cannons and shooting positions at Ha'amaire.
Source => tahititourisme.pf

4. Diverse Coral Reefs

If Finding Nemo taught us anything, it's that all drains lead to the ocean – but if you want to skip the drain and go straight to paradise, just keep swimming towards Bora-Bora's mesmerizing coral reefs: As a thriving aquatic wonderland, the island boasts a stable coral cover providing habitats for a myriad of marine creatures, making it an ideal getaway for divers and fish-gossiping aficionados.
Source => researchgate.net

Bali Hai Boys & Overwater Bungalows

5. Bali Hai Boys & Overwater Bungalows

Before the Kardashians got there on paddle boards and posed for Instagram: the Bali Hai Boys - a crew of Californian beach bums - left their surfboards in the 1960s, and traded them for overwater bungalows in the dreamy realm of Tahiti. Starting with Hotel Bali Hai on Moorea in 1962 and then moving onto Raiatea, these sun-kissed pioneers unwittingly sparked a global trend, leading to over 900 such bungalows being built across French Polynesia's 118 islands, and eventually inspiring imitations in the Maldives, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, the Caribbean, and even Switzerland - sans the ocean and palm trees!
Source => islands.com

6. Beer, Wine, and Rum on Coral Soil

Islanders with a buzz and a cause: Bora Bora not only boasts its indigenous beer Hinano and an emerging craft beer scene with breweries like Les 3 Brasseurs, but it's also home to the world's only coral soil-grown winery and produces its distinct rum. Plus, they're eco-warriors, with a dedicated recycling system for beer bottles!
Source => unusualtraveler.com

7. Marine Plankton Buffet for Whales

From whale of a time to a turtle-y awesome experience: Bora Bora's vibrant waters are home to nearly 500 species of fish, including marvelous Manta Rays, brave barracudas, and ravishing red snappers. You might even spot humpback whales from August to October, all thanks to an all-you-can-eat marine plankton buffet keeping these fin-tastic creatures coming back for more.
Source => saltwaterinfo.weebly.com

8. Flower Behind Your Ear Etiquette

Forget about right swipes or left swipes, in Bora Bora, it's all about the right flower or left flower: Wearing a flower behind your left ear offers a warm welcome to visitors, while placing it behind your right ear shows your respect for the local culture, debunking the myth that it indicates your marital status or flirtatious availability.
Source => boraboraislandguide.com

9. Underwater Celebrities and Cha-Chas

Who needs Shark Week when you've got Bora Bora all year round? This aquatic wonderland is chock-full of underwater celebrities doing the cha-cha with their finned friends: Bora Bora's crystal-clear lagoon and spectacular coral reefs are a scuba diver's haven, teeming with diverse marine life, including sharks, rays, colorful reef fish, and even some seasonal appearances by humpback whales from late July to November. Dive in and watch nature's finest performers steal the show!
Source => boraboraislandguide.com

Barefoot Luxury at Bloody Mary's

10. Barefoot Luxury at Bloody Mary's

If you're ready to swap your Jimmy Choo's for barefoot luxury and coconut tree trunk thrones, Bora Bora is calling your name: The island's iconic Bloody Mary's restaurant, famous for its sand floors and unique seating, offers live music and a lively atmosphere for patrons seeking fun, but don't be afraid to venture out and explore other delicious dining offerings on this enchanting isle.
Source => tripadvisor.com

Related Fun Facts