BORA BORA :THE PERL OF PACIFIC

 

Bora Bora Island is possibly the single most famous island in all the world. The legends, mysteries, and romance associated with the words "Bora Bora" bring an almost mystical presence to the island. Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes. Bora Bora's lagoon is its most treasured feature. Pearl of pacific, the nearest thing to paradise on earth, the island of dreams all these names have been given to Bora Bora.

 

GEOGRAPHY

 

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean.

 

 The island, located about 230 kilometres   northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef.

In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, MountPahia and MountOtemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft).

 

HISTORY OF THE ISLAND-

 

The Island was first inhabited by Polynesian settlers around the 4th century. Its previous Polynesian name was Vava'u.

 

The Bora Bora discovered by a Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen in 1722.Capt.James cook another British navigator and explorer visited this island in 1777.

 

James Coroner was the first European settler who survived from a wreck of British Whaler Matilda in 1792 on the southernmost tip which he named Metilda Point.  A London Missionary Society arrived in 1820 and founded a Protestant church in 1822. In 1842 Bora Bora was made a protectorate of France following the actions of Admiral Abel Aubert Dupetit Thouars.in 1895 it became a part of French Polynesia.

 

Capt. James recorded the islands name as bola bola that mean first born.but Polynesians were unable to pronounce either “b” or “l” correctly so pora pora might have been more accurate.

 

In 1929 a American film making crew came to this island and this was the beginning of farther serious intercourse with modern world. This film was a love story of a Tahitian Perl fisherman who transgresses the taboo laws.

 

ISLAND AT THE TIME OF WAR

 

Following the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, the United States entered World War II. The US chose Bora Bora as a South Pacific military supply base, and an oil depot, airstrip, seaplane base, and defensive fortifications were constructed. Known as "Operation Bobcat", it maintained a supply force of nine ships, 20,000 tons of equipment and nearly 6,000 men.

 

After the finishing of world war-2 the base was officially closed on 2 June 1946, many American personnel loved the island and the people so much that they refused to leave.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

The island is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Bora-Bora, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands. The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef (29.3 km²/11.3 sq. miles in total) and of the atoll of Tupai (11 km2/4.2 sq mi), located 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Bora Bora. The atoll of Tupai has no permanent population apart from about 50 workers in the coconut plantations. Former President of French Polynesia Gaston Tong Sang is the current mayor of Bora Bora

 

The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef (29.3 km²/11.3 sq. miles in total) and of the atoll of Tupai (11 km2/4.2 sq mi), located 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Bora Bora. The atoll of Tupai has no permanent population apart from some workers in the coconut plantations.

 

AT PRESENT DAY-

 

Today the island is mainly dependent on tourism. Over the last few years several resorts have been built on motu (small islands) surrounding the lagoon. Today, overwater bungalows are a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts.

Most of the tourist destinations are aqua centric. French and Tahitian are the main languages spoken by the inhabitants.

 

 TOURISM

 

Why Bora Bora?

 

Described as the most beautiful of the world, its lagoon will capture you in the net of its hues

Unforgettable sunsets, intact beaches, calm and tranquility… you have found the cradle of love

Nestled on crystalline waters, perfect setting for a love story, unique hotel experience: the Over-the-Water Bungalow

Ride through valleys or cruise on the lagoon, a variety of activities to chose from.

Ending the day with the soft warmth of its rays sipping a cocktail on the beach, watch the sun set in the ocean  radiating its most dazzling colors.

Dances of schools of fish or ballet or manta rays, an amazing underwater world awaits you.

 

BEST TIME FOR VISIT

The climate on the Island of Bora Bora and the rest of the Society Islands is considered tropical and can be divided into two basic seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season (Polynesian Summer), is between the months of November to April, receiving approximately 3/4ths of the annual rainfall of French Polynesia between these months. The humidity during this time can be quite heavy and muggy and cloud cover is common. Storms are frequent, brief, and unpredictable.(Average rainfall for Papeete is 1800mm). Temperatures will range from 27 - 30 degrees C, with the hottest months being February and March. Day to night temperature fluctuations are minimal. This "wet season" is considered the "off season" for tourism. By contrast, the "dry season" - May through October, is the "on season" for tourism. This is the Polynesian winter. Temperatures generally range from between 24-28 degrees C, and rain is rare. Day to night temperature fluctuations are minimal.

 

As to be expected, these favorable weather conditions also bring out the tourists. July is most likely the favorite and most heavily traveled month for all the TahitianIslands because of its many festivals and celebrations during the month long holiday that occurs at that time known as Tiurai. For those interested in Scuba diving in Tahiti and her surrounding islands, the dry season is favorable due to increased visibility.

 

 

The Polynesian islands don't have a lot of natural wildlife, aside from birds and of course, a magical array of Marine life creatures.  There are quite a number of bird species here, with some of the less inhabitated islands such as Tetiaroa, Mehetia, and others having breeding grounds for future health of the species.

 

Papeete / Tahiti, Moorea, TuamotuIslands, Raiatea / Tahaa, Huahine, Tetiaroa are the other nearby islands of Bora Bora.