 The island which was once nicknamed
"the Pearl of the Pacific" really deserves its
reputation of 'the most beautiful island in the
world". Located 260 kilometers from Tahiti, Bora
Bora has a population of 5,767, living essentially off
tourism in a paradise-like setting. Bora Bora is an
ancient volano and the highest peak, Mount Otemanu,
culminates at 727 meters. The island was formerly known
as Vavau, Bola Bola and then as Pora Pora. During World
War II, the setting up of an American base contributed
to modernizing the island's infrastructures and make it
known in the United States. The tour of Bora Bora,
namely 32 kilometers, can be done on bicycle, which is
still the best way to appreciate the amazing blue hues
of the lagoon. Stars, millionaires and celebrities have
been regular visitors, for decades, of this piece of
basalt rock the beauty of which, provided one has the
opportunity of flying over it, is always breathtaking
even to the most blase of visitors.
 The island has only
one pass. Divers, even using just a mask and a snorkel,
will have the opportunity to watch three types of rays,
of which the largest are manta rays. Highly spectacular
sessions of hand feeding of sharks are also organized in
the lagoon, and are not dangerous in spite of the
frenzy displayed by the sharks.
Regarding hikers, guides
are available, whether on foot or in a 4x4, to explore
Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. There are still remnants
of the American Ma7ines'presence, in the form of rusted
guns. Other older remnants, left in a tropical
vegetation free from dangerous animals, make it possible
to be more familiar with the less known aspect of Bora
Bora, the island laid in a turquoise setting.
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