You in all probability already know that Bora Bora's lagoon is outrageously picturesque, revealing shades of blue you didn't even know existed. And also you'll be happy to study that this beautiful island in French Polynesia has lovely seashores to match, fringed by a curtain of swishing palms.
You'll discover little slices of sandy heaven – virtually at all times connected to a stylishly luxurious resort – scattered throughout the primary island and on the motu (islets) dotted across the lagoon, so that you'll have solar, sea and sand on faucet wherever you select to remain.
Whereas most seashores are reserved for visitors at Bora Bora's luxe resorts, Bora Bora's major official public seashore, Matira Seashore, is likely one of the finest on the island. Beginning at Matira and dealing clockwise across the lagoon, listed here are eight of the very best seashores in Bora Bora to kickstart your island dream.
1. Matira Seashore
Finest seashore for households
If Derek Zoolander have been to explain Matira Seashore, he would in all probability go for “actually, actually, ridiculously handsome.” It's exhausting to think about the necessity for a resort seashore when you've hung out absorbing the solar on this attractive public seashore, regarded by many as the very best on the island.
The white sand and clear waters stretch from Resort Matira on the southern tip of Bora Bora's mainland as much as the previous Resort Bora Bora (whose redevelopment has been stalled since 2008). As Matira Seashore is a public seashore, you'll discover each locals and vacationers having fun with a swim, enjoyable on the sand or wading out for a spot of snorkeling.
Pair this with lovely sunsets and calm water for swimming and also you've obtained a seashore that's a prime spot for households by day, and an incredible romantic spot for {couples} at sundown.
Planning tip: In the event you really feel peckish, engaging eateries are scattered alongside Matira Seashore, starting from casual snack stands and informal cafes to wonderful eating eating places.
2. Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort
Finest seashore for newbie snorkelers
Shifting offshore from the primary island, the personal islet of Motu To'opua is house to the luxurious, Hilton-owned Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort, an incredible alternative for snorkeling and sand-worshipping. The seashore on the Conrad is a fairly first rate dimension at round 500m (1640ft) in size, with the doorway jetty positioned proper within the heart of the sand.
In distinction to many different resort seashores, the sand faces the lagoon and never the primary island, offering views of infinite shades of blue. Though it's beautiful, the vista is dominated by the resort's overwater bungalows, so this isn't fairly the castaway expertise.
Planning tip: The perfect factor about this seashore is the truth that you may snorkel immediately from the sand, discovering coral and shiny fish simply meters from the shoreline. This makes it a super seashore for newbie snorkelers or those that aren't sturdy swimmers. In the event you've bagged your self an overwater bungalow then you definately're in snorkeling heaven; you may bounce in proper out of your porch!
3. Motu Tapu
Finest seashore for making a romantic proposal
The tiny lagoon island of Motu Tapu is owned by the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort, and what it lacks in dimension, it makes up for in romantic potentialities, notably in case you head over with a private chef and butler from the Conrad for a non-public meal for 2 (which is how most individuals come right here).
Surrounded by a transparent lagoon that turns a vivid blue because the water will get deeper, Motu Tapu was as soon as the personal seashore of Queen Pomare IV, the queen of Tahiti from 1827 to 1877. With views of Bora Bora's mountainous major island on one aspect, it's the imaginative and prescient of a tropical island escape – in case you have been queen of Tahiti, you'd in all probability select it on your personal seashore as nicely.
Planning tip: Though you'll in all probability really feel the urge to take a whole bunch of images, a visit to this beach-ringed motu is all about romance. Non-public and virtually abandoned, it's finest loved by placing your telephone down and committing the surroundings to your psychological reminiscence financial institution.
4. Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resort
Finest seashore for hammock lounging
Persevering with clockwise across the lagoon, the island of Tevairoa is house to the lavish Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resort and its attractive 300m (984ft) stretch of sand. This coral islet is nestled between the ocean and the lagoon, with the Pearl Seashore resort going through the mainland and the enduring profile of 727m (3285ft) Mt Otemanu.
There's one thing concerning the misty line of mountains within the background, the Polynesian-style structure of the resort, and the chic lagoon vistas that compels you to sink right into a hammock or collapse onto a seashore lounger underneath a solar umbrella. By the way, you are able to do each right here, whilst you delight in entrance of dreamy sea and island views.
Planning tip: It is a nice alternative if you wish to decrease the time between touchdown in Bora Bora and hitting the sand; you're only a 10-minute boat journey from the airport and quarter-hour throughout the lagoon from Bora Bora's largest village, Vaitape.
5. Blue Heaven Island Resort
Finest for casual island appeal
Simply earlier than you attain the airport on Mute Island, you'll cross the personal island of Motu Paahi and the agreeably casual Blue Heaven Island resort. A quaint, family-run five-bungalow guesthouse with a pure, slim seashore, the resort describes itself as rustic, which implies ceiling followers quite than air-con, a lagoon as a substitute of a pool, photo voltaic electrical energy and wi-fi that’s depending on the climate. It was briefly closed on the time of writing so test domestically for the newest info.
The shoreline is rockier right here however that doesn't detract from the view, which options the identical interaction of mountains and blue as at different extra upmarket resorts. The perfect half about this seashore is the epic snorkeling and lagoon kayaking potential proper offshore. Among the pricier resorts convey of their visitors by boat to snorkel within the channel proper subsequent to this motu, however in case you keep right here, you'll already be in prime place.
6. Motu Tane
Finest for these with (very) deep pockets
Motu Tane is a small island positioned proper subsequent door to Motu Paahi however solely an unique few get the prospect to take pleasure in its lovely seashores, mentioned to be among the many finest in Bora Bora. The rationale? The islet is privately owned by cosmetics mogul Francois Nars, nevertheless it was just lately listed on the market for a cool US$37.5 million.
In the event you can't stretch that far, you may nonetheless look throughout to the island from Motu Paahi and picture proudly owning your personal personal paradise island surrounded by white sand and dotted with Polynesian huts and coconut groves. As a result of its proximity to Blue Heaven Island resort, you may assume the snorkeling is fairly epic right here too.
7. 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Finest for all-round wow issue
Persevering with clockwise to the northeastern aspect of Bora Bora's lagoon, past the airport on Mute Island, the celebrated seashore on the 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora affords superb views of Mt Otemanu from its glowing stretch of sand.
Surprisingly, the seashore isn't the very best factor about this swish personal island. Guests are additionally wowed by the gathering of “mini seashores” lining the turquoise channels resulting in the interior lagoon on this slim island. When you see them, you'll need to promote every thing you personal and transfer right here.
The principle seashore and the sandy strips surrounding the interior lagoon simply ooze luxurious. Mix this with 4 onsite eating places and excellent lodging and also you've discovered your self the very best seashore resort on Bora Bora.
Planning tip: Whereas the 4 Seasons prices five-star costs, look out for promotions reminiscent of reductions for advance reserving and free nights in case you keep longer than three days.
8. Sofitel Bora Bora Non-public Island
Finest seashore for privateness
Circling again in direction of the southern finish of Bora Bora, you'll discover Motu Piti Uu Uta, house to the Bora Bora Non-public Island resort – owned by the Accor group however briefly closed on the time of writing (test on-line for the newest info).
Though the seashore right here is small and shrinks significantly with the tide, its magnificence lies in its privateness and the colour of the encircling lagoon. For the very best views, take a fast stroll up the hill behind the resort, the place you'll discover just a few deck chairs the place you may flop down and admire the sundown over the lagoon.
Planning tip: Though the snorkeling is fairly first rate immediately out of the seashore, in case you swim or wade across the shallows to the deeper channel on the southern aspect of the island, one can find your self in a main spot typically visited by snorkeling excursions. Fish life is plentiful right here, however cease earlier than you get too drained or convey one thing to drift on.
