Most island tours and many Bora Bora hotel packages include a village visit. The towns of Bora Bora embody the colorful, warm and peaceful island life. 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 Tahiti airport.
Most of the hotels in Bora Bora are located in Vaitape and this is also where the ferries dock. It is located on the other side of the Teavanui Pass, the only entrance to the famous Bora Bora lagoon. Vaitape is also the government base in Bora Bora. It has a large pier and a public square. It is also the commercial center of Bora Bora where you can find a wide selection of handicrafts, clothes and black pearls.
A visit to the town of Faanui is also popular with travelers. 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 usually included in safaris and the culmination of this trip is the spectacular view of Fannui Bay on top of a mountain.
Faanui is a former US troop station during WWII Operation Bobcat, so many naval guns remain in this village. Now they are rusty but they are very popular tourist attractions. Also in Faanui, you can visit fruit and flower plantations and matching workshops. A sarong is a wraparound fabric similar to a sarong, which is a very popular souvenir in Bora Bora.
For a visit to the picturesque village, you should head to Anau. This town is on the east side of Bora Bora and is rarely frequented by tourists. If you want to experience the charm of an old world Polynesian village, visit Anau. You will also find here ruins of ancient temples. Anau is also an excellent snorkelling and diving site for beginners. Some of the sea creatures that you can probably see in this part of the Bora Bora lagoon include sea anemones and clownfish, moray eels, huge manta rays, and sharks.
A village visit to one or all of the places mentioned above will surely enhance your trip to Bora Bora. Ask your hotel or resort manager or travel agent if they can arrange a visit to the village for you or check if it is already included in your travel package.
