Bora Bora
From CruisersWiki
Bora Bora
Background
Cruising the region
Bora Bora, sometimes known as the Pearl of the Pacific, is supposed to be the most beautiful island in the Pacific. Opinions vary on this of course but nonetheless it is a very pretty island with an attractive lagoon.
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
Radio Nets
There are no radio nets specific to Bora Bora.
Routes to/from
Popular routes, timing, etc.
Check-in facilities/Ports of Entry
Bora Bora is a port of entry although complete formalities need to be completed in Papeete. Check in and check out is done with the gendarmes in Vaitape. At last check (May 2014) none of the gendarmes in Vaitape spoke any English.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Submit Marina details and facilities.
- Bora Bora Yacht Club has moorings, a way north of Vaitape. Opinions vary as to the stability of these moorings, some reports suggested that they are overdue for maintenance while others indicate that they are good holding. Limited information is available about services on shore.
- MaiKai Marina -- has (cold water, outside) showers, toilet facilities, a bar and a restaurant as well as a fresh water pool that is available for visitors. Moorings cost cfp2000 for the first night and cfp1000 for subsequent nights. Water is available from the wharf, no electricity. This has the advantage of being close to Vaitape including supermarkets and a small marine store.
- Although it's not a marina as such, Bloody Marys, a Bora Bora institituion, has free moorings available for visitors. In one visit in 2014 the mooring line that I was on broke free of the mooring block and I drifted almost to the reef however I am led to believe that this is an isolated incident (I guess that the chain at the base of the mooring rope parted company with the mooring block, the chain dragged along the bottom to a certain extent but then stopped when it snagged on coral). There are a limited number of these, please check at the restaurant for availability.
Anchorages
List details of all safe anchorages in the area.
- There is some anchoring room on the far side of Motu Toopua. This is probably the best free anchorage although it's far from Vaitape.
- Holding elsewhere in the lagoon is reported not to be particularly good. It's possible to anchor almost anywhere, but holding can be variable and depths are usually greater than 20 metres.
Tourism & things to do ashore
List places of interest, tours, eateries, etc.
Marine stores
There is a small chandlery of sorts, on the north side of Vaitape, near the MaiKai marina. Staff there spoke no English and the range appeared to be limited however some items may certainly be found.
Offshore Islands
List Islands
- Motu Toopua, large motu containing the sheraton resort, the far side of which (from the main island) contains some good snorkelling spots.
- Motu Tapu, private motu just north of Motu Toopua.
- Motu Tevairoa
- Motu Mute, contains the airport
- Various motus on the north/west side of the island, including Motu Omei, Motu Ome and Motu Piti Aau. You need a decent dinghy to visit these, the depths are not sufficient to get a keelboat around to the west side of the main island and in any case anchoring in the area is not permitted.
References & Publications
The tourist information office near the wharf in Vaitape has a number of free publications, which anyone can walk in and pick up a copy of. Many of these are of course sponsored by the various tourist resorts and other activities on the island, but there are a number which are quite handy regardless. Of course most are in French but some are in English or are bilingual:
- Bora Bora Map -- just a fold-out handy sized copy of the large map you see on various signs around the island. Bilingual, French/English.
- Bora Bora Activities Guide -- contains a small handy map and a bunch of advertisements for various activities ashore and in the lagoon.
- Huanine - Raiatea - Taha'a - Bora Bora - Maupiti Visitors Guide -- bilingual publication covering all of the Leeward Islands, again with a map of each one and a list of places to stay and things to do.
- Bora Bora Information -- published in various languages including English, as separate publications. Contains a handy list of general information, telephone dialling information, phone numbers for doctors and other services, some historical information and maps of the island.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
- Chiara Stella - Bora Bora blog post.
|
|---|
|
Names: |
| |
|---|
| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | South Pacific | French Polynesia | Society Islands | Bora Bora | |
