The 32km road around Bora Bora's main island — by scooter, bicycle, or taxi — passes through local villages, coconut and vanilla plantations, WWII US gun emplacements, pearl farms, the black sand beach at Matira, and the most dramatic viewpoints over the lagoon and reef. Half-day; essential for understanding the island beyond the motu.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
The 32km circuit around Bora Bora's main island is a rewarding half-days available — by scooter (~$50/day rental), bicycle (free from some resorts), or hired taxi. The road traces the shoreline through local Polynesian villages (Vaitape, Anau, Faanui), past vanilla and coconut plantations, American WWII gun emplacements (the US military used Bora Bora as a supply base in 1942, and the 7-inch gun placements on the hillsides remain intact), pearl farms with viewing platforms over the lagoon, and the black-sand beach at Matira Point. The viewpoints looking back from the hillsides toward the outer reef, the motus, and the deep blue of the Pacific beyond are remarkable. Stop for lunch at Bloody Mary's. The circuit takes 2–3 hours without stops; allow a half-day with exploration.
What Stands Out
- 32km loop around the main island
- Best by scooter (~$50/day), bicycle, or taxi
- Pass through local Polynesian villages
- WWII U.S. gun emplacements (1942), still intact on hillsides
- Vanilla and coconut plantations
- Pearl farms with lagoon viewing
- Matira Beach along the southern coast
- Hillside viewpoints over the reef and open Pacific
- Stop at Bloody Mary's for lunch
- Half-day activity that reveals the island beyond the resorts