The wonderful Matira Beach is the largest public beach in Bora Bora, “Pearl of the Pacific”, and has 2 km (1.24 mi) of sparkling white sand, coconut trees and beautiful crystal clear turquoise water, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Can you use US dollars in Bora Bora?
Hotels, restaurants and high-end shops will accept without problems your U.S. dollars but usually apply a lousy rate. Use the ATMs or bring cash from Tahiti.
How to get to Matira Beach?
It is located about 5 miles south of Vaitape and can be reached by push bike or taxi. You can also drive there; You will find parking spaces near the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort.
What to do in Matira Beach?
Scuba Diving
Easy to intermediate dives, expect to see Manta & Eagle Rays, Lemon sharks, Napoleaon Wrasses, and stunning underwater landscapes.
Whale Watching
Every July to November, Humpback Whales migrate from Antartica to the Polynesian waters to mate or give birth. Numerous half or full day tours allow you to contemplate these extraordinary mammals in the wild, in a respectul – and highly regulated – manner. If you happen to visit Bora Bora outside of the whale season, despair not as many cetaceans reside permanently around Bora Bora, as explained here.
Hiking
Fancy a challenge? Climb Mount Pahia summit (658m/2160ft) and gasp at the scenery. Hire a guide, bring lots of water and serious footwear.
Where is Bora Bora located?
It lies in the South central Pacific Ocean, about 165 miles (265 km) northwest of Tahiti.
Bora-Bora, is a volcanic island, part of the Îles Sous le Vent (Leeward Islands), in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.
Getting around Bora Bora.
Although it may seemhard to believe, push bike is the best way to get around Bora Bora, since the island can be covered in just a few hours.
There are public buses, known as Le Truck, but their schedule is a bit of a mystery. Of course there are Taxis (and Taxi-Boats) and you can rent a car, a motorcycle or even a buggy. Fun fact, Taxis and Taxi-Boats are more expensive after 7 pm.
How expensive is Bora Bora?
Bora Bora currency
French Pacific franc (CFP)
The currency used in French Polynesia is the French Pacific Franc, abbreviated XPF or CFP. The exchange rate with the Euro is a fixed flat rate ,1 Euro = 119.33 Pacific Franc, but it fluctuates against the U.S. dollar (USD).
Credit cards are widely used throughout the main islands. The more commonly accepted credit cards include Visa and Mastercard, followed by American Express. Please note that not all hotels and restaurants accept American Express. Once you get to the smaller, more isolated atolls such as Manihi and Fakarava, you will most likely need to carry cash for the stores, restaurants and pensions located away from the major resorts.
