Bora Bora Holidays: Bungalows, Beaches, Baguettes, Black Pearls

Declared “the most beautiful island in the world” by author James Mitchener, Bora Bora has long been considered a destination for starry-eyed honeymooners who rarely venture beyond their luxury resort.

But that is changing. As more and more women are choosing to travel alone or with friends, they are discovering that Bora Bora has so much more to offer to those who are seeking adventure and experiences in the exotic South Seas.

One of the French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific and a short commuter flight from Tahiti, Bora Bora’s brilliant aqua water begins mesmerizing upon descent into the runway.

Here are 10 highlights not to be missed.

1. Stay in an Overwater Bungalow

Located on the motu – the small islets ringing the main island, there simply is no other hotel experience that can compare to having your own thatched bungalow hovering over four feet of the warm, snorkel-ready lagoon. Many bungalows have a view across the lagoon to the looming volcanic Mt. Otemanu. Myriad sea life can be viewed from or your own private deck, or through a glass floor under the coffee table. The bungalows can be pricey, averaging around $1,000 a night, but definitely worth the once-in-a-lifetime splurge, or perhaps shared as a girlfriends’ getaway.

2. Create Your Own Snorkeling Adventure

For your Bora Bora holidays, the clear crystal waters make it a prime snorkeling destination, offering a variety of options ranging from tame to terror. The resorts that are built on the motu offer a calm lagoon perfect for a sublime swim with water calm enough for spying on tropical fish.

Read about Bora Bora’s Bungalows, Beaches, Baguettes and Black Pearls in Wave Journey, May 27, 2013