10 Best Family Things to Do in Bora Bora

Bora Boras’s exquisite Matira Beach is a 2-mile stretch of pristine white sand that’s situated on the island’s southern-most tip. Framed by woozy palm trees, lush green hills and aquamarine water that teems with marine life, it’s an idyllic place to spend a day. 

When you’re not snorkelling through schools of fish or working on a tan, you can enjoy an exhilarating quad bike ride through the island’s ancient rainforests and scenic pineapple plantations. Around sunset, head to Restaurant Moihere for freshly caught seafood.

Bora Bora Lagoonarium is a protected habitat and coral garden that’s home to a dazzling array of sea life. It's so highly regarded that a team of marine biologists tend to it weekly. This aquatic wonderland was inaugurated in 1984 by Jean-Michel Cousteau, the son of eminent oceanographer Jacques. 

Accessible by boat ride as well as from several resorts, the Lagoonarium allows visitors to get up-close-and-personal with the region’s turtles, fish and coral species whilst snorkelling and scuba diving in its azure waters. You can also handfeed leopard sharks and eagle rays with an experienced guide or take part in workshops to learn about conservation. 

Set in a private lagoon at the Westin Resort and Spa, Bora Bora Turtle Centre draws visitors with its superb collection of green and hawksbill turtles. The centre provides a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures that are recuperating from injury, and then releases them back into the wild. Overseen by a team of biologists and scientists, this conservation sanctuary features an ecosystem museum, an underwater observatory, an interactive touch pool and a glorious coral nursery.    

There’s also an on-site aquarium where families can observe fish larvae, invertebrates and marine plants that are native to the South Pacific. Feeling peckish? Reserve a table at the resort’s stylish Tipanier Bistro for all-day French dining with a Polynesian twist. 

There’s no better way to experience Bora Bora’s many natural attractions than through a jet ski excursion. You can either zip around the lagoon with an experienced tour guide or hire your own vehicles for a panoramic family escapade. 

Skirt sandy palm-fringed islets and emerald-green rainforests, before marvelling at the volcanic peaks of Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. For a taste of Polynesian culture, stop by a traditional coconut-husking demonstration on a powder-soft beach, or pull up at a waterfront bar for a refreshing fruity mocktail.  

Leopard Rays Trench is arguably Bora Bora’s most eminent swimming site, one that is nestled on the southernmost tip of the island. Here, you can swim with giant leopard rays, spotted eagle rays, black-tipped reef sharks and schools of fish in clear shallow water that shimmers in the sunlight. 

Back on land, hit the bars and restaurants near Matira Beach for a sumptuous sunset feast. We love Noa Noa at the Intercontinental Resort for its gourmet dishes served on a lush, landscaped terrace. Try the flame-cooked yellowfin tuna, the goat’s cheese ravioli and the Polynesian pavlova with mascarpone Chantilly. 

Embark on a snorkelling tour to discover how the vast array of colourful fish and aquatic plants make Bora Bora one of the world’s greatest marine destinations. While the island’s lagoon offers many prime spots for snorkelling and scuba diving, nothing beats a day at Tupitipiti Point for its purple corals, humpback whales, dramatically steep drop-off and mysterious caverns.  

If you’re looking to swim in shallower waters, snorkel at the magnificent Motu Tane coral garden, or hike the trail at Turiroa to commune with majestic sea turtles and tropical fish. The area nicknamed 'The Aquarium', located off the southern end of Motu Pitiaau and Motu Piti Uuuta, is also a haven for pastel corals.

Eye-catching Mount Otemanu looms over the island of Bora Bora like a mythological creature. Not only does this extinct volcano provide the island’s beaches with a cinematic backdrop, but it also offers unbeatable hiking and photo opportunities. 

Boasting an impressive elevation of 727 metres, Otemanu can easily be reached by 4-wheel-drive or, alternatively, circle its summit on a helicopter tour. If you decide to ascend the mountain, you’ll find panoramic vantage points along the crater’s edge that deliver incredible vistas of the turquoise lagoon. 

See Bora Bora’s lagoon from a whole new perspective on a once-in-a-lifetime underwater walk with Aqua Safari Helmet Diving. The underwater walk is a 2-and-a-half-hour excursion that will see you descend to the ocean floor to gaze at vibrant corals and rainbow-hued fish in an oxygenated safari helmet. 

Luckily, you don’t need to know how to scuba dive or snorkel to enjoy this wholly unique experience because you’ll be fully instructed by a team of professionals. Equipped with a high-definition camera, your guide will take pictures of you throughout your dive, so you’ll have an amazing keepsake for the family photo album.

If you want to experience Bora Bora’s outstanding underwater ecosystem without getting wet, then a glass-bottomed boat ride ticks all the boxes. On this relaxing tour, you’ll spot lemon sharks, anemones, colourful fish and unusual corals through the vessel’s crystal-clear floor panels. 

Your knowledgeable guide will tell you fascinating facts about Bora Bora’s lagoon as you navigate the beautiful little islets that surround the main island. Afterwards, enjoy an al fresco lunch at a waterfront eatery like Bloody Mary’s or La Villa Mahana. 

If you're seeking the ultimate adrenalin rush, take to the skies of Bora Bora for an exhilarating morning of parasailing. Fly over one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons for 360-degree views of the island’s rainforests, beaches and mountain ranges, as you’re guided by a super-fast boat. 

For approximately 25 minutes, you’ll be suspended from a colourful parachute on 300 metres of rope, either solo or in tandem. Afterwards, enjoy a motu picnic of tropical fruits, freshly caught seafood and coconut bread, before splashing about in the sparkling water.