Leave your watches at home for this tropical vacation. Oncebryou set foot on the white-sand beaches of Bora Bora, you’llbrbe on island time. But don’t be fooled by the postcard imagesbryou’ll send to envious friends; the beaches of Bora Bora arebrmostly man-made. The small island in the French Polynesia is knownbrfor its crystal clear, blue lagoons. These inlets are perfect for snorkeling,brexploring or just swimming. And man-made or not, who doesn’t wantbrto walk along the beaches day or night feeling the warm sand betweenbrtheir toes? If no vacation is complete without a quick trip to the city, thebrmain island town of Viatape offers boutiques to—wait, have you seenbrthe photos of the lagoons? Why were we mentioning leaving the beach?
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Where to Staybr
If you are going to travel all the way to Bora Bora for the epitomebrof an island vacation, don’t just experience the blue lagoons, stay in anbrover-the-water bungalow at the Four Seasons Resort and Spa. Althoughbrbeachfront villas are available, the bungalows allow for an experiencebrunlike any other. Whether you are vacationing with family or taking abrcouple’s retreat, there’s a bungalow for you. Many offer a private plungebrpool or at least private decks that allow for breathtaking views of MountbrOtemanu. Each bungalow features traditional teak furnishings housedbrunder roofs thatched with pandanus leaves.br
However, if you do opt for the beachfront villas, you won’t be takingbra step down in luxury by any means, especially if you and your guests decide to stay in the three-bedroom Otemanu luxury beachfrontbrvilla. This secluded villa is one-of-a-kind and perfect for familiesbrand groups. It includes three bedrooms, four bathrooms and abrprivate swimming pool. Smaller party? As in party of two? Thebrone-bedroom Deluxe Fenua beachfront villa with pool sits on abrsecluded white-sand beach. It includes its own enclosed gardenbrwith coconut trees and Tahitian gardenia trees.
br br brAs if you weren’t relaxed enough lounging by the beach orbrover the lagoons, the spa at the Four Seasons offers additionalbropportunities for rest and restoration. You didn’t come all this way for a simple deep-tissue massage, although the spa does offer this—brin your room if requested. Instead, experience unique spa rituals thatbrcombine ancient traditions, therapeutic disciplines and Westernbrpractices such as Kahaia Haven. This skin-smoothing body treatmentbruses naturally exfoliating kahaia body scrub, Tahitian black pearlbrpowder and native fragrant vanilla. A full-body massage follows thebrinitial treatment. FourSeasons.com/BoraBora
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Whatever your idea of vacationing on a tropical island looks like, youbrcan make it happen on Bora
Bora. From mountaintop experiences tobrlagoon snorkeling, there is something for any tourist who can pullbrthemselves away from lounging on the white-sand beach. Accordingbrto U.S. News & World Report Travel online, visiting Mount Otemanubris ranked No. 2 on the website’s list of best things to do in Bora Bora.brThe mountain is one of two dead volcanoes at the center of the island,brrising 2,400 feet above the lagoon. Enjoy by land or air, whether youbrdecide to hike, explore in a four-by-four, or partake in a helicopter tour.brIf you just can’t tear yourself away from the chaise lounge on yourbrprivate deck, simply enjoy the otherworldly views of the Otemanubrfrom afar.br
If you are eager to explore the wildlife off the island, a visit tobrthe Lagoonarium Bora Bora is a must. This is a natural aquariumbrlocated on a small island east of the main island. This family-ownedbrattraction allows for snorkeling on the premises. A variety of creatures lie beneath the lagoon’s surface: sharks, turtles, rays and many differentbrkinds of ocean fish. Select a half- or full-day adventure. Another locale tobrspot one of the ocean’s best menageries is the coral garden. Again, just abrshort swim or bike ride away from the main island, this inlet features abrcoral reef located just below the surface that allows for simply the use ofbrsnorkeling gear. Travel.USNews.com, Tahiti.com
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Where to Eat
You needn’t leave your bungalow to enjoy authentic Polynesian dishes.brIn-room dining means you are taking the island life as it’s meant tobrbe—slow and relaxing. There are several dining options onsite at thebrFour Seasons Resort, including Arii Moana, which serves Polynesian andbrFrench traditional dishes featuring fresh seafood and meats. For a morebrcasual atmosphere for dining, Tere Nui is an open-air restaurant servingbrbreakfast, lunch and dinner. The resort also has two bar and grills thatbrserve both lunch and dinner.br
If you want to explore the flavors of Bora Bora a bit more, venture outbrto other parts of the island for additional authentic fare. Located at the St.brRegis Bora Bora Resort, the exclusive signature restaurant Lagoon by Jean-brGeorges features a French and Asian-infused menu created by chef Jean-brGeorges Vongerichten. What makes this experience even more deliciousbris dining in the open air with a clear view of Mount Otemanu at sunset.br
For a completely different atmosphere, visit Bloody Mary’s BorabrBora Restaurant and Bar to spice things up a bit. Established in 1979,brthis is a favorite among regular island visitors and locals. For lunch,brenjoy sandwiches and burgers along with other local dishes. But forbrdinner, choose from the assortment of the day’s bounty. Whatever localbrfishermen catch, you get to eat, made to order. And if you happen to bebrtraveling by yacht, no problem—Bloody Mary’s has a dock. FourSeasons.brcom/BoraBora, StRegisBoraBora.com, BloodyMarys.com