Beaches

Matira Beach, Bora Bora

Most visitors who come for a beach vacation to Bora Bora are somewhat surprised to learn that it is a lagoon destination with very few beaches. Getting around the island is a little tricky with only one bus, but bicycles and golf carts are available for hire if you are looking for transportation to get you to one of the few beaches.

Matira Beach, located on the southern tip of Bora, is the only public beach on the island. This beach can get very busy on weekends and public holidays. This beautiful white sand beach is littered with jet ski rentals, hotels, and a couple restaurants. Matira has been named one of the Top Ten Beaches in the World! The aquamarine waters are warm and inviting, and the beach is the perfect spot to enjoy one of the numerous water activities offered. A few boat excursions can be taken from Matira Beach, around the island. Most visitors come to Matira Beach to laze the day away, and fall privy to one of the most amazing sunsets in the world! The beach also offers a few hiking trails, several boutique shops, and the infamous Ben's Place snack bar. The lagoon here is a little deeper and makes its ideal for swimming. At the far end of Matira Beach is the Hotel Matira, behind which you can climb the hill to the American Guns for a spectacular ocean and island view. The snorkeling off the the northern point of Matira is amongst the best on the island due to its calmer waters and optimal visibility. 

North of Matira Beach along the east coast is the island's only other decent stretch of sandy beach alongside Pofia Bay. This crescent shaped bay is one half of the collapsed volcanic crater and here are some of the best panorama shots of Bora's magnificent hills. Pofai Bay is far less commercial than Matira with only a few guesthouses, and much more secluded beach with little to no crowd.

Intercontinental Hotel offers private beach access at the southern point of Matira. The lagoon here is very shallow, but the turquoise water is extremely tempting. Although too shallow for swimming, there is decent snorkeling just further out. The beach extends along the East coast of Matira Point for less than mile where the newly renovated Sofitel Marara now enjoys the best of the beach front. Maitai Polynesia offers a wide range of accommodation including bungalows on the beach.