Tropical Island Paradise in French Polynesia

Tropical Island Paradise in French Polynesia, South Pacific

You’ve seen the famous pictures. Wooden bungalows over sparkling aqua blue sea. That picture that makes you sigh and say, “one day”. Why not make “one day” today? I did…

The picture is Bora Bora, sat idyllic in the Pacific Ocean, part of the French Polynesian Leeward Islands. Surrounded by a blue lagoon and barrier reef, home to a spectacular underwater world, this paradise island is a dish of relaxation, adventure and stunning nature, and I found it was only accessible via indirect flights.

Increasingly popular with honeymooners, Bora Bora has a year around temperature of 29-30°c. Rainy season is December to February, with the least amount of wet stuff in the month of May.

When the sun sets, many hotels offer traditional Tahitian entertainment, complete with fire dancers in loin cloths and live music. You can also catch a sunset cruise for a truly breathtaking view of the island.

I’d highly recommend trying some traditional cuisine, which is based around freshly-caught fish. Grilled mahi mahi is delicious, as is the fresh coconut bread.

The best way to describe Bora Bora? Relaxing.

Spend hours lying on an idyllic beach, complete with white sand, clear water, and sky so blue you’ll wonder if it’s a dream. Maybe put on your snorkelling gear and visit the underwater inhabitants of the island – there’s plenty to say “hello” to.

You don’t have to wander too far; many bungalows have steps leading into the lagoon!

Angel fish, parrot fish and black tip reef sharks are just a few of the residents passing by. There’s something very serene about visiting this underwater kingdom; a plethora of colours, shapes and textures bursting before your eyes; they’re imprinted on my memory forever.

If you want to get up close and personal, many companies offer shark feeding dives – a memorable experience, or manta ray diving trips.

It’s not just underwater where the beauty lies; inland has plenty to offer too. I visited the extinct volcano which is an exquisite example of nature’s might, with walking and hiking opportunities nearby.

The lush green hills are dramatic against the unbelievable blue of the lagoon -it was a great chance for some stunning photographs.

Bora Bora truly is a getaway in the finest sense of the word. From top-class spas offering professional massages, to swimming with brightly-coloured fish, I left the island feeling completely chilled-out and rejuvenated.

But the time finally came when I wanted a change of scene. So, I headed to Vaitape in the west, with its swaying coconut trees and pearl shops. And I just couldn’t help myself – a trip to Vaitape wouldn’t be complete without a famous black pearl to remember it by!

Bora Bora is perfect for a variety of reasons, but relaxation is the key. A break to Bora Bora is truly a chance to slow down, reflect, dream, find yourself and exhale.

A holiday to Bora Bora need not break the bank. I kept my budget down by booking my travel arrangements online and pre-booking value airport extras, cutting out stress and lowering the cost of long-haul flying. Airport parking offers convenience and fantastic rates – try Stansted airport parking in particular when flying from London, England. Every pound saved helps the travel budget!

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Author Bio: Nicola Southey works in the travel industry as a travel consultant for Heathrow airport parking. Having travelled extensively since leaving university in 2005, Nicola believes that travel is good for the soul, and that everyone should at least give it a try. Her favourite travel destination is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Photo credits: 1st photo, 2nd photo, 3rd photo, 4th photo, 5th photo