Following our stay at the beautiful island of Moorea, we headed to dazzling Bora Bora – another paradise in the South Pacific. A bungalow over a blue lagoon, a dazzling white beach, amazing sunsets and starry night skies. Can you blame us that we didn’t want to leave the Four Seasons Bora Bora during our 3-night stay?

With everything that the Four Seasons Bora Bora offers guests for an unforgettable getaway, there is absolutely no reason to want to leave until the very last minute. There’s the selection of restaurants, spa treatments, complimentary non-motorized water sports, pools, and tennis courts – to mention a few.

Let me inspire you to visit the dazzling Bora Bora on your next island break.

Some people say Bora Bora is the most romantic and beautiful island on earth. After visiting the dazzling Bora Bora I find it hard to disagree.

The small island of only 12 sq miles is part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Reaching Bora Bora is easiest with a 45-minute flight from Tahiti, the main French Polynesian island. The Four Seasons Bora Bora is on its own private Motu islet in the string of coral islets surrounding Bora Bora’s main island and overlooks Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia.

I mention this as a highlight because arriving at the Four Seasons Bora Bora is somewhat different than the usual arriving on four wheels and walking into a hotel lobby.

A chilled towel and tropical drink awaits you when you set foot on Bora Bora Airport ground on the islet of Motu Mute. Then you board a boat for a 20-minute cruise to heaven. Keep an eye on the water because you may see fish and manta rays coming to welcome you.

It’s quite surreal to enter a hotel lobby in a boat on water the color of turquoise. You’re greeted with your own Polynesian flower lei, infused pineapple water, and typical Polynesian hospitality. After this, you are whisked off to your overwater bungalow by friendly staff to start your holiday in paradise.

The overwater bungalows at the Four Seasons Bora Bora were designed to bring the indoors out and the outdoors in. They are spacious and equipped with everything you need for the ultimate relaxing island holiday. There is even complimentary snorkeling gear to use during your stay.

Each standard overwater bungalow suite offers the following:

• A bedroom, ensuite bathroom with oversized tub and waterfall shower, and a living room with dining space and a TV. Other modern comforts include WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker.
• Teak wood furniture and local Polynesian art to make you feel at home. The ceilings are high and you can watch for marine life through several glass panels on the floor.
• Private covered deck with chaise lounges to relax on and enjoy the views.
• Steps to access the blue lagoon to cool off, swim or snorkel.

It’s only natural to have a good appetite in such a beautiful outdoor setting. Although there is a good variety to choose from, the cuisine at the Four Seasons Bora Bora is ultimately inspired by the sea and the French.

What about a fresh pineapple and shrimp salad? Or how does coconut-marinated raw tuna sound? It’s yummier than you’d think and a dazzling Bora Bora specialty. Try the Sunset Bar’s sushi for something light or a burger from Faré Hoa Beach Bar for your after-swim hunger. You can even pair or share dishes to experience as many tastes as possible.

Here is a breakdown of the eating and drinking options at the Four Seasons Bora Bora:

• Arii Moana – a waterside dinner restaurant under a thatched roof with a Polynesian and French-infused menu. Their appetizers are great because you can sample four different ones for an entrée instead of having to choose only one. Signature dish: Line-caught yellowfin tuna “on the rock”.

• Faré Hoa Beach Bar and Grill – The place to be for lunch or a late-afternoon snack with your toes in the sand beside the blue lagoon. Or simply enjoy a tropical cocktail while listening to the live music provided in the evenings. Signature dish: Spiny lobster cobb salad.
  

• Tere Nui – Start your day with a fresh sea breeze to awaken you at this open-air restaurant with its stunning views of the lagoon and Mount Otemanu. You won’t get hungry soon after feasting on the expansive breakfast buffet. Light meals are served during the rest of the day. Signature dish: Mediterranean and Pasta Night, BBQ Night.

• Sunset Restaurant and Bar – Exchange your overwater bungalow for an idyllic overwater sundowner setting. Sip on a cocktail (ask about their special margarita recipe) paired with Asian-inspired bites and sushi. Signature dish: Freshly-prepared sushi.

Everyone staying at the Four Seasons Bora Bora can make use of the complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment. This includes snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and kayaks. The still, clear water of the lagoon will inspire you to make use of the equipment and even try standing up on a paddle board!

While it’s possible to snorkel on your own from your overwater bungalow or the beach, it’s worth taking a half-day discovery tour where you’ll see a bit more of the underwater offerings of dazzling Bora Bora. The guides know exactly where the best coral gardens around the island are.

Leaving by boat, you cruise past Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to swim with manta rays and sharks.

There’s also a full-day version of this tour which stops at the house of a local fisherman for a traditional Polynesian lunch.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora has two tennis courts where you can play on your own or improve your serve under the guidance of Peter Burwash International (PBI). The latter offers daily tennis activities to guests who prefer to stay active this way. Who knows which professional player or coach you will team up with on the Four Seasons court?

Resident marine biologist Denis Schneider takes guests on a tour to discover life under the water of the Ruahatu Lagoon Sanctuary. It’s possible to encounter more than 1,000 marine species on this excursion. Guests are encouraged to participate by helping to feed the fish.

“Here at Four Seasons, we have an extraordinary Lagoon Sanctuary in which we conduct research, grow coral and share these experiences with our guests – not only is it important work, but it’s also fun, enlightening and most memorable.” – Denis Schneider

I’ve never seen a more beautiful pool view than the one from the main pool at the Four Seasons Bora Bora. It looks directly onto the beach and the blue lagoon with Mount Otemanu providing the perfect backdrop.

The thatched huts beside the pool not only provide protection against the sun but a place where you can chill on an oversized towel on a foam mattress. Just watch out that you don’t fall asleep and miss out on a whole lot of fun.

Have you ever had a massage on a table over a glass panel while watching the marine life in the ocean below? You will if you indulge in a couple’s treatment in the overwater spa suite.

The spa is also the place to turn to for a sunburn relief ritual if you forgot to reapply your suntan lotion while enjoying your days in the blue lagoon and on the beaches.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora spa in thatched roof huts amidst tropical groves is the perfect setting to relax in while breathing in the surrounding nature.

I couldn’t believe how many different fitness and yoga options there are to choose from at the Four Seasons Bora Bora. Body sculpting with weights, high-intensity interval training, and aqua gym are some of the fitness classes on offer. If you’re very serious about staying fit while on holiday you can even book a personal trainer.

Yoga fanatics will love the different options. From yoga stretch to Ashtanga yoga and acu-yoga. However, the ultimate yoga experience is on a paddle board on the glass clear turquoise lagoon.

Spending a few hours on your own little boat on the lagoon is great fun on a Ceclo. These paddle boats can be rented at the resort. They fit up to four people and allow you to explore on your own, getting off to swim and snorkel where and when you want to. A great way to enjoy the blue lagoon at your own pace and in privacy.

Join local tour guide Herenui on a traditional outrigger canoe for an informative tour of dazzling Bora Bora. Hear about the tales and legends of the area while listening to a ukulele in the background. And how about lunch on the beach with your feet in the shallow water? Herenui also knows where you are most likely to see stingrays and reef sharks.

If you’ve never had the courage to go scuba diving you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to do so at Bora Bora. Due to the calm and clear water and magnificent marine life, it’s rated as one of the best scuba diving spots in the world for beginners.

You can book your course right there at the Four Seasons Bora Bora. You don’t even have to be able to swim to sign up. You will be rewarded with extraordinary sightings of tropical fish and coral in the lagoon, on the outer reef’s coral wall and further beyond in the deep sea.

Of course, Four Seasons also offers scuba diving excursions for experienced divers.

A little bit like scuba diving but without the huge bottle on your back. It’s also easier and quicker to master. I’m talking about helmet diving where you don a special helmet that enables you to breathe underwater. It’s like walking in a natural aquarium up to 12 feet beneath the blue lagoon surface. Again, no swimming skills required.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora resort is bigger than expected with its 118 Tahitian-style overwater bungalows and beach side villas. Fortunately, it’s sprawled out among many tiny islets which are connected by bridges. The result is that you never get the feeling that it’s crowded. And if you don’t feel like walking or swimming where you want to get to, you can always wait for a golf-buggy to whisk you around.

The friendly staff give you reason to smile and be happy every time you are greeted with a French Polynesian “ia orana”. These two words can mean anything from hello, good morning, good day, good afternoon, or good evening. It doesn’t really matter when it’s uttered with so much warmth and sincerity. And that from 300-plus members of staff!

While there are many other things to see and do in dazzling Bora Bora, we honestly felt that our time was best spent right there at the resort. We just wanted to relax and soak in the beauty and tranquility around us. Besides, there are more than enough activities to join inside the resort if you want to get active or adventurous.

Does the Four Seasons Bora Bora deserve it’s 5 stars? Absolutely. And not only because the unrivaled location makes you forgive less favorable aspects more easily. We really had nothing to complain about during our stay. I’ll go back tomorrow if I can!

Have you been to dazzling Bora Bora and the Four Seasons Bora Bora? Any tips and recommendations?
How was your experience? Comment below!