• Huts-on-stilts over turquouise water
  

  
  Several luxurious resorts combine guest accommodation in huts-on-stilts right over the lagoon with spa treatments and impeccable service, including Four Seasons Bora Bora and St Regis Bora Bora Resort For an even more intimate experience you can stay on a private motu (islet) at Le Meredien Bora Bora or Sofitel Bora Bora
  
  

• Diving in Bora Bora
  

  
  Diving outfits such as Bora Diving Centre offer dives at world-class sites such as Anau - lagoon channel with sightings of manta rays, Tapu - where you see plenty of black tip reef sharks, lemon sharks, tuna and eels, Muri Muri - a coral plateau that attracts sharks, dolphins, turtles and giant barracuda, and Aquarium - a coral garden with plenty of tropical fish.
  
  

• Bora Bora's beaches
  

  
  This small island has numerous isolated coves and white sand beaches, many of which are privately owned by hotels. One of the best beaches, however, is public - pristine Matira beach stretches alongside the protected lagoon and is never crowded.
  
  

• Seafood and French-Polynesian cuisine
  

  
  Fresh fish and seafood is the star attraction of the Bora Bora dining scene and French-Polynesian is the dominant cuisine. Bloody Mary's beachside shack barbecue has been a local institution for decades thanks to its superb grilled fish; Sunset Boulevard is a restaurant consisting of two moored boats, serving super-fresh sushi and sashimi, and the Villa Mahana is the place for a sophisticated, multi-course romantic date.
  
  

• Under the sea
  

  
  There are two ways to explore underwater life that don't involve diving - undersea walks with Aqua Safari that take place up to 4m deep and involve wearing a diving helmet and weight belt, with air fed by pumps on the boat. Alternatively, Aquabike Adventure offer underwater scooters - motor-powered, two-person mini submarines.
  
  

• Hiking
  

  
  There are numerous rewarding hiking trails in the thickly forested interior; a local guide is essential as they can be difficult to find and follow. One of the most popular hikes is the scramble up to the peak of one of Bora Bora's extinct volcanoes - Mt Pahia. The last section of the 600m ascent involves hauling yourself up using a rope, so you have to be reasonably fit.
  
  

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