Matira Beach is the largest public access beach in Bora Bora making it extremely popular with visitors. The water is crystal-clear and the sand is soft and downy. Matira Beach is also peppered with resorts, shops and eateries, so it's a convenient place to spend most of a day. 

If you have too much sand between your toes and saltwater in your eyes, or you just need a break from your resort, consider exploring the island on four wheels. Multiple tour companies, such as Vavau 4×4 Adventures, Natura Discovery and Tupuna Safari, offer customizable 4x4 island tours. Not only will you get to discover the nooks and crannies of the island, but you'll also learn about its historical and cultural aspects along with island legends. Whether you're looking for a relaxing ride or a bumpy "Indiana Jones"-style adventure, there are tours that appeal to all kinds of travelers. Packages include everything from half-day cultural island expeditions to romantic sunset and Champagne tours to wild deep safari jungle treks. Plus, most of the tour guides are locals and will be more than willing to share their favorite island secrets. 

On a small islet just east of the main island and directly across from the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort, you'll find a gorgeous coral reef. Most travelers hire a tour operator to guide them through the process of swimming and snorkeling among the coral, not to mention among sea life, such as sting rays, moray eels and blacktip reef sharks. 

Bora Bora is a boater's dream – whether it be sailboats, glass-bottom boats, speedboats, kayaks, Jet Skis or more, the island has it all. So why not give your body a break from all that swimming and snorkeling, and instead explore Bora Bora's waters by boat? Tour packages can be customized to each traveler and include everything from half- to full-day and private or shared excursions. And for those thrill-seekers, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and animal feeding can be added to most itineraries. Some boat tours also include full meals abroad the vessel. 

Thanks to the crystal-clear waters that surround Bora Bora, it's easy to spot the wildlife that inhabits the region. For an up-close encounter, consider signing up for a tour. Outfitters, such as Moana Adventure Tours and Pure Snorkeling by Reef Discovery, offer snorkeling, and shark and stingray feedings and encounters. You'll have the opportunity to interact with native blacktip reef sharks and stingrays in their natural habitats. And if you don't feel comfortable feeding the stingrays and sharks, you'll still be able to enjoy snorkeling the reefs and seeing the plethora of rainbow-colored fish. 

The Bora Bora Lagoonarium is a natural aquarium on a small motu (island), just east of the main island. (By "natural," we mean that this aquarium isn't man-made. Rather, it's a portion of the actual lagoon). One of the coolest things about this family-owned attraction is that you can actually snorkel on the premises under the supervision of wildlife guides. Beneath the lagoon's surface, you'll spy sharks, turtles, rays and many different kinds of ocean fish. And depending on what tour you choose (full-day, half-day morning or half-day afternoon), you'll enjoy a number of extras, such as a canoe tour of the island or a barbecue picnic. 

Mount Otemanu is one of two peaks of an extinct volcano located at the center of the island. Rising 2,400-some feet above the lagoon, this volcanic remnant makes for a dramatic photo op or an adrenaline-pumping adventure. In fact, many say a trip to Bora Bora isn't complete without a visit to the top of this breathtaking mountain. And fear not, hiking isn't your only option; you can enjoy Mount Otemanu in all sorts of ways – a 4x4 tour, a boat tour, a helicopter tour or even some casual snapshots on the beach. 

Let's be honest: You didn't come here to sample the city life. But Bora Bora's main town on the west coast of the island is worth a few hours of your time if you want to explore beyond the confines of your resort for an afternoon. You'll find a number of eateries, souvenir shops and churches along its main corridor. By the way, this central street really comes to life on Sunday mornings when stalls appear selling everything from clams to doughnuts. Vaitape also boasts a tourist office, a car rental kiosk, a couple of gas stations and a medical center, among other facilities.