These 7 hikes reveal Bora Bora beyond the beaches

03.01.2025 - 09:43 / lonelyplanet.com / Bora Bora

Jan 2, 2025 • 7 min read

Most visitors head to Bora Bora for a blissful island vacation that centers around relaxing in an overwater bungalow on the sparkling lagoon. So you may be surprised to learn that it’s possible to work up a sweat with a vigorous hike on this gem of French Polynesia.

Given its small size and mountainous, jungle-covered interior, you really don’t have to venture far to feel like you’ve left civilization behind on Bora Bora. The payoff to any sweaty trek? Your astonishment at just how many different shades of blue you can see from your viewpoint as you gaze out on one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons.

Here are seven ways to make it happen.

Best short hike
Less than 300m (0.25 mile), 10 minutes, moderate

During WWII, the USA chose Bora Bora as a strategic military supply base – and, as on many South Pacific islands, decided not to take the big stuff home^{. At four locations in Bora Bora, eight giant cannons were installed high on the hills, and they remain there today. Some are difficult to find, but they’re waiting to be discovered. If you are willing to explore a bit, that is.}

Anyone who finds the Faanui Cannons will enjoy spectacular views of Bora Bora’s iconic lagoon as a reward. Once you leave the sealed circle island road, it will take around 10 minutes of uphill walking; views of the motu (little islands) in the lagoon serve as a welcome distraction from your burning calves. As will the satisfaction of actually finding the cannons (even if one of the barrels has gone missing).

Trailheads are notoriously hard to find in Bora Bora due to a lack of signage. Yet the Faanui Cannons can be found on Google Maps, near Tereia Point in the northwest of the main island. Heading clockwise on the circle island road, make your way to the Pearl Beach Resort ferry departure (lagoon side of the road) a few kilometers past Faanui. Once you spot the sign to the ferry, the track to the cannon site is about 30m (98ft) further up the road on the right.

Best hike for picnicking with a view
Around 1.2km ( ¾ mile)  round trip, easy

Hikers seeking the well preserved Point Fitiuu Cannons – in Anau, on the eastern side of the main island – will be treated to stunning views of both Mt Otemanu and that magnificent lagoon (again!). Partway along this walk, an interestingly shaped geological feature juts dramatically out of the ground: it’s commonly known as Hiro’s Finger. (Some describe it using another part of the male anatomy.)

Take a picnic and make a morning or afternoon out of it, making use of the simple benches at the cannons. While snacking, you'll notice that one of the guns faces the Four Seasons Resort and the other faces Mt Otemanu.

The trailhead can be a little tricky to find. The easiest way