Bora Bora history

Settlement and First Mentions

The history of Bora Bora is rooted in deep antiquity. The island was settled by Polynesian navigators estimated to be around the 4th century AD. In ancient legends, it is mentioned under the name Vavau. The modern name is derived from the Tahitian "Pora Pora," which means "firstborn": according to myths, this island was one of the first to rise from the ocean waters after the creation of the world by the gods.

For Western civilisation, the island was discovered in 1722 by the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen. Later, in 1769 and 1777, the famous Captain James Cook visited here, leaving the first detailed descriptions of the area.

Key Formation Factors

The development of Bora Bora as an important centre in the Society Archipelago was determined by a unique combination of natural and political conditions:

• Geographical Protection: The island is the caldera of an extinct volcano, surrounded by a barrier reef. The deep and calm lagoon served as an ideal natural harbour and source of sustenance, while Mounts Otemanu and Pahia provided reliable shelter and vantage points.
• Political Independence: In the pre-colonial period, Bora Bora was an independent kingdom. Local warriors were renowned for their strength and martial spirit, thanks to which the island remained unconquered for a long time, successfully resisting the expansion of the Pomare dynasty from Tahiti.

Early Culture and Economy

Ancient Bora Bora society had a complex hierarchical structure and rich traditions:

• Sacred Architecture: Spiritual life was centred around open-air temples called marae. Remains of the Marae Fare-Opu have survived to this day, featuring unique petroglyphs of sea turtles, which were considered sacred animals.
• Maritime Lifestyle: The economy was based on fishing and the cultivation of tropical crops (coconuts, breadfruit). The inhabitants were skilled mariners who maintained trade relations with the neighbouring islands of Raiatea and Tahaa.

Major Historical Milestones

From Antiquity to the Colonial Era

• 4th Century AD: Polynesian navigators settle the island, which bore the ancient name Vavau.
• 1722: Dutch Admiral Jacob Roggeveen becomes the first European to sight the island during his expedition.
• 1777: Captain James Cook lands on the shores of Bora Bora for the first time during his third voyage.
• 1820: Missionaries from the London Missionary Society arrive on the island, marking the beginning of the introduction of Christianity to the local population.
• 1847: France and Great Britain sign the Jarnac Convention, temporarily recognising the independence of the Kingdom of Bora Bora.
• 1888: The island is officially annexed by France, becoming part of its colonial possessions.

20th Century and Tourism Development

• 1942: Following the US entry into World War II, an American military base is established on the island as part of Operation Bobcat.
• 1943: American engineers construct the first airstrip, which would later become the civil airport.
• 1958: The first regular air service with Tahiti opens, making the island accessible to travellers.
• 1961: The opening of the first hotel, "Hotel Bora Bora," launches the development of the luxury tourism industry.
• 2004: French Polynesia receives the status of an Overseas Country of France with expanded autonomy rights.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Bora Bora is a journey from an isolated Polynesian kingdom to a global centre of luxury tourism. The following events became turning points that defined the modern appearance and economy of the island:

• Adoption of Christianity (1820s)
  The arrival of missionaries from the London Missionary Society led to a radical cultural transformation. Traditional beliefs and the marae cult were displaced, changing the social structure and architectural look of settlements: Protestant churches began to be erected on the sites of ancient sanctuaries, becoming the new centres of public life.
• Establishment of the French Protectorate and Annexation (1888)
  The loss of political independence and incorporation into France integrated the island into the European administrative and legal system. This event laid the foundations for future economic ties with the metropolis and the Europeanisation of governance.
• Infrastructure Leap of Operation "Bobcat" (1942–1946)
  The deployment of the US military base became a powerful driver of urban planning changes. For the needs of the army, the first road around the island, a water supply system, docks, and, most importantly, the airstrip on Motu Mute were built. This period effectively transported the island from an agrarian past into the industrial modern age.
• Launch of Regular Air Service (1958)
  Using the military strip for civil flights by the airline RAI (the predecessor of Air Tahiti) broke Bora Bora's isolation. Regular connections with Tahiti opened opportunities for the flow of travellers and commercial cargo, making the island accessible to the outside world.
• Change of Economic Paradigm (1961)
  The opening of the first hotel, "Hotel Bora Bora," marked the beginning of the transition from an economy based on fishing and copra production to a service economy. Tourism became the engine of development, creating jobs and stimulating the service sector.
• Architectural Innovation: Overwater Bungalows (1970s)
  The introduction of the concept of accommodation in stilt houses directly in the lagoon became an urban planning and marketing revolution. This format not only defined the unique visual style of the resort but also allowed for the efficient use of the lagoon's water area, minimising construction on the coastline of the main island.
• Outer Reef Development Strategy (Late 20th Century)
  Moving the construction of new luxury hotels to the motu (small islets on the reef) formed a unique zoning scheme. This allowed the authenticity of local life on the central island to be preserved while providing tourists with privacy and the best views of Mount Otemanu.

Architectural Appearance and Construction Stages

The architecture of Bora Bora differs significantly from classical European canons. You will not find Gothic cathedrals or Baroque palaces here. The island's appearance was formed under the influence of Polynesian traditions, missionary activity, military necessity during World War II, and the rapid development of luxury tourism. The island's urban planning is dictated by nature itself: settlements stretch along the narrow coastal strip encircling the majestic Mount Otemanu.

Major Architectural Eras

• Traditional Polynesian Architecture (Pre-18th Century)
  During this period, construction was carried out exclusively using natural materials: wood, pandanus leaves, and coconut palms.
  • Style: Functional primitivism, harmony with nature.
  • Characteristic features: "Fare" dwellings with high roofs for ventilation, open walls. Stone platforms of sacred structures.
  • Heritage: Ruins of Marae — sacred open-air temples built of coral slabs and volcanic stone.
• Missionary and Colonial Style (19th – Early 20th Century)
  With the arrival of Europeans and Christianity, the approach to public buildings changed. The use of limestone and coral blocks began.
  • Style: Modest colonial classicism.
  • Characteristic features: Rectangular shapes, gable roofs (later made of corrugated iron), whitewashed walls, pastel tones.
  • Iconic buildings: Protestant Church in Vaitape (Eglise Protestante Maohi) with its characteristic red spire, which became the visual landmark of the main village.
• Military-Engineering Stage (1942–1946)
  The period of Operation "Bobcat" brought utilitarian military infrastructure to the island, which defined modern logistics.
  • Style: Military, industrial functionalism.
  • Characteristic features: Concrete docks, hangars, coastal fortifications, and wide roads.
  • Heritage: Coastal guns (cannons) preserved on the hills, and the airstrip on Motu Mute.
• Modern Resort Architecture (Neo-Polynesian Style)
  With the development of tourism, a unique style formed, combining ethnic motifs with luxury comfort.
  • Style: Tropical modernism, eco-tech.
  • Characteristic features: Use of the overwater bungalow concept. Thatched roofs made of artificial or treated natural materials, panoramic glazing, and floors with glass inserts for observing the lagoon.

Urban Planning Structure

The layout of Bora Bora is unique in its clear zoning, separating tourist and local life:

• Vaitape: The administrative and commercial centre of the island. Development here is dense, low-rise, and concentrated along the main road and the wharf. The town hall, schools, banks, and main shops are located here. The architecture is utilitarian, oriented towards the daily needs of the residents.
• Ring Road: The single road, 32 km long, encircles the island, linking scattered coastal villages (Faanui, Anau) into a single agglomeration. Only dirt trails lead deep into the island towards the mountains.
• Resort Ring (Motu): Most luxury hotels are moved to the outer coral islets (motu). This creates a "city within a city" effect or isolated enclaves, where architecture is entirely subordinated to leisure, and visual contact with local urbanism is minimised.

Historical Rulers and Chiefs

• Te Puni — Paramount Chief (18th Century)
  A legendary ruler under whom Bora Bora reached the peak of its military influence. In the 18th century, his warriors conquered the neighbouring islands of Raiatea and Tahaa, creating a powerful political alliance that even the first European explorers, including James Cook, had to reckon with.
• Tapoa II — King of Bora Bora (1806–1860)
  One of the most significant monarchs of the island. He established the kingdom's first written code of laws and successfully defended the island's independence from the Pomare dynasty of Tahiti and French expansion for a long time, maintaining sovereignty longer than other islands in the archipelago.
• Teriimaevarua III — The Last Queen (1871–1932)
  Daughter of Queen Pomare IV of Tahiti, she became the ruler of Bora Bora. It was during her reign that the final annexation of the island by France took place in 1888. She remained the nominal head until her death, symbolising the fading era of the monarchy.

Famous Residents and Cultural Figures

• Alain Gerbault — Navigator, Writer, and Athlete (1893–1941)
  A famous French traveller who was the first to cross the Atlantic alone under sail. He was a passionate defender of Polynesian culture. According to his will, his ashes were reburied in a square in Vaitape in 1947, where a monument in the form of a traditional marae was erected in his honour.
• Paul-Émile Victor — Polar Explorer and Ethnologist (1907–1995)
  World-renowned organiser of French polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica. After concluding his career, he chose a secluded motu (islet) in the Bora Bora lagoon for his life, where he lived for nearly 20 years, engaging in painting and writing memoirs.
• Tarita Teriipaia — Actress (born 1941)
  A native of Bora Bora who worked in a local hotel, she became a global star after her role in the film "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962). Her marriage to Marlon Brando and her image in cinema played a huge role in romanticising the island and attracting American tourists.
• Gaston Tong Sang — Politician (born 1949)
  A native of the island, long-time Mayor of Bora Bora, and multiple-time President of French Polynesia. He is a key figure in the modern history of the island, responsible for the development of its infrastructure and the balance between tourism and ecology.