Anau village sits quietly on Bora Bora’s eastern side, its lagoon home to more than 100 species of fish. A few miles north, the deep bay of Faanui still holds traces of the American soldiers who built a military base there during World War II. These two villages — along with the sacred sites, craft traditions, and dance performances that surround them — offer a version of Bora Bora that has little to do with overwater bungalows and resort pools.
Nearly 6,000 American soldiers transformed Bora Bora into a strategic Pacific military base between 1942 and 1946 during Operation Bobcat.
This article takes you into the island’s less-visited corners: the village lanes of Anau and Faanui, the stone platforms of ancient marae, the workshops where pandanus leaves become hats and bags, and the evening shows where dancers in plant-fiber costumes tell ancestral stories. If your Bora Bora itinerary currently reads “lagoon, resort, beach,” these are the experiences that add context — and they don’t require a private tour budget to access.
First-time visitors
Culture lovers
Families
Anau vs. Faanui: Two Villages, Two Characters
Both villages sit outside the resort-heavy Matira area, and both reward a half-day visit. The table below gives a quick comparison; the sections that follow go deeper into each.
| Village | Location | Key Feature | Best For | Cultural Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anau | Eastern side | Calm lagoon with 100+ fish species; kayaking and snorkeling | Families, couples, photographers | Artisan markets, poisson cru, lush mountain backdrop |
| Faanui | Northern part | Deep bay used by local fishermen; WWII remnants | History buffs, sailors, windsurfers | Protestant Church, WWII bunkers, local fruit markets |
Getting between the two is straightforward — bicycle, scooter, or one of the island’s truck taxis will do the job. Most hotels on the main island offer shuttle service to key attractions, and rental scooters are widely available in Vaitape.
Anau: Lagoon Life and Local Craft
Anau’s lagoon is the village’s main draw — calm, sheltered, and packed with marine life. Kayak rental is available right off the shore, and the water stays flat enough for first-time paddlers. The village itself is a tangle of small lanes lined with local shops and artisan markets where you’ll find handmade jewelry, woven bags, and carved wooden pieces.
Poisson cru is the dish you’ll see on every menu here. It’s simple — fresh tuna or mahi-mahi, lime, coconut milk, cucumber, and onion — but the quality depends entirely on the fish, which comes straight from the lagoon. A plate at a roadside stand costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a resort.
Anau lagoon kayaking is best between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., before the afternoon breeze picks up. Rental stands along the shore charge roughly 1,500–2,500 XPF (around $15–$25) per hour — confirm current pricing at the stand before you set out.
Faanui: History, Harbor, and a Church That Stands Out
Faanui sits on the northern curve of the island, where the bay runs deep enough for fishing boats and the occasional sailboat to moor close to shore. The village feels more lived-in than Anau — fewer craft stalls, more everyday life. Its Protestant Church, built in traditional Polynesian style with a steep wooden roof and white coral walls, is worth a stop even if you’re not religious.
The WWII remnants are the main historical draw. Concrete bunkers, rusted cannon mounts, and the remains of airstrips sit along the coast and in the surrounding hills. They’re not marked with interpretive signs — you’ll need a guide or a good map to locate them. Several 4×4 tour operators include Faanui’s wartime sites as part of a half-day cultural circuit.
The Faanui market is small and geared toward locals — don’t expect souvenir stalls. What you will find are bananas, papayas, and pineapples sold by the farmers who grew them. Bring cash in XPF; cards are rarely accepted.
Sacred Marae and the WWII Layer
Bora Bora’s cultural landscape is built on two historical layers that sit side by side: the marae of the original Polynesian settlers and the military infrastructure of the American base built in the 1940s. Understanding both gives you a fuller picture of how the island became what it is today.
Marae Marotetini, located in the Povai valley, is the best-preserved ceremonial site on the island. Its stone platforms and central ahu (altar) were used for chief investitures and seasonal rituals. The site is sacred — tapu (prohibitions) still apply, and locals continue to pass down rules about how to behave there. Do not climb on the stones, move any rocks, or treat the area as a photo backdrop. A respectful visit takes about 20 minutes.
Marae are active spiritual sites, not ruins. Follow your guide’s instructions, avoid touching or climbing on the stone structures, and never remove any object from the site. The same respect applies to WWII bunkers — they’re historical remains, not playgrounds.
Operation Bobcat (1942–1946) brought nearly 6,000 American soldiers to Bora Bora. The base was a refueling and supply hub, and its footprint includes bunkers, airstrips, and port facilities that still line the lagoon. Some local families preserve photographs and objects from that period, and guides often share personal stories about the cultural exchange — the first pizzas, the introduction of baseball, the lasting friendships that formed.
Dance, Music, and the Craft Traditions That Survive
Polynesian dance is the most visible expression of living culture on Bora Bora. The otea — a fast, percussive dance that tells ancestral legends — and the more graceful aparima, which uses hand gestures to convey love stories or daily life, are performed at resort shows and during the annual Heiva festival. Costumes are made from plant fibers, shells, and feathers; the pahu (drum), guitar, and ukulele provide the accompaniment.
Behind the performances is a quieter tradition of handcraft that you can still watch — and try — today. Artisans weave pandanus leaves into hats, bags, and mats using geometric patterns passed down through generations. Wood carvers shape tou and tamanu wood into tikis, umete (ceremonial bowls), and ritual objects. Several workshops along the lagoon welcome visitors for short sessions.
The Vaitape market is the most reliable place to find authentic woven goods and carved pieces. Prices are fixed in most stalls, but quality varies — look for tight, even weaving on pandanus items and smooth grain on wooden carvings. Morning visits (before 11 a.m.) are less crowded.
Food and Pearl Farms: Tasting and Touching the Culture
Poisson cru is the entry point to Bora Bora’s food culture, but there’s more to try: fermented breadfruit, grilled lagoon fish with vanilla sauce, and fafa (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk). Most of these dishes don’t appear on resort menus — you’ll find them at family-run restaurants in Anau and Faanui, or at the occasional motu lunch organized by tour operators.
Black pearl farms offer a different kind of cultural encounter. Several farms in the lagoon run educational tours that walk through the grafting process — how a tiny piece of mantle tissue from a donor oyster is inserted into a host oyster, and how a pearl forms over 18–24 months. You’ll see the tools, watch a worker demonstrate the technique, and end in a showroom. The tours are low-pressure; buying is optional.
Resort-Based Cultural Encounters
If your accommodation is on a private motu and getting to the main island feels like a logistical hurdle, several resorts now offer cultural programming that goes beyond a sunset hula show. The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa — which reopened in fall 2024 after a full renovation of the former Le Meridien — houses the island’s only sea turtle rehabilitation facility. Led by marine biologist Evelyne Chavent, the Eco Center has rescued, rehabilitated, and released hundreds of sea turtles since the program began. Guests can observe feedings, attend educational talks, and join guided conservation tours.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort runs a Lagoonarium — a sanctuary for local marine life where guests can snorkel, learn about fish preservation, and participate in coral cutting programs. On the cultural side, the resort offers tattoo painting, flower crown making, and Tahitian dance classes. The general manager of the Westin puts it plainly: the role of these properties is to create a bridge between guests and the local community, sharing Polynesian culture “with thoughtfulness, pride, respect.”
Practical Tips for Exploring Bora Bora’s Cultural Side
Getting around the main island is simple once you know your options. Bicycles and scooters are the most popular choice for visiting Anau and Faanui — rental shops in Vaitape charge roughly 1,500–3,000 XPF per day for a scooter. Truck taxis (open-back pickups with bench seats) run set routes between villages and cost around 300–600 XPF per ride. Most hotels on the main island offer complimentary shuttles to Vaitape and Matira Beach.
For guided cultural tours, Alex Tour 4×4 Discovery and Bobcat 4×4 Tours Bora Bora are two family-owned operators that combine viewpoints, WWII sites, marae visits, and stops at family plantations. A half-day shared tour costs roughly 6,000–10,000 XPF per person — confirm current pricing at booking. Private lagoon tours with a motu lunch run higher, often 12,000–20,000 XPF per person depending on inclusions.
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If you prefer to book a guided cultural tour in advance, a range of options — from 4×4 circuits to lagoon excursions — can be reserved through Viator’s Bora Bora cultural tours page. For 4×4 and off-road itineraries, 4WD and ATV tours on Viator offer another option.
Most cultural tours offer hotel pickup from main-island properties. If you’re staying on a private motu resort, you’ll need to factor in a boat transfer to the main island before the tour starts — this may add 20–40 minutes each way and an extra cost. Check with your resort’s concierge before booking.
Before You Go: Bora Bora’s Cultural Villages & Traditions
What should I bring to a marae visit?
Cover your shoulders and knees — this is a sacred site, not a beach. Wear sturdy sandals or closed-toe shoes if the ground is uneven. Leave the drone at home; flying over marae is disrespectful and often prohibited.
Are cultural tours worth the cost for families?
Yes, especially the 4×4 tours and motu lunch experiences. Kids stay seated during the drive, the pace is slow, and the stops — old cannons, fruit plantations, lagoon views — hold their attention better than a full day on a boat. Choose a morning tour so you’re back by early afternoon.
Can I visit Anau and Faanui without a guide?
Absolutely. Rent a scooter or bicycle in Vaitape, follow the coastal road east, and you’ll hit Anau in about 15 minutes. Faanui is another 10 minutes north. The villages are small and walkable. You’ll miss the historical context without a guide, but the lagoon, markets, and church are all accessible on your own.
What’s the best time of year for cultural activities?
The Heiva festival — usually July — brings dance competitions, music, and community performances to Vaitape and resort venues. It’s the most concentrated cultural event on the calendar. Outside of Heiva, weekday mornings are best for land tours (cooler, fewer crowds), and evenings are reserved for resort dance shows.
Are resort cultural shows worth seeing, or too touristy?
They’re staged, yes, but the dancers and musicians are skilled performers who train year-round. A resort show is a valid introduction to Polynesian dance and music — think of it as a sampler. If you want something deeper, book a village-based tour or attend a Heiva performance.
Beyond the Postcard
Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows and turquoise lagoon are what draw visitors, but the villages of Anau and Faanui, the stone platforms of Marae Marotetini, and the pandanus-weaving workshops offer something the resorts can’t: a direct connection to the people who have lived on this island for more than a thousand years. Spend a morning there — rent a scooter, order poisson cru at a roadside table, let a guide show you where the bunkers still sit in the hills — and you’ll leave with a sense of the place that no infinity pool can provide. For more ways to experience the island beyond the lagoon, check out our guide to Bora Bora’s turtle sanctuary and conservation efforts.
References
Kwalmag. “Ultimate Guide to Bora Bora Villages.” Kwalmag, 2025. ↗
Vialala. “Culture a Bora Bora.” Vialala. ↗
Mansion Global. “Bora Bora Beyond the Bungalows.” Mansion Global, 2025. ↗
Bora Bora Paradise. “Cultural Experiences in Bora Bora — Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors.” Bora Bora Paradise. ↗
If you’re still planning your trip, our guides to waterfall canyoning in Bora Bora and overwater bungalow bliss for couples offer two more angles on the island. For a deeper dive into local craftsmanship, our feature on Bora Bora’s black pearl farms covers the shopping experience without the hard sell.
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