Bora Bora’s lagoon sees more jet skis and glass-bottom boat tours than outrigger canoes, but the island’s sporting pulse beats through va’a racing — a tradition that draws over 2,000 paddlers to the annual Hawaiki Nui Va’a, now in its 32nd edition. The race concludes at Matira Beach, transforming the resort-lined shore into a finish line for six-person crews who have just crossed 58 kilometres of open ocean from Tahaa.
Over 2,000 va’a paddlers from French Polynesia and international teams compete in the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, which covers a cumulative total of 129 kilometres across three days.
This article covers the two major canoe racing events in Bora Bora — the Hawaiki Nui Va’a finale and the locally-specific ‘Aere race — along with practical details on where to watch, how the races work, and what the surge in participation means for visitors. The focus stays on the racing itself, not the resort scene that typically dominates coverage of the island.
If you want to see elite Polynesian outrigger canoeing, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a finish at Matira Beach on November 1 is the spectacle. For something smaller and more local, the ‘Aere race — Bora Bora-specific and capped informally by organisers — offers a closer look at community racing. Neither is a reliable spectator sport in the Western sense: finish times shift with wind and swell, and the best viewing spots are often unmarked.
Va’a Racing in Bora Bora: Two Races, One Tradition
Spectators seeking a major event atmosphere
Travellers interested in local community sport
Paddlers considering future participation
Bora Bora sits at the endpoint of the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, a three-stage race that starts in Huahine, crosses to Raiatea, threads through the lagoon to Tahaa, and finishes across open ocean at Matira Beach. The fourth edition of the ‘Aere race, by contrast, is reserved entirely for Bora Bora and drew a record 136 teams and over 800 competitors. Mayor Gaston Tong Sang has publicly acknowledged that organisers would only begin worrying once participation exceeded 1,000 — a threshold the event has not yet reached.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a is the larger of the two, with international teams and a spectator presence that spills onto the sand and into the shallow water near the finish line. The ‘Aere race feels more contained, with logistical challenges — notably competitor lodging — still being addressed year to year. Neither event is well signposted for casual visitors; the finish line at Matira Beach is the easiest place to catch the action without local connections.
Total distance of the Hawaiki Nui Va’a across three days, with the final leg from Tahaa to Bora Bora being the longest at 58 km.
Where to Watch: Matira Beach and the ‘Aere Finish
Matira Beach on Race Day
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a final stage concludes at Bora Bora’s Matira Beach, a public stretch of sand lined with hotels and snack shacks. The fastest teams complete the 58 km leg from Tahaa in just over four hours, with the current course record sitting at 4 hours, 7 minutes, and 1 second. The route includes navigating the 7 km Paipai Pass, where ocean swell meets lagoon water and canoes often bunch up before the final sprint. Spectators arrive by boat or on foot, and the finish area gets crowded by mid-afternoon. No grandstands or official viewing platforms exist — you stand on sand or wade into knee-deep water.
The ‘Aere Race Circuit
The ‘Aere race is a va’a competition specific to Bora Bora, organised by the Po Pora Te Hoe Mamu club, which secured a fifth-place ranking in the overall va’a standings. Unlike the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, the ‘Aere race takes place entirely within Bora Bora’s waters, with a course that loops around sections of the lagoon. The race format does not include the open-ocean crossings that define the larger event, making it shorter and more accessible for local clubs. The 2024 edition saw over 800 competitors, and organisers have discussed improving accommodation for future years to handle continued growth. The best vantage points are along the eastern lagoon edge, though no single public viewing area is officially designated.
For the Hawaiki Nui Va’a finish, arrive at Matira Beach by 1 p.m. on November 1. The fastest crews cross between 2 and 3 p.m., but tail-enders can arrive as late as 5 p.m. if conditions shift. Bring a collapsible chair and a wide-brim hat — there is no shade on the sand.
Planning Your Visit Around Race Schedules
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a 2025 begins on Wednesday, October 29, with a 45 km opening stage from Huahine to Raiatea. Thursday, October 30, features the 26 km sprint stage from Raiatea to Tahaa within protected lagoon waters. The final stage arrives in Bora Bora on Saturday, November 1. The ‘Aere race dates are less fixed and are typically announced a few months in advance by the Po Pora Te Hoe Mamu club. Neither event requires tickets, but accommodation on Bora Bora fills during the first week of November — book by August if you plan to stay near Matira.
| Race | Distance | Date (2025) | Spectator Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiki Nui Va’a Stage 1 | 45 km (Huahine to Raiatea) | Oct 29 | Shoreline, free |
| Hawaiki Nui Va’a Stage 2 | 26 km (Raiatea to Tahaa) | Oct 30 | Lagoon edge, free |
| Hawaiki Nui Va’a Stage 3 | 58 km (Tahaa to Bora Bora) | Nov 1 | Matira Beach, free |
| ‘Aere Race | Lagoon circuit (distance varies) | TBA (typically Oct–Nov) | Lagoon edge, free |
Getting to the Finish Line
Matira Beach is a 15-minute drive from Vaitape, Bora Bora’s main village. Rental cars and scooters are the most practical options, though taxis from the airport ferry dock run about 2,500 XPF one way. During race day, the road along the southern coast gets congested between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. — park further east and walk. For the ‘Aere race, ask at the tourist office in Vaitape for the day’s course map; the start line shifts annually and is not consistently published online.
Costs and Local Friction
Watching either race costs nothing. The friction comes from timing: the Hawaiki Nui Va’a coincides with the start of the rainy season, and afternoon squalls can delay the final leg by an hour or more. The 26 km sprint stage from Raiatea to Tahaa has no ocean swells to assist paddlers, which means slower times and a longer wait for spectators who travel between islands to watch. A separate race for women, the Va’ahine race, runs a 24 km course inside the lagoon between Raiatea and Tahaa on Thursday, October 30 — it attracts less attention but offers closer viewing from small boats.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a finish at Matira Beach has no public toilets, no drinking water stations, and no medical tent. The nearest facilities are at hotels that may restrict access to guests. Plan accordingly.
On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go
Packing for Lagoon-Side Spectating
The sun on Bora Bora’s southern coast is intense between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., even under cloud cover. A collapsible sun shelter, reef-safe sunscreen, and at least two litres of water per person are essential. Sandals with a heel strap — not flip-flops — handle the wet sand at the waterline better. A dry bag keeps electronics safe if you wade out for a closer view. A waterproof phone pouch lets you shoot video without worrying about spray or accidental drops.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a includes a women’s division — the Va’ahine race — which covers 24 km between Raiatea and Tahaa on Thursday, October 30. World champion Vaimiti Maoni competes with her club Ihilani Va’a, and Doris Hart serves as the first female president of the Tahitian va’a federation. These races draw smaller crowds and offer better photo opportunities from the Raiatea lagoon edge.
Local Etiquette at Race Events
Polynesian outrigger canoe races are community events, not commercial spectacles. Spectators are welcome, but standing directly in front of team support boats or blocking the canoe landing area is considered poor form. If you photograph paddlers, a nod or small wave is the expected acknowledgement — no合影 requests or prolonged lens focus on individuals. The local term for the outrigger canoe is va’a, and referring to it as such rather than “canoe” is appreciated. The specialized ocean-crossing design is called a Matahina va’a, distinct from the shorter lagoon versions.
- Arrive at Matira Beach by 1 p.m. on November 1 for the Hawaiki Nui Va’a finish — bring shade and water, as no facilities exist on the sand.
- The ‘Aere race offers a more intimate spectator experience with fewer crowds, but dates are announced late — check with the Vaitape tourist office in October.
- Book accommodation by August if you plan to stay near Matira during the first week of November; rooms fill fast and prices rise sharply.
Bora Bora Canoe Race Questions
Can I watch the Hawaiki Nui Va’a without a boat?
Yes. The final stage finishes at Matira Beach, which is publicly accessible on foot or by car. No boat is needed to see the canoes cross the line. The earlier stages on Huahine and Raiatea are harder to reach without island-hopping transport.
Is the ‘Aere race open to international paddlers?
The ‘Aere race is reserved for Bora Bora-based clubs, not open to international entries. International paddlers can participate in the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, which registers teams from across French Polynesia and abroad. The 2025 edition includes over 2,000 participants from multiple countries.
What happens if the weather turns bad on race day?
Afternoon squalls are common in early November and can delay the final leg by an hour or more. The race is not cancelled for rain alone, but organisers may hold the start if lightning is reported within 10 km of the course. The 26 km sprint stage from Raiatea to Tahaa has no ocean swells, so conditions there remain relatively predictable.
Are there any downsides to watching the race as a tourist?
The main downside is the lack of spectator infrastructure. No seating, shade, food vendors, or toilets exist at Matira Beach for race day. The finish can also be anticlimactic if you arrive after the top crews have already landed — tail-end teams may finish hours later with little crowd remaining.
Does the proposed Rahui affect the race course?
The proposed Rahui — a marine protected area covering 700 hectares of Bora Bora’s lagoon, located over 1.5 kilometres from shore — does not intersect the Hawaiki Nui Va’a course, which finishes inside the lagoon near Matira. The project, vetted by CRIOBE, aims to establish a nursery and spawning ground for fish. Its status remains uncertain after being unexpectedly withdrawn from a recent assembly agenda.
Beyond the Finish Line
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a and the ‘Aere race reveal a side of Bora Bora that operates independently of the overwater bungalow economy — one where the lagoon is a working environment, not just a backdrop. If you time a visit for late October or early November, the racing provides a structural reason to be on the water or the sand at a specific hour, rather than drifting between boat tours. For a deeper look at the island’s marine environment outside race season, the turtle sanctuaries and coral garden explorations around Bora Bora offer a quieter counterpart to the spectacle of race day.
Sources and further reading
Gaston Tong Sang proud to organise the ‘Aere canoe race reserved for Bora Bora. Archyde, 2024.
Hawaiki Nui Va’a: the ultimate canoe race. Wander in Paradise, 2025.
Hawaiki Nui Va’a final stage arrivals 2025. Islands Events, 2025.
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