Bora Bora’s petroglyphs don’t get the same attention as its overwater bungalows, but the island holds some of French Polynesia’s most accessible ancient stone carvings. Scattered across the main island and its motu, these figures—anthropomorphic faces, turtles, concentric circles—were carved centuries ago by early Polynesian settlers. They weren’t decorative. They marked sacred ground, served as conduits between the physical and spiritual worlds, and were central to ceremonies like rites of passage and offerings to deities.
Many petroglyphs have been uncovered by chance during building and road construction, while others have been removed from their original locations and placed in museums or at the entrance of government buildings.
This guide covers where to find Bora Bora’s petroglyphs, what the symbols mean, and how to see them without contributing to their deterioration. I’ll also point out which sites are worth the detour and which ones are more trouble than they’re worth.
Bora Bora’s petroglyphs are worth a half-day detour if you’re already curious about Polynesian history, but don’t expect a museum-style experience. Most carvings sit in the open, exposed to weather and vegetation, and a few have been moved from their original locations entirely. The best-preserved examples are on the main island near the old marae sites, not on the resort motu.
Where Bora Bora’s Petroglyphs Are Found
Unlike Tahiti or Huahine, where petroglyph sites are signposted and mapped, Bora Bora’s carvings are scattered and often unmarked. The most reliable concentrations are near ancient marae (ceremonial platforms) on the main island’s eastern and southern shores. These areas were spiritual and administrative centers long before European contact.
One of the better-known spots sits near the shore at Faanui Bay, where a basalt boulder carries a cluster of concentric circles and a humanoid figure. The carving is waist-high and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it—locals sometimes point it out during guided island tours. The limitation: the boulder sits on private land, and access depends on the landowner’s permission. Ask at the Faanui village store before heading out.
History-focused travellers
Solo explorers with a rental car
Photographers interested in texture and shadow
Another cluster appears on the motu at Tapu, near the old marae platform that was partially reconstructed in the 1990s. The carvings here are more eroded—turtle outlines and a single anthropomorphic face—but the setting, with the lagoon lapping a few metres away, gives you a sense of why this spot was chosen. The tradeoff: the motu is reachable only by boat, and most water taxis won’t stop there unless you arrange it in advance.
Marae Fare Opu and the Carved Stones
On the southern coast, near the village of Anau, the marae known as Fare Opu contains several carved stones that were documented by archaeologists in the 1960s. The site is overgrown, and only two of the original five petroglyphs remain in place. One shows a turtle with a distinct head and flippers; the other is a set of three concentric circles that local guides describe as a navigation or star map. The rest were removed during road construction in the 1970s and now sit at the entrance of a government building in Vaitape.
Getting there requires a short walk through a coconut plantation. The path is muddy after rain, and mosquitoes are persistent year-round. Bring reef-safe insect repellent and wear closed-toe shoes. The site itself takes about 15 minutes to explore, but the walk and the search make it a half-hour commitment.
The petroglyph at Fare Opu that locals call the “star map” is actually three concentric circles—a symbol found across Polynesia, from the Marquesas to Rapa Nui. Archaeologists debate whether it represents a navigational chart, a cosmological diagram, or a clan marker. No consensus exists.
Vaitape Government Building Carvings
Not all of Bora Bora’s petroglyphs remain in the ground. Several stones removed during construction projects now sit at the entrance of the Subdivision Administrative building in Vaitape. They’re visible from the street, no permission needed, and the carvings—turtles, human figures, and a large spiral—are among the clearest on the island. The downside: they’ve been moved from their original context, so you’re seeing the art without the sacred geography that gave it meaning. Still, for a quick look without a boat or a guide, this is the most convenient option.
I stopped here with Michael on a rainy afternoon when the lagoon was too rough for snorkelling. The stones sit under a covered walkway, and the light was flat, but the spiral carving caught the afternoon glow in a way that made the depth of the cut visible. It’s not a destination—it’s a five-minute stop if you’re already in Vaitape.
When to Visit and How to Get Around
Dry season—May through October—is the practical window for petroglyph hunting. Rain turns the plantation paths to mud, and the carvings themselves are harder to read when wet. Morning light (before 10 a.m.) casts shadows that make the carved lines pop; by midday, the tropical sun flattens the contrast and the details disappear.
| Site | Access | Best time | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faanui Bay boulder | Private land, ask locally | Morning, before 10 a.m. | Permission required; no signage |
| Marae Fare Opu | Walk through plantation | Dry season only | Mosquitoes, mud, only 2 carvings remain |
| Vaitape government building | Street view, no fee | Any time | Removed from original context |
| Motu Tapu | Private boat or arranged water taxi | Morning, calm lagoon | Eroded carvings; boat access only |
A rental car is the most practical way to reach the main-island sites. Bora Bora’s single ring road circles the island in about 45 minutes, and the Faanui and Anau sites are along it. Scooters are cheaper but leave you exposed to rain and sun, and the road has no shoulder in several sections. If you’re staying on a motu, factor in the cost of the passenger ferry to Vaitape (around 1,500 XPF round trip per person) plus a taxi or rental from there.
The Fare Opu path crosses a working coconut plantation. The landowner doesn’t mind visitors, but the path isn’t maintained. After heavy rain, the mud can be ankle-deep, and the mosquitoes are aggressive. Go in the morning when the ground is firmer and the breeze keeps insects down.
Guided vs. Independent Visits
Several tour operators in Vaitape offer half-day cultural circuits that include a marae visit and petroglyph viewing. The advantage is access to private land—some guides have arrangements with Faanui landowners that independent visitors don’t. The disadvantage: the tours bundle petroglyphs with vanilla plantation visits and pareo demonstrations, so you’ll spend more time on other activities than on the carvings themselves. If you’re short on time, the independent route to Vaitape’s government building and a self-guided stop at Fare Opu covers the essentials in under two hours.
What to Pack and What to Know Before You Go
Petroglyph sites in Bora Bora are exposed, unshaded, and often damp. A pair of lightweight waterproof hiking shoes makes the difference between a pleasant walk and a muddy slog, especially at Fare Opu. Sun protection is non-negotiable—the reflection off the lagoon and the pale coral gravel amplifies UV exposure. A reef-safe mineral sunscreen is the standard here; chemical sunscreens are restricted in French Polynesia.
Water is essential. None of the sites have drinking water, and the combination of humidity and walking will dehydrate you faster than you expect. A one-litre insulated water bottle is enough for a half-day outing. For photography, a lens with a focal length between 24mm and 70mm works best—the carvings are small and close to the ground, and a wide-angle lens lets you capture the stone in its setting. A polarising filter helps cut glare off wet basalt.
Cultural Etiquette at Sacred Sites
Petroglyph sites in French Polynesia are considered tapu—sacred, restricted in the traditional sense. Walking on the marae platform itself is discouraged, and touching the carvings accelerates erosion from skin oils. Local custom asks visitors to remove hats when approaching a marae and to avoid sitting on the carved stones. No food or drink should be consumed within the immediate area of the petroglyphs. These aren’t enforced by signs or rangers—they’re observed by locals who may be watching from nearby homes.
If you’re visiting with children, explain beforehand that the stones are not climbing structures. The kids understood after one reminder, but I’ve seen other families let their children stand on the carvings for photos. Don’t be that visitor.
- Three accessible petroglyph sites exist on Bora Bora: Faanui Bay (permission needed), Fare Opu (walk-in, muddy), and Vaitape government building (street view, no context).
- Dry season mornings offer the best light and driest conditions. Skip the sites entirely after rain.
- Rental car is the most efficient transport. Scooters and tours have significant limitations for independent exploration.
- Cultural etiquette matters: no touching, no sitting on stones, remove hats near marae platforms.
Bora Bora Petroglyph Questions
Are Bora Bora’s petroglyphs worth seeing?
If you’re already on the island and curious about Polynesian history, yes—but they’re not a reason to visit Bora Bora by themselves. The carvings are modest in scale, and the best examples have been moved from their original locations. You can see everything worth seeing in under two hours.
Can I visit the petroglyphs without a guide?
Yes, for the Vaitape government building and Fare Opu sites. Faanui Bay requires permission from the landowner, which is easier to arrange through a guide. Independent visitors should carry a paper map—GPS signals can be unreliable on the southern coast.
Why were the petroglyphs moved from their original sites?
Road construction and building development in the 1970s uncovered several carved stones. Rather than destroy them, authorities relocated some to government buildings and museum collections. The tradeoff is preservation at the cost of context—you see the carving, but not the sacred geography it was part of.
What do the turtle and circle symbols mean?
Turtles represent navigation, longevity, and the connection between land and sea in Polynesian mythology. Concentric circles are debated—some researchers interpret them as star charts, others as clan markers or cosmological diagrams. No single meaning has been confirmed across all sites.
Are there any petroglyphs on the resort motus?
Motu Tapu has eroded carvings near a reconstructed marae, but most resort islands were not traditional settlement sites. The petroglyphs that exist on motus are less detailed and harder to read than those on the main island. Stick to the main island for the clearest examples.
Bora Bora’s petroglyphs won’t change how you see the island, but they might change how you see the lagoon. The same basalt that forms the motu edges and the underwater coral gardens also holds these carvings—cut by people who read the same currents, tides, and star paths that still shape life here. That continuity is the real discovery, not the symbols themselves. For a deeper look at how Polynesian visual culture carries forward, the tattoo traditions of Bora Bora trace a direct line from the same symbolic language.
Sources and further reading
Discovering Ancient Petroglyphs in French Polynesia. Far and Away Adventures.
Explore Places to Stay in Bora Bora
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.