History

Find about Bora Bora’s rich history and how it came about to be an island Paradise!

Ancient history:

In ancient times the island of Bora Bora was known as Vava’u, which suggests that the island’s first settlers back in ancient history were Tongan people. Captain Samuel Wallis and the H.M.S. Dolphin was the first to visit the island of Tahiti during his journey to discover terra australis incognita in 1722. Only 42 years later did James Cook first set his sights on Bora Bora in 1769 on his first voyage to French Polynesia. In 1842, under the leadership of Admiral Abel Aubert Dupetit Thouars, Bora Bora was named a colony of France. Due to this, the arrival of British missionaries and French military expeditions changed the way of life on Tahiti and Bora Bora.

During World War II, the US picked Bora Bora as the base for a military supply, oil depot, air strip and seaplane base. Fortunately, no conflict and battle took place on the island and the United States Military Base officially closed on June 2, 1946 following the end of the war. The abandoned military base became French Polynesia’s only international airport until Faa’a International Airport opened in the 1962 in Papeete, Tahiti.

By 1984, all the islands of Tahiti including Bora Bora were reconstituted as the overseas French territory called French Polynesia. It became an overseas country with better self-governing powers allowing them to create their own Assembly and President.

Modern history:

The United States set up a military base on Bora Bora after Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan in 1941. On your expedition cruise you will be able to see the remains of several cannons and protective structures placed around the island.

Bora Bora did not see combat during World War II and after its close several soldiers were enjoying their stay so much that they refused to leave. The airport built during World War II is still a main attraction of the island because of its historical significance and the great view it provides of the Lagoon.

Since the friendly occupation of the United States several countries have discovered that Bora Bora can be host to an amazing get away. The influx of Japanese and Western European tourists drowned out the culture of Bora Bora for a few decades. There has been a recent revival of Bora Bora’s customs and rituals with hints of European and Japanese culture that makes for an atmosphere that is truly unique.