Bora Bora

Surrounding the small island is the most stunning lagoon in all the Pacific.

Novelist James Michener wrote that Bora Bora is "the most beautiful island in the world." It certainly makes the most dramatic first appearance, especially if you arrive by air. Surrounding the small island is the most stunning lagoon in all the Pacific.

Its colors, ranging from the palest turquoise to the deepest blues, are created by the water's varying depths. Amid the rich emerald green of the island itself, the basalt obelisk of Mount Otemanu stands godlike, often draped in white clouds. You'll find blissful solitude on Bora Bora's white sand beaches, where locals and tourists alike practice a casual approach to bathing attire. To leave civilization one more step behind, take a boat ride to one of the many sandy motus that dot the coral reef.

Nearly every water sport is enjoyed on Bora Bora, but most famous is its snorkeling. The lagoon's countless species of tropical fish, brilliant coral gardens and crystal-clear waters make for some of the most beautiful undersea views in the world.

Explore the entire coastline on foot or by bicycle -- Bora Bora is only 20 miles around. The many fascinating sights you'll discover include several ancient marae, or temples, typical Polynesian villages, and some of the big guns left by the U.S. Navy in World War II, now claimed by the island's tropical vegetation.

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