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DETAILS: BORA BORA:
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Bora Bora Specifics
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Kite spots: Bora bora island has 2 main kiting spots:
1)
"Matira Point": This is "kite beach" of Bora bora! Located on the South side of the island, just 7 miles from Vaitape, and in the middle of the most touristed area of the island, Matira Point is where the locals go...
It's not exactly the easiest spot in the world to kite... in fact, its pretty dangerous due to the difficult launching area, strong currents, and sharp coral! Never the less, on good windy days, you'll see an average of 8-15 riders there, flying high and practicing their tricks.
Specifics: There's no waves due to the protective reef, but there can be some chop... Clear, clean waters of between 5 and 15 feet are beautiful but watch out for the coral heads near the surface! A mid to high level of experience is recommended here.
Launching area: Small, white sand beach with little chunks of coral all over (booties recommended for newbies), and stumps, rocks and palm trees as obstacles... these Palm trees are close to the beach, so watch out! There is a small grassy area to pump up 1 or 2 kites (max) on, and not much else. Car access is good, but the small parking area is usually taken by locals first.
The best tip on launching at Matira beach is to watch the locals for a while. They usually will take turns pumping up their kites and laying out their lines, then will often help each other with a lift or SELF LAUNCH from the water...
Getting there: From Vaitape, head in the direction of the Hotel Bora bora, Club Med, the Bora Bora Beach Comber, or Bloody Marys. At about 6 miles, you'll notice you're at Matira Beach when you see the Matira beach hotel. The beach runs right along the road from there, then takes a bend to the left at Hotel Bora bora... Go roughly 3/4 miles more and take a right at the BEACHCOMBER hotel and resort road. Look out for the sign, it comes up quick! (This is also the road that Chez Nono and Chez Robert et Tina, etc, are on.) Take that road to the end and bear right... stop when you see kites and water...
1) "Airport Motu": Unless you work at the airport, you'll need a boat to get here! If you have one, this spot is worth it when the winds are right...
Specifics: there's hardly any kiters, easy launch spots, shallow waters and very few dangerous coral heads to speak of. The beauty of your location might be the only thing distracting you from kiting to your highest potential...
Winds:
Average winds:15-25 knots. Best time of year to kite: USUALLY, conditions are best between June through September during the Southeasterly blowing Mara'amu, but "El Nino" has been playing havoc with wind dependability... During 2002, for example, June was dead, but the winds kicked on strong in September and October! In normal times, the predominent winds come from the east.
(See our Winds: An overview for all Polynesian islands section for more insight)
Local flyers:
There are roughly 25 active kiters on Bora bora, approximately 5 are women. Names we can think of include Frank Sachsse, Harold, Danny, Afu...
Island kite particulars worth noting:
Fiesty kiters with attitudes and a high skill level, coral in the feet, amazing colors...
Things to do when the wind's NOT blowing:
See: www.boraboraisland.com/todo.html
Where to stay on Bora bora:
See: www.boraboraisland.com/tostay.html
Other Society Islands:
(Launch spots, local conditions, tips, what to do when the wind's NOT blowing, where to stay, and more...)
1)
"Matira Point": This is "kite beach" of Bora bora! Located on the South side of the island, just 7 miles from Vaitape, and in the middle of the most touristed area of the island, Matira Point is where the locals go... It's not exactly the easiest spot in the world to kite... in fact, its pretty dangerous due to the difficult launching area, strong currents, and sharp coral! Never the less, on good windy days, you'll see an average of 8-15 riders there, flying high and practicing their tricks.
Specifics: There's no waves due to the protective reef, but there can be some chop... Clear, clean waters of between 5 and 15 feet are beautiful but watch out for the coral heads near the surface! A mid to high level of experience is recommended here.
Launching area: Small, white sand beach with little chunks of coral all over (booties recommended for newbies), and stumps, rocks and palm trees as obstacles... these Palm trees are close to the beach, so watch out! There is a small grassy area to pump up 1 or 2 kites (max) on, and not much else. Car access is good, but the small parking area is usually taken by locals first.
The best tip on launching at Matira beach is to watch the locals for a while. They usually will take turns pumping up their kites and laying out their lines, then will often help each other with a lift or SELF LAUNCH from the water...
Getting there: From Vaitape, head in the direction of the Hotel Bora bora, Club Med, the Bora Bora Beach Comber, or Bloody Marys. At about 6 miles, you'll notice you're at Matira Beach when you see the Matira beach hotel. The beach runs right along the road from there, then takes a bend to the left at Hotel Bora bora... Go roughly 3/4 miles more and take a right at the BEACHCOMBER hotel and resort road. Look out for the sign, it comes up quick! (This is also the road that Chez Nono and Chez Robert et Tina, etc, are on.) Take that road to the end and bear right... stop when you see kites and water...
1) "Airport Motu": Unless you work at the airport, you'll need a boat to get here! If you have one, this spot is worth it when the winds are right...
Specifics: there's hardly any kiters, easy launch spots, shallow waters and very few dangerous coral heads to speak of. The beauty of your location might be the only thing distracting you from kiting to your highest potential...
Winds:
Average winds:15-25 knots. Best time of year to kite: USUALLY, conditions are best between June through September during the Southeasterly blowing Mara'amu, but "El Nino" has been playing havoc with wind dependability... During 2002, for example, June was dead, but the winds kicked on strong in September and October! In normal times, the predominent winds come from the east.
(See our Winds: An overview for all Polynesian islands section for more insight)
Local flyers:
There are roughly 25 active kiters on Bora bora, approximately 5 are women. Names we can think of include Frank Sachsse, Harold, Danny, Afu...
Island kite particulars worth noting:
Fiesty kiters with attitudes and a high skill level, coral in the feet, amazing colors...
Things to do when the wind's NOT blowing:
See: www.boraboraisland.com/todo.html
Where to stay on Bora bora:
See: www.boraboraisland.com/tostay.html
Other Society Islands:
(Launch spots, local conditions, tips, what to do when the wind's NOT blowing, where to stay, and more...)
Note: If you don't find the answers you're looking for on these pages, it may be because we just dont know the answer! We don't claim to know all the details of Tahitian kiteboarding, but merely try to be a good general guide for now... As time goes on, this site will get better and more informative.
WE'RE OPEN TO KITER'S SUGGESTIONS, EXPERIENCES AND NOTES! If you go to French Polynesia, (or live and kite there) and have a kite experience or knowledge that would help this site out, please let us know and we'll post it for the benefit of the next Tahitian bound kiter!
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© 2002-2003 Tahiti Sun Travel Network. All text, photos, and design rights reserved and not to be duplicated without permission.
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(This webpage best viewed in 800x600 pixels monitor setting with Microsoft Explorer 4.5 or newer)
© 2002-2003 Tahiti Sun Travel Network. All text, photos, and design rights reserved and not to be duplicated without permission.