Beyond Paris 2024: Surfing, Culture and Luxury Await in Bora Bora

by Deborah Frank

An aerial view of a tropical island with turquoise water, surrounded by a coral reef. In the background, lush green mountains rise up from the center of the island. There are several boats in the water and a resort on the island.

French Flair Meets Polynesian Paradise: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are not just taking place in the City of Light. The new surfing competition will be held at the most iconic swell in the Polynesian islands, the wave at Teahupo’o, legendarily one of the deadliest in the world. Teahupo’o is a village on the island of Tahiti, and anyone planning to visit it to watch the Games there should also plan a stay at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, where a cultural fusion is creating French experiences in French Polynesia for an American clientele.

An aerial view of a luxury resort with overwater bungalows in the center of the South Pacific Ocean. The resort is located on a small island with a mountainous background. There is a motu, a small islet made of white sand, visible in the foreground.

An interior view of a luxurious living room of a villa at an island resort. The room opens up to a beautiful private beach and view of the ocean.

The Pacific Ocean archipelago of French Polynesia is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant Polynesian culture. Despite their French affiliation, the islands have retained a distinct identity shaped by traditions and customs. Striking this balance between French influence and local authenticity is both an art and a necessity. From the language spoken on the streets to the flavors found in local cuisine, this cultural blend permeates every aspect of island life. To embrace it allows for a richer, more immersive experience that celebrates the unique identity of the region.

A hammock strung between two standing branches over a calm ocean at sunset. The sky is ablaze with orange, pink, and purple hues.

Two private thatched-roof bungalows are sitting above a large, tranquil, turquoise lagoon. In the foreground there are palm trees and in the background there are lush green mountains and blue sky.

At The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, elements of both French and Polynesian cultures manifest themselves not just in the beautiful decor of the resort’s 90 rooms that include large overwater bungalows, but also through the dining venues, local artisans, conservation initiatives, and various activities at sea and on land.

Food is sourced locally, helping to support island businesses. At Lagoon, the property’s signature fine dining restaurant, the overwater 727 bar is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset cocktail. Bam Boo features sushi and sashimi prepared with fresh-caught fish and seafood, in addition to a variety of wok and teppanyaki dishes. And the Italian restaurant, Far Niente, complements its traditional dishes with a sommelier’s choice of regional wines. The all-day dining spot, Te Pahu, reflects classic Tahitian dishes in an open-air setting and features a weekly Polynesian show on Wednesday evenings put on by local dancers and musicians. Take a boat shuttle from the St. Regis main dock to the resort’s base on the main island to experience French chef Damien Rinaldi-Dovio’s restaurant, La Villa Mahana, serving a Mediterranean and Polynesian fusion menu housed in an elegant villa of ochre stones with one of the most romantic ambiances in the region. Ask the concierge to make your reservations way in advance, as they have only eight tables.

Hanging on walls throughout the St. Regis are canvases by French local artist Alain Despert, who is probably best known for his 1990 “Absolut Despert” vodka ad campaign. Another French artist transplant, Jean-Pierre Frey, has a popular waterfront gallery and workshop on the main island where he creates affordable prints of his original paintings inspired by the colors of the surrounding lagoon. His work is a unique collage of maps, photos, inks, and watercolors with texture from the marble powder he mixes into his acrylics. Both artists represent French Polynesia in unique, one-of-a-kind collectibles.

Three native Polynesian musicians playing traditional wooden drums. They are wearing colorful button-up aloha shirts with tribal and floral motifs.

A closeup view of the lagoonarium dock. It shows a small wooden platform built over a shallow area in a lagoon. The water is clear and calm, and you can see several fish swimming around the legs of the dock. There are also palm trees and other tropical vegetation in the background.

St. Regis’ Natura Ora (Tahitian for “living nature”) initiative was created to preserve and protect the local community, the environment, and to practice more responsible consumption. Coral planting at its lagoonarium, with its 120 species of fish, is one of the efforts instituted to protect marine life and promote biodiversity. Guests can participate in the coral reforestation program, accompanying a marine specialist to string small pieces of coral throughout the lagoon. As a reward for their efforts, they receive a certificate with the numbered coral so they can follow its growth online for years to come.

The Spa is located across a bridge on its own private island in the lagoonarium and guests can enjoy an outdoor treatment room and five indoor rooms. In addition to the requisite steam room and sauna, it features one of the best relaxation lounges anywhere for its views of Mount Otemanu and outdoor chaises that overlook the swimmable, mile-long lagoon. Polynesian-inspired services use Miri oil from the local medicinal Miri plant along with antiaging products from Paris-based skincare brand Sothys.

A hiking excursion to the top of a mountain on Bora Bora with Polynesia-born guide and storyteller Django Edwards is exercise and a history lesson in one. Edwards’ detailed knowledge of his heritage is as impressive as his traditional wood flute playing through his nostril. The small family business, Bora Bora Cultural & Lagoon Tours, founded by Polynesia native Nariihau Taruoura, gives guests who book an excursion real exposure to local life. As Taruoura steers the outrigger canoe with his foot while playing a ukulele, he skillfully navigates to an area for snorkeling among reef sharks, followed by a lunch of fresh salads, fruits, and grilled meat and fish skewers served at picnic tables under swaying palm trees on his family motu (the islets of lime and white sand surrounding Bora Bora’s central island). It’s an unforgettable immersion into life in the South Pacific, and the perfect complement to a St. Regis stay. From $1,000/night; marriott.com

Photo Credits: Courtesy St. Regis Bora Bora Resort