Plizio Visual Lab
Faanui
ℹ️Practical info — Faanui
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Rent a bicycle; the coastal road around Faanui is flat, making it the easiest way to explore at a relaxed pace.
- Visit the pink Faanui Protestant Church early in the morning for the best lighting and fewer crowds.
- Look out for the small, steep trails leading into the hills where WWII cannons are still hidden.
- Taxis can be expensive; pre-arrange transfers or ask your guesthouse about local transport options.
🍽 Food
Chicken cooked with taro leaves, served in traditional local eateries.
Sweet figure-eight shaped donuts, well-suited for breakfast from small village bakeries.
Buy fresh mangoes and papayas from small roadside stands in the village.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Beautifully printed local sarongs sold at small craft stalls.
Handcrafted necklaces and bracelets made by local artisans.
Ancient Polynesian temple ruins by the water, featuring preserved turtle petroglyphs.
Much quieter than the southern resort beaches, good for peaceful walks by the water.
Water temperature…
Faanui is situated on the northwestern coast of Bora Bora, tucked away along a deep-water bay that holds significant historical weight. During World War II, this area was chosen as the site for Operation Bobcat, a massive US military supply base; today, hikers can still find old coastal guns hidden among the lush hillside vegetation. The village is home to the Marae Fare Opu, an ancient Polynesian ceremonial site located right at the water's edge, distinguished by its unique stone carvings of sea turtles. Towering over the settlement are the majestic peaks of Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, providing a dramatic emerald backdrop to the sapphire lagoon. Faanui maintains a quiet, traditional atmosphere where the craft of building outrigger canoes remains a vital part of the local heritage, and the bay continues to serve as a preferred sheltered anchorage for visiting sailors.
- Location: French Polynesia
- Top sights: Mataihua · Marae Aehau Tai · Marae Nonohaura
- Nearby: Tiva (26 km)
- Population: ~2.061 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 198 | 174 | 142 | 118 | 93 | 60 | 42 | 42 | 34 | 72 | 111 | 216 |
Geography
Facts
- Operation Bobcat established a major US military base here in 1942.
- The Marae Fare Opu near the water features ancient turtle petroglyphs.
- Faanui was historically the seat of power for Bora Bora's ruling families.
- The Bay of Faanui is deep and sheltered, ideal for large vessels.
- The village is famous for its bright pink-painted Protestant church.
- Several World War II American cannon sites remain on the hillsides nearby.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Faanui (10)
Marae
Archaeological area, religious site of the indigenous Polynesians.
Reef Discovery Bora Bora
Tour operator for coral reef trips, snorkeling and diving.
Musée de Marine🏛 museum
Exhibition of model ships, maritime history and shipbuilding.
Lagoon Service Bora Bora
Service for lagoon excursions, boat tours and water sports.
Mont Otemanu
Mountain on Bora Bora, a prominent 727-meter peak.
Ohue
Viewpoint overlooking the lagoon and the surrounding sea.
Frequently asked questions
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