South Pacific Beaches [MUST VISIT] - Bora Bora, French Polynesia

While nearby Tahiti has the name recognition, Bora Bora has the better water and more tranquil atmosphere. There's only a few small beaches on around the lagoon, but the over water bungalows and completely over water resorts here are among the world's finest.

 Officially a collectivity of France, the island of Bora Bora lies in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. With its amazing reef, fantastic white sand beaches, and laid-back local population it is easy to see why Bora Bora is considered by many to be paradise on Earth.

 The population of locals is just under 9,000 with Tahitian, French, and some English spoken. Visitors can enjoy world-class diving and snorkeling, as well as sunset catamaran cruises, fishing trips, and jet ski rentals.

 The island itself features an extinct volcano in the center and is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. Bora Bora is a tourist hot-spot and many resorts and over-the-water bungalows have been built on the island.