My favorite thing to do on any trip abroad is see a place’s historical sites. Even if I don’t know anything about it, I love the experience of seeing a piece of the ancient past. When I think of places in the world that offer ruins, Bora Bora hardly makes the list. Nevertheless, beyond the island’s blue lagoon and dreamy resorts lies Marae Fare Opu in Bora Bora – an important piece of Polynesian history, religion, and culture.
Maraes are sacred to Polynesian culture. They served as sites for cultural and religious ceremonies. Most maraes are raised, rectangular outdoor areas surrounded by walls consisting of upright stones. Built in the 14th or 15th century, Marae Fare Ope was once the largest marae in Bora Bora. Although mostly destroyed and lying beneath the roadway, the area still maintains a high level of cultural and historical significance to the locals.
The remains of Marae Fare Opu in Bora Bora lie along the side of the main road. Little remains of the site other than the pieces of a wall that sits adjacent to the lagoon just north of Vaitape. The mare is easily accessible and free to visit. There is also a very nice view of nearby Fa’auni Bay. Please be careful of vehicular traffic while visiting.
We stopped at Marae Fare Opu on a 4×4 tour we took while visiting the island. Other stops along the way included World War II US Navy Cannons, a panoramic overlook, and lunch at the famous Bloody Mary’s restaurant. I am happy our guide took some time to allow us to visit the Marae on our tour. My favorite part of ruins is the petroglyph carvings of sea turtles. They are culturally very signifiant to the Polynesians, and are considered sacred.
