Mount Otemanu
Mount Otemanu
5
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This jagged remnant of an ancient volcano rises up sharply more than 2,400 feet from the surface of a sparkling, turquoise lagoon.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
589 reviews
Excellent
498
Very good
81
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
1
mariedesjardins
Prince George, Canada7,314 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Mount Otemanu rises high above Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoon. It can even be seen when descending to the airport. It was a lush emerald green from all the rain it had received. It’s reminiscent of Kauai’s Jurassic Park Napali coastline.
Written November 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TammyLGK
Livermore, CA4 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Amazing experience! We booked the hike through our hotel, Le Meridien, Sept/Oct of 2012. What started out as a medium intensity hike with amazing views eventually got pretty hard core, but capable for an average joe as long as you are dressed right and willing to put in some work. At many points it was so steep we had to use ropes to scale up. Once we got into the sacred cave and got to relax it was amazing to take to in the view. A few times I had thoughts of "wow I could really just fall to my death" but I maned up, stayed focus and when all was done I was happy to check off my bucket list that I climbed to the top of Mt Otemanu in Bora Bora!
Written September 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nessaloo
Bend, OR23 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Bora Bora is known for its beauty and rightfully, it is gorgeous. However, good luck finding actual hiking trails. We researched online, but accurate information just does not exist. We attempted daily hikes and were challenged in many ways, not all related to ascending and descending. Please note, hiking Bora Bora's two primary mountains is mountaineering with many ropes and high risk. Many deaths have been documented, not kidding.
We used taxis to get around, but you could rent a car. Traffic varies around the island, but can be fast and wild. We walked the road, but is not advised.
We climbed to cell towers for mini-ascents. Since hiking trails are not maintained, consider 4x4 trails. You will want to take a crack at Pahia, Otemanu, and Popoti.
Mount Otemanu is showcase peak, but not summit climb; trail is to the Sacred Cave; you need guide at cost of $500-900 to find said trail, which will pass through private lands (we looked, but could not find access to trail)
Mount Pahia summit can be reached; a guide is strongly-advised, but we attempted without (we did not summit, but did climb for about 2 hours, before turning around; in the end we were left with a feeling like we had dodged a bullet and were prudent to turn around when we did)
Mount Popoti summit is easily reached without guide; it follows private road owned and maintained by 4x4 company, but they are completely okay with hikers (this is shorter hike and will only take you about 90 minutes from start to finish and is easy to find off main road - gate may be open or closed)
We used taxis to get around, but you could rent a car. Traffic varies around the island, but can be fast and wild. We walked the road, but is not advised.
We climbed to cell towers for mini-ascents. Since hiking trails are not maintained, consider 4x4 trails. You will want to take a crack at Pahia, Otemanu, and Popoti.
Mount Otemanu is showcase peak, but not summit climb; trail is to the Sacred Cave; you need guide at cost of $500-900 to find said trail, which will pass through private lands (we looked, but could not find access to trail)
Mount Pahia summit can be reached; a guide is strongly-advised, but we attempted without (we did not summit, but did climb for about 2 hours, before turning around; in the end we were left with a feeling like we had dodged a bullet and were prudent to turn around when we did)
Mount Popoti summit is easily reached without guide; it follows private road owned and maintained by 4x4 company, but they are completely okay with hikers (this is shorter hike and will only take you about 90 minutes from start to finish and is easy to find off main road - gate may be open or closed)
Written April 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnimeshKumar
New York City, New York39 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
You cannot hike on your own as all of the land on the land is private. We hiked with Azdine Hiking (Guide Tama'a Attea) who was very knowledgeable in explaining the local archaeological findings, history of the land and botanical details of the plants and trees found on the island.
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelSnobKate
Fort Worth, TX44 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
The people here are extremely rude and if you take a day trip around it, be prepared to be chased by wild dogs and looked at like you are completely sabotaging the local community
Written December 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sumesh
11 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Its not something you climb. Some of the hotels have better view. Le Meridien has excellent view and sunset from Le Meridien with the mountain in the background is great experience
Written April 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goldreyer
Austin, TX47 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
My 16 year old son and I are on vacation and we wanted to climb Mt. Otemanu. According to the Concierge at the St Regis where we were staying, hiking/climbing the mountain without a guide is prohibited by the local authorities (just to be clear, it was not the St Regis concierge saying it was the resort's policy, it was the local law enforcement). On top of that, according to the same concierge, Pierre, there is only one official (Licensed?) guide on the island. So if he is busy, sorry… I will say I have to stop making it the centerpiece of every photo I take but the lighting as the sun rises and sets is too incredible.
Written August 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ILYA_PACH
Sydney, Australia93 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
This mountain is what makes Bora Bora so special, without it would be just another pretty island. Mount Otemanu makes Bora Bora magical and the view of it is breathtaking.
Written July 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard F
Louisville, KY7,375 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
We were on a cruise ship so we got several interesting views of Mount Otemanu in the two days were were in port. Mount Otemanu is what remains of an ancient volcano that rises up to a sharp point at 2,385 feet from the surface. There is truly something magnificent and mystical about it.
Written December 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ventsurlonde
San Francisco, CA1,269 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The most iconic landmark that make Bora Bora stood out from other French Polynesian Island. During our 7 days in Bora Bora, we've seem it from all angles. There are actually two mountains, Mt. Otemanu & Mt Pahia. I have to say, Mt Otemanu looks somewhat hideous from the west side & north side, and absolutely stunning from the central east side. We took several pictures from all angles and different resorts, and IC Thalasso has the most stunning view of Mt Otemanu, its the only location where it forms the iconic single peak across lagoon.
Written March 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you please tell us how to find the hiking trail that will lead us to the cave? Also is it well marked?
Written November 27, 2019
I can’t help you since we did not get to hike it. I would imagine it would be well marked, the locals are most helpful. I bet they would be very happy to show you the way.
Good luck and have fun.
Written November 27, 2019
Which over the water bungalows have the best view of the Mount Otemanu?
Written January 22, 2019
Which resort is considered to have the best view from an overwater bungalow of the volcano
Written January 22, 2019
I think the Intercontinental has a great view ( Moana Sands) and the Sofitel Private Island does also
Written January 28, 2019
Hi! We will be there in about 10 days. Where did you rent a bike and where did you find a trail for the mountain?
Written March 19, 2016
Renting a moped for a day was mentioned by couple of reviewers. What was the cost for a day? Where did you rent it?
Written November 5, 2015
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