Bora Bora sits in French Polynesia, about 260 kilometers northwest of Tahiti, and while everyone talks about the lagoon, the island's volcanic core is what actually shaped this whole paradise. Mount Otemanu, the island's highest peak at 727 meters, is basically the remnant of an extinct volcano that's been dormant for over 3 million years.

Here's what most people miss: you can't actually climb Otemanu—the rock is too crumbly from volcanic weathering. But the lower slopes offer hiking trails through tropical forests where you'll find ancient Polynesian stone temples called marae. The island's interior also has WWII relics left by American forces who built the first airstrip here in 1942.

Flying into Bora Bora requires a connection through Tahiti, then it's a 50-minute flight. Pro tip: book inter-island flights early since they fill up fast, especially during French summer holidays in July-August.

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