Point Fitiuu WWII Cannons, Anau
Perched on a volcanic headland above Anau, two immaculately preserved American 7-inch guns from Operation Bobcat stand guard over one of Bora Bora's most dramatic panoramas — all for the price of a short, easy hike. Almost no one from the resort strip makes it here.
A Pacific war story on a paradise island
Bora Bora still bears vivid traces of Operation Bobcat: in 1942, 4,000 US soldiers landed on this island of roughly 1,000 inhabitants and converted it into a key Pacific supply base. Eight large guns and anti-aircraft batteries were installed on the heights around the island.
The Anau guns at Point Fitiuu are the island's best preserved — a double battery on a reinforced concrete base, complete with a fort, an ammunition shelter, and a trench network. Trilingual interpretation panels installed in 2021 explain the full story on-site.
Partway along the walk, a dramatically shaped geological formation juts from the ground, known locally as Hiro's Finger — an arresting landmark that adds to the trail's character.
The view that makes the hike worthwhile
Hikers seeking the Point Fitiuu Cannons are rewarded with stunning views of both Mount Otemanu and the electric-blue lagoon stretching toward the outer reef. One gun faces the Four Seasons Resort; the other faces Otemanu — framing the island's two most iconic sights simultaneously.
Simple wooden benches at the cannon site make it easy to linger over a picnic while the trade wind keeps things cool. The lagoon looks impossibly vivid from this elevation, its gradients shifting from aquamarine to deep cobalt as the reef drops away.
Finding the trailhead
The trailhead can be a little tricky to find. Head toward Point Fitiuu on the main circle-island road; as you near the headland, look for a sharp bend in the road where views of Mount Otemanu appear and a track leads out onto the peninsula.
The hike itself is short and suitable for most fitness levels — budget around 50 minutes return. Wear closed shoes, bring water, and combine it with a village stroll through Anau afterwards.
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