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Bora Bora

16.50° S, 151.74° W

Bora Bora is the island most people picture: Mount Otemanu above a wide lagoon, ringed by motu resorts with overwater bungalows. It is also French Polynesia's most expensive island, so the choice of resort and villa category counts.

Best season
May–Oct
Getting there
Bora Bora (BOB) via Tahiti + boat
Currency
Pacific Franc (XPF)
Typical stay
4–6 nights

Bora Bora guides

2 guides

Planning a Bora Bora stay

Bora Bora is one volcanic island crowned by Mount Otemanu, at about 727 metres, wrapped in a lagoon and a ring of motu, the low reef islets where most of the big resorts stand. It is built for couples who want the water to be the whole holiday: snorkelling off the deck, a lagoon tour, a long dinner. It is also French Polynesia's most expensive island, with overwater bungalows at the leading resorts from around US$2,500 a night in high season.

When to go

May to October brings the driest, breeziest weather and the busiest resorts. The wetter months from November to April can bring better rates, though more days when cloud sits on the summit of Otemanu and occasional storms that delay boats.

Arrival and the final transfer

Air Tahiti flies from Papeete in about 50 minutes, several times a day. The airport is on Motu Mute on the northern reef, so nobody drives in. Motu resorts meet you at the dock with their own launch, a ride of roughly 15 to 25 minutes. Main-island guests take the Air Tahiti shuttle boat to Vaitape, then a short drive south to Matira.

Motu or main island

The eastern motu face Otemanu head on and give you privacy, but the resort boat becomes your only link to Vaitape and its timetable sets your evenings. Matira Point on the main island trades some of that view for freedom: a public beach within walking distance, food trucks, independent restaurants and the chance to explore inland. On a first trip of five nights or fewer we'd choose a motu.

Which room to book

An overwater bungalow gives you the ladder into the lagoon and the mountain from bed; a beach villa usually gives more space, a garden and a pool for less. On a stay of five nights or more, a split works well: beach first, overwater for the final nights.

How long to stay

Four to six nights suits most people. Fewer than four and the transfers eat into lagoon time; more than six works best if you split rooms or combine Bora Bora with a quieter island such as Taha'a, 20 minutes away by air via Raiatea.

Where to start