Bora Bora Travel Guide
Bora Bora Island Travel Tips
Listed here are specific travel tips for Bora Bora to help with the planning stages of your visit.
Recommended Reading
- French Polynesia Travel Guide: everything you need to know before heading to paradise. This should be your first station if you’re in the early stages of planning a trip to French Polynesia.
- Lonely Planet: ‘the bible’ for any independent traveler. For such a dreamy yet challenging destination, I recommend grabbing one of these for the road to go along with this travel guide. After all, it’s not only super useful but also makes for a great souvenir!
- Tahiti Tourisme: the official site of the local tourism office. You’ll find relevant information about Tahiti and the outer islands.
- Guided Tours: an extensive collection of guided tours and thrilling experiences in Bora Bora that you can book online.
How Many Days Do You Need In Bora Bora?
To properly experience Bora Bora, three days (four nights if arriving late) should be enough. The island is small, and there isn’t all that much to see. If you’re after a pampering luxury holiday of sipping cocktails on the deck of your overwater bungalow, you could probably spend a week (if you can afford that). If the weather is good, you can comfortably explore the main island and the lagoon in three days. Add to that extra days of relaxing or “buffer” days in days of bad weather.
Is Bora Bora Worth Visiting?
This really depends on what you’re looking for. Bora Bora is a destination that’s pretty much on every traveler’s bucket list. It is so hyped up that if you’ve made it all the way to this part of the world, you’ll likely want to scratch it off your list.
Apart from curiosity and a sense of achievement, Bora Bora is the ultimate luxury destination. The island is dotted with four and five-star luxury resorts, both on the main island and on the islets on the barrier reef (motu). So it is very well-geared to welcome thousands of visitors at any given time.
As for the island itself, Bora Bora is magnificent, both on land and at sea. Its two sculpted peaks, Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia create one of the most dominant and spectacular natural skylines in the world. Add to this a massive lagoon with three times the surface area of the island, and you get a striking “natural swimming pool” that radiates colors rarely seen in the world.
To sum everything up, Bora Bora is worth visiting, but less so if you’re seeking to experience an authentic slice of Polynesia in a relaxing setting (check Maupiti, Tahaa, and Huahine for that). It is not only a luxury destination, in contrast to the way the island is globally marketed, but the images that likely draw you to this particular island were mostly taken in a luxury setting.
When Is the Best Time To Visit Bora Bora?
Weather is always an important factor when planning a vacation, but in the tropics, this is paramount.
Bora Bora in the dry season
Like all Society Islands, the best time to visit Bora Bora is during the dry season (June – October). The temperature is comfortable, it’s less humid, the trade wind is constantly blowing, and most importantly – there’s less cloud cover and, consequently, less rain. It doesn’t mean that it’s perfect weather all the time, especially during El Nino and La Nina periods. However, on average, this is the best time to visit. In June, Bora Bora hosts its version of the Heiva Festival, second only to Tahiti’s grand version.
Bora Bora in the shoulder season
The shoulder season (April-May and November) is also a good time to visit Bora Bora. There’s less demand for accommodations, so prices are slightly lower, and the weather is still fair on average. In November, Bora Bora hosts the Hawaiki Nui Canoe Race, an authentic celebration of Polynesian culture.
Bora Bora in the wet season
Traveling to Bora Bora during the wet season (Nov-March) is really a hit or miss. It doesn’t rain all the time during the wet season, but it does rain a lot and often heavily. If you’re visiting Bora Bora for 3-4 days, you might not get to experience the island in full color. You’ll also need air conditioning in your room as humidity levels are high, and there’s little wind to keep the mosquitos away. That being said, accommodation prices are a lot lower during this time, except during the holidays.
How To Get To Bora Bora
Bora Bora is the most visited island in French Polynesia, and as such, it is well connected to Tahiti and its neighbors.
Bora Bora by Air
Taking a domestic flight to Bora Bora is the easiest and most optimal way to reach the island, though it is the priciest option as well. Bora Bora is frequently serviced both by Air Tahiti and Air Moana, with the former also connecting Bora Bora to all other Society Islands and Rangiroa. Whatever it is you do – grab a window seat and enjoy the views. Just ask flight attendants for the best side during your particular flight.
Shuttle to the Main Island
As in Maupiti, the Bora Bora airport is located on a motu on the edge of the lagoon. If you’re staying at a high-end resort, they’ll likely transfer you using their private boat shuttle. If you’re staying on the main island, your ticket includes a ride aboard the Air Tahiti shuttle, which makes the 20-minute scenic journey to Vaitape, from where you’ll need to prearrange transfers to your accommodation or hire a taxi (not recommended). You’ll use the same boat shuttle to return to the airport on departure day.
Bora Bora by Ferry
If the schedule works, you’re traveling on a budget, or traveling slowly, taking the ferry to Bora Bora is certainly a viable option. The Apetahi Express is a large and comfortable ferry connecting Tahiti with the Leeward Islands of Huahine, Tahaa, and Raiatea. The ferry docks in Vaitape, from where you’ll need to prearrange transfers to your accommodation of choice.
The Maupiti Express connects Bora Bora with Maupiti, Raiatea and Tahaa. Information is a little hard to come by, so asking your hosts is a good idea. You can try contacting the Maupiti Express via email (maupitiexpress@mail.pf) or phone (+689-40676669 or +689-87740240). These might be the current schedule and, more or less, the ticket prices. Note that the passage might be bumpy even in fair sea conditions.
Getting Around Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a small island with a 32 km circumference. Vaitape is the island’s main village and commercial center, while Matira is its tourist hub. If you want to explore the main island and circle it at your pace, rent a car or scooter for a half day or a full day, or rent beach or electric bicycles. You can also book guided island tours on 4X4 or ATV quad bikes, which take you to all the main island’s interesting sites in half a day (I recommend morning tours).
Where To Stay In Bora Bora
I touched on this in the introduction to this Bora Bora travel guide, but in case you missed it, accommodations primarily center around Matira and Vaitape on the main island and luxury resorts on the small islets (motu) overlooking the former volcano. Check out this guide to the best Bora Bora accommodations before making a decision.
Here’s a list of all Bora Bora accommodations that you can book online via Booking.com
What To Pack for Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a tropical destination, and as such – I recommend packing clothes that dry quickly and keep moisture (a.k.a sweat) out. Have a look at the X Days In Y Packing List for recommendations on what to pack for Bora Bora based on my experience. If you’re staying at a luxury resort, pack a pair of nice evening outfits but really don’t overdo it. It’s all very casual. As always in French Polynesia, always have your own mask and snorkel.
Money
Credit cards are widely accepted in Bora Bora but contact your card issuer ahead of time to understand the fees associated with using your card abroad. There are ATMs around the island, primarily in the centers of Vaitape and Matira. Exchanging money in Bora Bora is a little tricky, however. Since the COVID epidemic, banks do not exchange money for tourists (this might change in the future). Resorts and some hotels exchange foreign currency for a small fee and with a daily limit.
You might be able to pay some suppliers (car rental, organized tours etc) using US Dollars or Euros. Inquire ahead of time.
WiFi & Mobile Data In Bora Bora
Both Vini and Vodafone have good mobile coverage in Bora Bora. You can purchase travel SIM cards in their Tahiti offices or at local retailers. Vini has better and wider coverage in French Polynesia. Free WiFi should be available in all accommodations and most restaurants, but some hotels charge a premium for in-room connections (this is rare nowadays).
Bora Bora Average Costs
Bora Bora does come with a premium, so do not expect a great amount of value for money. Here’s a breakdown of costs during my three days in Bora Bora during my first visit in 2016. I opted for a cheap accommodation via Airbnb on the main island, ate all my meals outside (except breakfast), and went on a lagoon tour.
Scuba Diving In Bora Bora
Expect to see lots of sharks and perhaps even manta rays while scuba diving in Bora Bora. If you’re heading to the Tuamotu Atolls, such as Rangiroa, Fakarava, or Tikehau, save your dives for those stops. Nonetheless, Bora Bora has many dive centers. If you plan to do a lot of dives or dive on multiple islands, consider the Te Moana Pass or the Topdive Pass. Bora Bora also offers plenty of ways for non-divers to explore the coral reef, using aqua helmets and underwater scooters.
Check out this catalog of excursions in Bora Bora that also includes scuba diving, introductory dives, diving courses, and various ways to explore the underwater world apart from scuba diving.
Swimming with Whales in Bora Bora
Humpback whales visit French Polynesia from Antarctica between July and November. The best place to see and swim with whales in French Polynesia is in the Austral Islands, but you can also get acquainted with these gentle giants in Bora Bora. Depending on what you’re looking for, who you’re traveling with, and your level of fitness, choose between whale-watching or swimming tours. Excursions might only commence in August to allow the whales enough time to mate and give birth.
Drinking Water In Bora Bora
Water should be safe to drink in Bora Bora but just double-check before with your hosts. I drank tap water in Vaitape, as did my hosts. Hotels and resorts filter their water and have water-filling stations for bottles.
Best Places to eat in Bora Bora
On the main island, there’s a large supermarket in Vaitape and smaller grocery shops around Matira, where you’ll also find a large selection of casual restaurants (snacks) mostly open for lunch and dinner. Vaitape has a few roulottes (food trucks) around the quay, open from around sunset, as well as the upscale St. James Restaurant & Bar. Slightly north of Vaitape, the Bora Bora Yacht Club is also an option. Lastly, the legendary Bloody Mary’s Restaurant near Matira is a great lunch and dinner experience. It’s expected to reopen at a new location nearby, along with a hotel, around 2025.
Safety In Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a very safe destination, but I can think of two things to watch out for:
Theft: not common, but it happens in Bora Bora. I have heard of cases where strangers entered unattended rooms, so lock your room when you leave it and do not leave the windows open. Also, do not leave your stuff unattended at the beach. If you’re staying in resorts, especially on the motus, this is a non-issue.
Hiking: there have been cases of tourists (and locals) getting lost while hiking on their own, some even losing their lives. Trails are unfortunately unmarked, and some are dangerous, so only hike with a certified guide.
For general safety tips in French Polynesia, have a look at the ‘safety’ section of the French Polynesia Travel Guide.
What To Buy In Bora Bora?
Honestly? Nothing! Unless you have no other choice, save your shopping for Tahiti. If you must do some shopping in Bora Bora, head to Vaitape – where you can at least visit a few shops and local stalls before making a decision. There are plenty of black pearl shops in the village.
If you’re staying at a luxury resort on the motus facing the main island, do not get tempted to buy souvenirs in the resort’s gift shop. There are a couple a souvenir shops at the airport with considerably lower prices.
How To Save Money In Bora Bora?
Bora Bora can be a very expensive destination, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips on how to save some money, with some only relevant if you’ll be visiting other islands.
- Book your accommodation on the main island. This option is much cheaper than the resorts on the outer motus.
- Use a beach or electric bicycle to get around the main island.
- Eating in high-end restaurants? Go for a late lunch as opposed to dinner – unless you’re looking for that special romantic evening.
- Defer scuba diving to other islands. The diving in Bora Bora is said to be uninspiring and overpriced. Better sites will be found in Moorea, Maupiti and of course – the Tuamotus.
- Pick and choose one excursion. There are so many ways to pass the time in Bora Bora, from parasailing to undersea hiking (that’s right). Excursions usually cost 30% more than the same activities on other islands. I would definitely go for the lagoon excursion (see ‘things to do’ section) but that’s about it.
- If you’re not traveling solo, rent a car/scooter/bicycle to circle the island instead of joining a guided tour.
- If you’re staying at a luxury resort NOT on the main island, pack some snacks (and even alcohol). Just as an example, a fresh coconut that costs about $3 on the main island costs around $15 at a luxury resort.
