The stunning volcanic island of Bora Bora is one of the most popular vacation resorts in French Polynesia and is located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 250km NorthWest of Tahiti.
The beauty of the island is absolutely unparalleled and simply has to be seen to be believed – so make sure it’s on your bucket list.
Bora Bora is the ideal place for a Honeymooning couple, families with children who are looking for a tropical adventure with plenty of fun in the ocean or solo travellers who want to unwind and relax away from the hectic bustle of modern life.
Despite being a remote paradise it’s surprisingly easy to reach the island resort of Bora Bora by plane or cruise ship. Once you arrive you’ll be personally greeted by a member of the friendly hotel staff and a bunch of complementary native flowers!
Just remember to have your camera ready when the plane is cruising down into the Bora Bora airport because the scenery is spectacular and the aerial views of the famous Mount Otemanu will mark the beginning of the best vacation of your life!
How To Get To Bora Bora?
By Airplane From the UK, Europe or the USA.
Bora Bora is a magical island that is far from the stresses of life but even so, it’s remarkably easy to reach from most places in the world. You will fly into the Bora Bora airport (BOB) which is based on a separate part of the island called Mote Mote, which was originally built as an airstrip by the US Military during WWII.
To reach Bora Bora airport you need to transfer from Tahiti.
If you’re flying into Bora Bora from the UK or elsewhere in Europe then you’ll need to take a flight from one of the UK’s major airports to Los Angeles, where you can transfer to Tahiti.
For travellers coming from America, you can take a domestic flight to Los Angeles and then transfer on to Tahiti.
From Tahiti, it’s only a short 50 minute island hop by plane to reach Bora Bora!
From the Bora Bora airport you will need to take a boat onwards to other parts of the island where your hotel or resort will be waiting for you to settle in.
Tip for Travelling By Air : It’s worth remembering that the airports in Tahiti (PTT) and on Bora Bora (BOB) are not fully air conditioned and with average temperatures hovering around 85 Degrees Fahrenheit you’ll want to dressed appropriately to stay cool while you travel.
By Cruise Ship.
Alternatively, for those passengers who don’t want to fly, you can also take a luxury cruise ship which will drop you off in Bora Bora! Many major cruise companies offer trips on their liners, including Cunard Cruise Lines. The cruise ship packages include accommodation on board, meals and the opportunity to stop and explore various locations on route!
Of course, travelling by cruise liner will take longer than by plane and the costs will be significantly higher than taking an international flight. However, for a truly luxurious experience while you relax in the sun then taking a cruise liner to Bora Bora is a wonderful way to start your once in a lifetime holiday on the island.
What is the Best Time of Year To Visit Bora Bora?
The ideal time of year to visit Bora Bora is between May and October; but you should be aware that there will be more tourists than during the rest of the year. This is the high season on the island when you can enjoy the very best of the sunny weather, water sports, snorkelling and island exploration.
Bora Bora is a paradise throughout the year however for lower prices and less tourists you can visit in April and November. These months, before and after the high season on the island, are quieter, with less tourists, lower prices and the temperatures staying between 75-85 Degrees Fahrenheit.
The wet season on the island starts in November and ends in early April; so this is probably the worst time of year to visit the wonderful island, although prices are at their lowest and you can find some serious bargains if you don’t mind the heavy, monsoon-like rain storms.
What Is There To Do On Bora Bora?
When you visit Bora Bora you’ll soon discover that sometimes the best thing to do is to just put up your feet, enjoy the incredible views and take in the tropical paradise on the island.
The resorts are set up to cater for your every need and provide world class cuisine, excellent fruit drinks and cocktails and lovely freshly caught seafood in their restaurants.
However, there is still plenty to do if you want to be a little more active, with snorkeling, swimming, water sports and even romantic sunset cruises on motorized canoes.
4×4 Island Tour.
If you want to see the island up close you can take a morning island tour in a powerful 4×4. You’ll learn about the history, legends and culture of the island from your tour guide, visit an ancient local temple and even see the old US Military cannons that have remained on site since WWII! As part of your island tour you’ll visit some of the local villages and even learn how to make your very own traditional sarong!
Shark and Stingray Snorkel Eco Safari.
For those who are interested in experiencing the majesty of some of the marine life around the island you can take an underwater safari while exploring the amazing coral gardens and the wildlife that lives amongst it. Highlights include seeing the stingrays and reef sharks that patrol the shallow tropical waters.
Full Day Trip – Lagoon Cruise and Traditional Motu Tahitian Barbecue.
To see the island from the water you can take this wonderful trip that circles Bora Bora, allows you to go snorkelling, watch the incredible stingrays and even get up close to the black tipped reef sharks. The day trip includes a stop over at motu Tapu where you can savour a lunch time Tahitian barbecue before you head back to the resort to relax in the evening.
Have A Dinner To Remember At The Famous Bloody Mary’s Restaurant.
The renowned Bloody Mary’s restaurant is frequently visited by celebrities and other tourists on the island. Its menu includes delicious fresh seafood and an incredible range of unique cocktails to taste while you sit in the beautiful tropical ambience. The menu also caters for an international pallete and includes steak, chicken, local shrimp and a nice selection of vegetarian options as well.
Eco Sunset Cruise.
For a lovely romantic evening you can book yourself a sunset tour on the Okeanos Pearl – the first solar powered luxury catamaran in the Pacific. The eco cruise lets you enjoy the Golden Hour at sunset while you sample a carefully chosen selection of red, white and rose wines, beers and soft drinks. The chic atmosphere and wonderful views are the stuff of dreams so you should certainly consider booking yourself onto the cruise during your stay on the island.
The Best Places To Stay On Bora Bora – The St Regis Bora Bora Resort.
The Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
The charmingly luxurious resort is wonderfully situated in a quiet alcove, surrounded by white sand and turquoise oceans that stretch out to the horizon, giving you marvelous views at sunset and the perfect place to get away from the world and enjoy your own piece of paradise.
The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the perfect mixture of authentic traditional Polynesian style and modern chic – with superb food, excellent staff on hand throughout the day and night who can arrange tours, snorkelling and any dietary requirements that you may have for your stay on the island.
The resort has superb facilities, free wifi throughout and plenty to do, right on your doorstep, with its own fitness centre, gym and secluded on site beaches.
Enjoy the life of luxury as you sail around the crystal clear waters, dive to see the famous black tipped reef sharks, stingrays and snorkel amongst the expansive phantasmagoria of the coral gardens and lagoons.
The resort has an excellent bar, offers bicycle hire, a library of books and DVDs for all ages and a fun children’s playground. All the rooms have air conditioning, walk-in showers, private beaches and the resort was selected for the prestigious Traveller’s Best of The Best Award in 2021.
The St Regis Bora Bora Resort.
This resort boasts the largest selection of overwater villas in the South Pacific, that sit in wide crescents overlooking the ocean! The villas range in size, but start at 1,500 square feet and allow you to experience the turquoise waters through glass floor panels.
The St Regis Resort has a dedicated team of Butlers, Concierge and Waiting staff who are available 24 hours a day – with no request being too small!
The resort also has a lovely swim up bar, a spa where you can pamper yourself and a fully equipped fitness centre. Within the St Regis Resort you can sample the menus in the four on site restaurants where you can taste local Polynesian cuisine as well as great international dishes.
The St Regis Resort is an ocean lover’s paradise with the resort’s famous Lagoonarium that is a protected underwater playground for tropical fish, corals, turtles and even the stunning Napoleon fish. So why not take a dip with your snorkel and experience the incredible wildlife right on the doorstep of your villa!