Bora Bora Travel Guide and Deals

Bora Bora lies in French Polynesia’s Îles Sous le Vent archipelago (or the Leeward Islands). Bora Bora is in the central South Pacific Ocean, around 165 miles northwest of Tahiti.

French and Tahitian are the main languages spoken by the island’s residents. But many people, especially resort employees, can also speak English.

There’s a bit of everything for every type of traveller on the island. If you love aquatic adventures, head to Bora Bora’s top snorkelling spot and swim with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays. Or, go on a lagoon excursion with multiple snorkelling destinations to explore. You can also hike, dive with manta rays, go kite surfing or parasailing, or stay in an overwater bungalow.

Here's a few of our favourite things to do in Bora Bora! 

• Stay in an overwater bungalow and watch the fish life through the glass!
• Visit Matira Beach with its turquoise shallow waters and white sand
• Drop in for a drink at the famous, sandy- bottomed Bloody Marys Restaurant
• Have your breakfast delivered in a canoe to your overwater bungalow
• Take a snorkelling trip to the Coral Garden to witness an amazing abundance of fish
• Hire a bike in the main village of Vaitape and discover the roadside snack bars and trinket shops
• Take a jet-ski tour around the island – one of the best ways to see the blues of Bora Bora’s lagoon
• Enjoy a romantic beach dinner
• Take a 4WD tour of the main island and learn about Bora Bora’s WW2 history
• Snorkel or dive with the lemon sharks, outside of the Bora Bora reef

Hungry? Here’s some of our favourite places to eat in Bora Bora! 

• Bora Bora Yacht Club  – The restaurant is located in the Yacht Club. It is open for lunch and dinner and offers a chilled-out atmosphere with an open air deck setting with fabulous views across the lagoon.
• Sushi Take  – located at The St Regis Bora Bora Resort there is nothing more to say other than this is the BEST sushi in French Polynesia!
• Bloody Mary’s  – Offers a fresh fish menu but rather than dining here we prefer to pop in for a drink at this iconic sandy floored restaurant.
• The St James  – Fine dining. This restaurant overlooks the lagoon and provides a picturesque setting. It is a mainly seafood menu, cooked French style. There is also a lagoon-side bar from which you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink. A great place to spot the rays!

The island’s best hotels include the InterContinental Le Moana Resort, Hotel Royal Bora Bora, Conrad Bora Bora Nui, and the St. Regis Resort. Hotel Royal is perfect for visitors on a budget, while the other three hotels suit luxury Bora Bora holidays, especially if you want to stay in a lush overwater bungalow.

Bora Bora is a world-class destination known for its vivid turquoise lagoon lined by powder-soft, white-sand beaches and luxury resorts. It’s also considered an island paradise perfect for honeymooners.

Australians spending a short holiday or staying in Bora Bora for up to three months can enjoy visa-free travel. But if you plan on staying longer, authorities may ask you to show proof of the following:

• How much money you’ll spend on your stay
• Where you’re staying
• How you’ll return home (or your return ticket)
• Whether you have travel or health insurance
• Why you’re visiting Bora Bora

You need a passport to travel to Bora Bora. Before booking your flight, ensure your passport is valid 180 days after your return date and that your passport and tickets show the same first and last name.

There are fewer travellers in Bora Bora between December to March. For this reason, most of its top resorts offer more affordable rates during this season, and you can enjoy a luxury Bora Bora holiday on a budget.

Bora Bora is farther from Australia compared to the Maldives. Hence, visiting it may be more expensive than spending a holiday in the Maldives.

If you’re flying from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, you will fly into Papeete, the main island of Tahiti first, via Auckland (NZ). This can range from 8 to 11 hours depending on flight schedules. From Tahiti, a domestic flight to Bora Bora is required which will take 50 minutes. An overnight stay is required upon arrival into Tahiti and before departure to New Zealand/Australia due to the international arrival and departure times! 

After a 50-minute flight from Tahiti, you will find the stunning island of Bora Bora which features the world’s most beautiful lagoon.

There are a dozen different shades of blue in Bora Bora’s lagoon and you can relax away the day trying to spot them all! Your first glimpses of the stunning colours of the Bora Bora lagoon are on arrival at the Motu Mute airport which is located on a motu, a small sandy islet. The majority of hotels and resorts are built on motus in the lagoon surrounding the main island, with Mount Otemanu peak as its centrepiece.

Bora Bora is synonymous with romance and is home to the iconic Overwater Bungalows. The vast choice of resorts, all as spectacular as the next, makes it the perfect honeymoon destination.

We love Bora Bora because it is the epitome of paradise. The colours of the lagoon are even more stunning than you see in photos and the lagoon is warm, crystal clear and totally mesmerising. There are a range of activities on offer in Bora Bora including shark & ray feeding, jet skiing, quad bike adventures and the fascinating island tour where you will discover the island’s World War II history.

Bora Bora will suit those travellers looking for a paradise setting with the luxury of resort amenities. There is a varied level of accommodation on offer however the hotel landscape is mainly composed of expansive luxury resorts. The turquoise lagoon is simply breathtaking and you will find relaxing all day is actually quite tiring! Bora Bora truly is a paradise.