Bora Bora's shape does the work: a central volcanic island, a ring of flat coral motus around it, and between them a lagoon so shallow and clear that the colour changes every hundred metres. The resorts sit out on the motus, which means every one of them looks back at Mount Otemanu — the view is the product. The overwater bungalow was invented in French Polynesia in the 1960s, and the modern versions here remain the reference point. It is a long way from almost anywhere, and that is part of what you are buying.
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Bora Bora
A drowned volcano ringed by a barrier reef, with Mount Otemanu at the centre and a lagoon in seven separate blues. French Polynesia's headline island, and the birthplace of the overwater bungalow.
The lagoon that set the standard
The place
- Gateway
- Bora Bora Airport (BOB) via Papeete (PPT), Tahiti
- Best months
- May to October — dry season
- Green season
- December to March — warmer and wetter
- Currency
- CFP Franc
- Language
- French and Tahitian
What it is known for
- 01Mount Otemanu views from the overwater bungalows
- 02Lagoon snorkelling with rays and blacktip reef sharks
- 03Coral gardens and the Lagoonarium
- 04Motu picnics on the outer reef islets
- 05Polynesian dance and the Heiva festival in July
Getting there
The approach is part of it
See every Bora Bora resort on the AtlasFlying in
- Papeete50 minutes domestic
- Los Angeles8 hours to Papeete
- Auckland5.5 hours to Papeete
- Dubai / India24 hours-plus, two or three stops
The last leg
Resort boat
From the airport motu directly to the resort dock. Most transfers are 10–30 minutes.
Private catamaran
Slower and better, if the schedule allows it.
Where to stay
6 resorts in Bora Bora
Every rate on request. Tell us the month and the shape of the trip and we will say which of these actually fits.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The Otemanu view, done properly
- IslandMotu Tehotu
- TransferPrivate car
- BestFamilies
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa
All overwater, deep-sea thalassotherapy
- IslandMotu Piti Aau
- TransferPrivate car
- BestCouples
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
Polynesian-owned, more intimate
- IslandMotu Tevairoa
- TransferPrivate car
- BestCouples
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Large villas, butler service
- IslandMotu Ome'e
- TransferPrivate car
- BestFamilies
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
Resort with 142 rooms and a private beach in Bora Bora
- Island
- TransferPrivate car
- BestCouples
Worth knowing
- This is the longest flight of the six destinations from Asia or the Gulf — build in a Tahiti night.
- It is genuinely expensive, and the island has limited non-resort dining.
- Combine it with Moorea or Taha'a; almost nobody flies this far for one island.
SuitsOnce-in-a-lifetime honeymoons · Overwater purists · Pacific combinations
Every rate, on request
Bora Bora, then.
Tell us when.
We hold 6 properties here and quote every one to the season and the routing. Send a rough shape and we will come back with options.
Or call +91 93157 23375 · 9am – 9pm IST, seven days