Bora Bora
Mount Otemanu over a vast lagoon of overwater villas — the classic, and the priciest, stop
Bora Bora is a volcanic island ringed by a wide lagoon and a chain of motu (reef islets); Mount Otemanu in the middle is the peak on every postcard. Most of the luxury resorts among the eight we list are on the outer motu, with overwater villas facing the mountain; the main island has the lower-priced hotels and guesthouses.
- Access
- Air Tahiti from Papeete-Faa’a (PPT) takes about 50 minutes to Bora Bora airport, which sits on Motu Mute on the reef; resorts then run a 10–20 minute boat transfer. Guests on the main island can take the free public ferry to Vaitape.
- Best for
- Honeymoons / anniversaries · An overwater villa facing the mountain · A once-in-a-lifetime budget
- Watch out
- · Room rates, food and activities are the highest in French Polynesia
- · On a motu resort you rely on resort boats to reach the main island, so independence is limited
- · Snorkelling from your villa varies a lot with the resort’s side of the lagoon; for coral you usually join a lagoon tour
Who it suits
If you want the defining Tahiti picture — lagoon, overwater villa, Mount Otemanu — Bora Bora is almost the only answer. Honeymoons, anniversaries and once-in-a-lifetime trips choose it most. On a tighter budget, or if you care more about hiking, driving and eating at local places, Moorea usually fits better.
Motu or main island
Four Seasons, St. Regis, Conrad and InterContinental Le Moana sit on the outer motu or the lagoon edge: private, with great views, but you depend on resort shuttles and eat most meals on site. The main island (Vaitape, Matira beach) has mid-range hotels and guesthouses; you can cycle or drive around the island and eat far more cheaply, but you give up the villa-on-the-lagoon view.
What to do on the lagoon
A lagoon day trip — swimming with rays and lemon sharks, snorkelling a coral garden, a picnic on a motu — is close to essential; divers head to the outer reef slope for sharks and mantas. House reefs here are generally weaker than in the Maldives, sometimes sand or seagrass, so don’t pick a resort for snorkelling from the villa.
Watch out for
Within the same resort, villas facing Mount Otemanu often cost noticeably more than other orientations — read the room-category name carefully. November–April is the wet season: afternoon showers are common but lagoon trips usually still run. In peak season (July–August, Christmas/New Year) book popular villa types months ahead.
Islands in Bora Bora
8 on the site
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
Bora Bora · Luxury
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Bora Bora · Ultra-luxury
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Bora Bora · Ultra-luxury
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort
Bora Bora · Luxury
Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora
Bora Bora · Mid-range
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Bora Bora · Ultra-luxury
Sunset Hill Lodge
Bora Bora · Economy
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
Bora Bora · LuxuryWhich island in Bora Bora fits you best?
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