Travel Guide Bora Bora
Floating northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia, the island of Bora Bora, with its rugged terrain and turquoise blue lagoon dotted with stilted bungalows, is undoubtedly a beautiful and enchanting destination, a true archetype of the tropical postcard island. With a population of just over 10,000 people living around the central volcano, it has only one pass, Teavanui, which faces the main village, Vaitape. The pier receives both liners and inter-island shuttles, becoming intensely busy each time tourists and cruisers disembark, which is often, as the windward island's fame has become worldwide! The Bora Bora tour guide will take you to Matira Point and its spectacular sunsets, to the mountains for a few walks in the heart of a lush and tropical nature, and underwater of course: the lagoon and its formidable barrier of black, yellow or pink corals constitutes a monumental exotic aquarium where you can, snorkel, swim with black tip sharks or manta and leopard rays. The many luxury establishments of Bora Bora, never higher than a coconut tree, offer a plethora of activities: tour of the island by pirogue or sailboat, water skiing, underwater scooter, aquasafari, skydiving, paddle, kitesurfing, fishing in all its forms... Between idleness, monoi, pareo, turquoise and crystalline water, marine gastronomy based on raw fish and breathtaking landscapes, it is difficult to remain indifferent to the striking beauty of this idyllic Polynesian island.
What to visit Bora Bora?
Suggested addresses Bora Bora
When to go to Bora Bora?
When to go to Bora Bora ? It is important to know that in French Polynesia, the weather is good all year round. The high tourist season corresponds to the southern winter (dry season) and extends from May to October, with a high number of visitors also during the end of year celebrations. During the dry season, the most pleasant and best time to go to Bora Bora, there is little rain; the air is dry and temperatures range from 24°C to 29°C. If you stay in a high place, on the side of a mountain, the nights can be cool (20°C). The low season corresponds to the rainy season, from November to April, and the months of December and January (often very rainy) are traditionally very low. It is then hotter and more humid; but it is not equatorial so it is still bearable; the heat record in Polynesia is 36 °C. Surrounded by the oceanic water mass, which moderates the air of the islands, the strong heats are never suffocating. Tropical rains are usually real squalls. They are frequent and can sometimes fall for several days, but they are usually short and violent. As for the water temperature, it is blissful all year round; it varies little between 27°C and 29°C, and rarely goes below 25°C at minus 50 meters (no need for a wetsuit to dive in the sea bed!). When to go to Bora Bora the paradise? All year round, but try to avoid January.
Weather at the moment
The weather in Bora Bora depends on the climate of French Polynesia, which is tropical oceanic. There are two seasons: the dry season from May to October (during the austral winter) and the rainy season from November to April (it is then hotter and more humid because it rains a lot). The average temperature in Bora Bora (air and water!) varies between 24 and 28°C.
The only currency used in Bora Bora is the Pacific franc (CFP for Pacific franc rate). The euro, the dollar or other currencies are accepted for a fee. Everything is very expensive in Bora Bora, so you have to find out what the price is for. Some may find the pill bitter! This very high cost of living is the consequence of the importation of many products, and of taxation: the money is spent here at an incredible speed. Luxury stay!
For any French national, travelling to Bora Bora is simple since all you need is a simple piece of identification, the national identity card. However, airlines making stopovers with passengers in transit through Japan or the United States require an up-to-date biometric passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return, to be presented to immigration authorities. In fact, customs in Los Angeles will ask you, even for a simple transit, to complete an ESTA Authorization online at this address: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ (+ 14 US$).
All Swiss and Monegasque travellers will have the opportunity to stay in Bora Bora for three months without a visa, as will nationals of the European Union.
No particular vaccine is needed for a trip to French Polynesia, nor for a trip to Bora Bora. If a small problem occurs, you can even consult a doctor, as on all Polynesian islands. In the event of a major emergency on an island with insufficient facilities, you will be repatriated to Tahiti by Evasan (medical evacuation), which has hospital facilities comparable to those in Western countries. By Air Tahiti or by helicopter, you will be brought back to the nearest hospitals, as the smallest islands often do not have any. In addition to sunburn and sunstroke, nono bites, tourista, as well as wounds due to coral or any other injury, which must be disinfected, beware of mosquitoes at all costs! Dengue fever is relatively widespread, as well as chikungunya, and zika to a lesser extent. Forget about mosquito repellents and buy some locally. The water is drinkable in Bora Bora.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Bora Bora? Our advice & tips
A large number of tour operators offer French Polynesia: the combined islands including Bora Bora, cruises (catamarans or ocean liners) and diving holidays are in the spotlight, but there are also tailor-made travel offers. Finally, proposals for boarding stays are also very frequent. However, the destination is very popular with lovers who wish to celebrate their idyll in a honeymoon at the end of the world in postcard settings.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationTo get to Bora Bora by plane, you will have to go through Tahiti, which is 260 km away. To make the trip between the two islands, several options are available: private jet or yacht for the lucky ones, catamaran cruise for the adventurers, inter-island flight for the others. Count on 50 minutes of flight time. In order to benefit from the best rates from Europe, remember to book well in advance, six months at least!
A paved road goes around Bora Bora in 32 km, about 50 minutes by car. It rarely moves away from the coast. The road is not very busy. Taxis are expensive. All that's left is the bike, the scooter and the car. For bicycles, beware of the slopes of the southeastern part of the island. The large hotels, as well as most of the pensions you have booked, will pick you up directly in Vaitape, with or without an extra charge.
