A week in Bora Bora — the most beautiful island in the world
Overwater bungalows, the dominant hotel option in Bora Bora make for the ultimate island getaway.
Is Bora Bora really the most beautiful island in the world?
Bora Bora. What a name right? The word itself is exotic. Though we can’t say definitively, anyone would be hard-pressed to find another island quite so spectacular.
From the moment you arrive, the striking backdrop of Mount Otemanu rising above a vibrant lagoon that shifts from bright turquoise to dark indigo make Bora Bora a sight to behold.
And what’s fascinating is that the island has an outer rim on which most the resorts are built. This unique feature gives visitors a million-dollar view back across the lagoon toward the magnificent central island (Google Earth it).
This epic view paired with the calm waters, coconut palms and the laid-back culture of the Polynesian people create an atmosphere of ultimate beauty and relaxation — difficult to match.
Our view of Mount Otemanu from the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa.
Where is Bora Bora?
The small island of Bora Bora is located in the South Pacific and is actually one of many islands that make up the nation of French Polynesia. It grew to fame after the U.S. built an airbase there during the war, which now serves as its main airport.
Formed by a volcano many years ago, the island is most well known for its turquoise-blue lagoon, shallow waters and striking central mountain range. It’s iconic yes, and will always top the list of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
Boarding our taxi boat at the airport. Most resorts offer a boat transfer service when you book a stay.
How to get to Bora Bora
Getting to Bora Bora from California was relatively easy. We flew Air Tahiti Nui from LAX to Papeete, Tahiti (8 hrs). We then switched to a smaller plane for the last leg from Papeete to Bora Bora (1 hr).
Since Bora Bora consists mostly of overwater resorts, you will need a boat transfer. Many of the resorts are all-inclusive and will include a boat transfer to and from the airport.
And you won’t need to rent a car in Bora Bora. The island is so small, there aren’t many places to go and most travel is done by boat. Other than our excursions, we didn’t really need to venture out.
A view of our resort’s overwater bungalows. The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa.
Where to stay in Bora Bora
There are many resorts to choose from with most offering vacation packages that include airfare, meals and activities. We had a great experience using Tahiti.com through which we booked the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa.
TIP:
There are many options, but we picked this hotel specifically because there was a larger number of restaurants on the property versus other locations. Keep in mind that in Bora Bora you won’t be leaving your resort to go out to eat like you would in other destinations, so if you’re foodies like us, you might want some options.
Seeing the turquoise waters of Bora Bora’s lagoon is unbelievable. Swimming in them is even better.
The InterContinental Thalasso (not Le Moana) has a prime position at the end of all the resorts. Our overwater bungalow faced south with an unobstructed view across the lagoon.
Where can I stay in an overwater bungalow?
In our opinion, no one is experiencing the island in its full glory unless they’re in an overwater bungalow. Yup, we’re talking about the rooms on stilts above the water and boast some of the most iconic tropical views on the planet.
Most of the resorts in Bora Bora have over the water hotel rooms. The first overwater bungalow was actually developed in the 1960s in French Polynesia on Bora Bora’s sister island of Moorea.
The InterContinental Thalasso has a prime position at the end of the resort row, allowing our room to have an unobstructed view across the lagoon. At other properties your window might be facing a neighboring resort which you will be able to see.
Most resorts also offer less expensive garden rooms as an option but we say if you’re gonna go — go all the way.
Walking on the dock at the InterContinental Thalasso to meet our charter boat for a snorkeling tour.
Bora Bora is terrific for snorkeling. Our tour took us to 3 locations where we saw an insane amount of fish, some reef sharks and even a lonely manta ray.
What is there to do in Bora Bora?
When it comes to activities in Bora Bora, the main attraction will be the amenities at your resort, your overwater bungalow (if you went for it) and enjoying the lagoon.
Bora Bora’s footprint is so small there’s really not much to visit beyond your hotel. If soaking up sunshine and playing in the water aren’t your thing, Bora Bora is probably not the place for you.
Here’s a list of the activities we did. It’s a good idea to book your activities beforehand to secure yourself a spot.
Couples Massage - Booked at our hotel at the Thalasso Spa.
Jet Ski Tour - Ride jet skis around the island for some epic views.
Sunset Boat Ride - A romantic ride through the lagoon at sunset.
Snorkel Boat Tour - A must. It was like jumping into an aquarium.
The Heiva - A cultural dance show in the city of Vaitape (only in July).
Bora Bora actually isn’t known for large sandy beaches. Matira Beach is one of them and has just enough room to spread out and relax. It’s located on the southern tip of the main island.
The calm, turquoise blue waters at Matira Beach are perfect for an afternoon swim.
Is Bora Bora good for families?
The island attracts visitors from across the globe who are all traveling there for the same purpose — a honeymoon. For this reason, the resort packages and their activities are heavily geared towards couples.
It’s not that a family with young children couldn’t enjoy their time in Bora Bora but the overall vibe is much more “adult” oriented. Think attending a ballet versus going to Disneyland. The resort atmosphere is refined and serene.
If you have active children and still want to go, we’d definitely say book some excursions like snorkeling or jet skis to help burn off that energy.
No that’s not a shadow. As the depth changes, the water color in Bora Bora shifts super dramatically from deep indigo to bright turquoise.
Overwater bungalows of the InterContinental Le Moana stretch out into the crystal waters of Bora Bora.
Is Bora Bora worth the expense?
Honestly, the island of Bora Bora is simply blessed by nature and therefore remains one of the most expensive spots to vacation. The exotic views and gorgeous blue waters are unrivaled. And for that, you will pay a premium price — on pretty much everything.
It mostly depends on your idea of a dream vacation but for us, it was well worth the expense. The scenery took our breath away from the moment we arrived and our stay in an overwater bungalow was pure relaxation. And when you’ve had enough relaxing, there are plenty of activities for adventure seekers too.
Like a postcard come-to-life, Bora Bora is a destination for the books. If you have an inkling to go, we’d say go for it.
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About Us
We’re Rob and Lauren — a designer & photographer duo passionate about travel. We hope you find some travel inspiration here and the courage to go book that dream vacation.
With so many beautiful places, we can’t help but feel that somewhere is always waiting to be discovered.
