As one of the most romantic islands in the world, Bora Bora is a bucket list honeymoon destination. The vibrant blue waters range in hue from turquoise to deep blue, and the white-sand beaches are some of the dreamiest in the world. Here, the rich marine life far outnumbers the remote island’s population. Luxurious resorts cater to guests’ every need. This far-flung island in the middle of the South Pacific is the epitome of relaxation and a honeymooner’s paradise.
This Bora Bora Honeymoon Guide covers the following topics. Click each link to jump to the corresponding section.
How Much Does a Bora Bora Honeymoon Cost?
Where to Stay – Overwater Bungalow
Know Before You Go
- How Long to Stay: Given the travel time to French Polynesia (an 8-hour flight from Los Angeles), stay a minimum of six nights. If you’re visiting multiple islands, allocate four or five nights per island. Moorea and Tahiti are most commonly paired with Bora Bora. Stay tuned for an overview of the best islands in French Polynesia.
- Best Time to Visit: November and April are considered some of the best months to visit as the weather is great, the crowds are limited, and some properties even offer slightly discounted rates. High season run May through October, when the weather perfect–very little rain, low humidity, and the temperature rarely falls outside of the 76-82 degree range. Rainy season lasts December-March with as much as 15 days of rain in December and stifling humidity.
- Packing List: Resort wear aka all the swim suits, cover-ups, nice outfits for dinners, and some athletic clothes for working out. Also bring an underwater camera to capture the incredible marine life.
- Language: French Polynesia’s official language is French; however, the locals speak primarily Tahitian. English is spoken at all of the hotels and in most public places. Here are a few phrases for you to know… “Hello” is la Orana (pronounced ‘la yo-rah-nah’). “Thank you” is Maururu (pronounced ‘mah-roo-roo’)
- Currency: CPF Franc is the official currency of French Polynesia. Credit cards are commonly accepted throughout the islands but it can also be handy to have a little local currency on hand.
- Reef Safe Sunscreen: Make sure to pack reef safe sunscreen. Many sunscreens contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to coral reefs. Do your part to protect the reefs. My favorite brand is Coola!
- Do I Need a Travel Agent? No. With a limited number of islands, resorts, and flight options, booking a Bora Bora honeymoon is straightforward. Plus, many of the resorts will arrange all your activities and airport transfers for you.
How Much Does a Bora Bora Honeymoon Cost?
There’s no getting around it. Bora Bora is an expensive destination. A week-long stay at a five-star resort with activities and food included can easily cost $12,000 during high season—and that’s before factoring in flights. The island’s popularity and remote location in the South Pacific contributes to steep costs across the board, including food, accommodation, and other goods. Keep in mind Bora Bora is not an all-inclusive destination and there is only one resort that offers a full-board option.
The biggest cost, not surprisingly, is accommodations. Five-star resort lodging starts at $1000/night and a mountain-view overwater bungalow with a private plunge pool can fetch more than $2000/night. Food and drink costs can also be significant. You’ll be eating at the resort for most if not all of your meals. Cocktails cost $25 (worth it), local beers $10, and your standard burger $35. Expect to pay at least $300/day in food. The total cost of activities varies. Massages start at $200 and a group snorkel tour can cost $150/person. Make sure to allot for experiences on the island to fully enjoy your honeymoon!
An approximate breakdown of the costs of a six-night stay at a five-star resort during high season:
- Five-star accommodation: $1400/night = $8400
- Food: $300-$400/day per couple = $2500
- Activities: Varies but expect $1000+ per couple = $1500
- Flights: $1000-$2400/roundtrip per person to Tahiti + $400-$600/roundtrip per person inter-island = $4500
If you’re looking for a slightly more cost-effective destination, consider Moorea. Moorea is a more laid-back version of Bora Bora with beautiful resorts, lagoons and only a boat ride away from the main island of Tahiti.
Booking Flights
Once you’ve decided on travel dates, book your flights as soon as possible. Both Air Tahiti Nui and United offer nonstop flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Tahiti’s International Airport. Because flights are limited, there is little fluctuation in airfare costs. Anything under $1000 is a great deal, but expect to pay around $2000 during high season. You’ll book your inter-island flights separately via Air Tahiti. Air Tahiti is the only inter-island commercial carrier meaning flights will not fluctuate in price.
Book two sets of flights:
- International flights: Departing airport to Tahiti International Airport (PPT)
- Inter-island flights: Tahiti International Airport (PPT) to Bora Bora (BOB) via Air Tahiti
TIP: Get in line to board your flight to Bora Bora early (Air Tahiti seating is first come first serve) and sit on the left side of the plane for incredible views of the island.
Where to Stay – Overwater Bungalow
Bora Bora’s resorts are scattered across the outer islands that form a ring around the main island. Boats are the taxi cabs of Bora Bora. So it only makes sense that the best rooms float. And synonymous with Bora Bora are the dreamy overwater bungalows that jut into the lagoon over colorful fish, rays, and friendly reef sharks. Glass windows in the floor give intimate peaks at the flitting fish, and private decks lead gracefully into the turquoise water below.
One of the toughest choices will be deciding which resort has your dream bungalow. The average nightly cost of an overwater bungalow during high seasons runs around $1100 USD. Aim to book your resort at least six months in advance because there are a limited number of properties on the island and they tend to sell months ahead of time. While Bora Bora is not an all-inclusive destination, there is one resort, Le Méridian Bora Bora, that offers all-inclusive and half-board options. If you’re going all out, I recommend staying at one of the big three: Four Seasons Bora Bora, St. Regis Bora Bora, or Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on a resort:
- Most properties will arrange transport to and from the airport for you. Confirm this with the hotel prior to booking. Then, all you have to do is give the hotel your flight details.
- Most luxury resorts will arrange the activities for you. Just send concierge an email or utilize the live chat feature on the website. Book activities at least two months in advance to ensure your desired dates have availability.
- You’ll be eating most of your meals onsite, so it’s important to have several good restaurant options.
Four Seasons Bora Bora
Four Seasons Bora Bora is consistently ranked as not only the top honeymoon resorts in the world, but also, one of the best resorts in the world. And after spending my week-long honeymoon at the property, I can attest Four Seasons Bora Bora lives up to its expectations and then some. Click to view the Four Seasons Bora Bora: A Photo Dairy from by own honeymoon.
The resort rests on a private island facing the iconic Mount Otemanu. Wander the serene tropical grounds exploring mesmerizing lagoons and shallow waters. The Te Mahana Spa is tucked away on the edge of the lagoon and the fitness center overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Go between the pool and the lagoon stopping at Fare Hoa Beach Bar and Grill for a drink or snack. Dinner highlights include a variety of restaurants. Arii Moan is a French restaurant with the island’s most extensive wine list. Vaimiti serves Asian cuisine in an overwater open-air establishment. Or enjoy a traditional Polynesian dinner with a fire and dance show.
Four Seasons Bora Bora has a long list of one-of-a-kind experiences. From arranging a candlelit dinner on a private island and underwater excursions with a marine biologist to setting up fireworks and photographers for your special occasion, there is nothing concierge cannot do. Book a private beachfront villa or a famous overwater bungalow villa for your romantic honeymoon stay. The possibilities are endless.
St. Regis Bora Bora
Featuring the largest overwater bungalows in the South Pacific, The St. Regis Bora Bora is another top resort on Bora Bora. The property is located on a private island to the east of Bora Bora and offers the iconic view of Mount Otemanu. Sleep in a private lagoon view villa or in a spacious overwater bungalow.
Spend your days swimming the Lagoonarium, the Main Pool, or the adults-only Oasis Pool with private cabanas. When you’re finished playing in the water head to the Iridium Spa situated on an island in the middle of the resort’s lagoon. Take advantage of the breakfast buffet at Te Pahu Restaurant and eat lunch at poolside Aparima Bar. For dinner choose between the Bam Boo Restaurant (Asian), Lagoon by Jean-Georges (Asian-fusion), Far Niente Restaurant (Italian), and the Aparima Bar. Other dining options include the 24-hour room service or a secluded candlelit dinner.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Conrad Bora Bora Nui is another property that consistently ranks as one of the best resorts in the South Pacific. The resort is tucked away on a private islet in the southwest corner of Bora Bora. Here, the overwater bungalows jut out towards the barrier reef instead of inward towards the main island. Stay in a villa with a private pool or in a jaw dropping overwater bungalow.
Spend your days on the resort playing in the turquoise water and relaxing in the stunning infinity pool. Don’t forget to order your daily cocktail at the Tarava Pool Bar. Get your exercise in at the state-of-the-art fitness center and 2.5 km scenic running trail. Then rejuvenate your body with a trip to the top-rated Hina Spa.
Dining options include the signature Iriatai French Restaurant, Banyan Chinese Restaurant, Tamure Beach Grill and Upa Upa Lounge Bar. The resort also offers authentic Polynesian dining experiences like the Ahi Ma’a dinner where your meal is cooked in a Tahitian oven in the sand and a traditional Polynesian Dinner and Show with a fire and dance show.
What to Do
Bora Bora is an ocean-lover’s paradise. The turquoise waters are home to more than 500 different species of fish, amicable reef sharks, manta rays, and more. You don’t have to go far (the back deck of your overwater bungalow) to watch the vibrant marine life saunter by. Highlight water activities include swimming with sharks and stingrays and exploring the tranquil lagoon waters. Humpback whales even visit the island August through October. For a land adventure, head to Bora Bora’s volcanic main island and experience the local culture around Vaitape. Here are the best things to do on a Bora Bora honeymoon.
Swim with Sharks & Stingrays
Swimming with friendly reef sharks and stingrays is a highlight activity for all. A local guide with take you several locations around the island for some of the best swimming of your life. You’ll share the water with reef sharks and stingrays in a shallow section of the lagoon before heading out to the barrier reef. Once you reach the barrier reef, you’ll jump into crystal clear water filled with amicable reef and lemon sharks milling about. Jump in the water again once you reach the coral gardens inside the lagoon. You’ll be surrounded by colorful fish and if you’re lucky, the resident moray eel with make an appearance. Bring an underwater camera for this unforgettable experience!
Scuba Dive
With vibrant marine life everywhere you look, French Polynesia is a world-class scuba diving destination. And Bora Bora is great island for beginner to intermediate divers. Coral heads grow inside the shallow and quiet lagoon and are great for first-time divers. The barrier coral reef surrounding the island ranges in depth from 40 to 70 feet for more advanced divers. Both the lagoon and barrier reef are full of incredible wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for sharks, rays, fish, turtles, eels, and more!
Explore Vaitape & Bora Bora’s Main Island
For a taste of local culture, catch a ride to Vaitape and explore Bora Bora’s main island. Vaitape is the largest town on Bora Bora and is home to several souvenir shops, a grocery store, and a couple casual restaurants. I highly recommend checking out the town early in your trip to get a better understanding of the local culture and to grab some more reasonably priced snacks and alcohol to keep in your room. You can also explore the mountainous island further by either taking a guided tour or renting a vehicle via Avis in Vaitape. The paved coastal road around the island stretches 20 miles. You can easily circumnavigate Bora Bora with a bicycle, scooter, or car. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can undertake a six-hour hike up Mount Pahia and Mount Ohue.
Enjoy the Resort & Spa
The ultimate goal of a Bora Bora honeymoon is relaxation. And there’s no better place to wash away wedding stress than at a luxurious resort on a remote island in the South Pacific. Lounge by the pool in oversized cabanas. Sip cocktails on the beach as the sun goes down. Float in the lagoons alongside the fish. Jump in the water from your overwater bungalow. Wake up to the sounds of the ocean lapping below. Wander the romantic grounds with your partner. Treat yourself to a traditional Polynesian massage. The resorts in Bora Bora are some of the best in the world. Enjoy them!
Will you pay way too much for your dream honeymoon? Of course. Will it be one of the most magical trips of your life? Absolutely.
