Your Bora Bora Honeymoon Guide

A Bora Bora honeymoon is worth it for couples who want water, privacy and a trip built around slowing down rather than filling every day with activities. It is a long and expensive trip and it's the details that will ultimately determine whether it's all just as easy as it seems or simply overpriced. The island is in French Polynesia (roughly a 50-minute flight from Tahiti) and is essentially a volcanic peak with a lagoon around it. Most of what you'll remember is going to happen on or in that lagoon, so the key decisions are when to go, where to stay on the water and how much to spend prior to arrival.

This guide walks you through those decisions in the order that couples actually encounter them. It looks at the seasons and what each one involves in terms of trade-offs, the cost of the trip and why the costs can vary so dramatically. It looks at how to compare resort types without being distracted by marketing language. It covers the practical bits too (entry rules, tipping etc.), which are the sorts of things you easily overlook when you're planning your honeymoon in conjunction with your wedding.

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When Is the Best Time for a Bora Bora Honeymoon?

The best weather is from May to October. November to April is warmer, wetter and generally cheaper. Neither period is really a bad one. It's a question of whether you would rather pay more for drier days or accept some rain in return for lower prices and quieter beaches. Your wedding date will probably be the deciding factor, so it's useful to know what each period is really like. The lagoon is warm all year round (22-28°C / 71-82°F), so swimming is always an option.

Dry Season (May to October)

The dry season brings more sun, lower humidity and that classic Bora Bora calm, clear water. Daytime temperatures are around 28°C (82°F) and it's also the busiest and most expensive time of year, with August being the peak month. From mid-July through to the end of October, humpback whales are around the island with their calves (swimming with them is not permitted here, although there are whale-watching tours). July is also the month of Heiva i Bora Bora, the festival of dance, singing and canoe racing.

Wet Season (November to April)

The wet season is hotter and more humid with heavier showers (though the rain tends to come in bursts rather than all-day downpours). Resort rates will tend to drop and the island is quieter, which is ideal for couples who are going to be spending most of their time at the resort. December is usually the most humid month. Cyclones are very rare in this part of French Polynesia (February has the highest risk), so flexible booking and travel insurance would be worth considering if you're planning a trip in the first few months of the year.

April and November

April and November are the months that sit between the two seasons and can be very useful in that they offer a good balance of fewer crowds, better resort rates and mostly fine weather (though showers are possible and tend to be short-lived). November is frequently cited as having excellent underwater visibility, and the Hawaiki Nui Va'a outrigger canoe race is held in late October/early November. If your dates are flexible, these are often one of the better balances between weather, crowds and resort rates. April is also the start of the main diving season.

How Much Does a Honeymoon in Bora Bora Cost?

Published travel-planning estimates often place a seven-night trip for two around $7,000–10,000 at the lower-to-mid luxury end, while premium overwater stays can push the total well beyond $20,000. Take those as just a point of reference rather than a definitive price. The actual cost will vary enormously depending on where you sleep and when you go, and will be subject to the vagaries of exchange rates and demand. A shorter stay, a garden villa or traveling in the wet season can all see the total price come down considerably.

Figures are published travel-planning estimates; rates will vary by resort and by season.

Accommodation is the line that will determine your budget, so start there and build outward. You'll typically land in Papeete on the international flight. The inter-island flight is separate from your international ticket, and resort boat transfers may also cost extra, although Air Tahiti’s public shuttle between Motu Mute airport and Vaitape is included with the flight. Food is often the big surprise for a lot of couples as there are very limited food options off-resort on some of the islets. Comparing nightly rates without these extras can make one option look cheaper than it really is. If the numbers are looking a bit tight, some couples will look at other destinations that have a similar island vibe but at a lower price point, and ourBali honeymoon guide is a good one to compare against.

Choosing Honeymoon Resorts in Bora Bora

The right resort is really down to three things: what type of room you're after, which side of the lagoon you're on and how much you're prepared to spend. Most of the honeymoon resorts in Bora Bora are located on the motus (the little islets that fringe the lagoon), rather than on the main island. Going through the two options below will help you quickly home in on the right one. Resort photos rarely show practical details such as walking distances, wind exposure or shuttle frequency, so recent guest reviews can be useful here.

Overwater Bungalow or Beach Villa?

The classic image is of an overwater bungalow, and for many that's the highlight of the trip (you walk from the deck straight into the lagoon). You'll want to know how deep the water is beneath your bungalow, whether the deck has shade and whether the room actually looks out onto Mount Otemanu, the sunrise or the open reef, as that will have a big impact on your days. Beach and garden villas are generally cheaper, often provide more privacy on land and can suit couples who would rather just swim from the beach.

Motu or Main Island?

You get those postcard views of the lagoon from the motu (the islet you're staying on) all the way across to the main island, but it generally means you're reliant on resort restaurants and boat shuttles. Staying on the main island makes it far easier to get to Vaitape (the main village) and the local restaurants, albeit with less spectacular views and beaches. A lot of couples will split their stay or combine Bora Bora with another island so they can have both experiences without paying a premium for one. If you're planning to do any exploring, find out how often the resort shuttle runs and whether it's free.

Are Bora Bora Honeymoon Packages Worth It?

Bora Bora honeymoon packages can save you both time and money, provided that what's included is in fact what you're going to be doing on the trip. A package that includes flights, transfers and a meal plan is very useful if you're going for the first time. More experienced travelers will sometimes find they can do better by booking the individual components rather than going with a package. The term “all-inclusive” is used very loosely, so you need to read the inclusions very carefully before you go comparing prices. Before booking, it helps to check:

• Whether the inter-island flight from Tahiti and the boat transfer to the resort are included
• Which meals are covered, and whether drinks and premium restaurants cost extra
• The room category, view and whether it is overwater or on land
• Which activities are included, and whether they are group or private
• Cancellation terms, especially for trips during the wet season

Bora Bora combined with Moorea is a great way to add some variety. Moorea is a short flight or ferry ride from Tahiti and is a much greener, more mountainous place with a lot of hiking and a much slower village pace. A few nights in Moorea prior to heading to Bora Bora can make the whole trip feel far less like a single long resort stay. Given the long journey from most parts of the world, a stay of less than five nights can feel a bit rushed. Check how the islands connect on your dates, as the inter-island options can be limited.

Which Places Should You See in Bora Bora?

The best things to see in Bora Bora are the lagoon, one of the public beaches, the main village and a few of the inland historical sites. Beyond the resorts, the island is small and very quiet, so a short list goes a long way. A number of the inland sites are quite difficult to find on your own, and a guided 4x4 tour is often the most practical way to see them all in one morning.

• Matira Beach: one of the very few beaches on the island with public access, at the southern tip, with very shallow sandy water that is ideal for a relaxed swim or snorkel.
• The coral gardens: the snorkeling areas off the southeast of the main island, generally accessed by boat as part of a lagoon tour.
• Vaitape: the main village on the west coast with the wharf, the small shops and the best selection of black pearls and local crafts.
• WWII cannons: guns sited on the hills above Faanui Bay and at various points around the island, dating from the US military base established in 1942.
• Marae: ancient Polynesian stone temples used for religious and social purposes, including Marotetini near the Faanui Bay wharf.
• Anau: a quiet village on the east coast with one of the best views of Mount Otemanu.

Mount Otemanu is best seen from a distance (from the lagoon, from a resort deck or the east coast). The historic sites are small in scale and are best experienced as part of a wider tour rather than as standalone stops. Some of the sites are accessed via quite rough, bumpy tracks, so wear comfortable shoes and ask your guide what the stories are behind each site.

How Could You Plan a Two-Week Honeymoon?

Two weeks is long enough to pair Bora Bora with one or two other islands, and many couples find that to be far more rewarding than 14 nights in one place. The itinerary below is just an example, not a set route, and it assumes you're arriving via Papeete. The best days are generally the ones that incorporate one activity with a lot of free time, so treat each block as a rhythm to work with rather than a timetable. It's best to leave your most expensive stay (Bora Bora) in the middle so you arrive fresh and don't have to rush to the airport when you leave.

Days 1-3: Tahiti and Moorea

Use the first few days to recover from the long-haul flight before you get into the more expensive part of the trip. Spend a night in Papeete and then either take the ferry or a short flight to Moorea (which is greener and more mountainous than Bora Bora and is often cheaper to stay on). A drive or hike up to the Belvedere lookout gives you views over Opunohu and Cook's bays, and the lagoon is excellent for a first, easy snorkel. Keeping those days fairly unstructured is the best way to deal with the time difference, as French Polynesia is ten hours behind UTC.

Days 4-7: Arriving in Bora Bora

Fly to Bora Bora, take the boat to your resort and spend your first afternoon on the deck. Day two is all about the lagoon tour by boat (this is the experience most couples will remember) with the opportunity to snorkel over the coral gardens and among the rays and blacktip reef sharks. The lagoon is a key habitat for the spotted eagle ray and the reef manta ray, so make sure you're with an operator who will maintain a respectful distance and won't handle or feed the wildlife. Keep day three free and spend the final day of this block on land.

A guided 4x4 tour gives you views over the lagoon and a real sense of the island and its history (there are quite a few WWII sites). Vaitape is where you go to see black pearls and local crafts and to have a meal outside the resort. Alternating active and free days keeps the trip from feeling like a rigid schedule, which matters far more on a honeymoon than actually seeing everything.

Days 8-11: Slow Days on the Lagoon

This is where the cost of the trip actually pays off, as the idea is to have virtually nothing planned at all. Most resorts will be able to arrange a private picnic on a motu, a sunset cruise, a spa morning or an introductory dive. One booking a day is probably sufficient. If you're traveling between mid-July and the end of October, add in a whale-watching trip. Save the most memorable dinner for one of those evenings rather than the night before you leave, when packing and transfers are going to be the dominant activities.

Days 12-14: A Quieter Island and the Journey Home

For the final few days of the trip, couples who wish to experience more of French Polynesia can move on to a quieter island. Taha’a (reached by boat from Raiatea) is famous for its vanilla and pearl farms. The Tuamotus (Rangiroa and Fakarava in particular) are a favorite with divers. Alternatively, you can just stay where you are and finish the trip off in your own time. Either way, you'll want to be back in Papeete with some time to spare before the long-haul flight, as a delayed inter-island connection is a whole lot less stressful if you've got some buffer time.

What to Know Before You Fly

Most visitors get to Bora Bora via Faa’a International Airport in Papeete, then take a domestic flight of about 50 minutes to the Motu Mute airport and a boat to the resort. Flights from Los Angeles take just over eight hours and those from Paris just over 21 hours. Entry requirements vary by nationality. Many short-stay visitors can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, but French Polynesia has its own entry rules, so check the official requirements for your passport before booking.

French Polynesia uses the CFP franc (XPF) and cards are widely accepted at resorts. The electricity is 220 volts (European-style plugs), so bring adapters and make sure your equipment is rated for that voltage. Tipping is not really the norm here, though a lot of places will have a service charge added. A little extra for exceptional service is not a bad thing to do if you feel it's warranted. Reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, water shoes and a light rain jacket are all things well worth bringing regardless of the season.

Choosing What Matters Most

The decision that will ultimately determine your trip is really what kind of days you want. If it's all about being in the water every morning, go for the best room and the best season. If you're after more of the culture and the landscape, spend less on the room and more on time (perhaps a few nights on another island). Either way, book the bits that are the most difficult to change first (the flights and the room) and leave the days as open as possible. Still deciding between Bora Bora and all the other places? Our guide to the best honeymoon destinations will help you work through that.

For more honeymoon ideas, destination guides and planning tips, check out the Inspiration section on Wezoree.

FAQ

Is Bora Bora good for a honeymoon?

Yes, Bora Bora is a classic honeymoon destination for couples who want privacy, calm water and an overwater villa. It's much more suited to a slow, relaxed trip than one with a lot going on. The only real drawbacks are the price and the distance from most countries.

How much does a Bora Bora honeymoon cost?

A seven-day Bora Bora honeymoon is typically going to run you about $7,000 to $10,000 for two (according to various travel-planning estimates), and a lot more if you're going for a premium overwater villa. The bulk of the budget is going to be accommodation and flights. Prices will vary according to season and resort.

When is the best time for a honeymoon in Bora Bora?

May to October is drier and sunnier, but it's also the busiest and most expensive period. April and November are often the best compromise in terms of weather and value. November to April is the cheaper period, but it's also the wetter and more humid one.

Are all-inclusive Bora Bora honeymoon packages available?

Yes, there are some resorts and travel agencies that will offer you an all-inclusive Bora Bora honeymoon package (though the inclusions vary considerably). Many of these will cover your meals but will charge you extra for drinks, activities and transfers. Always check what is included before you go any further with price comparisons.

How many days do you need for a honeymoon in Bora Bora?

Five to seven nights in Bora Bora is a comfortable length for most couples, given the long travel time to reach the island. A shorter stay can feel rushed. Many couples add a few nights on Moorea or Tahiti to see more of French Polynesia.