Bora Bora
Plan Bora Bora with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
From the deck of a small boat in the middle of the lagoon, Bora Bora looks almost unreal. The water shifts from pale turquoise over white sand to deep sapphire in the channels, the dark basalt peak of Mount Otemanu rises straight from the green slopes, and a ring of palm-covered islets traces the outer reef where the Pacific breaks in a line of white surf. A ray glides beneath the hull, the scent of tiare flowers drifts from the shore, and the only sound is the wind.
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Bora Bora Day Tours
View allBora Bora at first sight
Bora Bora lies in the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia, about fifty minutes by air north-west of Tahiti. It is the remains of an ancient volcano, now encircled by one of the most beautiful lagoons on earth and a barrier reef with a single navigable pass. Polynesian navigators settled here many centuries ago, leaving sacred stone marae, and during the Second World War the island became an American supply base. Today it is a world-famous symbol of the South Seas.
Why include Bora Bora in your itinerary?
- The world's most famous lagoon. Clear, warm water in every shade of blue surrounds the island, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and boat trips among rays, reef sharks and colourful coral gardens.
- Mount Otemanu and the motu. The jagged volcanic peak in the centre and the sandy, palm-covered islets around the reef create a landscape that is unforgettable from the water, the beach or the air.
- Polynesian warmth and culture. Flower garlands, dance, music, outrigger canoes and the gentle hospitality of the islanders turn a beautiful place into a truly memorable journey.
Signature experiences in Bora Bora
A Day on the Lagoon and its Motu
A full day on the lagoon is the essential Bora Bora experience. Boats take you to snorkel among colourful coral gardens, swim beside graceful stingrays and blacktip reef sharks in shallow water, and look for manta rays in the deeper channels. Many outings stop on a motu for a Polynesian picnic of fresh fish, fruit and coconut, with demonstrations of pareo tying and coconut husking. We arrange shared and private lagoon trips.
Matira Beach
At the southern tip of the main island, Matira Beach is one of the finest public beaches in the South Pacific, a long curve of powdery white sand sloping gently into calm, shallow turquoise water. It is ideal for families and swimmers, with views across the lagoon to the motu and spectacular sunsets. Walk out along the sandbank at Matira Point, where the water stays knee-deep far from shore.
Mount Otemanu and the Island Tour
The road around the main island passes small villages, churches, fruit stands and lookouts over the lagoon. Four-wheel-drive tours climb into the hills for close views of Mount Otemanu, whose sheer summit is too fragile to climb, and visit the coastal guns left from the Second World War, still pointing out to sea. Guides share stories of the island's legends, plants and history along the way.
Polynesian Culture and Marae
Bora Bora's ancient marae, open-air temples of stacked stone, were the sacred centres of island life, and some still show petroglyphs of turtles carved into the rocks. Learn about Polynesian navigation and tattoo, a word that comes from the Tahitian tatau, watch traditional dance and drumming, and visit black pearl showrooms where the iridescent pearls of French Polynesia are graded and set.
Diving, Snorkelling and Paddling
The waters around Bora Bora offer superb diving outside the reef, with lemon sharks, eagle rays and turtles, while the lagoon is perfect for snorkelling straight from the beach. Paddle a kayak or an outrigger canoe across the calm water to a deserted motu, try a glass-bottom kayak, or join a sunset cruise as the sky turns gold behind the peak of Otemanu.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Bora Bora
The Eastern Motu
Most of Bora Bora's famous overwater bungalows stand on the motu along the eastern reef, facing the lagoon and the dramatic profile of Mount Otemanu. Each resort is reached by boat, offering seclusion, private terraces over the water and direct access to snorkelling. It is the classic choice for honeymoons and special occasions, with boat shuttles to Vaitape on the main island.
Matira Point and the South
Around Matira Point, on the main island, hotels, guesthouses and small family pensions line the island's best public beach, with easy access to restaurants, shops and activities by road. It suits travellers who want beach life with more independence and variety, and some of the finest sunset views on the island.
Vaitape and the West Coast
Vaitape is the main village of Bora Bora, where the boats from the airport arrive, with the town hall, the church, a small craft market, pearl shops, grocery stores and the departure points for lagoon trips. Guesthouses and small hotels along the west coast are good value and practical, with views across the lagoon to the motu and the sunset.
Faanui and Anau
In the north, the bay of Faanui hides ancient marae and relics of the wartime American base, while the village of Anau on the east coast keeps a quiet, local rhythm. Small family guesthouses here offer an authentic stay among islanders, with simple comforts, simple Polynesian family cooking and the lagoon right outside the door.
How long to stay in Bora Bora and how to pair it
Recommended stay
We recommend four to five nights in Bora Bora. One day for a full lagoon safari with lunch on a motu, one for Matira Beach and the island tour, one for diving or snorkelling, and the rest simply to enjoy the lagoon from your bungalow or the beach. Combine Bora Bora with Tahiti and Moorea for a perfect journey through French Polynesia.
How to pair it
Bora Bora pairs naturally with Moorea, a short flight away, for its jagged peaks, pineapple plantations and dolphins, and with Tahiti itself for the market of Papeete, black sand beaches and waterfalls. Nearby Raiatea holds the great sacred marae of Taputapuatea, listed by UNESCO, and Taha'a is known as the vanilla island. Our team arranges flights and private transfers between the islands.
Best time to visit Bora Bora and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best time to visit Bora Bora is the dry season from May to October, when the weather is sunny, less humid and cooled by trade winds. July brings the colourful Heiva festival of dance and music. From November to April, the warm wet season brings short tropical showers and higher humidity, but also lush landscapes and fewer visitors. Humpback whales visit the islands of French Polynesia from about July to November.
The daily rhythm
Bora Bora moves at an island pace. Days start early with the light and the calm water, the best time for lagoon trips, snorkelling and photography. Middays are for swimming, shade and lunch by the water. Afternoons bring trade winds and paddling, and evenings centre on the sunset over the lagoon, followed by quiet dinners. Shops in Vaitape close early, and Sundays are peaceful family days.
On-the-ground logistics in Bora Bora
Arrival
International flights arrive at Tahiti Faa'a International Airport (PPT), from where a domestic flight of about fifty minutes reaches Bora Bora Airport (BOB), built on a motu in the lagoon. From there, a boat crossing of around fifteen to twenty minutes brings you to Vaitape or straight to the motu resorts. We arrange your private boat and road transfers so you are met on arrival and taken directly to your hotel.
Getting around
The main island is small, with a single coastal road around it, easily explored by car, scooter, electric bicycle or small buggy. There is no regular public bus, and taxis are few, so plan ahead. Boats are the main way to reach the motu and the lagoon, with resort shuttles linking them to Vaitape. For island tours and transfers, a private driver or boat arranged by our team is the easiest way.
Local etiquette tip
Polynesians are warm and gentle, so greet people with ia ora na and thank them with mauruuru. Swimwear belongs on the beach and boats, so cover up in villages, shops and churches, especially on Sundays. Treat marae as sacred places and never climb on the stones. In the lagoon, never touch or stand on coral, never chase or grab rays and sharks, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Tipping is not customary.
Must-do things in Bora Bora
- Spend a full day on a lagoon safari
- Snorkel among the coral gardens of the lagoon
- Swim beside gentle stingrays in shallow water
- Enjoy a Polynesian picnic on a motu
- Relax on the white sand of Matira Beach
- See Mount Otemanu up close on a 4x4 tour
- Visit the ancient marae and their petroglyphs
- Paddle an outrigger canoe across the lagoon
- Discover the black pearls of French Polynesia
- Watch the sunset behind Mount Otemanu
Do’s and don’ts in Bora Bora
Do
- Do use reef-safe sunscreen in the lagoon
- Do learn to say ia ora na and mauruuru
- Do book lagoon trips early in the dry season
- Do wear water shoes on coral and rocks
- Do bring light, modest clothes for villages
Don’t
- Don't touch, stand on or take coral
- Don't chase or grab rays and sharks
- Don't climb on the stones of the marae
- Don't wear swimwear away from the beach
- Don't expect public buses around the island
Bora Bora at a glance
Plan Bora Bora with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Bora Bora.
Where should I stay in Bora Bora?
Stay on the eastern motu for overwater bungalows, seclusion and views of Mount Otemanu, at Matira Point for the island's best public beach and more independence, or in Vaitape and the west coast for practical, good-value guesthouses. Family pensions in Faanui and Anau offer an authentic local stay. Our team suggests the best option and arranges your private boat and road transfers.
Is Bora Bora worth visiting?
Yes. Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful islands on earth, with a lagoon of extraordinary colour, the dramatic peak of Mount Otemanu, excellent snorkelling with rays and reef sharks and warm Polynesian hospitality. It is a dream destination for honeymoons, anniversaries and once-in-a-lifetime trips, and it combines beautifully with Tahiti and Moorea.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Bora Bora?
Dress is relaxed and light, with swimwear for the beach and boats, and modest clothes covering shoulders and knees in villages, shops and churches. Respect the marae as sacred sites, protect the coral and wildlife of the lagoon, and greet people warmly with ia ora na. Tipping is not expected in French Polynesia, though a kind word is always appreciated.
Is Bora Bora suitable for families and Muslim travellers?
Yes. Bora Bora is calm, safe and welcoming, and children love the shallow lagoon, the rays and the motu picnics. Halal restaurants are not available on the island, and there are no mosques, but fresh fish, Polynesian raw fish in coconut milk, tropical fruit, rice and vegetarian dishes are easy to find, and hotel kitchens can often adapt meals. Our team can advise in advance.
Is it safe to travel to Bora Bora now?
Bora Bora and French Polynesia are generally considered very safe for travellers. The main risks are natural: protect yourself from the strong tropical sun, follow your guide's instructions in the water, wear water shoes and keep a respectful distance from marine life. Check your own government's official travel advice before departure, and keep our WhatsApp line handy throughout your stay.
What are the must-do things in Bora Bora?
The must-do things in Bora Bora include a lagoon safari with snorkelling among rays, reef sharks and coral gardens, a picnic on a motu, Matira Beach, a 4x4 island tour for views of Mount Otemanu, the ancient marae, paddling an outrigger canoe, black pearl showrooms and the sunset over the lagoon. Our private tours combine these at the best times of day.
How many days do you need in Bora Bora?
Four to five days is ideal for Bora Bora: one for a lagoon safari, one for Matira Beach and the island tour, one for diving or paddling, and time to simply enjoy the lagoon. Three days covers the highlights, while a week or more allows you to combine Bora Bora with Tahiti, Moorea or Taha'a.
What can I book in Bora Bora with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, including Bora Bora Full-Day Lagoon Safari with Lunch on a Motu. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Bora Bora?
With a private transfer: a driver at arrivals, flight tracking and a fixed price for the whole vehicle, door to door. Tell the desk the flight number and the hotel.
Is there public transport from the airport to Bora Bora?
Public options vary by airport and end at a station rather than your hotel; the private transfer starts at the arrivals door and ends at your door.
Which tours are available in Bora Bora?
Among them: Bora Bora Full-Day Lagoon Safari with Lunch on a Motu. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Bora Bora?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.