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Palm trees swaying above white-sand beaches. Overwater bungalows perched atop the bluest water you’ve ever seen. A shimmering lagoon dotted with tiny tropical islets. Rarely does a place live up to the hype like Bora Bora.
Adrift in the South Pacific, northwest of Tahiti, Bora Bora’s tiny archipelago makes up part of French Polynesia, a little corner of the world where exotic beauty comes as standard. Even here, Bora Bora has the last word on perfection: a ring of atolls surrounds its idyllic lagoon, while twin mountain peaks blanketed by jungle, rise abruptly from the main island at its centre.
Its waters, teeming with tropical fish, manta rays and sharks, draw scuba divers, while newlyweds flock to its luxury resorts for their honeymoon. In between, travellers paddle in its shallow lagoon, laze on dreamy beaches, and spend their days blissed out by Bora Bora’s chilled island aura.
While an increase in mid-range hotels has made this once-exclusive destination slightly more affordable in recent years, holidays to Bora Bora occupy “once-in-a-lifetime” territory for most. Many travellers visit Bora Bora as part of a longer trip to the region, as part of a package holiday or a luxury cruise. Some of the most expensive five-star hotels are found on the private atolls on the edges of the lagoon. The central main island offers more of a mix.
In old Tahitian, Bora Bora means 'created by gods'. And when you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why.
Bora Bora is generally considered to be a safe destination, and here are no specific concerns for travel to French Polynesia and Bora Bora. For the most up-to-date travel advice for Bora Bora, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Currently, British citizens do not need a visa to enter Bora Bora.
Up to date courses of routine vaccinations (such as MMR) are recommended, as are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Tetanus. If you are travelling to Bora Bora from a country where these is a risk of Yellow Fever transition (this includes a transit period of 12 hours through the airport of such countries), then you will be required to show a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. For more information, consult the NHS website.
How long you spend in Bora Bora really depends on the type of holiday you’re after. It’s possible to see and do a lot in three full days, but if you’d like some to time to relax, then consider up to a week. Most people visit Bora Bora as a part of a bigger trip to Polynesia.
There is next to no public transport network in Bora Bora. Bicycles are useful for smaller islands and resorts, while car hire is useful for exploring the main island.
26 hrs
(from London)
French Pacific franc (CPF)
French