Bora Bora was a trip of a lifetime for me. I first heard of Bora Bora sometime in 2014/2015 on our Ex-student WhatsApp group. One of our schoolmate (let’s call her Gina) was posting pictures on Facebook with Bora Bora as the location and another school mate of ours (let’s call her Ciara) thought it can’t be and wore her CIA hat. Only to discover that it was a lie – Gina was not in Bora Bora. All the pictures Gina had been posting were from Google. The issue was hot in the group because there was a ‘caught’. I have never laughed so hard in my life. They were at it for weeks. Ciara kept on saying if you are or were in Bora Bora share a picture of you there. Crickets………
I googled Bora Bora to see what was so special about it that someone had to lie about going there. I was blown away by its beauty. I took a screenshot and sent it to the group saying, “this is heaven on earth, and I must visit it one day”. I didn’t know when. I started doing my research and that was how I got an idea of how much flights and hotels cost. I started saving towards it and 9 years later, I gave myself that trip as a 35th birthday gift. Best gift ever.
The island of Bora Bora is located Northwest of Tahiti and about 50mins from Papeete. The airport is located on its own private motu. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a fragrant flower lei and transferred by boat to your resort. You fall in love with this island right before you touchdown. The view from the window of the left side of the plane is unforgettable (refer to my step-by-step guide to Bora Bora for the most detailed guide ever).
The population of Bora Bora is about 11000 people. The island is very safe with extremely low crime levels. Bora Bora is known for its gorgeous views of Mt. Otemanu, overwater bungalows, crystal clear lagoon, and incredible marine life. If you have Bora Bora on your bucket list, do not stop at just saving images of it. Save up and make this dream trip a reality. It is the perfect vacation for everyone and anyone. From the moment you arrive, each experience continues to exceed your expectations.
Getting There
Remember that you are changing time zones, so be mindful of your arrival time and date.
From Charlotte, we flew with American Airlines to LAX. We had about a 4-hour layover in Los Angeles before boarding our flight to Papeete. From there, we flew business class with Air Tahiti Nui and those 8 hours absolutely flew by. The service, comfort, and hospitality were truly exceptional and made the long-haul journey feel effortless.
Since we arrived late in Tahiti (around 11 PM) and our flight to Bora Bora was scheduled for 7 AM the next morning, we booked a stay at Tahiti Airport Motel. Located directly across from the airport, it was the perfect place to spend the night. Clean, convenient, and surprisingly spacious, it did exactly what we needed after a long travel day. When we arrived, we took a taxi to the hotel and paid $20. The next morning, we walked to the airport. That is how close the hotel is to the airport.
Our bags didn’t make it to Tahiti, but Air Tahiti Nui handled it well. They provided us with a generous toiletry kit which even included pajamas along with a $100 reimbursement. Thankfully, our luggage arrived the next day, so it all worked out in the end.
If you are traveling to Bora Bora, spending a week there is ideal. Here is how to spend the perfect week in paradise.
Day 1 – Arrival and check-in. unpack and get familiar with the resort property.
Day 2 – Visit the main island and explore the city of Vaitape.
Day 3 – Have canoe breakfast delivery and spend the day enjoying the resort.
Day 4 – Photoshoot day and explore the Lagoonarium at the resort.
Day 5 – Half day excursion with Lagoon service
Day 6 – Have a Spa Day.
Day 7 – Travel day back home.
Where To Stay
Bora Bora has one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons and one of the best ways to experience the crystal-clear waters is by staying in an over water bungalow at a luxury resort like Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa – which is where we stayed. Staying at this resort gives you the best view of Mt. Otemanu. This resort has beach villas, and different categories of overwater bungalows.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed with the sound of the Piu and beautiful ladies smiling as your boat pulls up. The welcome is so warm and inviting. Once you get off the boat, you do not lift a finger. The staff takes your luggage and there is a golf cart waiting. You and your luggage get whisked off to the reception area. At check-in, you are welcomed with cold towels and vanilla infused water to keep you refreshed.
If you arrive early before check-in time (like we did), the resort has day rooms. You are given a key to your assigned day room. These day rooms have a couch, shower, toilet and AC. These day rooms are also available on the day you checkout. If your flight is in the evening, you can enjoy the resort, swim, play etc and when it’s time to go, you can use your assigned day room to shower, change and prepare for your departure. If you arrive in the morning before check-in, you can take a shower, change your clothes and start enjoying the resort and whenever your room is ready, they will send you an email. By the time you get the email, your luggage will be in your room already. The driver picks you up with a golf cart and takes you to your villa. Once you get there, you are given a tour of your villa with important information you will need. At the airport, the hotel gives each guest a personalized water bottle. Such a thoughtful gift especially because Bora Bora is very hot, you will need to stay hydrated.
Staying here, you will spend your day snorkeling in the shadow of Mt. Otemanu, indulging in Spa treatments, drinking out of a coconut, and dining on fresh seafood……. Heaven!
Things to Do In Bora Bora
Bora Bora is the ultimate destination for relaxation, which is what we mostly did. You might have a few bucket list activities to do here but avoid overloading your itinerary. You are paying thousands of dollars for the resort; you might as well enjoy it. Here are things to do when you visit Bora Bora.
VISIT THE MAIN ISLAND
I highly recommend you dedicate a day to visit the main island of Bora Bora called Vaitape. You get to buy souvenirs from there at a cheaper rate, tour the small island, and get to experience life with the locals outside your resort. To visit from Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa, you take a shuttle boat to Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana (which happens to be on the main island). There is a boat schedule at the front desk, and it costs 3900CPF ($39) per person for a round trip. Shop for gifts at the Vaitape marketplace where they sell traditional goods like leis, tiare soap and oils, vanilla, shell necklaces, island clothing, and jewelry (Black Tahitian pearl). You will also get to enjoy street musicians playing the ukulele.
While on the mainland, admire the island inspired architecture. There is this beautiful yellow church in Vaitape called Temple Ebene Ezera de Vaitape.
VISIT MATIRA BEACH
This beach is one you must visit when you are on the mainland. It is located right across the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana. This beach has been voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. White sand, soft powdery sand, turquoise water, and shallow water make it good for swimming. It is a public beach, but there are no large crowds nor traffic. Matira beach feels remote and untouched. You can snorkel, swim and sunbathe here.
TIP: This beach does not have a ton of shade. Pack a shade umbrella if you have one, a hat, and lots of sunscreen.
STAY IN AN OVERWATER BUNGALOW
Splurge and stay in an overwater bungalow even for a night or two. We stayed in an overwater bungalow our entire time in Bora Bora. Jumping straight into the turquoise lagoon water is unforgettable. If you bring floaties, you can tie them to your bungalow and just float in the lagoon while the sun set.
GO SWIMMING WITH SHARKS AND STINGRAYS
This excursion is a must when in Bora Bora. It was a bucket list item for me, and I was just happy to be ticking it off finally. Since it was a bucket list item of mine, it was the only time I was ready to leave the resort for an activity. Booking this activity allows you to start by swimming with stingrays, snorkeling in the coral garden (seeing the I love Bora Bora sign underwater was a nice touch), and then end the tour by swimming with black tip sharks. One word to describe this experience is exhilarating. There are two options for the excursion – half day (what we chose) and full day. There are different companies to choose from, so find what works best for you per your budget and time wise. We did our tour with lagoon service (which we booked directly through the concierge at the hotel), and our guide Nico was the best.
A CANOE BREAKFAST DELIVERY
Having your breakfast delivered on a canoe is a must-have experience. I had a canoe breakfast delivery on the morning of my birthday – talk about a dream come true moment. They announce their arrival by blowing a conch shell and that sound awakens gratitude in you. While the breakfast table is being set up, you get a ride around the lagoon. Such a moment.
BOOK A PHOTOSHOOT
How else will you bring your memories back?
GET A FLOWER CROWN
You will have a real-life Moana moment when you get a flower crown and wear it.
HAVE A POLYNESIAN MASSAGE
A trip to French Polynesia is not complete without a Polynesian massage. Being in Bora Bora is relaxing but take the relaxation up a notch by booking a Polynesian massage. You get to watch the fish swim through the glass floor while getting your massage done. Our hotel has the best spa in Bora Bora and we made use of it. I also took my first cold plunge in Bora Bora at the spa. When you book a spa session, it gives you access to the whole spa facility for the day.
ENJOY THE SUNSETS
The sunsets in Bora Bora are spectacular, take advantage of watching them daily. Something to note is, Bora Bora has no night life. Also, most restaurants close early. Well, you are traveling to Bora Bora to slow down and relax right? Plan to do just that.
EMBRACE THE TAHITIAN CULTURE
Tahitians are so kind and hospitable. From the moment you arrive at the airport in Tahiti, you are welcomed by live Tahitian singers and dancers performing for you. We were also greeted with fresh flower leis at the desk of our hotel at the airport in Bora Bora. You are welcomed by the sound of a piu when you arrive at the resort. Tahitians learn French, Tahitian, and English in school, making them ready to speak to you.
CULTURAL DEMONSTRATION AT THE HOTEL
These are free activities offered by the resort daily. At our resort, they had different activities daily at 12pm. We learned how to open coconuts, braid coconut leaves into bags (Chanel who?), caps, and headbands, and make posisson cru (their national dish). This is a fun way to get to know the culture. We all looked forward to 12pm everyday just to learn something new and interact with other guests. There is also a cultural night at the resort where they perform and dance during dinner. After giving us a show, they walk around and select guests randomly to join them on stage. So fun and entertaining.
GO KAYAKING IN THE LAGOON
The resort offers water sport activities like kayaking and paddleboards. They provide complimentary kayaks and paddleboards for the guests on a first come, first serve basis. Such a fun way to explore the lagoon.
Our resort has a lagoonarium where you can swim with the fish. The lagoonarium has some beautiful, colorful fish. There is also a beautiful chapel overlooking the lagoonarium and Mt. Otemanu – very picturesque. If you want a romantic candlelit dinner by the lagoonarium, the hotel can set that up for you. Saw a few during our stay and we could not stop with awwwwww.
The above activities are the things we did in Bora Bora during our visit. There are other activities that can be done like jet ski, helicopter ride, day trip to the love shaped island, hike Mt. Pahia, 4×4 safaris, and sunset cruise. Pick whichever activity you will love to do in Bora Bora and enjoy it.
Restaurants To Check out
If you are a lover of restaurants, here is a list of some restaurants to check out when you visit. Please note, it involves you getting on the shuttle (boat) from point A to B.
Bloody Mary’s (it was under construction when we were there)
La Villa Mahana
Bora Bora beach club
St. James
You made it to the end, hope this encourages you to make that trip to Bora Bora happen.
