Outrigger Canoeing
Paddle a va'a, the traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe, across the calm lagoon. Each year the Hawaiki Nui Va'a race finishes at Matira Point.
Bora Bora is a small volcanic island in the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia, about 230 km northwest of Tahiti in the South Pacific. Its jagged green peaks, Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia, rise from the middle of a vast turquoise lagoon, ringed by a coral reef and a chain of sandy islets known as motus.
Famous for its overwater bungalows, powder-white beaches and crystal-clear water, Bora Bora is one of the world's most celebrated honeymoon destinations. Swim with rays and reef sharks, paddle an outrigger canoe, visit ancient marae and Polynesian villages, or simply relax as the sun sets over the lagoon.
Swim, snorkel and cruise across a calm lagoon in every shade of blue, protected by a coral reef and dotted with palm-fringed motus.
Stay in a thatched bungalow above the water, with lagoon views from your deck and steps straight down into the sea.
Quiet beaches, candlelit dinners on the sand and sunset cruises make Bora Bora a dream for honeymooners and couples.
Meet gentle rays, blacktip reef sharks and colourful reef fish in the shallow lagoon, or dive with manta rays and lemon sharks.
Discover ancient marae, traditional dance and music, outrigger canoes and the warm welcome of the island's people.
The lagoon is the heart of every Bora Bora holiday. Join a boat or outrigger tour to snorkel the coral gardens, swim beside gentle rays and blacktip reef sharks in shallow water, and enjoy a Polynesian picnic lunch on a quiet motu.
*Much of the lagoon is calm and shallow, so snorkelling here is easy even for beginners.
The jagged basalt peak of Mount Otemanu, the remains of an ancient volcano, rises 727 metres above the lagoon and appears in almost every view of Bora Bora. Admire it from a boat, on a 4x4 tour of the interior or from the top of neighbouring Mount Pahia.
*Mount Otemanu's crumbly rock makes its summit unsafe to climb; 4x4 tours and the Mount Pahia trail offer the best close-up views.
Bora Bora's resorts sit on the main island and on the motus around the lagoon, many with thatched overwater bungalows. Wake up above the water, swim from your private deck and watch Mount Otemanu glow in the evening light.
*Overwater bungalows are in demand all year, so book early for June to September and the Christmas holidays.
Paddle a va'a, the traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe, across the calm lagoon. Each year the Hawaiki Nui Va'a race finishes at Matira Point.
Glide across the clear, shallow water by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, with Mount Otemanu as your backdrop.
Set sail on a catamaran cruise across the lagoon in the late afternoon and watch the sun sink slowly behind the motus.
With a local guide, fit walkers can climb the steep, rope-assisted trail from Vaitape up Mount Pahia for sweeping views of the lagoon.
Ride a 4x4 up rugged hill tracks to panoramic lookouts and the American coastal cannons placed here during World War II.
Hire a bicycle and follow the 32 km coast road around the island, past villages, beaches and lagoon viewpoints.
Browse the boutiques of Vaitape for Tahitian black pearls, along with colourful pareos, monoi oil and local crafts.
*Bora Bora offers a perfect blend of lagoon adventures, culture and romance — ideal for honeymooners, couples and families alike.
Experience Polynesian culture at the Heiva i Bora Bora festival in July, with drumming, singing and 'ori Tahiti dance competitions in Vaitape. Listen to ukulele music, wear a fragrant tiare flower crown, learn about the ancient marae and the art of Polynesian tattoo, and share a traditional ma'a Tahiti feast cooked in an underground oven.
Bora Bora is warm and sunny all year. The dry season, from about May to October, brings lower humidity, cooling trade winds and the best conditions for lagoon trips. The wet season, from November to April, is hotter and more humid, with short tropical downpours, lush green scenery and quieter resorts.
Bora Bora has a tropical climate, with temperatures between about 24°C and 31°C throughout the year and lagoon water warm enough for swimming in every season. Most rain falls from December to March, when occasional tropical storms are possible.
Peak Season: June to September and the Christmas and New Year holidays, when the weather is driest and resorts book up early.
Off-Peak Season: November to April (outside the holidays), when brief tropical showers bring fewer visitors and better resort offers.
Polynesian cooking is built on fresh fish, coconut and tropical fruit, with a strong French influence. Try poisson cru, raw tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk, a ma'a Tahiti feast from the underground ahima'a oven, roasted breadfruit and grilled mahi-mahi, followed by po'e, a sweet fruit pudding served with coconut cream. Most resorts also offer international menus with vegetarian options.
Bora Bora is reached via Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport in Papeete, followed by a short domestic flight. There are no direct flights from India, so most travellers connect through a major hub in Asia, the Pacific or North America.
Fly from India to Papeete (PPT) on Tahiti with one or two connections, commonly via Tokyo, Auckland or Los Angeles. Air Tahiti then flies from Papeete to Bora Bora in about 50 minutes.
Indian passport holders need a visa for French Polynesia, which is not covered by a standard Schengen visa. Check current requirements before you travel; we assist with visa applications.
Bora Bora Airport sits on Motu Mute, an islet in the lagoon, so arrivals continue by boat to Vaitape or straight to their resort. On the main island, use taxis, rental cars, scooters or bicycles on the 32 km coast road.
May to October is the dry season, with sunny days, lower humidity and calm conditions for lagoon trips. November to April is warmer and wetter but still enjoyable, with fewer visitors outside the holidays.
There are no direct flights. Fly to Papeete on Tahiti with one or two connections, commonly via Tokyo, Auckland or Los Angeles, then take a short Air Tahiti flight of about 50 minutes to Bora Bora.
Yes. Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia, and Indian passport holders need a visa to visit; a standard Schengen visa is not valid there. Requirements change, so check the latest rules before you travel; our team can assist with your visa application.
Four to five nights in Bora Bora is ideal for a lagoon tour, an island tour and plenty of time to relax at your resort. Many travellers combine it with Tahiti and Moorea for a 7 to 10-day trip.
Yes. With overwater bungalows, quiet beaches, sunset cruises and candlelit dinners, Bora Bora is one of the world's most popular honeymoon destinations.
The blacktip reef sharks and rays seen on lagoon tours are shy species that rarely pose a risk to snorkellers. Always swim with a licensed guide and follow their instructions.
French Polynesia uses the CFP franc (XPF). Cards are accepted at resorts and most shops, but carry some cash for small cafés, markets and local stalls.
French and Tahitian are the main languages. English is widely spoken at resorts, with tour operators and in many shops.
: Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about exclusive offers, new destinations, and travel tips.
