Hotels in Bora Bora

Bora Bora: Overwater Bungalows and a Dormant Volcanic Peak

Bora Bora sits in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, roughly 230 km northwest of Papeete. At its centre rises Mount Otemanu, a dormant basalt peak reaching 727 metres, encircled by a turquoise lagoon and a protective coral reef. The island measures just 29.3 km² of dry land, making orientation straightforward. A single main road loops Vaitape, the principal village on the western shore, connecting small neighbourhoods like Anau to the east and Matira Point in the south — the only stretch of public beach on the island.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster along the Matira Beach strip and on motu islets — small coral islets on the reef — accessible by hotel shuttle boat. The Motu Piti Aau and Motu Tapu host several large overwater-bungalow resorts. Budget travellers find guesthouses (pensions) in Vaitape village, typically a 10-minute drive from Matira Beach. Properties range from pension-style rooms to four-pearl overwater suites.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Bora Bora Airport (BOB) sits on a motu and accepts domestic flights from Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete; flight time is roughly 50 minutes.
• Currency: CFP franc (XPF); major hotels accept credit cards, but smaller vendors prefer cash.
• Seasons: The dry season runs May through October — lower humidity and calmer lagoon conditions for snorkelling.