Bora Bora
A volcanic island inside a lagoon, known for overwater resorts, reef dives and lagoon boat trips.
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Bora Bora is a French island in the Leeward (Sous-le-Vent) group of the Society Islands, in French Polynesia. The main island is an extinct volcano ringed by a lagoon and barrier reef, and its highest point, Mount Otemanu, rises to 727 m. Many luxury resorts are built over the lagoon, and most beaches and hotels lie in the two large bays on the southwest side. The water changes color with depth, from dark indigo in deep areas to pastel blue and green in the shallows.
Visitors come for time on the water: glass-bottom boat trips, snorkeling, reef dives and guided deep-lagoon dives. Air Tahiti runs about five or six flights a day between Tahiti and Bora Bora Airport. The dry season, April to October, is warm and fairly dry, though trade winds can blow hard. The rainy season, November to April, brings humid air and heavy rain, though many sunny days still occur. Plan lagoon trips around wind and weather.
Bora Bora in five
- Fly in from TahitiFlights from Papeete take about 50 minutes and land on a motu. Resorts send boats to meet you, and a shuttle boat links the airport dock with Vaitape on the main island.
- Choose a motu or the main islandMotu resorts have the lagoon views but rely on boats for everything. Staying on the main island is cheaper and puts shops and restaurants within reach.
- Book one full-day lagoon tourBoat tours to snorkel with rays, sharks and coral gardens are the core of a visit. Check what is included, since lunches and gear vary.
- Budget for food and transfersAlmost everything is imported, and resort meals and boat transfers add up fast. Supermarkets in Vaitape help if you have a kitchen.
Things to do in Bora Bora
See all attractions in Bora Bora
Need to know
- Airport
- Bora Bora (BOB) on Motu Mute, then a boat
- Getting there
- About 50 min by air from Tahiti
- Getting around
- Boats on the lagoon; bikes and scooters on the main island
- Best base
- A motu for views, Matira Point for beaches on land
- Time needed
- 3–5 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Hot, wetJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 343 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
- FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Hot, wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
- MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hot, humidMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rain easingAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 216 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°DrierMayRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, trade windsJuneRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, trade winds
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, windyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, windy
- SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, clearSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°WarmOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°WetterNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 218 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- DecemberRain25 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Hot, wetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 286 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
Average daily high and low in Bora Bora, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bora Bora
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 72%
Bora Bora
02:04 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°25°72%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Tue26°25°75%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Wed26°24°39%Wednesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu27°25°33%Thursday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri27°25°50%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Sat27°25°39%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun27°25°51%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 51%.
Updated 12:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 106.9 XPF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tahitiabout five or six Air Tahiti flights a dayThe territory's administrative centre, which Bora Bora is administered from.Read the guide
- Tupaiby boat from the main islandUninhabited atoll in the same commune, a quiet day away from the resorts.
- Raiateaoccasional flights, check the scheduleAnother Society Island with its own lagoon and reef.
Before you go to Bora Bora
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Rules for Bora Bora, checked
- Bora Bora is outside the EU, so check the entry rules for your passport with France Diplomatie before you book.Source
- Shark fishing has been banned since 2012. Shark and ray dives are run by dive operators, so book one there.
- Prices are in CFP francs, which are pegged to the euro. Check the exchange rate with your bank before you travel.
- Marae are ancient ceremonial sites. Treat them with respect and do not take stones away from Marae Fare Opu or other marae.
- French is the official language, and most people working with tourists usually know basic English.
Plan around Bora Bora
Islands, flights and the dry season
Read the guideMooreaA ferry island with more to do on land
Read the guideTahitiArrival island, Papeete and flights on
Read the guideMoney on Bora BoraCards, cash and imported-food prices
Read the guideInsurance for Bora BoraCover for cancelled flights and boats
Read the guideLagoon toursRays, sharks and coral gardens
Read the guideBora Bora FAQ
How do I get to Bora Bora?
Fly to Tahiti, then take an inter-island flight of about 50 minutes. The airport is on a motu, so the last leg is always by boat.
When is the best time to visit Bora Bora?
May to October is drier and less humid, with steady trade winds. November to April is hotter and wetter, with short heavy showers.
Can you visit Bora Bora on a budget?
It is expensive, but a guesthouse or hotel on the main island, supermarket meals and one shared lagoon tour keep costs lower than a motu resort.
How many days do you need in Bora Bora?
Three to five nights is typical. One day goes to a lagoon tour, one to the main island by bike or scooter, and the rest to the beach, which is why a shorter stay still feels complete.
Is Bora Bora worth it if I am not on honeymoon?
Yes, if you want the lagoon itself: snorkeling, paddleboarding and boat days. If you prefer hiking and local life, Moorea or Tahiti give more for the money, and the two pair well in a longer trip.