Top places to go · French Polynesia
A single lagoon with one pass, ringed by motu resorts under Mount Otemanu.
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Open the offersBora Bora is a volcanic island in the Society Islands whose lagoon, about three times the size of the land, is enclosed by a barrier reef with a single pass, Teavanui, on the west. All flights arrive via Tahiti; the 50-minute Air Tahiti hop lands on Motu Mute, and resorts collect guests by boat.
The island’s highest point at 727 m (2,385 ft). Its brittle volcanic spire cannot be climbed; hikes go only to the shoulders.
Stay nearby: Four Seasons Resort Bora BoraThe largest public beach on the main island, on the southern tip, with hotels and restaurants along it.
The main village on the western side opposite the lagoon pass, home to about half the island’s population; 15 minutes from the airport by boat shuttle.
Private motu on the outer reef holding Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, with a lagoon sanctuary that doubles as a marine research facility.
Stay nearby: Four Seasons Resort Bora BoraA 44-acre motu on the outer reef occupied by The St. Regis Bora Bora, which has the largest overwater villas in French Polynesia and a Jean-Georges restaurant over the water.
Stay nearby: The St. Regis Bora Bora ResortOne of the island’s two best-known dive sites, where manta rays visit a cleaning station; mantas are seen year round, best June to October.
Shallow snorkelling reef between motus on the lagoon, a standard stop on half-day lagoon tours alongside the ray and blacktip shark sites.
US Seabees landed on 17 February 1942 (Operation Bobcat) and installed eight 7-inch guns in two batteries above Matira Point, Fitiiu Point, Farepiti and Tereia; seven remain, never fired.
The ’Vanilla Island’ nearby, responsible for about 80 percent of French Polynesia’s vanilla; a channel between two of its motus forms a celebrated coral garden drift snorkel.
UNESCO World Heritage since 9 July 2017, once the central temple of Eastern Polynesia, with a basalt-paved courtyard of 44 by 60 metres; the listing includes the adjacent bays, lagoon and pass.
Planning the days? Top things to do in Bora Bora →
Booked through us as a Virtuoso advisor: the same rate as booking direct, with the Virtuoso amenities confirmed in writing.
Best months are May to October (dry season); cyclone season November to April. Tell us your dates and we will say honestly whether they work.
BOB Bora Bora Airport (Motu Mute), via PPT Faa’a International, Tahiti. We arrange transfers to the hotel as part of the booking.
It depends on the trip. The hotels listed above are the top tier; we match the property to your dates, group and style and confirm the Virtuoso amenities in writing.
