Vaitape (main village)

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The main settlement on the island, with the ferry dock, shops, a market, pearl boutiques and a few local restaurants. The island's practical hub.

Explore Bora Bora

Bora Bora — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Bora Bora — TL;DR

Bora Bora is the image the word 'paradise' conjures: a jagged volcanic peak, Mount Otemanu, rising from a lagoon of every imaginable shade of blue and turquoise, ringed by a necklace of palm-covered motu and the overwater bungalows that were, in fact, invented here.

Bora Bora at a glance

What are the best things to do in Bora Bora? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Bora Bora trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Bora Bora? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Bora Bora — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a…
When is the best time to visit Bora Bora? May to October (the dry season) for the sunniest, least humid weather and calmest lagoon — the peak season.
Where should I stay in Bora Bora for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Bora Bora? Fly from Tahiti (Pape'ete) to Bora Bora's motu airport, then transfer by boat.

Bora Bora overview

May to October (the dry season) for the sunniest, least humid weather and calmest lagoon — the peak season. November to April is warmer and wetter with occasional storms, but quieter and cheaper. The lagoon is beautiful year-round.
Fly from Tahiti (Pape'ete) to Bora Bora's motu airport, then transfer by boat. On the island, resorts run boat shuttles; a hire car, scooter or bicycle circles the small main island (Vaitape). The lagoon itself is explored by boat, kayak and on foot.
CFP Franc (₣)
French and Tahitian. English is spoken at resorts.
TAHT (UTC-10)
A wave of reimagined and new luxury overwater resorts; a focus on sustainability and lagoon conservation; elevated Tahitian-French-Asian fusion dining; and premium private-motu and lagoon experiences for honeymooners and celebrations.

Where to eat, drink & do in Bora Bora

Bora Bora neighborhoods

Vaitape (main village) The main settlement on the island, with the ferry dock, shops, a market, pearl boutiques and a few local restaurants. The island's practical hub.
Matira Point & Beach The island's southern tip, home to Matira Beach — the only real public beach and one of the most beautiful in the Pacific. The heart of the main island's life.
The Motu (outer islets) The ring of palm-covered islets around the lagoon, home to the overwater luxury resorts and pristine sandbars. Where most visitors stay and dream.
The Lagoon The vast, shallow, impossibly coloured lagoon at the island's heart, alive with rays, reef sharks and coral gardens. The reason to come.

Practical info for Bora Bora

Getting around in Bora Bora? Fly from Tahiti (Pape'ete) to Bora Bora's motu airport, then transfer by boat. On the island, resorts run boat shuttles; a hire car, scooter or bicycle circles the small main island (Vaitape).
When to go in Bora Bora? May to October (the dry season) for the sunniest, least humid weather and calmest lagoon — the peak season. November to April is warmer and wetter with occasional storms, but quieter and cheaper. The lagoon is beautiful year-round.
What's changing now in Bora Bora? A wave of reimagined and new luxury overwater resorts; a focus on sustainability and lagoon conservation; elevated Tahitian-French-Asian fusion dining; and premium private-motu and lagoon experiences for honeymooners and celebrations.
Seek out The Coral Gardens & shark-and-ray snorkel in Bora Bora? Specific lagoon spots where you can snorkel among vibrant coral, blacktip reef sharks and gentle stingrays in warm, shallow water. Thrilling and safe with a guide.
Base yourself in Vaitape (main village) in Bora Bora? The main settlement on the island, with the ferry dock, shops, a market, pearl boutiques and a few local restaurants. The island's practical hub. Known for village, shops, pearls.

Frequently asked questions about Bora Bora

What are the best things to do in Bora Bora? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Bora Bora trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Bora Bora tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Bora Bora? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Bora Bora — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Bora Bora? May to October (the dry season) for the sunniest, least humid weather and calmest lagoon — the peak season. November to April is warmer and wetter with occasional storms, but quieter and cheaper. The lagoon is beautiful year-round.
Where should I stay in Bora Bora for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Bora Bora? Fly from Tahiti (Pape'ete) to Bora Bora's motu airport, then transfer by boat. On the island, resorts run boat shuttles; a hire car, scooter or bicycle circles the small main island (Vaitape). The lagoon itself is explored by boat, kayak and on foot.

Practical notes for Bora Bora

Best time to visit: May to October (the dry season) for the sunniest, least humid weather and calmest lagoon — the peak season. November to April is warmer and wetter with occasional storms, but quieter and cheaper. The lagoon is beautiful year-round.
Getting around: Fly from Tahiti (Pape'ete) to Bora Bora's motu airport, then transfer by boat. On the island, resorts run boat shuttles; a hire car, scooter or bicycle circles the small main island (Vaitape). The lagoon itself is explored by boat, kayak and on foot.
Currency: CFP Franc (₣)
Language: French and Tahitian. English is spoken at resorts.
Timezone: TAHT (UTC-10)
Current trends: A wave of reimagined and new luxury overwater resorts; a focus on sustainability and lagoon conservation; elevated Tahitian-French-Asian fusion dining; and premium private-motu and lagoon experiences for honeymooners and celebrations.

Other neighborhoods in Bora Bora

Matira Point & Beach — The island's southern tip, home to Matira Beach — the only real public beach and one of the most beautiful in the Pacific. The heart of the main island's life.
The Motu (outer islets) — The ring of palm-covered islets around the lagoon, home to the overwater luxury resorts and pristine sandbars. Where most visitors stay and dream.
The Lagoon — The vast, shallow, impossibly coloured lagoon at the island's heart, alive with rays, reef sharks and coral gardens. The reason to come.

Read the full Bora Bora guide