Bora Bora is the ultimate tropical destination. It’s a tiny volcanic island in French Polynesia surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise lagoon I’ve ever seen. So you’d be right to think that there are a lot of very expensive resorts in Bora Bora.
However, there are other ways to experience the natural beauty of this Polynesian treasure if it’s on your bucket list. Let me share with you how to visit Bora Bora on a budget.
If you want to know more about French Polynesia in general, check out our Ultimate French Polynesia blog. Or maybe you are considering Maldives for your tropical vacay on a budget – we’ve got you covered in this Affordable Maldives blog.
About Bora Bora
The iconic island of Bora Bora is a popular destination which features on postcards and magazine covers around the world. This place is magical. If you arrive by plane, you’ll probably cry (like me) as you witness for the first time the volcanic mountain surrounded by turquoise lagoon and fringing islands.
Yes, Bora Bora is a well-known honeymoon destination (generally because of the luxury resort price tag). But it’s also a place for those seeking adventure, natural beauty and amazing marine life.
How to get to Bora Bora
Located in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is typically reached by domestic flight from the capital of French Polynesia, Papeete, on the main island of Tahiti. There are 50 minute direct flights from Tahiti that take you right into Bora Bora airport, landing on one of the fringing islands around the lagoon.
If you can, I’d highly recommend arriving this way to see incredible views of the island from above! You can also take inter-island flights from surrounding islands like Huahine and Raiatea if you plan to visit these other islands.
Friends of ours also took a ferry boat transfer to Bora Bora from a nearby island. This is the cheapest way to get to Bora Bora. However these can be infrequent, and the journey is slow and can be uncomfortable if there are decent swells (you’ll be on open ocean between the islands).
Although the budget may be tight, try to book in advance or in the low season for cheap flights to & from Bora Bora. It’s the quickest and easiest way, plus the views are worth it!
Plan an Affordable Bora Bora Vacation
How to Visit Bora Bora Resorts for a Budget Traveler
All of the main resorts aren’t actually on the island of Bora Bora, but on the tiny fringing islands around the lagoon. This is where you’ll find the overwater bungalows and villas you’ve seen in magazines, stretching out into the lagoon.
As you can imagine, this is the most expensive place to stay in Bora Bora and all resorts come with a hefty price tag. But if you have the budget, even for a night or two, we’d recommend staying at the resorts of Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.
The good news is that if you’re willing to travel in the low season or shoulder season, you can sometimes find cheaper rates or package deals at resorts which offer lower rates during the rainy season when demand is lower.
Travel Tip – You can arrange a day visit to some of the resorts, which means you can visit their spa and use the facilities to splurge for a day, without the full costs. Have a massage and enjoy a cocktail by the pool to get a taste of the extravagant luxury life!
Where to Stay in Bora Bora on a Budget
Almost everything you see online about Bora Bora is showcasing the resorts and accommodation costs are usually the biggest expenses on a vacation. However, you can also stay on the island of Bora Bora itself for a much cheaper rate.
Until recently we thought the island was for locals only, and otherwise provided an epic backdrop for the resorts. But you can in fact stay on the island in a cheap hotel or homestay for a fraction of a resort stay.
The best way to reach the main island, is a water shuttle that runs regularly between the airport and the main town of Vaitape. The shuttle cost is generally included in your airfare. You will arrive into the little harbour at the base of the incredible Mount Otemanu.
On Bora Bora Island you will find everything you need, from pharmacies and grocery stores, to clothing boutiques and local restaurants. There is a local population here, as well as lodges and guest houses.
We decided to book an AirBnB (our little spot linked here) for our stay. We had an amazing spot right near Vaitape, with a decent walk up the hillside giving out to amazing views.
Things are basic, but the price range is significantly cheaper you might spend 10%-20% of the costs of staying in a resort – an absolutely incredible deal and means you can spend the extra cost you save on tours and experiences. Plus you can cook your own meals and make your own coconut cocktails.
Travel Tip: You can choose anywhere on the island to stay really. Just consider taxi prices and where your accommodation is located. Look into local supermarkets, tour meeting spots, and the things you are planning to do during your stay (more on this below).
Best things to do in Bora Bora on a Budget
When visiting Bora Bora – if you are like me – you’ll want to spend as much time as possible on the lagoon. Whether you want to snorkel, dive, Jet-Ski, or just take a boat trip excursion, everything happens out on the waters of the lagoon. And because of this, I’d highly encourage people on a budget to book accommodation on the main island.
You’ll likely be out adventuring all day. So unless you want to hang by the pool and experience resort life, then this is the best option.
The great thing about planning a budget trip to Bora Bora is that tours are also much cheaper when booking direct with the companies, instead of organising through hotels.
Some of our favourite tours for reasonable prices were:
- Diving – we saw Manta Rays in the lagoon and SO many reef sharks on the outside reefs.
- Jet-Ski tour – explore the entire 360 degree lagoon, stopping along the way for lunch, a swim, and lessons on how to open a coconut.
- Lagoon boat tour – you’ll wade in the shallow lagoon with stingrays, snorkel a fish-filled coral garden, and swim off the outer reef with sharks!
- Take a taxi to Matira Beach – the nicest white sand beach on the island, backed by palms and boasting clear emerald water.
- You can also do ATV tours up the mountain of Bora Bora, however we decided to stick to ocean based adventures.
Our favourite tour takes you to the Bora Bora Natural Aquarium, which we visited twice because it was so good. The water clarity was insane and you can free dive on fish-filled reef as well as a perfect white-sandy bottom lagoon.
Find more info on things to do in Bora Bora.
Our favourite places to eat on Bora Bora are below:
- Saint James – a local restaurant just outside of Vaitape for sundowners on the lagoon.
- Bora Bora Beach Club – have a swim and then enjoy lunch with a view, right on the beautiful Matira Beach. Look out for happy hour for more affordable prices
- Bloody Mary’s – fairly overpriced but has a good vibe. Worth a mention as it’s quite popular for tourists.
With this budget Bora Bora travel guide, hopefully this has given you some inspiration for how to visit Bora Bora cheaply and new ideas to make your once-in-a-lifetime Bora Bora trip more affordable.
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