Travel Guide To The Bora Bora Mainland: Planning Your Trip To This Island Paradise

Planning A Trip To Bora Bora Mainland

If you are travelling all the way to Tahiti, be sure to plan some time to explore the island of Bora Bora. By far our favourite island in French Polynesia, this blog will give some insight for you to plan a stay, like we did, on the Bora Bora mainland.

Our Top Bora Bora Mainland Things To Do

Where Is Bora Bora Located?

The region of French Polynesia is a French colony located in the South Pacific. It is made up of 130 island groupings. The largest of the five groupings is the archipelago called the Society Islands. It is here, in a subset called the Leeward Islands, where Bora Bora is located.

It is quite close to the main island of Tahiti, only 250 kms northwest. And the island itself is tiny – 10km long by 4 kms wide. This small volcanic island is where you will find paradise.

Bora Bora Island Map

How Do You Get To Bora Bora?

Several international airlines are flying to French Polynesia. The most popular include Air Tahiti Nui, Air France and United Airlines which will transport you to the Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti (PPT). 

Due to the distance from Tahiti, the only way to reach Bora Bora is by plane. However, it is convenient as there are many flights every day from the airport in Papeete. Interisland flights can be booked on Air Tahiti or Air Moana. It takes less than an hour and is a beautiful scenic flight over the South Pacific Ocean.

Upon arrival at the tiny Bora Bora airport, you will see the airstrip and the very small terminal building which are located on a tiny motu (islet) just off Bora Bora! Once you collect your luggage from the simple shelving rack, you proceed out to the pier, where the boats await arriving passengers.

The airport provides a complimentary shuttle to the mainland and will drop you off in the main town of Vaitape. It is one of the most scenic spots we have ever seen at an arrival airport!

From here you will need to make your way to your accommodation. We would recommend that you make those arrangements with your hotel, resort or host. If you don’t have that option, you can pick up a taxi or rental car in the area of the ferry stop.

Staying On A Motu Vs The Mainland

As shown on the map, Bora Bora is a main island surrounded by a lagoon with an outer ring of small islands. Each of these small islets is called a motu. In Bora Bora, they are all privately owned and this is where many of the exclusive resorts are located. 

The mainland of Bora Bora is where all the locals live. This is where you will see a more authentic French Polynesian experience. There are more cost-effective accommodations here and it is also where any independent tours depart from.

Since a private motu is only accessible by boat, the resorts provide transport directly from the airport to the islet. However, once you are there, it can be very costly to move between the resort and the mainland, with infrequent shuttles being provided by the resorts.

This really comes down to what you are planning to do while there. If you prefer to only relax and enjoy the water activities around the resort while having your meals on-site, then this works fine. But if you want to try different restaurants, explore the mainland or take different tours, you need to be prepared for the additional expense and time needed to shuttle back and forth.

Staying on the Bora Bora mainland gives you choice and variety for your holiday and since we really enjoy exploring our surroundings, this was the right decision for us.

Things To Do On The Mainland Of Bora Bora

Lagoon Swim With 4WD Land Tour

Being surrounded by the incredible lagoon truly necessitates a tour to visit the outer areas. We chose a tour that was fantastic. We boarded a boat and were taken out to several stops to swim in the stunningly clear water with the sting rays, tropical fish and reef sharks.

And we also visited the coral garden with the famous Bora Bora underwater display.

We were then taken to one of the private motus for a wonderful Polynesian lunch. We sat with our feet in the water and enjoyed chicken, salads and fruit served in a woven palm leaf bowl.

This was followed by a lesson on how to make colourful pareo (sarongs) and a fun pineapple demonstration.

Once we had finished on the motu, we were taken back to the mainland to start a 4WD tour around Bora Bora. Our driver took us up some of the twisty, steep roads to see the amazing viewpoints around the island. While we have seen some incredible lagoons such as the Blue Lagoon in Camino, Malta, nothing compares to the lagoon in Bora Bora.

We learned about some of the important cultural sites around the island and saw the remnants of the US military equipment on Canon Row, still sitting high upon the lookouts. This is a fantastic way to spend a day.

✅ Check out this exact Lagoon and 4WD tour that we took. We loved the entire experience of exploring the land and sea, and the crew took very good care of us.

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Rent A Car And Drive Around The Island

The island is super easy to navigate, with essentially one road circling it, very similar to Iceland (although much, much smaller). You honestly cannot get lost. We enjoyed taking our time to drive the entire Circle Road at our own pace – which is quite slow given the low speed limit.

Driving along the north coast toward the east side we were awed at the breathtaking views around every corner: majestic mountains, lush greenery and sparkling blue waters made for spectacular vistas. We stopped often to take pictures because the water colour was so beautiful.

This gives you a chance to see everything around the perimeter of the island and provides a glimpse at local life in Bora Bora. 

We found driving in Bora Bora easy – just keep in mind that at night there are very few lights and many dogs are continually darting across the road. So we recommend limiting your driving to daylight hours.

Spend The Day In The Water At Matira Beach

Matira Beach is the only public beach on the Bora Bora mainland. It is a beautiful spot to enjoy the water, explore the lagoon and lounge on the beach. While it is a great spot to just relax you can also enjoy water sports here such as kayaking and paddleboarding.

We found the water to be so clear, and there are fish, so you could bring your snorkel gear as well.

We spent a quiet afternoon here and enjoyed lying on the soft, white sand under the palm trees. Perfection!

Enjoy Loads Of Other Activities

Since we were only in Bora Bora for four nights and we had similar tours planned in Moorea and Tahiti, we opted to really take it easy and soak in the relaxing vibe and surrounding beauty. But there are many activities available and after speaking with a few people we met on the island, we would recommend considering these:

• Quad biking – take some time to explore the beautiful sites of Bora Bora mainland with a local guide on a quad bike
• Sunset cruise – enjoy a spectacular private sunset cruise followed by dinner in one of the most romantic places on earth
• Visiting a pearl farm – learn about the unique process of pearl farming in the region while visiting the motu of Taufari”i. And participate in a snorkel dive to select an oyster that will provide you with a black pearl to take home
• Scenic helicopter flight – take in a panoramic view of the gorgeous lagoon from the sky in a scenic helicopter ride

FAQs

Bora Bora Mainland Hotels

When visiting the islands of Tahiti, we really wanted to stay in an overwater bungalow. While most people choose to stay at a Bora Bora resort for this experience, we chose to stay on the mainland in a private bungalow.

This gave us the best of both worlds – the overwater experience but also the ability to explore a little more independently (plus it offers good value). 

If you enjoy having a space of your own with the ability to prepare your breakfast, then we highly recommend this location that was originally owned by Jack Nicholson! It comes with a spacious living area, a fully stocked kitchen, sun loungers, kayaks and snorkelling gear. To be honest, this was one of the best places we have ever stayed.

However, if you prefer the comforts of a resort property, there is a perfect option on the mainland. We visited the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana for a site visit and loved the location and beautiful grounds.

They offer a variety of room types, including bungalows on the beach and overwater bungalows with differing views – the turquoise waters of the lagoon, Mount Otemanu or the beach.

The rooms were tastefully decorated in a traditional Polynesian style and very spacious. And being a full-service resort, you can receive all the pampering you desire.

And if after reading about your options of staying on the mainland, you decide you want to be whisked away and spend your holiday at a luxury hotel, try a motu resort in Bora Bora.  There are plenty to choose from including Four Seasons Bora Bora, Conrad Bora Bora Nui, St Regis Bora Bora Resort, and Intercontinental Thalasso. Each of these properties will provide an exceptional experience.

Bora Bora Restaurants

Staying on the mainland gave us the option to enjoy several different restaurants around the island. So now we have several options for where you can eat in Bora Bora.

Most Relaxed Atmosphere: We loved our visit to Lucky House. They have an extensive menu offering everything from seafood, steaks and pasta to hamburgers and pizza. The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was laid back and relaxed.

Lots of locals eat here so you know that is always a good sign. There is even a pool onsite with loungers available on the deck to enjoy a cocktail.

For the Perfect Sunset: The Bora Bora Yacht Club was a very memorable dinner with an awesome patio facing the water.

Our cocktails were fantastic and the meals with scallops and mahi mahi were fresh and really tasty. This is highly recommended for a wonderful meal in a romantic setting.

The Best Patio: We had a great dinner at the Bora Bora Beach Club on Matira Beach. This is another casual location with great outdoor seating available.

We sat right at the water’s edge and enjoyed super friendly service. The meal of parrotfish and salad with goat cheese puff pastry was beautifully presented and soooo good! It was a tremendous meal.

For Fine Dining: Check out St James. This location would be considered on the higher end. It is a mix of French cuisine with a Polynesian twist. They specialize in seafood, steaks, and specialty menu items like caviar and fois gras.

Our steak was good but we were a little underwhelmed by the presentation and overall service as it was a very busy evening in the restaurant.

What Country Is Bora Bora In?

Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia, which is a French overseas territory.

What Mainland Is Closest To Bora Bora?

Bora Bora is part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The largest island is Tahiti and Bora Bora is approximately 250kms from the capital. The next closest country would be New Zealand.

Is Bora Bora A Good Place To Vacation?

In our opinion, Bora Bora is a perfect place to spend some time on vacation. The island is stunningly beautiful, the people very friendly, and there are many activities available if you get tired of relaxing in the crystal clear water of the lagoon.

How Much Is A Trip To Bora Bora?

The cost to visit Bora Bora ranges widely depending on the type of accommodations you choose and the time of year you travel. If you opt to stay on a motu in Bora Bora, the cost of your hotel and food there will be significantly higher than staying on the main island.

Private motu resorts charge upwards of $1500-$4000 per night for an overwater bungalow stay. This can be reduced if you choose to stay on the mainland and dine at less expensive restaurants. You also don’t have the added expense of transfer costs.

The Final Word…Visiting Bora Bora Mainland

As you can see from our pictures, Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful places to visit. We hope that this guide to Bora Bora mainland provided you with the inspiration to add this destination to your bucket list. While it is a more expensive location to visit, it is truly worth it!