Looking for activities on the island of Bora Bora, here's our selection
- Lagoon snorkelling : discover the beauty of the island's lagoon for several hours or half a day.
- First dive : now's the time to try your hand at diving during your stay on the island, don't you think?
- Microlight flight over the island : I flew over the island and it was one of the most beautiful things I've seen in Polynesia. It's magical and unforgettable!
- Paddle on the lagoon : A relaxing activity in a dream setting, and without breaking the bank!
- Wakeboarding on the lagoon : If you like to thrill, you've come to the right place!
Bora Bora overwater bungalows
Before you get started, have a look at our guide to everything you need to know aboutBefore you get started, check out our guide to everything you need to know about staying in French Polynesia. We’ve compiled our top recommendations for every Polynesian island into one guide.
Hôtel Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora
As I’ve said before, I was lucky enough to stay at the Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora for a few days, and I’ll never forget what I experienced. The Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora is a 3-star hotel located on the island of Bora Bora itself (which is not the case with the others) in the heart of tropical gardens, with a beautiful private white sandy beach. The setting is simply heavenly and ideal for an experience cut off from the world.
As far as the facilities are concerned, the hotel offers two types of overwater bungalows: Standard and Premium. For an even more immersive experience, I highly recommend these two typical Polynesian bungalows. Both overwater bungalows sleep 3 adults, are comfortable, 27m² with private balcony, large double bed, sofa bed, minibar and air conditioning! Bonus: from your bungalow, you can see the underwater world right under your feet, thanks to a glass-bottomed table. The main difference between the two bungalows is their location:
- Standard: you’re in the middle of the quay, so you have (a little) privacy…
- Premium: you’ll be at the end of the wharf, alone in this magical environment!
It’s up to you to choose. Either way, I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed!
As for activities, the hotel provides free diving and fishing equipment, as well as snorkelling and canoeing. I would highly recommend snorkelling, as you’ll get to discover a diverse and unique marine life! It’s an activity I could do for hours. For me, like Louis or Mélanie, you never know how much time has passed because you feel like you’re in a giant aquarium!
Also, the fact that it is eco-friendly, uses local materials and is water-conscious. What’s more, you are in a very good position to visit the island, to go hiking on the spot and to go swimming in Matira, which is just great!
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a well-equipped, well-located hotel on stilts, while keeping an eye on your budget, choose Maitai Bora Bora. If you’re curious to find out more about this hotel, I suggest you read the dedicated article in which I detail our 4-day experience there.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is a five-star hotel located in a private bay on Motu To’opua. As you might have guessed, this hotel is now more upscale than its predecessor.
The hotel has 4 types of overwater villas on stilts (yes, we’re talking villas here, not bungalows, haha):
- Deluxe overwater villa (116m²): Sleeping 3 with 1 king bed and separate lounge area, all with quality furnishings,
- Royal Villa overwater with pool (151m²): sleeps 4 with 1 king-size bed, 1 bunk bed and 1 sofa bed, plus a balcony and small pool overlooking the lagoon,
- Presidential Villa overwater (300m²): sleeps 6 with 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a sauna and a more than complete exterior: private terrace, small pool, bar and sofa bed, all with views of the magnificent turquoise lagoon,
- Overwater Villa with pool (121m²): sleeps 3 with 1 king-size bed, a sofa bed and outside a small pool and private terrace. Choose between views of Mount Otemanu or the magnificent lagoon for this villa.
With 4 villas to choose from, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!
Admire this overwater villas with a beautiful ocean view, this spot is perfect to do snorkelling!
At the hotel, you can also enjoy an infinity pool overlooking the turquoise lagoon (oceanfront), a top-notch spa (perfect for relaxation time) and a great gym to keep fit!
And let’s not forget the 4 restaurants. All of them have a good reputation and offer stunning views of the magnificent lagoon and mountains.
If you are looking for a luxurious experience, I really recommend this hotel, there are nothing but excellent reviews. To tell you the truth, as I’m writing this, I’d love to stay there ahah.
Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort
Located near Matira beach (on the island of Bora Bora), this 4-star hotel offers breathtaking views of the sea and mountains as far as the eye can see.
If you choose to stay at this property, you’ll be able to choose from numerous overwater bungalows that go 63m². The most important factor will be the panoramic view: You can choose between a mountain view or a crystal clear sea view. It is possible to choose to be at the end of the pontoon, to enjoy the peace and quiet of this splendid environment. The overwater huts are truly exceptional for admiring the sunset over the lagoon.
As for the hotel’s two restaurants, they are very well known on the island. The feedback I’ve received is generally very good.
Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort Marketing Department authorised use of pictures
To discover these postcard landscapes, you can enjoy a range of watersports offered by the resort, including scuba diving and canoeing. The diving in this area is simply incredible: you will be in awe of the colourful marine life and discover the coral-reef.
Overall, I think Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort has many advantages: its location, quality services and activities. I would also like to add that I think it’s priced right and offers excellent value for money.
Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
As its name suggests, the Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is very similar to its predecessor. It is the top-of-the-range (5-star) version of the previous hotel, albeit located on an offshore motu.
The hotel has 84 huge, luxurious overwater villas. They’re all in a contemporary Polynesian style. It’s really beautiful! To give you an idea, the largest of the villas has 195m² of indoor space and a 108m² terrace (so you won’t be short of space or peace and quiet ahah).
As with Moana hotel, the main differences between the villas are the panoramic view you want, a small private pool and size! Don’t you just love it? And the best thing in every villa: a glass coffee table to watch the marine life.
Pictures used with permission from Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa.
The hotel’s luxurious services include a fitness centre where you can relax, a gym and a swimming pool overlooking the turquoise waters.
In terms of activities, one of the highlights for me is the themed evenings where you can discover Polynesian culture with fire shows and local flavours presented at Le Corail restaurant. There’s also the hotel’s own lagoonarium, which protects coral and raises awareness of the need to preserve the seabed. I think it’s a really great project!
To be honest, the setting, location and services of this property are truly exceptional. The villas are simply huge. This is a great advantage if you want to explore Bora Bora as a group!
Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
Nestled between a tropical garden and a long white sandy beach (a dream spot, take my word for it!), this hotel is located on a coral island, Motu Tevairoa. The hotel is 10 minutes from Bora Bora airport and 15 minutes from the village of Vaitape. Very convenient for travel to and around the island! I’ve also had the opportunity to spend a day there and I really liked how it’s set up, it’s incredible!
Regarding the overwater huts, the hotel offers 3 types with direct access to swimming in crystal clear waters and magical views of the lagoon or Mount Otemanu. All bungalows can accommodate a maximum of 3 people and are very well equipped (patio, private terrace, mini-bar, king-size bed). Among these huts, you can choose one in particular. It is located at the very end of the quay, so you can admire the view of the sea without overlooking it! By the way, the hotel has been renovated between 2019 and 2020 and 28 additional overwater huts were be built! So there’s even more choice!
The resort has a very authentic Polynesian style and you can see that local materials were used to build it.
As for activities, the hotel provides free snorkelling equipment and canoes-kayak to explore this paradise. For sports enthusiasts, there’s an air-conditioned gym, tennis court, table tennis and petanque area (well, it’s not just for sports enthusiasts, ahah).
The hotel’s restaurants offer both international and typical Polynesian cuisine. I think it’s a really nice way to have a more immersive experience and discover the local specialities. In fact, the breakfast I had there was very good!
In conclusion, Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts is one of the best hotels on stilts on the island that is considered the Pearl of the Pacific. I have very fond memories of the day I spent there. I can assure you that you will be able to make a choice for this hotel with your eyes closed!
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
This is a 5 star hotel. It is one of the most luxurious overwater bungalowsin Bora Bora. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but I’ve heard nothing but excellent feedback! The location is simply exceptional! Enjoy a private beach and breathtaking views of the turquoise lagoon and Mount Otemanu.
The resort has very luxurious overwater bungalows with high quality facilities (king-size bed, Jacuzzi, private terrace, air conditioning, swimming pool, private access to the lagoon). They all sleep a maximum of 3 people and are quite spacious (100m²). As with the previous hotels, it’s the choice of view (sea or mountain, depending on your preference ahah) and the location of the bungalow that will make the difference!
As for activities, you’ll never be bored! Canoeing, fishing, windsurfing, underwater snorkelling, catamaran excursions and much more are all available at the hotel!
And to delight your taste buds, the hotel’s 4 renowned restaurants offer a variety of local cuisine. The reviews are simply outstanding. What’s more: You can request a private dinner with views of Mount Otemanu! I highly recommend it. It is a unique and romantic way to enjoy the sunset.
In conclusion, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is one of the best choices of hotels on stilts in Bora Bora. You can stay here without hesitation to enjoy its restaurants, services and exceptional setting!
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
This 5-star hotel is once again at the top end of the market. Its location is ideal, making it easy to get to from Bora Bora airport and to explore the main village of Vaitape. To get around the resort, the hotel provides bicycles and buggies. That’s pretty cool!
If you want to stay on stilts, there are 5 overwater villas to choose from. They’re all very luxurious and sleep 3 people! The Villa Deluxe overlooking the main island is one of these dream villas. It’s the only hotel with such a view! Of course, you can also choose views of the lagoon or Mount Otemanu, which are just as spectacular! The Premium Overwater Villa with Jacuzzi is also incredible – it’s spacious and, as the name suggests, has a Jacuzzi!
As for the resort’s services, you can use the gym, the spa (which offers Polynesian massages), the private lagoonarium and enjoy swimming in two pools (the main one and a second oasis-themed pool with tropical vegetation around it).
Bonus: all villas are decorated with Polynesian wood carvings, the perfect blend of luxury and local culture.
There’s something for everyone in terms of food: Lagoon Restaurant serves Asian and French cuisine, Bam Boo serves excellent woks and sushi (all reviews agree: it’s a good restaurant) and Far Niente offers Italian dishes.
In short, the St Regis Bora Bora Resort is one of the best hotels on stilts in Bora Bora. If I had to describe its strengths in a few words, it would be the Polynesian style of its villas, its excellent restaurants and its first-class service.
Méridien Bora Bora
This 5-star hotel, south of Motu Piti Aau, has been closed since the Covid-19 health crisis. But I’ve got some good news for you! It will reopen in mid-2024 as the Westin Resort & Spa Bora Bora.
Westin is a major luxury hotel chain and this is the first time a Westin has opened its doors in Polynesia (maybe it will be an opportunity to try it out, who knows? Ahah). I’m delighted that this hotel, which has received unanimous reviews, is reopening this year. In fact, it’s going to increase its capacity by 50%, with 85 overwater bungalows!
In short, the future Westin Resort & Spa Bora Bora will be a new version of Le Méridien Bora Bora: more spacious, with a modern, contemporary style and many overwater bungalows!
Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort Hotel & Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
At the time of writing, these two 4-star and 5-star Sofitel hotels have been definitively closed for a few months (until October 2023). Both hotels had exceptional locations and very good luxury services. Unfortunately, they are not scheduled to re-open, which is unfortunate.
If these two high quality hotels do reopen, I’ll keep you posted!
That’s it, I’ve covered all the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, so you’re spoilt for choice!
Why should you stay in an over-water bungalow in Bora Bora?
I hope that you have found what you are looking for among all the overwater bungalows that I have presented to you. But maybe you’re still asking yourself, “Why sleep in overwater bungalows in Bora Bora?
Well, my answer is very simple: it’s a truly incredible experience, right in the middle of nature, between a turquoise lagoon, lush vegetation and a beach of fine sand. It’s also an experience you can only have in Polynesia, in settings that are more heavily than the next. So why not choose the island of Bora Bora to enjoy this experience at least once in your life? I urge you to do so, because when I first discovered Polynesia, staying in overwater bungalows was definitely on my list of things to do.
I’ve stayed in overwater bungalows in French Polynesia and on several islands, and what I’ve enjoyed the most is the feeling of being alone in the world with breathtaking views of the lagoon and the mountains. It’s just wow! It’s also a total immersion in Polynesian culture, with the style of the overwater bungalows, the materials used, the local specialities, the pirogues, the fire shows… It’s also a total immersion in the island’s environment (the reefs, the multicoloured corals, the transparent waters, the tropical vegetation, all in front of you and even at your feet).
As I write this, I can already see myself enjoying my stay in overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and Polynesia in general.
If you’re looking for overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, my advice is to choose a villa or bungalow at the end of the quay. You’ll have peace and quiet, no one to bother you and you’ll be able to admire the sunsets and sunrises over the sea. Oh, I almost forgot, one last piece of advice: the overwater villas and bungalows go very quickly, so make sure you book several months in advance to make sure you have enough space!
How much do the overwater bungalows cost in Bora Bora?
Throughout the list of overwater bungalows in Bora Bora that I’ve prepared for you, I’ve made sure that there are both mid-range and top of the range hotels to suit all budgets. It’s true that the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora are generally classified as top of the range (4 and 5 stars), but it’s fair to say that prices vary from €700 to €2,000 per night, to give you an idea.
As mentioned above, it really depends on the type of overwater bungalow or villa you choose, with facilities ranging from comfortable to very luxurious. You should also know that most hotels offer a free shuttle service from the airport (handy for organising your arrival and departure!). You now have an idea of the prices of the bungalows and the budget you need to spend, depending on the experience, services and location you are looking for.
In my opinion, it is both an investment and a guarantee of an exceptional holiday in a breathtaking environment to stay in one of the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora! I’d also like to add that if you’re looking for one of the cheapest overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, the Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora hotel I tested is really worth it! In my opinion, it’s still affordable for a beautiful setting, good location and good quality services.
I really hope this article helps you make your choice. For my part, I can assure you that if you choose one of these overwater bungalows, you’ll have an excellent holiday in Bora Bora. So all you have to do is decide! And that’s not all! To prepare for your trip to this island, I recommend you read my article on hotels in Bora Bora, where I present a wider range of establishments.
Don’t hesitate to share your experiences in the comments if you have stayed in or know of any of the hotels mentioned!
I’d be delighted to hear from you and I’m sure it would be of help to other readers!
See you soon!
Sylvain
Written by Sylvain PONS
From 2015 to 2021, French Polynesia was our home, with Mélanie and our children. I'm happy to share my experience and advice to help you organize an unforgettable stay in French Polynesia, based on my in-depth knowledge of the territory.
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