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Bora Bora (Leeward Islands)

Bora Bora is a French island group in the Leeward Islands, comprising the western part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of the French Republic in the South Pacific. 55 km2 (12 sq mi).

Type Island

Why go

  • Island in French Polynesia.
  • Served by Tupai Airport (TPX).

History

Bora Bora is a French island group in the Leeward Islands, comprising the western part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of the French Republic in the South Pacific. Bora Bora has a total land area of 30.55 km2 (12 sq mi). The main island, located about 230 kilometres northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano, rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu; the highest point is at 727 m (2,385 ft).

Airports

Bora Bora Airport (BOB) 6.8 km to the centre
Motu Mute, U, PF — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air Tahiti) · direct flights to 7 destinations incl. Huahine Island, Maupiti, Moorea, Papeete, Raiatea Island… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 7 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Raiatea Airport (RFP) 38 km to the centre
Uturoa, U, PF — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air Tahiti) · direct flights to 4 destinations incl. Bora Bora, Huahine Island, Maupiti, Papeete (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 4 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Maupiti Airport (MAU) 55 km to the centre
U, PF — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air Tahiti) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Bora Bora, Papeete, Raiatea Island (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 3 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Tupai Airport (TPX) 31 km to the centre
Tupai Atoll, U, PF — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Maupiti express
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Intercontinental Pier
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Airport Boat
Ferry terminal · 1.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Le Meridien Pier
Ferry terminal · 1.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
St. Regis Quay
Ferry terminal · 2.9 km from the centre
Outdoor
Farepiti
Ferry terminal · 3 km from the centre
Outdoor
Tevairoa - Vaitape
Ferry route
Outdoor
Intercontinental Guest Shuttle
Ferry route · Intercontinental
Outdoor
St. Regis - Westin Shuttle
Ferry route · St. Regis
Outdoor
St. Regis Main Island Shuttle
Ferry route · St. Regis
Outdoor
Bora Bora Airport - Vaitape
Ferry route
Outdoor
St. Regis Airport Shuttle
Ferry route · St. Regis
Outdoor
Westin Airport Shuttle
Ferry route · Westin
Outdoor
Four Seasons Guest Shuttle
Ferry route · Four Seasons
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tupai Airport (TPX); 3 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: BOB has direct flights to 7 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Huahine Island, Maupiti, Moorea, Papeete, Raiatea Island…). Regis - Westin Shuttle. Regis - Westin Shuttle. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Maupiti express, 1.6 km); routes include Tevairoa - Vaitape, Intercontinental Guest Shuttle, St. Regis - Westin Shuttle.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Bora Bora (Leeward Islands). Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Tours & experiences