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How to get to Bora Bora

Flying into Bora Bora on Air Tahiti

Bora Bora, the most celebrated island of French Polynesia, is in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and South America. 

To get to Bora Bora, you first take an international flight to Tahiti, which is the name of the main island in French Polynesia. You will notice that all of French Polynesia is often referred to by it's romantic title, "Tahiti", even though Tahiti is actually the name of the largest and most populated island.

First fly to Tahiti

Direct flights to Tahiti depart from Tokyo, Auckland, Honolulu, Los Angeles and Santiago. Airlines serving the route include Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, Air New Zealand and Air France. The airport code for Tahiti is PPT, which stands for Papeete, the capital. Most international flights land in Faa'a Airport on Tahiti during the late evening. If your flight arrives at night, you will need to book Tahiti hotel accommodation for that first night. Due to the short runways on the small islands of French Polynesia, combined with possible wind factors, Air Tahiti's inter-island service does not operate at night.

Flight Times to Tahiti

  • Los Angeles - 8h 35min
  • Tokyo - 11h 10min
  • Honolulu - 5h
  • Aukland - 5h

Flights to Bora Bora

From Tahiti, you will take a short 45 minute, scenic flight to Bora Bora with the inter-island carrier, Air Tahiti. The Bora Bora airport code is BOB. Direct flights to Bora Bora depart up to 6 times per day. As Bora Bora's airport is located on a small island (called a motu) in Bora Bora's lagoon, you will then need to take a boat to your Bora Bora accommodation.

See the runway? Bora Bora's airport is on a small island in Bora Bora's lagoon

How to get to Bora Bora resorts?

If you are staying with one of Bora Bora's luxury resorts, you can arrange to have a transfer with them (at a cost). You will be greeted by resort staff on your arrival at Bora Bora airport and assisted with luggage to your boat transfer.

If you are travelling to the main island, or looking to save the transfer fee, you can take the free Air Tahiti shuttle to Vaitape. More information on getting to your Bora Bora accommodation can be found here.

Other ways to get to Bora Bora

Have you considered cruising around Tahiti? You can charter a yacht to Bora Bora, or take a Tahiti cruise ship to Bora Bora. Cruising is an easy way to get around French Polynesia and Tahiti for a great price, and see a few islands, including Bora Bora, which features on every Tahiti cruise itinerary!

Private planes can make arrangements for flying directly to Bora Bora, and land at Bora Bora's airport on little Motu Mute.

Most flights arrive into Tahiti arrive at night, if this is your flight, you will need to book accommodation for that first night in Tahiti.

Where is Bora Bora?

Bora Bora is an 8 hour flight, across opposite sides of the Pacific, from both Los Angeles and Sydney, and about 5 hours from Hawaii. Bora Bora is located in the Society Islands, the most populated group of French Polynesian islands.

You are probably wondering about how to get to Bora Bora because it's so frequently named the "most beautiful island on earth"!

Although it's one of over a hundred islands scattered across the waters of French Polynesia, it's beauty is the most haunting, because of how it's green, volcanic peak rises so dramatically from the large, fluorescent, turquoise lagoon.

You may also want to know how to get to Bora Bora because you're fascinated by striking photos of thatched­roof overwater bungalows, on the most iridescent blue water you have ever seen.

Because Bora Bora is just below the equator, the lagoon is a pleasant temperature to jump into all year round. Everyone who has a Bora Bora vacation goes home planning to return!

Fortunately most dreamers, wondering how to get to Bora Bora, don't actually plan a holiday,because it seems so distant. Which is why these islands remain so pristine!

Where is Tahiti?

More information

› How to get to Bora Bora

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