How Much Does a Bora Bora Trip Cost?

Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

With its breathtaking turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, and lush green peaks, Bora Bora is the epitome of a tropical paradise island. As one of the premier luxury travel destinations in the South Pacific, Bora Bora attracts well-heeled travelers from all over the world.

But with high demand comes high prices, leaving many budget-conscious travelers wondering – how much does a trip to Bora Bora really cost?

How Much Does a Bora Bora Trip Cost?

While Bora Bora has a reputation for being an expensive destination, the total cost of a trip can vary greatly. For a short 4-5 day vacation, expect to spend around $2,500-$4,000 per person, including airfare, accommodations, food, and activities.

For a 7-10 day trip, costs typically range from $4,000-$7,000+ per person. Extended stays of 2-3 weeks can easily exceed $10,000+ per person.

Off to Bora Bora provides a detailed breakdown of trip costs to Bora Bora in 2023:

• Flights: $800 to $5,000 for Economy Class, $7,000 to $10,000 for Business Class or First Class
• Budget Trip: $2,500+
• Luxury Trip: $26,000+

Several factors influence the overall price tag for a Bora Bora vacation. The biggest expenses are airfare and lodging, but costs add up for dining, activities, transportation, and extras.

The time of year and type of accommodations also impact budgets. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the costs to expect when planning your dream trip to Bora Bora.

Transportation Expenses: Getting to Bora Bora

Flights represent one of the largest Bora Bora trip costs, ranging from $1,000-$2,000+ roundtrip from the U.S. West Coast. From the East Coast, expect airfares from $1,500-$2,500+. There are no direct flights, so most journeys include stopovers in Tahiti, Los Angeles or Honolulu.

The peak travel seasons of June-August and December-January see the highest airfares. For significant savings, opt for the shoulder seasons of May/September-November when prices drop 20-40%. Visiting from April-May or September-early December can save hundreds of dollars on flights.

Once in Tahiti, catching a short 40-minute connector flight to Bora Bora will cost around $500 roundtrip per person. Alternatively, ferry transportation takes about 2 hours for around $80 roundtrip per person. Private boat charters are also available, costing around $500+ each way.

Accommodations: Where to Stay in Bora Bora

Accommodations make up a significant portion of any Bora Bora travel budget. There are a range of lodging options, from luxurious overwater bungalow resorts to budget guesthouses.

• Overwater bungalows deliver the quintessential Bora Bora experience, with rates starting around $500 per night and exceeding $1,500+ nightly at high-end resorts.
• At beachfront resorts and hotels, nightly rates run $200-$400 for garden/mountain view rooms and $500+ for overwater villas.
• For a more affordable stay, Bora Bora has guesthouses and Airbnbs starting as low as $100 per night.

Keep in mind that most hotels include daily breakfast, but other meals and resort activities often cost extra. All-inclusive packages can offer excellent value, averaging $500-$800 per person daily.

Dining Costs: Food and Drink in Bora Bora

As a French Polynesian island, imported food and beverages drive up dining costs in Bora Bora. Here are some estimated meal prices:

• At local snack shops and food trucks, casual meals cost around $10-$15 per person.
• At mid-range restaurants, main dishes like fresh seafood averages $25-35.
• At upscale resort restaurants, entrees run $40+ and multi-course tasting menus exceed $100+ per person.
• Grocery shopping for snacks, beer/wine, etc. will cost on average $15-$30 per person daily.

Bloody Mary’s – Bora Bora’s famous beachfront restaurant and bar – offers an affordable way to dine right over the water with meals for around $15-$30 per person.

For significant savings, travelers should take advantage of lodging packages with meal plans, rent rooms with kitchens to prepare light meals, and avoid pricey resort restaurants.

Activity and Attraction Costs

With turquoise waters ripe for exploration, Bora Bora offers endless activities. But these aquatic adventures don’t come cheap:

• Snorkeling day trips – $80-$150 per person
• Scuba diving – $150-$300 for 2-tank dives
• Guided 4×4 island tours – $100-$150 per person
• Jet ski rentals – $150+ per hour
• Parasailing – $120+ per person
• Sport fishing charters – $700+ half day

Free or budget activities include walking/hiking, visiting Bloody Mary’s Beach and Matira Beach, and exploring Vaitape Village. Renting a bicycle can cost around $15-$30 daily.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a trip to Hawaii, Thailand, or Jamaica.

To maximize adventures without overspending, focus on 2-3 activities per trip. Joining group excursions can lower costs. And many hotels offer discounted activity rates for guests.

Sample Daily Budgets

To give travelers an idea of potential daily costs, here are estimated budgets for different types of Bora Bora vacations:

Backpacker / Budget Traveler

Lodging: Airbnb – $100 Meals: Grocery shop, snack bars, food trucks – $30
Activities: Hiking, snorkeling day trip – $130 Daily Total: $260 per person

Mid-Range Traveler

Lodging: Beach View Resort Room – $350
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch & dinner out – $120 Activities: Snorkeling, bicycling – $100 Daily Total: $570 per person

Luxury Traveler

Lodging: Overwater Bungalow – $1,000 Meals: Breakfast included, upscale dinners out – $150 Activities: Scuba diving, jet ski rental – $400 Daily Total: $1,550 per person

As shown, travelers can reduce costs by choosing budget lodging and food options. Those seeking luxury can expect to spend $1,000+ daily.

Tips for Saving Money in Bora Bora

While it may seem daunting, travelers don’t have to break the bank to enjoy this exotic island paradise. Here are top tips for saving money on a Bora Bora trip:

• Travel during shoulder season for reduced airfare and hotel rates
• Split overwater bungalow costs by sharing with others
• Choose a beach hotel instead of a luxury overwater resort
• Book affordable Airbnbs or guesthouses
• Take advantage of all-inclusive package deals
• Grocery shop and prepare light meals
• Rent a bicycle for transportation instead of taxis
• Join group excursions for discounted activity rates
• Limit expensive dinners out at fancy restaurants
• Avoid souvenir/gift shopping
• Purchase travel insurance in case of emergency cancellations

Sample 7-Day Bora Bora Itinerary & Costs

To give travelers an idea of potential costs for a week in Bora Bora, here is a sample itinerary with estimated expenses:

Flights: $1,500 roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles to Bora Bora with stopover in Tahiti

Lodging: 7 nights at beach view resort room for $350 per night = $2,450

Meals: Breakfast included daily + $60 per day for lunches and dinners = $420

Transportation: Roundtrip airport transfer = $100, Bicycle rental for the week = $100

Activities: 2 days snorkeling day trips ($130 each), half-day 4×4 island tour ($75 each) = $430

Total Trip Cost: $5,000 per person

As shown in this moderate one week itinerary, visiting Bora Bora can cost around $5,000 per person including flights, hotel, meals, transportation, and activities. Couples can enjoy a luxurious getaway in paradise for $10,000 total.

Final Words

A vacation to the exotic South Pacific island of Bora Bora will require careful budgeting, with costs for air travel, accommodations, dining, and adventures adding up quickly. But with proper planning and cost-saving techniques, this world-class tropical destination can be experienced for $5,000-$10,000 per person.

Ultimately the overall price depends on factors like travel dates, lodging selections, activities, and dining choices. But finding the right balance between budget consciousness and indulgence will allow travelers to enjoy a memorable Bora Bora getaway in paradise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bora Bora cheaper than Bali?

Bora Bora generally tends to be more expensive than Bali. While both are tropical island destinations, Bali offers more budget-friendly accommodation and dining options compared to luxury-focused Bora Bora.

In Bali, lodging like guest houses and Airbnbs can be found for $50-$100 per night and basic meals cost just a few dollars. In contrast, Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows start around $500 per night and dining is quite pricey.

Activities like scuba diving and boat tours are cheaper in Bali by around 50%. And flights to Bali can be up to $1000 less expensive compared to Bora Bora’s remote location.

However, during peak season, Bali’s prices can rise closer to Bora Bora levels. Overall, travelers will generally find Bora Bora to be around 25-50% more expensive for a similar island vacation experience.

How much does it cost to live in Bora Bora?

Due to its remote location and reliance on imports, the overall cost of living in Bora Bora is quite high compared to other global destinations. Some average monthly costs include:

• Housing – $1,500+ for a small apartment or home rental
• Groceries – $800+ per month for two people
• Utilities – $200-$300 per month
• Internet – $60+ for basic service
• Gasoline – $7+ per gallon

Imported items like electronics, furniture, and vehicles are significantly marked up. Activities like diving and boat rentals cost multiples more than other islands.

Most locals enjoy a more modest lifestyle reliant on fishing, small-scale farming, and limited imports. Luxury resort staff earn higher wages but work long hours.

Overall, permanent residents spend $2,500-$3,000 per month for basic necessities. Paradise comes at a premium price in Bora Bora!

Is Bora Bora or the Maldives cheaper?

The Maldives and Bora Bora offer similar upscale island paradise experiences, but the Maldives tends to be about 20-30% cheaper overall.

Flights are comparable, but hotels are less expensive – overwater bungalows average $400-$700 in the Maldives versus $500-$1,500+ in Bora Bora. Resort meals and activities are also more budget-friendly.

While both destinations cater to luxury travelers, the Maldives has more mid-range options. The large number of islands spreads demand, keeping prices a bit lower.

However, budget backpacker-style travel is difficult in both places. Neither is considered an affordable destination. But travelers who seek an exclusive tropical escape will find better value in the Maldives compared to posh Bora Bora.