This destination has been on my 'bucket list' for quite a while. When I saw the grab-a-seat deal from Air NZ for flights from Auckland to Papeete for $350 NZD (roughly $200 USD) roundtrip, seemed like the right time. Another short flight on Air Tahiti and I arrived to Bora Bora as planned.
I hired a scooter to explore the island and get to my accommodation on the south side of the island. There was good snorkeling nearby. For some reasons my ATM and Visa card from NZ didn't work on Bora Bora, so I changed cash over at the local bank; which had some steep fees. Hindsight I would have just used the ATM in Papeete, as I had no issues once returning to the main island of Tahiti.
Bora Bora is around 26km long, so hiring a car or scooter to explore the island is a good idea. I didn't get the impression you could catch a lift easily from many parts of the island, although I'm sure the hotels and guesthouses could arrange something by request. I was there in January/February, which is the rainy season. Visiting in the Tahitian winter around June-August would have the best weather (sunny and dry). Some heavy downpours aside, I still had a great time exploring the island in their summer-time 'rainy season' and there were still other tourists around. The 'off peak' season will have the best bargains for flights and accommodation as with most destinations.
Hiking up the mountain or to some of the waterfalls would also be worthwhile. Unless you are going to lounge at the beach or private resort for a while, I would say spending just a few days in Bora Bora is plenty of time to see the main sights and loop the island. I decided to spend more time on the main Tahitian islands of Tahiti and Tahiti-Iti.
Tip: There are more 'off-the-beaten-path' islands that can easily be added as stopovers to Bora Bora at little or no extra cost! Many of the flights go via Huahine, so consider adding a visit to a less touristy Island during your visit to Tahiti.
Tip: There are more 'off-the-beaten-path' islands that can easily be added as stopovers to Bora Bora at little or no extra cost! Many of the flights go via Huahine, so consider adding a visit to a less touristy Island during your visit to Tahiti.
RSS Feed
