Crystal clear turquoise waters, stunning overwater bungalows, and pristine white sand beaches—Bora Bora represents the ultimate tropical paradise for many travelers. But before booking this dream vacation, you need to answer an important question: how much is a trip to Bora Bora?
A trip to Bora Bora costs between $3,500-$5,000 per person for a budget experience, $5,500-$8,000 for a mid-range vacation, and $10,000-$20,000+ for a luxury getaway. These estimates include flights, accommodation, food, activities, and local transportation for a one-week stay.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly what you can expect to pay for everything from flights and accommodations to dining and activities, helping you plan a Bora Bora vacation that aligns with your budget while still delivering that once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bora Bora Trip Cost: At a Glance
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick overview of what you can expect to spend on a Bora Bora vacation:
| Trip Type | Cost Range (Per Person) |
|---|---|
| Budget | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Mid-range | $5,500-$8,000 |
| Luxury | $10,000-$20,000+ |
Note: All prices in this article are in USD unless otherwise specified.
Flight Expenses: Getting to Paradise
Getting to Bora Bora requires two flights: an international flight to Tahiti (Faa’a International Airport), followed by a 50-minute domestic flight to Bora Bora. According to Tahiti Tourism, airfare represents a significant portion of your overall trip cost.
International & Domestic Flight Costs to Tahiti
| Route | Estimated Round-Trip Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| From the US West Coast | $1,300 – $1,900 |
| From the US East Coast | $1,600 – $2,300 |
| From Europe | $1,900 – $2,600 |
| From Australia/New Zealand | $950 – $1,500 |
| Domestic: Tahiti to Bora Bora (Air Tahiti) | $380 – $480 |
Money-saving tip: Book flights 4-6 months in advance and consider visiting during shoulder season (April-May or October-November) when airfares can be 10-15% lower than peak season.
Accommodation Costs: Where Dreams Meet Reality
When people ask, “how much is a trip to Bora Bora for a week,” accommodation is typically the largest variable. Bora Bora offers everything from guesthouses to world-class luxury resorts with overwater bungalows.
Nightly Rates by Accommodation Type:
- Standard Guesthouses/Pensions: $160-$320
- 3-Star Hotels: $320-$650
- 4-Star Resorts: $650-$1,100
- 5-Star Luxury Resorts: $850-$2,200
- Overwater Bungalows: $850-$3,300+
Popular Resort Options and Price Ranges:
- Four Seasons Bora Bora: $1,300-$3,800/night
- St. Regis Bora Bora: $1,100-$3,300/night
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui: $850-$2,700/night
- InterContinental Bora Bora: $650-$1,900/night
- Le Meridien Bora Bora: $550-$1,600/night
Money-saving tip: Consider booking a garden or beach bungalow for part of your stay and splurge on an overwater bungalow for just 2-3 nights. Many visitors find that a few nights in the iconic overwater accommodation satisfies the bucket-list experience while significantly reducing the overall price how much is a trip to Bora Bora.
Food and Dining Expenses in Paradise
Dining in Bora Bora is expensive due to the remote location and the need to import most food items. Food costs are often surprising to first-time visitors.
Daily Food Costs:
- Budget: $80-$110 per person (some self-catering, casual dining)
- Mid-range: $130-$210 per person (resort dining, some local restaurants)
- Luxury: $220-$330+ per person (fine dining, private dinners)
Sample Menu Prices:
- Continental breakfast: $28-$45
- Lunch at resort: $35-$65
- Dinner at resort restaurant: $65-$130
- Local restaurant meal: $45-$85
- Cocktails: $16-$28 each
Money-saving tip: Book a room with a kitchenette and prepare some of your own meals. Shop at the local grocery store in Vaitape (the main village) for basics like breakfast items, snacks, and beverages to reduce your daily food expenses.
Local Transportation Costs
The island is small (just 6 miles long), but transportation costs can add up quickly and affect how much is a trip to Bora Bora for 2.
Common Transportation Expenses:
- Airport/resort boat transfers: $110-$170 round trip per person
- Taxi boat between resort and main island: $30-$45 each way
- Car rental: $100-$130 per day
- Scooter rental: $55-$85 per day
- Bicycle rental: $25-$40 per day
Money-saving tip: If staying multiple days in Vaitape or on the main island, rent a bicycle for your entire stay rather than relying on taxis or daily rentals.
Activities and Experiences: Making Memories
The stunning natural beauty of Bora Bora means many activities revolve around the lagoon and water-based experiences.
Popular Activities and Their Costs:
- Lagoon tour (half-day): $110-$160 per person
- Private lagoon tour: $320-$850
- Shark and ray feeding excursion: $110-$140
- Jet ski tour (2 hours): $180-$240
- Parasailing: $130-$160
- Scuba diving (2 tank dive): $160-$220
- Sunset cruise: $130-$190
- 4WD island tour: $70-$110
- Spa treatments: $160-$320
Money-saving tip: Book a combination tour that includes multiple activities (like snorkeling, shark/ray watching, and motu picnic) for better value than booking each separately.
How Much Is a Trip to Bora Bora for a Week?
Let’s break down the total cost for a typical one-week trip to Bora Bora at different budget levels:
7-Day Trip Cost (Per Person, Double Occupancy):
| Category | Budget Trip($3,500–$5,500) | Mid-Range Trip($5,500–$8,000) | Luxury Trip($10,000–$20,000+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | $1,700(Intl. + domestic) | $1,800(Intl. + domestic) | $2,300(Business class international) |
| Accommodation | $1,500(Guesthouse at $210/night) | $4,500(Resort at $650/night) | $11,200(Overwater bungalow at $1,600/night) |
| Food & Drinks | $750($110/day) | $1,500($210/day) | $2,300($330/day) |
| Activities | $350(Mostly self-guided) | $650(Several guided tours) | $1,300(Private & premium experiences) |
| Transportation | $250 | $350 | $550(Incl. private transfers) |
| Estimated Total | ~$4,550 | ~$8,800 | ~$17,650 |
How Much Is a Trip to Bora Bora for 2?
When calculating how much is a trip to Bora Bora for 2, many costs simply double, but there are some economies of scale:
For a couple sharing accommodations, typical costs for a one-week trip would be:
- Budget: $8,000-$10,500 total
- Mid-range: $14,000-$17,000 total
- Luxury: $23,000-$38,000+ total
Sample 7-Day Bora Bora Vacation Budget
To give you a concrete example of how much is a trip to Bora Bora for a week, here’s a realistic mid-range budget for a couple:
7-Day Bora Bora Trip for Two (Mid-Range):
| Category | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| International Flights | $3,600 (from US East Coast) |
| Domestic Flights | $900 (Tahiti to Bora Bora round trip) |
| Accommodation | $5,600 (3 nights beach bungalow, 4 nights overwater) |
| Food & Drinks | $2,800 ($200 per person per day) |
| Activities | $1,200 (4 shared excursions) |
| Local Transportation | $500 (incl. airport transfers) |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $400 (souvenirs, tips, etc.) |
| Total for 2 People | $15,000 (~$7,500 per person) |
Money-saving tip for couples: Look for romance packages which often include extras like champagne, couples’ massages, and special dinners at a lower price than booking each component separately.
Best Time to Visit Bora Bora: Balancing Cost and Weather
When you visit, the season significantly impacts the price how much is a trip to Bora Bora. The climate in tropical with lot of rainfall.
| Season | Weather & Climate | Rates & Availability | Crowds & Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Season (May–October) | Best weather, low humidity, little rain | 20–30% higher accommodation rates | Most crowded, book 6–12 months in advance |
| Shoulder Season (April, November) | Pleasant weather with light showers | 10–20% lower rates than peak season | Fewer crowds, good availability |
| Low Season (December–March) | Hottest, most humid, frequent showers | 30–40% lower accommodation rates | Least crowded, best availability, some activity cancellations possible |
Money-saving tip: Traveling during late April or early November offers the best balance of good weather and lower prices, potentially saving thousands on your total trip cost.
Honeymoon and Special Occasion Expenses
Bora Bora is a popular honeymoon destination, and resorts offer special packages for these occasions.
Honeymoon Package Add-ons:
- Basic package: $350-$550 (champagne, flowers, special dinner)
- Premium package: $850-$1,600 (above plus couples massage, excursion, photo session)
- Ultimate package: $2,200+ (all above plus private beach dinner, helicopter tour)
Money-saving tip: Book a standard room and mention your honeymoon—many resorts offer free upgrades when available to honeymooning couples.
All-Inclusive vs. À La Carte Pricing
Most Bora Bora resorts are not all-inclusive, though some offer meal plans that can make budgeting easier and potentially reduce overall costs.
Meal Plan Options:
- Breakfast only: Included at many resorts
- Half-board (breakfast and dinner): $110-$160 per person/day
- Full-board (all meals): $160-$220 per person/day
Money-saving tip: Half-board packages often provide good value as lunch can be a lighter, less expensive meal you can arrange on your own.
Cost Comparison: Bora Bora vs. Other Luxury Island Destinations
To put Bora Bora costs in perspective:
| Destination | Average 1-Week Cost (Mid-range) |
|---|---|
| Bora Bora | $5,500-$8,000 |
| Maldives | $5,000-$7,500 |
| Seychelles | $4,500-$7,000 |
| Fiji | $3,500-$5,500 |
| Hawaii | $3,000-$5,000 |
Practical Money-Saving Strategies for Bora Bora
The high cost of a Bora Bora vacation means that smart planning can result in significant savings:
- Book package deals: Combining flights, accommodation, and some meals often offers savings of 10-20%
- Travel in the off-season: December to March offers significant discounts (despite occasional rain)
- Limit resort dining: Have some meals in Vaitape or at local food trucks called “roulottes”
- Bring essentials from home: Pack snacks, sunscreen, and medications as these items are extremely expensive in Bora Bora
- Use credit card points: Many premium travel cards offer excellent redemption values for flights and luxury hotels in French Polynesia
- Stay fewer nights: A 5-night stay can provide the full experience at a lower cost than a full week
- Split your trip: Combine a few nights in Bora Bora with less expensive days in Moorea or Tahiti
Hidden Costs to Include in Your Budget
When calculating how much is a trip to Bora Bora, don’t forget these often-overlooked expenses:
- Resort fees: $25-$60 per night
- Boat transfer fees: $110-$170 round trip per person
- Credit card foreign transaction fees: 1-3% of all purchases
- Travel insurance: $100-$300 depending on coverage level
- Tipping: Not customary but appreciated for exceptional service
- WiFi: Sometimes an additional fee at resorts
- Bottled water: $4-$8 per bottle at resorts
Frequently Asked Questions About Bora Bora Trip Costs
These destinations have comparable costs, though Bora Bora tends to be slightly more expensive overall. The Maldives offers more all-inclusive options which can make budgeting easier. Flight costs will vary significantly depending on your departure location.
Most visitors find 5–7 days in Bora Bora to be ideal. This gives you enough time to enjoy the lagoon activities, relax, and experience the island without running out of things to do. Consider combining Bora Bora with other French Polynesian islands like Moorea or Tahiti for a longer trip.
Overwater bungalows in Bora Bora generally range from $850–3,300+ per night depending on the resort, season, and level of luxury. Entry-level overwater bungalows at 4-star resorts start around $850–1,100 per night, while premium overwater villas at 5-star properties with private pools can exceed $3,000 per night.
Conclusion: Is Bora Bora Worth the Price?
When asking “how much is a trip to Bora Bora,” the answer depends greatly on your travel preferences, the season, and the experiences you prioritize. While it’s undeniably an expensive destination with costs starting around $3,500 per person for a very basic trip and easily exceeding $15,000 per person for a luxury experience, careful planning and strategic choices can help make this bucket-list destination more affordable.
The key to a successful Bora Bora vacation is determining which elements matter most to you. Perhaps staying in an overwater bungalow is non-negotiable, but you’re willing to economize on dining. Or maybe you’ll choose a more modest accommodation to free up budget for experiences like private tours and fine dining.
Whatever your priorities, the unparalleled beauty of Bora Bora’s lagoon, the warmth of Polynesian hospitality, and the memories of this South Pacific paradise will likely justify the investment for those who make the journey.
Remember that while the cost is high, the value of experiencing one of the world’s most beautiful destinations—often described as “the pearl of the Pacific”—creates memories that last a lifetime. With proper planning and realistic budgeting using the information in this guide, you can make informed decisions about how much is a trip to Bora Bora that aligns with your financial comfort zone.
