Tour Overview
Bora Bora needs little introduction. Its lagoon — a kaleidoscope of turquoise, aquamarine, and sapphire — is the defining image of French Polynesia, and this 7-day itinerary delivers the experience to match the fantasy. You’ll stay in an overwater bungalow with a glass floor panel offering direct views of the marine life below, steps from your private deck ladder into the lagoon. Days alternate between active lagoon exploration — snorkeling with manta rays, sharks, and eagle rays — and pure relaxation on the white sand crescent of Matira Beach. A private motu picnic takes you to a tiny sand islet where the only footprints are your own, and a sunset cruise around the lagoon captures Bora Bora in its most flattering light. With 6 nights on the island, you have time to both explore and unwind in what many consider the most beautiful place on Earth.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Overwater Welcome
Fly from Tahiti to Bora Bora (50-minute flight with spectacular aerial views). Upon arrival, your resort’s private boat transfers you across the lagoon — this 20-minute crossing is your first taste of the water’s impossible blue. Check into your overwater bungalow and take the afternoon to settle in. Swim directly from your private deck, watch fish through the glass floor panel, or simply lie on your deck and let the view of Mount Otemanu sink in. Sunset brings the first of many spectacular light shows as the 727-meter volcanic peak glows pink and gold.
Day 2: Lagoon Safari — Sharks, Rays & Coral Gardens
After breakfast, board a traditional outrigger canoe for a full-day lagoon excursion. Your first stop is the shallow sand bank inside the lagoon where southern stingrays gather — these gentle creatures will glide right up to you in waist-deep water. Next, snorkel at the outer reef near the lagoon pass, where blacktip reef sharks patrol the coral walls. Your guide knows exactly where to find the coral gardens where thousands of tropical fish — butterflyfish, parrotfish, triggerfish — swarm around healthy coral bommies. Lunch is served on your boat or on a secluded motu. The afternoon includes manta ray spotting (seasonal, with best chances May-November) and an eagle ray viewing point near the reef crest. Return to your resort by late afternoon.
Day 3: Private Motu Picnic & Lagoon Exploration
Today is the trip’s most exclusive experience. A private boat collects you mid-morning to whisk you to a tiny motu (sand islet) on the lagoon’s outer edge. Here, a shaded picnic is set up just for you — freshly grilled lagoon fish, tropical fruits, chilled French wine, and a table set in ankle-deep water. Spend the day swimming in your own private slice of paradise, snorkeling the surrounding coral heads, and walking the motu’s shoreline where hermit crabs outnumber people. Your boat captain remains nearby for safety and can take you to additional snorkel spots. Return to your resort in the late afternoon, sun-kissed and deeply content.
Day 4: Mount Otemanu Hike, Matira Beach & Island Drive
For the fit and adventurous: hike the trail toward Mount Otemanu’s lower slopes (the summit itself is inaccessible without technical climbing gear). The trail offers dramatic views over the lagoon and the barrier island of motus. Depart by 7 AM to beat the heat. After the morning hike, cool off at Matira Beach, Bora Bora’s only public beach and frequently ranked among the world’s most beautiful. Its mile-long crescent of white sand slopes gently into shallow lagoon water perfect for swimming. The beachfront restaurant at the InterContinental Le Moana serves excellent lunch with a view. In the afternoon, rent a bike or scooter to circle Bora Bora’s 32-kilometer coastal ring road, stopping at Faanui Bay, the WWII-era coastal defense cannons at Fitiiu Point, and local artisan stands selling hand-dyed pareu and black pearls.
Day 5: Coral Garden Drift Snorkel & Outrigger Sunset Cruise
Morning visit to the Coral Garden (Jardin de Corail) near the Sofitel Private Island. This shallow, current-driven snorkel site lets you drift over some of the lagoon’s healthiest coral formations. The current does the work — you just float and observe the marine parade below. Parrotfish crunch coral, anemonefish (clownfish) dart among tentacles, and moray eels peer from crevices. After lunch at your resort, the afternoon is yours to relax by the pool or on your bungalow deck. At 4 PM, board an outrigger canoe for a sunset cruise around the lagoon. Sip Champagne as the sky ignites in shades of orange, pink, and purple behind Mount Otemanu — this is the postcard photograph you’ll frame forever.
Day 6: Free Day — Spa, Diving, or Optional Excursion
A day entirely at your pace. Options include: a resort spa treatment incorporating monoi oil and traditional Polynesian techniques; a scuba diving introduction (Bora Bora has excellent dive sites including the Anau manta ray cleaning station); a 4×4 safari to the island’s interior for valley views and WWII relics; jet ski tour around the lagoon; or simply doing nothing at all — reading on your deck, swimming from your bungalow ladder, and watching the lagoon change color as the sun moves across the sky. Farewell dinner at the resort’s fine dining restaurant.
Day 7: Departure
After a final overwater breakfast, your resort boat transfers you to Bora Bora Airport. The flight back to Tahiti provides one last aerial survey of the lagoon’s impossible colors — a fitting farewell to the Pearl of the Pacific.
What’s Included
- 6 nights in an overwater bungalow at a 4-star Bora Bora resort
- Daily breakfast
- Return airport boat transfers with flower lei greeting
- Full-day lagoon safari: shark, ray & coral garden snorkeling (with lunch)
- Private motu picnic experience (with lunch and beverages)
- Sunset outrigger canoe cruise with Champagne
- Guided hike: Mount Otemanu lower slopes
- Coral Garden drift snorkel excursion
- Use of resort kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear
- Welcome drink and cold towel on arrival
What’s Not Included
- International flights and inter-island flights (Tahiti-Bora Bora round trip)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Lunches and dinners (except as noted)
- Spa treatments, scuba diving, and optional excursions
- Bike/scooter rental
- Personal expenses, drinks, and souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities
Accommodation
Overwater bungalow at InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts, or similar 4-star property. Each bungalow features a glass floor viewing panel, private deck with ladder access to the lagoon, king bed, air conditioning, and unobstructed views of Mount Otemanu.
Best Time to Visit
May to October for dry season, calm lagoons, and optimal manta ray sightings. November to April offers warmer water (28-29°C/82-84°F), lush island vegetation, and lower tourist numbers. Bora Bora’s lagoon is protected year-round, meaning water activities operate in all seasons except during severe tropical weather events.
Important Notes
- Overwater bungalows have direct lagoon access; swimmers of all levels can enjoy the shallow water (0.5-2m depth depending on tide)
- Mount Otemanu hike requires moderate fitness; the summit is inaccessible without technical climbing
- Inter-island flights are NOT included and must be booked separately through Air Tahiti
- Bring: swimwear, reef shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, lightweight clothing, camera, and a sense of wonder
- French Polynesian Franc (XPF) is the local currency; major credit cards accepted at resort
- Internet: most resorts provide complimentary WiFi in public areas and bungalows
