Wondering about the best things to do in Bora Bora?
This tiny island in French Polynesia has become one of the most famous tropical destinations in the world, known for its turquoise lagoon, jungle-covered volcanic peaks and those iconic overwater bungalows.
I first became aware of Bora Bora thanks to the XXX movie back in 2002, when Vin Diesel’s character Xander Cage showed up on screen, living the dream in paradise. From that moment on, staying in an overwater bungalow went straight onto my travel bucket list.
Nearly a decade later, I finally made it there myself, and I’ve returned to French Polynesia more than once since. What surprised me most? Bora Bora isn’t just for honeymooners. Yes, it’s romantic. But it’s also surprisingly family-friendly, with calm lagoons perfect for swimming, beaches where kids can paddle safely, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
If you’re deciding between islands in French Polynesia, you might also like our guide to Bora Bora vs Moorea.
In this guide, we cover some of the best things to do in Bora Bora, from lagoon tours and snorkelling adventures to cultural experiences and family-friendly activities.
Quick list: Best things to do in Bora Bora
If you’re short on time, these are some of the top experiences:
- Take a Bora Bora lagoon tour
- Relax on Matira Beach
- Go snorkelling in the lagoon
- Stay in an overwater bungalow
- Go sunset cruising and stargazing
- Try an electric paddleboard
Below is a closer look at each experience plus more.
Take a lagoon tour – one of the best things to do in Bora Bora
If you’re wondering about the best things to do in Bora Bora, a lagoon tour deserves to be right near the top of the list.
Bora Bora’s lagoon is the star of the show, and a full-day cruise is one of the best ways to experience just how beautiful it really is. This type of tour typically includes several snorkelling stops where you may see marine life such as stingrays, black-tip reef sharks, manta rays and colourful reef fish, along with time at coral gardens and other scenic spots around the lagoon.
Along with time on the water, a lagoon tour often includes lunch on a private motu, hotel pickup and drop-off, and Polynesian-style entertainment.
For families, this can be a particularly good option because it offers variety rather than just one activity. If you only book one big activity on the island, a lagoon cruise is one of the most memorable things to do in Bora Bora for both couples and families.
Chill out at Matira Beach
Relaxing at Matira Beach is one of the few free things to do in Bora Bora, and it’s easily the island’s most famous beach.
With soft white sand and clear, shallow water, it’s perfect for swimming and paddling. Families especially love Matira Beach because the water is calm, the entry is gradual and there’s plenty of space to spread out.
Matira Beach sits around 8 km south of Vaitape, Bora Bora’s main town and parking is available near the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort.
Go snorkelling on a half-day Bora Bora tour
If you’re looking for shorter things to do in Bora Bora that still let you experience the island’s famous lagoon, a half-day snorkelling tour is a great option.
This kind of excursion takes you out by boat to explore Bora Bora’s beautiful waters, with stops that may include sharks and stingrays, manta rays and the coral gardens. It’s an easy way to enjoy some of the lagoon’s best-known highlights without committing to a full-day trip, which can work really well for families travelling with younger kids or anyone who prefers a more relaxed schedule.
Many snorkelling tours stop at Motu Fanfan, a popular little islet known for its white sand beach and bright turquoise water. There, you can pause for a taste of local fresh fruit, adding a nice laid-back island touch to the morning.
Snorkelling equipment, fins, towels and bottled water are usually included, which makes this one of the more straightforward things to do in Bora Bora if you just want to turn up and enjoy the experience. With a morning departure and return around lunchtime, it also leaves plenty of time for a beach afternoon, a lazy resort swim or one more cocktail while pretending your real life doesn’t exist.
Hire a pushbike and explore at your own pace
One of my favourite ways to explore the island is simply to hire a bicycle and ride along the coastal road. Bora Bora’s main road circles the island for about 32 km, and cycling parts of it is a fantastic way to see local life beyond the resorts.
Along the way, you can stop for lagoon viewpoints, roadside cafés, small pearl shops and at Matira Beach for a swim. Even if you only cycle a short section, it’s a relaxing and scenic way to explore.
Explore the island on a 4WD adventure tour
While many visitors focus on Bora Bora’s lagoon, exploring the island’s interior is another one of the most memorable things to do in Bora Bora.
A guided 4WD safari takes you into parts of the island that regular vehicles can’t reach, travelling along rugged off-road tracks and winding roads through lush tropical landscapes. Along the way, guides share stories about Bora Bora’s history, culture and traditions, giving you a deeper understanding of the island beyond the beaches.
One of the highlights of this type of tour is stopping at scenic lookouts such as Mount Popoti, where you can enjoy panoramic views across the lagoon, the surrounding motus and the Pacific Ocean beyond. These viewpoints offer some of the best photo opportunities on the island.
Many tours also include visits to historical and cultural sites, including ancient Polynesian marae (temples) where guides explain the island’s traditional beliefs and heritage. You may also see tropical plants, fruit trees and medicinal plants that grow throughout Bora Bora.
Some full-day excursions combine the island tour with time on a private motu, where you can enjoy a Polynesian-style buffet lunch. If you want to see more than just the lagoon, a 4WD safari is one of the best things to do in Bora Bora for discovering the island’s landscapes, culture and history in a single day.
Stay in an overwater bungalow
Spending a night in an overwater bungalow is easily one of the most iconic things to do in Bora Bora. These villas sit above the lagoon on stilts and usually feature direct water access from your deck with private sun decks and ladders into the lagoon. Some even have glass floor panels to watch the marine life through from inside your bungalow.
Yes, it’s definitely a splurge experience, but for many travellers, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list stay. If you’re travelling as a family, some resorts even offer larger overwater villas designed for families.
Visit the town of Vaitape
The main town of Vaitape is small, but charming. Here you’ll find:
- local restaurants and cafés
- souvenir shops
- churches
- pearl jewellery stores
French Polynesia is famous for its black pearls, and Vaitape is one of the easiest places to get your hands on them.
Go stargazing on a sunset cruise – a unique thing to do in Bora Bora
Watching the sunset from the water is one of the most magical things to do in Bora Bora, and a sunset cruise combined with stargazing takes the experience to another level.
This small-group tour begins with pickup from your hotel before heading out by boat as the sun begins to set over the lagoon. From the water, you’ll get a beautiful view of Bora Bora’s dramatic mountain peaks silhouetted against the colourful evening sky – one of the island’s most photogenic moments.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the experience continues with stargazing. Away from the island’s lights, the night sky becomes incredibly clear, and guides share stories of how ancient Polynesian navigators once used the stars to travel vast distances across the South Pacific.
For travellers looking for something a little different after a day of swimming and snorkelling, a sunset and stargazing cruise is one of the most memorable things to do in Bora Bora once the sun goes down.
Try an electric paddle cruise on the lagoon
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Bora Bora, an electric paddle cruise offers a fun and eco-friendly way to explore the lagoon.
These electric boards allow you to glide across the water without needing to paddle or row. Instead, a quiet electric motor helps you move smoothly across the lagoon while you simply steer and enjoy the scenery. The slow cruising speed also makes it a relaxing way to take in Bora Bora’s famous gradient of blue water.
Starting from Matira Beach, this experience lets you explore the lagoon at your own pace. The boards are designed to be stable and easy to use, and safety equipment such as life vests is provided.
Planning a trip to Bora Bora?
If you’re planning a visit to this stunning island, these guides can help:
Frequently Asked Questions about Bora Bora
Bora Bora is best known for its turquoise lagoon, luxury overwater bungalows and the dramatic Mount Otemanu volcano rising from the centre of the island. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful tropical destinations in the world and is famous for its clear water, coral reefs and relaxed Polynesian atmosphere.
Although Bora Bora is often seen as a honeymoon destination, it can also be surprisingly family-friendly. The lagoon is calm and shallow in many areas, making it great for swimming and snorkelling. Many resorts offer family villas, and activities like boat tours, beach days and wildlife spotting are enjoyable for kids.
Most travellers spend three to four days in Bora Bora, which allows enough time to enjoy a lagoon tour, explore the island, relax on the beaches and experience an overwater bungalow stay.
The best time to visit Bora Bora is during the dry season from May to October, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is lower. This period generally offers the best conditions for snorkelling, lagoon tours and outdoor activities.
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