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Dubbed a vacation jewel of the South Seas, there are few places better to relax and unwind than Bora Bora. There’s no end to the allure and leisure that this island brings no mater if you’re coming for a romantic vacation, a honeymoon, or a family getaway. To make your stay even more unforgettable, spend the night in an overwater bungalow perched above Bora Bora’s signature blue lagoon.
Not sure where to start? We’ve compiled a list of the best luxury hotels in Bora Bora.
The best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora: At a glance
- St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
- Four Seasons Bora Bora
- Hotel Maitai Bora Bora
- InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa Hotel
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
St. Regis Bora Bora hosts the largest overwater villa in French Polynesia (the smallest being a whopping 1,550 square feet). There are a few categories of overwater bungalows, but the best are the Overwater Premier Otemanu which look out to the emerald peak of Mount Otemanu. Some have plunge pools, and there are multi-room bungalows available as well.
For dinner, St. Regis Bora Bora hosts the Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges, one of the best restaurants on Bora Bora. At the resort, a boutique, swimming pools, a beachside spa, kayaks, and a Lagoonarium with tropical fish keep you busy when lounge time is over.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The Four Seasons Bora Bora is found next to the St. Regis Bora Bora, and offers a similar experience. As you enter the main part of the property, you’re greeted with well-manicured grounds, a peaceful lagoon area (ideal for snorkeling), the spa, and a handful of restaurants. An infinity pool surrounded by cabanas awaits.
Watch our video tour of the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.
Overwater bungalows stretch towards mainland Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu, with the pick of the property being the bungalows at the very end of the jetty. Some of the bungalows come with plunge pools, but aren’t really needed when you conder a tranquil sea is easily reached with a few steps down the ladder.
The bungalows are modern, spacious, and well-thought when it comes to the layout; there are plenty of spaces to lounge in solitude when you need it. While you’ll typically see mostly couples here, the property hosts a basic kids club for those who’ve come with the little ones in tow.
Check out our full review of the Four Seasons Bora Bora.
Hotel Maitai Bora Bora
On Matira Beach in the southernmost point of mainland Bora Bora, Hotel Maitai Bora Bora offers an intimate yet luxurious overwater bungalow experience. Just twenty overwater bungalows teeter on the property, seven of them being Premier Bungalows. They each have a distinctly Polynesian feel with thatched roofs, wooden walls, and shell décor. A platform leads guests into the water.
This is a great pick if you want an overwater bungalow experience, but don’t want to dole out the money needed to stay at the big name resorts. Its location on Bora Bora’s mainland makes it an easy base to explore the island from–you won’t have to rely on ferry schedules or pay a pretty penny for transport fees. A bar and restaurant onsite ensures you don’t have to leave the property if you don’t want to.
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa
Beyond the lagoon and the beautiful vegetation of Bora Bora is Motu Piti Aau, where the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa hotel is situated. Two Y-shaped overwater bungalow reach towards Bora Bora, offering plenty of opportunities for views of blues and greens. Each bungalow is 1,022 square feet, and there are also a few multi-bedroom villas to accommodate groups.
What sets this InterCon apart from its sister property, InterContinental Moana, is its highly-regarded Thalasso Spa, which uses seawater-based facial, body, and skin treatments. It also tends to draw a more luxury-focused crowd, who prefer to spend most of the time rotating between the pool, the beach, and the bungalow rather than exploring mainland Bora Bora.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is where Kim Kardashian lost her earring (only watch if you have a few brain cells to spare). Tucked on the foothills of a verdant motu, most of the overwater bungalows at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui face the open ocean or motu, though a few face Bora Bora’s mainland. It’s Presidential Villa is one of the most luxurious in Bora Bora, sleeping six people, while the rest sleep three comfortably.
The bungalows are well-thought, with large retractable windows, a large terrace, plush beds, and overwater hammocks (somewhat of a rarity). When you’re not in the bungalows, trod through Coconut Grove, get a treatment from Hina Spa, hit the gym, snorkel, play beach volleyball, paddle, or venture along the 2.5km running track. This resort offers a great mix of relaxation and adventure, if that’s what you’re into.
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts has a laid-back, intimate feeling throughout its property, found on Motu Tevairoa. Some of the more affordable (relatively speaking) overwater bungalows are found near the beach, with decent snorkeling just a few fin kicks away from the swim platform. Next up are the lagoon overwater bungalows that face either the cobalt sea or Mount Otemanu.
While the bungalows tend to err on the smaller side compared to many of the other motu resorts, there’s something cozy and retreat-like about them because of this. Think thatched roofs, bamboo walls, woven decor, and small plunge pools. A spa awaits for massages and pampering treatments.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR OVERWATER BUNGALOW
Not all bungalows are equal: Overwater bungalows facing the beach or other bungalows are usually the most affordable option, and tend to offer less privacy than bungalows facing the open ocean or Mount Otemanu. It can be tempting to splash out on the fanciest overwater bungalow you can afford, but note that you’ll likely have a great time even in the ‘lower categories.’ Features like plunge pools don’t really matter when each bungalow has ocean access.
Mainland vs. motu: Most of the best overwater bungalows on Bora Bora are found on the outer motu, small islets with few to no other businesses or homes around. If you’re looking for a retreat where you can lounge all day without disturbance, this is the best way to go. If you want to stay busy visiting restaurants and going on tours, stay at an overwater bungalow resort on Bora Bora’s mainland, like InterContinental Moorea or Sofitel. Note that most dive and tour operators will pick you up from the outer motu, though there may be a fee.
Travel during the shoulder or off season to save money: The off season in Bora Bora stretches from November to April (excluding the weeks around Christmas). Traveling this time of the year tends to be cheaper than the high season, but there’s also a risk you could run into poor weather. If you’re eyeing a resort and the prices are just too high, come over in the mid- to low-season and save around 30%.
Ready to take it over to the tropics? Chat with other Tahiti travelers over on our Islands of Tahiti Travel Planning group.
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