After traveling to some of the most beautiful and iconic French Polynesian islands, we are going to dive into the top five things you need to know about Tahiti/Bora Bora islands to better plan your own adventure!

1. Geography: Tahiti is the considered the “mainland” and the main airport of Tahiti is Papeete, which all international flights have to go through! Usually the layovers are a little funky. There are only a few flights out to the islands a day so a majority of the time you will have to stay overnight on Tahiti before traveling out to your resort island. However, the good news is that there are some awesome markets and food trucks in Tahiti so that the layover is definitely not a drag! The only island off of Tahiti navigable by boat is Moorea. All other islands will require a 45 minute to hour long flight.

   Fun Fact: The Bora Bora airport was the first airport in Tahiti and built by the Navy. For a long time that was the only international airport, until Papette was created. Today Bora Bora Airport is only used for inter-island flights!

2. Airports: There are three main airlines that service Tahiti from the US:

   1. French bee which goes from San Francisco. This was the first economy long-haul airline.

   2. Air Tahiti Nui which goes from LAX. This is a little more upscale option with French Polynesian flair.

   3. Air France which goes from LAX. They have the fabulous first class pods!

   The airports do not have air conditioning… at all! So make sure to dress accordingly for your travel day. If you are doing an inter-island flight, there are no seat assignments. It is first come first serve style so make sure you get to the front of the line if are picky about where you sit. Also, make sure to pack small bags. With the smaller planes you will most likely have to check your bags due to space, so know that ahead of time and take out any valuables from your bags (i.e. your wallet)!

3. Room Types: There are plenty of beach bungalows but this area of the world is most known for their over the water bungalows! Most islands talk about what produce they are best known for… Bora Bora brags that they grow bungalows like the other islands grow produce.

   It is good to know that not all rooms are over the water bungalows and all bungalows are VERY different from one another. Some of the resorts have a very Polynesian, authentic decor while other resorts have a much more commercial feel – so yes, they are all very much their own property!

4. Budget: This is THEE most common question we receive about this section of the world. If budget is a concern, split your time between islands to save money in a place like Moorea (which is known for their island tours and excursions which means less time lounging in your room) to save up and splurge for your stay in Bora Bora. The water bungalows in Bora Bora can start at about $550/night in the low season and range anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500/night (and up) for a 5 star resort.

   Something else to consider is that in Tahiti it is more expensive to eat. Make sure to work with your travel agent to do an all inclusive or halfboard plans, we highly recommend this so you are not having to spend as much money when you are there! This also helps you stick to a particular budget.

5. Resorts: This part of the world has some of the most amazing properties! The Conrad Bora Bora is the only property that is situated up a mountain for breathtaking panoramic views. If you are a spa lover, the Intercontinental Thalasso and St. Regis resorts have great spa facilities on site. If you are looking for an authentic, more intimate and quaint experience, we recommend exploring the Intercontinental Moana Bora Bora or Pearl Beach Resort are awesome! They are also more economical option. The Le Meridien’s water was unreal – there is truly something to be said about every single one of them!

   If you have questions about a specific resort or how to turn a quote into an itinerary, feel free to reach out to our team for more information! We are happy to help you create your dream Bora Bora experience.

Another fun option to consider when thinking through your Tahiti travel plans is to consider a cruise! The Windstar also has some great cruise options through Bora Bora and Tahiti. The Aranui is a very awesome brand that travels to the Marquesas Islands, which is teeming with culture and French Polynesian flavors! It is a 13 night high end cruise liner that allows you to see a lot of Tahiti without unpacking your bags. This is a great option for experiential travelers!