Travel to Bora Bora via Tahiti

Romantic Bora Bora was a dream destination for my wife and me. In 2022, we decided to make it a reality to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Bora Bora did not disappoint, and the cost in time and money to get there was worth it to see and experience this tropical wonderland. From peaceful resorts, to friendly people, to spectacular scenery, Bora Bora is the perfect destination for anyone seeking to spend quality some time in a splashy, romantic paradise. But how do you get there? You travel to Bora Bora via Tahiti.

Long Layover in Papeete, Tahiti.

Everyone must fly through Tahiti to get to Bora Bora. Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, and Hawaiian Airlines offer flights from the Western US to Faa’a International Airport (PPT) in Tahiti. We took Hawaiian Airlines from Las Vegas through Honolulu to Papeete, Tahiti. Roundtrip airfare on Hawaiian Airlines cost $1,074 each, which was a bargain compared to the other options. It’s a fairly comfortable route, and they operate it only on Saturdays.

Flights arriving from the US typically arrive at night. Faa’a airport is a virtual ghost town during the day. Most of the shops and restaurants are closed during the day. The terminal seems to come alive when the large A330s and A350s start arriving at around 8:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, there are no connecting flights to Bora Bora (BOB) until the next day. The last flight out on Air Tahiti leaves at about 5:30 p.m. You have to spend at least one night in Tahiti, which isn’t a bad thing.

We spent two nights in Tahiti to check out the largest island in French Polynesia. You can read about a tour of the island’s “Jurassic Coast” we took with Unique Tahiti in my blog post. We also had dinner at the Roulottes in Papeete, and passed some time shopping in the local market. Spending an extra night in Tahiti gave us time to relax after the long journey and take in some of the sites. It was certainly worth it.

When it was time to leave for our dream destination, we boarded a puddle jumper from Faa’a International Airport to Bora Bora on Air Tahiti. The flight took about an hour and 25 minutes with one stop on Raiatea. Roundtrip airfare between Tahiti and Bora Bora is pricey at $450 roundtrip each. They operate small propeller ATRs that seat 48 to 70 passengers. A small cup of juice or water is offered for refreshment. It is a pleasant, quick flight with some spectacular views of the Society Islands along the way.

The approach to Bora Bora airport is fantastic. Sit on the port side of the airplane for the best views.

Bora Bora’s tiny airport sits on a small island called a motu. It’s only accessible by boat. When you land, get your luggage and then proceed to your resort’s desk located inside the terminal for directions to your hotel’s boat transfer. We stayed at the Conrad and arranged for a direct transfer to our hotel at a cost of $75 per person roundtrip. Otherwise, Air Tahiti offers a free water shuttle to Vai’tape where one may take a taxi or boat to their accommodation. It was an enjoyable twenty minute boat ride directly to the resort.