Bora Bora had been on my bucket list for a while and I was so excited to finally get there! After a cancelled trip in December and another issue right before leaving this trip almost didn’t happen. I decided to go on the trip on my own since Roman had to stay for an emergency at work. I have traveled quite a bit on my own over the years so this didn’t make me nervous at all. I actually felt like Bora Bora might be the perfect place to take a solo trip. I could stay in the bungalow, relax in the sun, swim, get work done and enjoy some me time. Roman ended up coming for two days which was amazing and crazy for flying all that way for 48 hours but he said it was completely worth it!
HOW TO GET THERE:
Getting to Bora Bora from the US may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually not that bad. The most common route is to fly into Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport and then take a short 50-minute flight to Bora Bora. From there, a quick 10 minute boat ride will bring you to the resort. The journey may be long, but trust me, it’s worth it once you arrive in paradise. I flew Delta from Las Vegas to LA (50 minutes) then LA to Tahiti (8 Hours). There are two main options for small flights to Bora Bora: Air Tahiti and Air Moana. We opted for Air Moana which is a new airline and was 50 minutes to Bora Bora.
I had about 3 hours at the Tahiti airport (which is so small) before I could check in for my flight so I changed into a swimsuit and linen pants and shirt, freshened up and got an iced coffee and worked for a little while before I could check into my flight. The check-in process opened 1.5 hours before the flight departed. It was very humid and hot so I was a lot more comfortable changing and arriving to the hotel in vacation attire instead of my travel clothes. I would recommend having a change of clothes in your carry-on to do the same thing if you have the time.
HOTEL & ACCOMMODATION:
After debating over Four Seasons and Conrad for quite a while we decided on Conrad because we heard the dining options were better, it is closer to the airport and mainland and the overwater bungalow options were great for less cost than FS. Initially, we booked a regular overwater villa without a pool through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts. However, upon arrival at the Conrad Bora Bora, I was so excited to be given an upgrade to an overwater villa with a private pool. The upgrade was a great way start to the stay and one of the reasons I usually book through Fine Hotels & Resorts. We also got early check in, 4pm check out, complimentary breakfast and $100 spa credit.
The villa was gorgeous and had the most insane views of the ocean for as far as you could see. It had huge sliding glass doors that led outside which the bed looked out to, outdoor lounge chairs, bluetooth speakers inside and out, and the most gorgeous bathroom. Waking up, sliding open the doors, turning on light tropical house and getting ready while drinking my coffee was my favorite part of the morning.
ACTIVITIES / THINGS TO DO:
During the day, there are countless things to do to keep you entertained and plenty of great spots to relax and enjoy the sea and sun.
You can enjoy complimentary snorkeling equipment, use of kayaks and paddle boards. Concierge can also arrange water adventures including jet-skiing, kite-boarding, scuba diving, and outrigger canoe rides. There is also a gym that is open 24 hours, a tennis court, bicycles, and a golf simulator.
I spent majority of the time at our villa since we had the pool and also a platform with a ladder that went straight into the sea. We swam and laid in the sun, played music and ordered lunch to the room. It was perfect. There are also great beaches on the mainland. Conrad is the only resort in French Polynesia where you can experience four distinct beaches. Find a place to sunbathe, swim, read and dream with a half-mile-long white sand beach.
I highly recommend getting a treatment at the spa. The spa is named after the goddess Hina. In legends, Hina is always presented as the ambassador of beauty, charm, sweetness, and wellbeing. It is set high up on the mountain above the resort and has the most insane views! We got a couples massage on our last day and my only regret is we didn’t go the day before as well. The treatment rooms were so pretty and the therapists did a great job. There is a lookout up by the spa which I definitely recommend checking out.
BEST PHOTO SPOTS:
- At your overwater bungalow looking into the villa is amazing lighting. I took all my outfit breakdown videos here and set up a tripod for photos with Roman and they turned out great.
- Down on the platform of your villa by the water during sunset – with the other villas in the back if you’re located in one of those spots. Use a flash on your camera.
- On the overwater path with all the villas lined up on either side of you. We took these during sunset with a flash and they turned out so pretty.
- Sitting in the edge of your private pool or on the hammock from your villa
- The viewpoint by the spa has the best photos of the island – don’t miss this!
- On the beach at sunset looking out to the large overwater building is where you arrive. I took flash photos here with a really pretty dress and they are my favorite.
- I didn’t get a picture on one of the cute bikes but wish I did. Either on the beach (but I’m not sure if you’re supposed to do that) or on the overwater path.
RESTAURANTS & DINING EXPERIENCES:
The hotel had several restaurant options which I loved and is great if you are staying for a while. My favorite thing I ordered was grilled mahi mahi with a mango salsa and coconut rice – it was so good! I was also ordering iced teas everyday and a chocolate ice cream bar midday was my guilty pleasure ๐ They brought it to the room in a mini ice bucket so it didn’t melt which was very much appreciated!
Breakfast was a buffet in the main building on the mainland. It has a really pretty view of the water so get a table on the outside patio. The croissants were to die for and I always ordered eggs in addition to what was put out for everyone. Iced coffee with almond milk was my go-to as well as a grapefruit juice – ask for a to-go cup if you want to go for a post breakfast walk around the island.
Other dining options include:
IRIATAI – Classic French cuisine in a stylish setting at the main restaurant (view of the water)
BANYAN – Seafood and modern Chinese cuisine near the fabled banyan tree
TAMURE BEACH GRILL – Authentic Mediterranean and Polynesian dishes in an al fresco setting. Sit back and relax as your dish is prepared in the open-air kitchen and stove oven
UPA UPA LOUNGE BAR – Sip cocktails and fine wines curated to complement a selection of sashimi, nigiri, and sushi rolls. Sit back and enjoy panoramic sunset views of Bora Bora in an intimate atmosphere with a live music vibe.
TARAVA POOL BAR – The Tarava Pool Bar is where you can come up for fresh air and refuel. Savor light bites and island spirits as you watch the unforgettable sunsets.
POLYNESIAN DINNER & SHOW – Embrace Tahitianโs culture and tradition as it is brought to life with an array of bespoke events throughout the resort. Discover the local specialities over a magical dinner. Experience Polynesian Dinner & Show each Friday at the Tamure Beach Grill.
CANOE BREAKFAST – Wake up to a Tahitian breakfast for two delivered by canoe.
WHEN TO VISIT:
The best time of year to visit Bora Bora is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During this time, you can expect sunny days, warm temperatures, and low humidity. The shoulder months of April and November also offer pleasant weather, with fewer crowds and lower prices. However, if you don’t mind a little rain, the wet season from November to April can still be a beautiful time to visit. We Visited in March and the weather was incredible. It only lightly rained one day for about 10 minutes and was sunny nearly the whole time. It was very hot and humid but I enjoyed it.
MALDIVES OR BORA BORA?
It is hard to not compare the two because of the overwater villas, beautiful beaches and romantic charm. After traveling to both I definitely prefer the Maldives but I think there are several factors to look at.
Location:
- The Maldives is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. It consists of over 1,000 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls.
- Bora Bora is a small island located in the South Pacific Ocean, part of French Polynesia. It is known for its iconic turquoise lagoon and lush volcanic peaks.
This makes Bora Bora a lot easier to get to from majority of the US, mainly the west coast. I have been to the Maldives on a trip where we also went to Dubai, Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi as well as a trip we started in Thailand. Because we were on that side of the world, the travel to get there wasn’t too bad.
Hotel: The hotel we stayed at in the Maldives (Gili Lankanfushi) is among the best hotels I have stayed at in my life. The experience was absolutely five star luxury and perfection from the moment we arrived until they waved goodbye. I still dream about going back. The service is just not even comparable to Bora Bora – Gili is on a level of their own. I also found the food to be quite a bit better in the Maldives. There were more fresh and healthy options which I loved. I think hotel choice will play a big factor in your choice between the two but my person experience was that the hotel staff in the Maldives were trained impeccably. We got to truly know each person that assisted in making our stay perfect. I can’t say the same for Conrad. I don’t know what our experiences would’ve been at different hotels.
Natural Beauty:
- The Maldives is celebrated for its pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and stunning coral reefs teeming with marine life.
- Bora Bora is famous for its dramatic volcanic peaks, lush tropical vegetation, and vibrant turquoise lagoon, creating a breathtaking backdrop for relaxation and adventure.
Cost:
I feel like the Maldives has the reputation for being one of the more expensive destinations in the world but we actually paid the same price per night for Gili and Conrad. The main difference was the airfare which was cheaper for us to get to Bora Bora but we did visit multiple destinations on our trip to the Maldives.
Overall, I would choose the Maldives as my favorite of the two but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go back to Bora Bora. I had an incredible time, the villas were gorgeous, the views and the water were stunning the beaches were great but the is just something about the Maldives that stole my heart. If you haven’t been to either destination and you eventually want to visit both then I would recommend starting with Bora Bora and going to Maldives second ๐
DEPARTING BORA BORA:
I had an 8am flight from Tahiti to LA and because there aren’t any flights that early from Bora Bora to Tahiti I had to take the 6pm flight and stay overnight in Tahiti. I opted for the Hilton which was very close to the airport and honestly, seemed like the nicest option on the island. I used points with Chase Ultimate Rewards which was about 35k points or $400 for one night. I stayed there on my own since Roman left before me and I felt safe and comfortable. I had breakfast in the morning which was on par with Conrad and then took a 10-15 minute taxi to the airport which I arranged ahead of time. I left the hotel 2 hours before my flight departed and was plenty if time although they recommended that I leave 2.5 hours before the flight.
I really enjoyed the trip overall. I actually loved the time I had on my own before Roman came and low-key feel like I need to do that once a year ๐ The villa was impeccable and it made all the difference having a private pool. If it is in your budget I would definitely splurge for that. It was romantic and beautiful and i’ll be dreaming of the clear, open ocean until further notice.
The send off was giving White Lotus and I LOVED it!
xx Maddie
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