Dreaming of the Trip of a Lifetime? it’s time to get packing! We’ve put together the definitive guide to the top Bora Bora overwater bungalows you’ve been waiting for ⏤ featuring the very best that Bora Bora has to offer.
Lori and I are excited to introduce you to these amazing overwater bungalows on the incredible islands of Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
Whether you’re planning an epic island getaway, the ultimate honeymoon, or just looking for a unique tropical island resorts experience you won’t soon forget, you’ll find it in this guide.
What makes Bora Bora overwater bungalows so special?
These are the quintessential luxury stays in paradise – the stuff that dream vacations are made of!
Bora Bora is home to around 50 resorts offering overwater bungalow accommodation. However, only a small minority of these offer the quintessential, once-in-a-lifetime experience that many travelers come to Bora Bora expecting.
In this article, we aim to bring you the very best overwater bungalows that Bora Bora has to offer, promising stunning views, top-notch service, and crystalline waters at your doorstep.
If, right now, we were planning a second honeymoon or ultimate getaway in Bora Bora for ourselves (woohoo!) this guide would be our shortlist.
If you’re planning your own perfect vacay in paradise, we’re certain you’ll find it in one of the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora.
So pack your swimsuit and prepare to be wowed by Bora Bora’s best over the water stays!
In a hurry? Here’s a quick look at our top picks to get you started
- Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
- InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
- The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – Hotel Deals
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui
- Le Meridien Bora Bora
- Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
Only the most amazing overwater bungalows in Bora Bora to pick from! Read on for all the details and start packing for paradise!
The 7 Best Overwater Bora Bora Bungalows
Picking the perfect island stay will be a breeze with our hand-picked list of top Bora bora overwater bungalows (arranged in no particular order – they’re all fabulous!).
Interactive Map – Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora
Use our custom interactive map, above, to compare locations of overwater bungalows in Bora Bora featured in this article.
Whether you are planning the island vacation of a lifetime or looking to get away from it all for a while, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for below.
Don’t miss our top tips for making the most of your stay at overwater bungalows in Bora Bora at the end of this article.
Four Seasons Bora Bora
Frequently considered the standard-bearer for overwater bungalows around the world, the Four Seasons Bora Bora is the Pacific island stay you’ve been dreaming of.
What makes the Four Seasons Bora Bora so special? Maybe it’s the private yacht that transports guest to the resort.
Or the chef-prepared meals delivered by canoe to your doorstep from one of four onsite world-class restaurants.
Or maybe it’s simply those jaw-dropping views from each of the private and luxurious overwater bungalows.
Four Seasons Bora Bora was recently enhanced and updated in 2019, and employs some of the most rigorous health and hygiene standards in French Polynesia.
No doubt about it, Four Seasons Bora Bora is the ultimate honeymoon stay. But the resort is also popular with other luxury travelers (including families).
A true bucket list stay if there ever was one!
HOT TIP ▸ As you might expect with any of the premier resorts in Bora Bora, their overwater bungalows book up quick (particularly the ones facing Mt. Otemanu), so you’ll want to reserve your stay as early as possible.
Compare Rates ▸ Hotels.com | Booking.com
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa
A long time favorite with returning visitors to Bora Bora! The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa offers all the luxurious amenities you’d hope for in the Bora Bora overwater bungalows of your dreams!
Take advantage of Thalasso’s idyllic location on the water offering incredible opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and standup paddle boarding, all just steps away.
A truly memorable overwater stay in Bora Bora.
HOT TIP ▸ If you’re keen on getting the best views, most privacy, and best waters to swim in, get a bungalow as far from land and the main resort as your budget will allow (such as the Diamond Otemanu overwater bungalows).
Compare Rates ▸ Hotels.com | Booking.com
Want the InterContinental treatment without the Thalasso Resort & Spa pricing?
Also check out the InterContinental Le Moana Resort Bora Bora, with Polynesian-style overwater bungalows located on the main island. Can’t decide? InterContinental runs a direct water taxi service between their two properties.
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts blends contemporary sophistication with traditional Polynesian design features to produce overwater bungalows that are truly exceptional.
Spend your days relaxing in your private infinity pool over the water, one of the few resorts in Bora Bora to offer such an amenity in select bungalows.
Make your way below to the turquoise waters at your doorstep, or while away the afternoon at their world-class TAVAI Spa.
All recently (and lavishly) remodeled (in 2020) and only ten minutes away from the airport.
HOT TIP ▸ Some of the stays on this list are located quite far from the main island, but NOT Le Bora Bora! Regular water taxi service is available between the resort and the main island which takes about 5 minutes (9:30am taxi is free).
Compare Rates ▸ Hotels.com | Booking.com
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort claims to have the largest overwater bungalows in the South Pacific. With the smallest of their villas measuring 1,550 square feet, we think they might be on to something!
Have you ever heard of a Lagoonarium? If not, you’re in for a real treat at St. Regis. If swimming around in the Lagoonarium doesn’t satiate your thirst for underwater adventure, take a dive around the resort to spot rays and blacktip reef sharks.
Enjoy all of the incredible amenities this 5-star resort has to offer, including world class hospitality, spa services, fitness center, swim-up bar, and four restaurants to choose from.
The St. Regis is also a preferred location for weddings, honeymoons, and corporate retreats.
Ready for a real vacation? Le Meridien awaits!
Compare Rates ▸ Marriott.com | Booking.com
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Formerly the Hilton Bora Bora Nui, the newly rebranded Conrad Bora Bora Nui in many ways is in a class of its own.
Yes, they offer one of the largest overwater villa stays in the world (check out the Presidential Overwater Villa).
Yes, the Kardashians stayed here.
Yes, their five star service is legendary. Yes, you can have your own personal butler.
Yes, you can have a private plunge pool with your overwater bungalow.
Yes, the building methods are harmonious with nature and the accommodation, spectacular.
Yes, yes, and yes.
Compare Rates ▸ Hotels.com | Booking.com
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Le Meridien Bora Bora
Want to watch sea turtles through the glass floor of your luxury bungalow? You can, plus so much more, at Le Meridien Bora Bora.
Combining mod design touches with classic styling, Le Meridien is a fabulous place to take in the incredible beauty of Bora Bora while helping to give something back to the area’s marine habitat. Le Meridien hosts and manages its own turtle sanctuary, which guests can visit.
Spend your days taking in the treasure trove of life that lies just below the surface, dine at the waters edge at their lagoon restaurant, or simply do nothing at all in your overwater bungalows.
Check Rates & Availability ▸ Hotels.com
Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
A private island stay quite unlike any other on this list, Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island caters to discerning travelers who are looking for a more private and intimate island experience in Bora Bora.
Extending out over the crystalline waters of Matira Bay with exceptional views of the main island, Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island represents one of the best values on this list.
Friendly and professional staff, excellent accommodation, a variety of outdoor activities and adventures on offer, and an array of colorful marine life within a short swim make Sofitel a favorite for many return visitors to Bora Bora.
This is the choice for travelers looking for a smaller, boutique-like stay with no-fuss access to the culture and amenities of the main island without sacrificing quality and top-notch hospitality.
Check Rates & Availability ▸ Hotels.com
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Did We Miss Any of Your Favorite Bora Bora Over the Water Bungalows?
Let us know in the comments section!
Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora
- Not all Bora Bora overwater bungalows are created equal, and can vary significantly across the same property (and even the same price point). Make sure you understand the difference between the various types and tiers before booking to avoid disappoint.
- If you’re traveling on a limited budget, keep in mind that transport between the resort and the airport or main island can be very high, depending on how isolated and upmarket your resort is.
- Restaurant prices vary significantly across the seven properties listed here. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, it might be worth staying on the main island (e.g. InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort) and splitting your time between restaurants on and off the property.
- If you’re looking for the best dining value, many of the resorts offer a meal plan with a discount.
- Alcohol can be insanely expensive at the resorts and there are few practical places in Bora Bora to stock up. We recommend taking advantage of any Duty Free shops you have access to on your inbound flight and packing up to the limit allowed by your airline.
- Overwater bungalows (even luxury villas) tend to have limited power outlets. If you plan to bring more than just your phone, you’ll want to pack a small power strip.
- On that note, you’ll also want to bring a travel adapter. We recommend this one. But be advised: French Polynesia uses two voltage standards (110v and 220v), so check with the staff before using an AC appliance from home (such as a blow dryer).
- Don’t bet on getting fast or reliable WiFi at even the most luxurious Bora Bora overwater bungalows. WiFi is hit or miss here, so best to keep that in mind when planning your trip (but you didn’t come all the way to paradise just to surf the web or watch Netflix, right?).
Bora Bora Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Bora Bora?
What’s NOT special about this amazing place!?
Bora Bora is an atoll (island group) of 118 islands. In the center of the atoll lay Bora Bora island, where dramatic Mount Otemanu (an extinct volcano) juts 2,385 feet (727 m) into the sky.
The waters of the lagoon created by the atoll are an impossibly striking shade of turquoise, framed by the lush jungle and mountain landscape.
The unparalleled natural beauty of the atoll combined with the presence of some of the most luxurious hotel properties on Earth (including some absolutely stunning overwater bungalows in Bora Bora) make Bora Bora a travel destination like none other.
Traveler surveys over the years have consistently ranked Bora Bora as the most beautiful place in the world.
Which side of Bora Bora is the best?
As the atoll as a whole goes, this one comes down to personal preference. There really isn’t a bad side to stay on.
Not convinced? Take a look at our map (above) and you’ll notice that the top overwater bungalows in Bora Bora are well distributed across the atoll.
In Bora Bora, your preferred location will have much more to do with what you are looking for in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora.
With that said, if you are hoping to save on transport expenses between the airport and the resort, then you’re preference will likely be the northern region.
Does Bora Bora have overwater bungalows?
YES!!! In fact, the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora are among the best in the world! In many ways, Bora Bora popularized the notion of luxury overwater bungalow experiences.
Be sure to check out our hand-picked list of the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora above for our absolute favorites.
How much does it cost to stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora?
The overwater villas located in Bora Bora aren’t cheap. Some, in fact, are among the most luxurious (and most expensive) in the world!
Get ready to pay somewhere between $380 and $2,200 per night for an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora.
Time of year, level of amenities, and type of room will have a huge impact on how much you end up paying.
For example, plan on shelling out much more for a luxury overwater villa with private pool in August (if you can snag one), than a beachfront cabana in February.
What is the cheapest month to go to Bora Bora?
Generally speaking, the hot/wet season between October and May is the cheapest time of year to visit, with February and November being the cheapest months to book flights and hotels in Bora Bora.
If you’re looking for deals on overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, this is the time of year to find them. But be prepared for hot and humid days and frequent storms.
What month is the best weather in Bora Bora?
If you’re looking for the best water visibility, least chance of rain, and most pleasant temperatures, then you’ll want to plan a visit to Bora Bora between June and September.
BUT…expect to pay a premium for stays during this time of year (and book well in advance!).
Is the water deep in Bora Bora?
Bora Bora is an atoll comprised of over 100 islands forming a natural barrier between the deep waters of the Pacific on the outside and the shallow waters of the lagoon on the inside.
Within the lagoon (where 100% of the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora are located), depths range from 5 feet to 150 feet, with 5-10 feet being most common.
How deep is the water under the bungalows in Bora Bora?
The water below the bungalows in Bora Bora can be quite shallow, starting at a couple of feet and topping out around 10 feet around most bungalows.
For this reason, we strongly recommend testing the waters around your overwater bungalow before jumping in!
Thanks for Reading Our Guide to the Best Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora!
Don’t forget to share these bucket list Bora Bora overwater bungalows with your favorite travel buddies!
Featured image (cover photo): St. Regis Bora Bora. Last photo by Thomas Stadler / Unsplash. All other photos are credited to the associated property.
