Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora: 6 Bucket List Stays

Looking for the French Polynesia vacation of a lifetime? Lori and I created the ultimate guide to the most spectacular overwater bungalows in Bora Bora just for you!

Whether you’re planning your dream honeymoon or simply a memorable Pacific Islands getaway, you’ll find it all below.

Bora Bora is home to around 50 resorts offering overwater bungalows. But, only a small minority offer the quintessential, once-in-a-lifetime experience that travelers picture when they think of Bora Bora.

So pack your fun back, because it’s time to head way down south to discover the best overwater stays in Bora Bora!

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The Best Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is our overall top pick for best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora—climbing three whole spots from last year’s list.

The St. Regis claims to have the largest overwater bungalows in the South Pacific. With the smallest of their villas measuring 1,550 square feet, we think there might actually be a lot of truth to that!

Have you ever heard of a Lagoonarium? If not, you’re in for a real treat at St. Regis. If swimming around in the St. Regis 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.

The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa is a long time favorite with returning visitors to Bora Bora, which is especially reflected in the most recent reviews from late 2023.

This incredible resort offers all the luxurious amenities you could hope for in the over-the-water resort stay of your dreams!

Take advantage of Thalasso’s idyllic location on the water offering exceptional opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and standup paddle boarding, all just steps away.

Insider 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).

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 the resort’s world-class TAVAI Spa.

All recently (and lavishly) remodeled (in 2020) and only ten minutes away from the airport.

Insider Tip

Some of the resorts 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).

Want the InterContinental treatment without the Thalasso Resort & Spa pricing? Then check out the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana.

Le Moana offers one of the more immersive experiences on our list, with Polynesian-style overwater bungalows and breakfast delivered by wooden canoe.

Centrally located near Vaitape on Bora Bora Island, Le Moana is also one of the best resorts for trying offsite local fare, and taking advantage of the main island’s hiking and natural attractions.

And if you want the best of both InterContinental worlds, there is direct water taxi service between the two properties.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora is frequently considered the standard-bearer for overwater bungalows around the world.

What makes the Four Seasons Bora Bora so special? Maybe it’s the private yacht that whisks guests to the resort in style. Or perhaps its the chef-prepared meals delivered by canoe to your doorstep from one of their four 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, ready to host the honeymoon of your dreams, ultimate family vacation, or just some well-deserved time away in paradise.

A true bucket list stay if there ever was one!

Insider 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.

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 resort’s five star service is legendary. And, you can have your own personal butler. And, you can have a private plunge pool with your overwater bungalow.

Yes, the building methods are harmonious with nature and the accommodation, spectacular.

Yes, the Kardashians stayed here.

Yes, yes, and yes.

Getting the Most Out of Your Overwater Bungalow Stay in Bora Bora

We love overwater bungalows! But we also know there’s a few important things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect over-the-water stay. Here are our top tips and considerations for booking Bora Bora overwater bungalows.

• Not all Bora Bora overwater bungalows are created equal, and accommodation can vary significantly across the same property (even the same price point). Make sure you understand the difference between the various types and tiers of accommodation before booking.
• 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 six properties in this guide. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, we recommend staying around Vaitape 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, which will include just breakfast or breakfast and dinner for two.
• 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 a limited number of power outlets in Bora Bora. 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. 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 probably didn’t come all the way to paradise just to surf the web and watch Netflix, right?).

Bora Bora Overwater Bungalows FAQs

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.

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!

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!).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Featured image (cover photo): Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts.