Discovering Paradise: Exploring Tahiti & Bora Bora

In 2024, my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary, and I wanted to do something truly special. So, I secretly planned a surprise getaway to the dreamy islands of French Polynesia—specifically, Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Without telling him a thing, I booked our flights (a smooth 8-hour nonstop with United—zero hiccups!) and started counting down the days. Of course, I couldn’t keep the secret for long—I was way too excited and eventually had to spill the beans.

Our goal for this trip? Relax, recharge, and sprinkle in a little adventure. We spent 4 days exploring Tahiti, including a scenic lagoon cruise and visits to Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, and then 3 days soaking in the magic of Bora Bora from our dreamy overwater bungalow.

	Bora Bora

Here’s what our itinerary looked like:

Tahiti

We landed in Tahiti on a Saturday evening, greeted by warm island air and laid-back vibes. Just outside the airport, we grabbed a local cab—quick, easy, and budget-friendly at around $20 for a 15-minute ride to our hotel. That night, we unwound with a relaxed dinner and drinks at the hotel, soaking in the tropical atmosphere and easing into vacation mode before our island adventures began the next day.

On Day 2, we set out for a half-day lagoon cruise—one of the highlights of our trip. There are plenty of local vendors offering this experience, but I found a fantastic guide through a quick Google search (his name came up again and again in glowing reviews). Luckily, our hotel offered a complimentary shuttle to the pier, making the trip super convenient. After the cruise, catching a cab back to the hotel was very convenient.

Our guide was incredibly kind and thoughtful. Knowing we preferred to avoid crowds, he

took us to peaceful, hidden spots around the lagoon. The waters were shallow and crystal-clear—you could literally stand, walk, or take a light swim right in the lagoon. It felt surreal. He also doubled as our personal photographer, capturing tons of great moments and sending us all the photos digitally afterward. Such a thoughtful touch!

After the tour, we stopped for a delicious lunch right at the pier. We found a charming little Italian restaurant called “La Casa Bianca” (it felt like a hidden gem). My husband and I shared a freshly baked pizza, perfectly cooked salmon, and a crisp bottle of wine that hit the spot after our morning on the water. With full bellies and happy hearts, we headed back for a much-needed early evening siesta before getting ready for dinner.

On Day 3, we decided to rent a car and explore the beautiful island of Tahiti at our own pace. Though Tahiti looks like two separate islands, it’s actually one main island divided into two parts: the smaller Tahiti Iti and the larger Tahiti Nui. We booked the car for a full day through our hotel for about $80, and the process was incredibly smooth. We contacted the concierge before breakfast, and by the time we finished eating, the car was ready. After signing a quick rental agreement, we were set to hit the road for the day.

The full drive around the island takes about 3 to 4 hours without stops, but we took our time, soaking in the views. Here is what we covered:

Taharuu Beach - A Black Sand beach
Papeete Market
Vaimhuta Waterfall
Pā’ōfa’i Gardens
Historiccal Churches
Drive through the island to complete Tahiti Iti and Nui both.

We paused for coffee breaks and stumbled upon a hidden gem of a spot for lunch—one of the best surprises of the day. We ordered the local dish which is steamed fish and prawns with plantains and its a flavor bomb. Note on Tours: Many gardens in Tahiti are free to visit—you just need a car to get around. While tour guides are available to drive you, they do come at a higher cost. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which experience suits you best.

Day 4

We took advantage of the hotel shuttle to explore downtown Tahiti and its local markets. Locals will often encourage you to buy a Tahitian pearl—and you absolutely should—but take your time to walk around and purchase from a shop you genuinely trust. The market is beautiful and great to walk around. They also have good trucks and they call it Roulottes.

Bora Bora

On Day 5, we flew to Bora Bora. While the flight from Tahiti is just 45 minutes, it’s surprisingly one of the most expensive parts of the trip. We paid $1,000 for two people to secure a direct flight, but it was worth it for the convenience.

Bora Bora’s airport is located on a separate islet from the main island. We chose to book our airport transfer directly from our hotel, which cost $83 USD per person.

For 3 blissful days, we did nothing but swim in the lagoon, spot stingrays and blacktip sharks, and wander the island at our own pace. It was one of the most relaxing beach escapes we’ve had in a long time—pure paradise.

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the perfect hotel in Bora Bora—especially if you’re deciding between overwater or beachfront bungalows among the top 5 resorts:

Four Seasons
1. Pros
  1. Stunning overwater bungalows with direct lagoon access and unbeatable Mt. Otemanu views.
  2. A nice lagoon where you can swim
2. Cons
3. One of the most expensive resort to stay on the Island
4. Limited on-site dining variety and requires boat transfers to access other areas.
The St. Regis
1. Pros
  1. Offers adult only pool
  2. The resort is quite expansive, so if your room isn’t nearby, you’ll need a bike or a ride to get to the restaurants.
  3. Has its own private beach.
  4. Personal Butler service.
2. Cons
  1. The rooms may have a bit aging infrastructure.
3. Though the hotel provides personal butler service however some reviews mentioned occasional delays in response time.
Intercontinental Thalasso Spa & Resort - We stayed at this hotel.
1. Pros
  1. The hotel only offers Overwater Villas.
  2. The spa is stunning and impressively spacious. The treatments are a must-try experience.
  3. Free non-motorized water sports & lagoon activities – kayaks, paddleboards, stingray feeding, and snorkeling lagoon included
  4. Le Corail, the gourmet restaurant at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, features the largest wine cellar in all of French Polynesia
2. Cons
  1. Couldn’t find much lacking—perhaps just a few more restaurant options would be nice. But what they do offer is absolutely breathtaking.
Conrad Bora Bora
1. Pros
  1. If you are a fan of Kim Kardashian, she stayed at Conrad with her family in 2011.
  2. Offers a private beach.
2. Cons
  1. Limited views of Mount Otemanu. Unlike Four Seasons or InterContinental Thalasso, most villas at Conrad do not face Mt. Otemanu, which can be a letdown for some visitors seeking postcard views.
  2. While there’s decent marine life near some villas, the natural coral reef is still regenerating, so snorkeling isn’t as vibrant as other resorts unless you book excursions.
Le Bora Bora Pearl Resorts
1. Pros
  1. The resort offers a variety of dining experiences, from the buffet at Otemanu Restaurant to the fine dining at Poerava Gourmet Restaurant, and casual meals at Miki Miki Bar & Grill.
2. Cons
  1. The resort’s location can be windy, which may affect outdoor dining and activities, especially during certain season

If you plan to do make your trip to French Polynesia a bit more adventurous and cover more ground, here are a few things, I would suggest you can add:

If you have time, consider adding the island of Moorea to your itinerary—it’s just a short ferry ride from Tahiti and absolutely breathtaking. In fact, many reviews on Google highly recommended it. However, our local guide suggested that since we were already visiting Bora Bora, which offers a similar experience, we’d be better off spending more time there. Trusting his advice, we canceled our Moorea plans and focused on fully enjoying Bora Bora—and we have no regrets!
From Bora Bora, you can take a 5–6 hour ferry ride to Taha’a, an island known as the Vanilla Island. It’s home to lush vanilla plantations, where you can take a guided tour and pick up some of the freshest, most fragrant vanilla pods straight from the source.
There are plenty of snorkeling and diving tours available, each offering a different kind of experience—whether you’re looking for a relaxed lagoon swim or a more adventurous dive, there’s something for everyone. Pro Tips
We booked Captain Benoit for our Lagoon cruise and took a private tour. It was a little expensive but worth every penny. You can consider the small group tours too.
Booking a hotel in Tahiti was a bit tricky—many properties have beautiful lagoons on-site but don’t offer direct private beach access. We chose the Intercontinental and were happy with our stay. It’s conveniently located, just a short walk to the pier. One evening, we even took a leisurely 20-minute stroll to a local café to enjoy a relaxed coffee and soak in the island vibes.
For flights between Tahiti and Bora Bora, you don’t need to book months ahead, but

it’s wise to reserve at least a few weeks in advance. Prices don’t fluctuate much (around $100 per person), but direct flights fill up fast. Once they’re gone, you might get routed through another island with a layover. We chose to pay a bit more for a direct flight—totally worth it to avoid unexpected stops.

In Bora Bora, the airport and most hotels are actually located on different islands, so it’s highly recommended to book your airport transfer directly through your hotel. While there is a public ferry, it doesn’t guarantee drop-off at your specific resort. To avoid any confusion or hassle, it’s best to arrange the transfer in advance—even though it can be pricey, it’s by far the most reliable and seamless way to reach your hotel. The airport transfer can be anywhere between $80 to $110 USD per person depending on where your hotel is.