The Grand Escape
French Polynesia · Region guide

Bora Bora All-Inclusive Travel Guide

Bora Bora is the postcard the overwater bungalow was invented for: a drowned volcano's peak (Otemanu) rising from a lagoon that runs every blue that exists, ringed by motu islets where the famous resorts sit. It's a splurge with no real substitute — and a place where understanding the meal-plan math and the seasons keeps the splurge from becoming a surprise.

Last reviewed July 2026 · Always confirm entry and safety details with official government sources before you travel.

U.S. State DeptLevel 1: Exercise Normal Precautionsupdated Dec 2, 2024 · see latest ↗ · what does this mean?
Getting there
Fly to Tahiti (PPT), then 50-min hop to Bora Bora (BOB) + boat transfer
The setup
Resorts on motu islets around the lagoon; Vaitape is the town
Best for
Honeymoons, once-in-a-lifetime lagoon trips
Season
May–October dry season; Nov–April is wet/cyclone season
Meals
Mostly half-board/full-board plans, not true all-inclusive — budget accordingly
Hurricanes
Low hurricane risk

South Pacific cyclone season is November–April; systems reach French Polynesia only occasionally, but the wet season is real.

Rain & the sweet spot
Best: May–October (dry season — and peak villa pricing)

Rainy season: November–April.

What to actually expect

Days organize around the lagoon: snorkeling with rays and blacktip reef sharks, paddling off your villa deck, boat circuits of the motu, and staring at Otemanu from every angle. Resorts are isolated by design — dinner means your resort's restaurants or a boat ride — so the property you pick is the trip you get.

Unlike the Caribbean, true all-inclusive is rare here; most resorts sell half- or full-board meal plans with drinks à la carte. Price the meal plan into any comparison — it changes the math versus a Caribbean or Maldives all-inclusive materially.

When to go

May–October is the dry season — sunnier, less humid, peak pricing. November–April is warm, wetter, and technically cyclone season (systems are occasional, not annual). Water stays 80°F-ish year-round; the lagoon doesn't have an off month, just wetter skies.

Beyond the resort

Lagoon safaris with ray and shark snorkeling, a 4x4 circle of the main island's WWII cannons and lookout points, jet-ski lagoon laps, and a Polynesian dinner show. Add Moorea or Taha'a to the itinerary if you can — inter-island hops are short and the sister islands are gorgeous in different ways.

Bora Bora weather by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Typical high °F898989898786868686878888
Rain (inches)13.29.66.75.54.02.92.11.92.13.58.312.5

Approximate climate normals for Bora Bora lagoon — planning guidance, not a forecast.

The best all-inclusive resorts in Bora Bora

The Bora Bora properties we'd actually book — tap through for photos, real guest ratings, and what's included.

Browse every all-inclusive

Resort chains in Bora Bora

The brands operating here — tap any chain for its full ranking and what its all-inclusive plan really covers.

Bora Bora, head-to-head

Or compare Bora Bora with any destination we cover:

Frequently asked questions

Is Bora Bora all-inclusive?

Rarely in the Caribbean sense — most resorts offer breakfast/half-board/full-board plans with alcohol extra. Budget meals and drinks explicitly when comparing against genuinely all-inclusive destinations like the Maldives' AI resorts.

How long should we stay in Bora Bora?

Four to five nights hits the sweet spot for most couples — enough for the lagoon rituals without repeating them. Many itineraries pair it with Moorea or Tahiti nights on either side of the hop.

Not sure which Bora Bora resort is right for you?

Take our two-minute quiz and we'll match you — or browse the whole collection.