How to Travel to Bora Bora via Tahiti: The Ultimate Guide 2024

Common Air Travel Routes to Tahiti & Bora Bora

We are hoping this information will be helpful, especially for those who wish to travel to Bora Bora / French Polynesia for the first time.

Bora Bora, with its turquoise lagoons, iconic Mount Otemanu, and luxurious overwater bungalows, is the epitome of tropical paradise. Most journeys to Bora Bora begin with a flight to Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport (PPT), followed by a scenic domestic flight to Bora Bora Airport (BOB). In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best international routes to Tahiti, domestic connections to Bora Bora, and how to plan your perfect getaway

1: Getting to Tahiti

Departing Airports and Airlines

Tahiti is accessible from major cities across the globe, with Faa’a International Airport (PPT) serving as the main entry point. Below is a list of airlines and routes to Tahiti:

From North America

From Europe

  • Paris (CDG):
    • Air France: Evening flights with a stopover in Los Angeles.
    • French Bee: Evening departures (via LAX).

From Oceania

  • Auckland (AKL):
  • Sydney (SYD) (Layover in Auckland) :
    • Qantas: Seasonal flights departing in the morning.
  • Fiji
  • Fiji Airways
    • Number of Flights: 2 per week
    • Notes: Fiji Airways connects PPT with Nadi, offering an option for travelers from Fiji.

From Asia

  • Tokyo (NRT):
    • Air Tahiti Nui: Evening departures.

2: Connecting to Bora Bora

Once in Tahiti, you’ll need to book a domestic flight to Bora Bora. Air Tahiti and Air Moana operates multiple daily flights between Papeete (PPT) and Bora Bora (BOB), with a flight duration of about 50 minutes.

  • Air Tahiti:
    • Departures: Flights start as early as 6:00 AM and run until late afternoon.
    • Reservation: Book your flight here.
  • Air Moana
Pro Tip: Book a window seat for breathtaking aerial views of Bora Bora’s lagoon! No seat assignement on Air Tahiti

For these planning to visit multiple islands, you may want to check the Air Tahiti Multi Island Pass: https://www.airtahiti.pf/tarifs-pass

3: Uppon your arrival in Bora Bora

For those staying at a resort located on a Motu, the resorts will each have a welcome desk and their own shuttle to take you to their propery.

For those staying on the Main Island, Air Tahiti & Air Moana provide a free shuttle to Vaitape which is about a 20 min ride.  These shuttles are also available for your departure to make the trip from Vaitape to the Airport – CHECK the departure times based on your flight, the schedule is posted at the Air Tahiti Fare.

Flight Frequency Overview

Here’s a snapshot of typical flight frequencies:

  • North America to Tahiti:
    • Daily flights from Los Angeles.
    • Several weekly flights from San Francisco and Honolulu.
  • Europe to Tahiti:
    • Daily flights from Paris (via LAX).
  • Oceania to Tahiti:
    • Multiple weekly flights from Auckland and Sydney.
  • Asia to Tahiti:
    • Several weekly flights from Tokyo.
  • Tahiti to Bora Bora:
    • Up to 8 flights daily.

Making Your Reservation

Here are links to reserve your flights to Tahiti and onward to Bora Bora:

Domestic Flights in French Polynesia

Travel Tips for Bora Bora

  1. Plan Ahead: Flights to Bora Bora are limited, so book your domestic connection as soon as you secure your international ticket.
  2. Best Time to Visit: April to October offers the driest weather, while November to March brings fewer crowds but some rain.
  3. Pack Light: Inter-island flights have stricter baggage limits, so plan accordingly. Note that if you have a diving card / certificate, Air Tahiti will allow you 5kg extra.
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