About the Port
Rising from a turquoise lagoon in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is anchored by the jagged silhouette of Mount Otemanu, a dormant volcanic remnant that dominates every view. Coral reefs ring the island, creating calm, strikingly clear water prized for snorkeling and swimming. The main settlement of Vaitape sits near the pier, with much of the island's activity centered on the lagoon itself and the small motus scattered along its edge.
Overwater bungalows built along the shallows have become emblematic of the island's appeal, though white-sand beaches and simple lagoon excursions offer an equally memorable introduction. Four-wheel-drive routes climb into the interior for wider views of the reef and neighboring islands, while boat trips reveal the shifting blues of the water up close. Given tender operations at anchor, plans are best kept flexible and unhurried, matching the pace of an island built around its lagoon.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Bora Bora.
Snorkel the Lagoon
Glide over coral gardens and swim among reef sharks and rays in the calm, clear shallows; short boat trips from Vaitape reach the best sites in minutes.
Take a 4x4 Safari Tour
Climb rutted interior tracks by open-air Jeep for panoramic views of Mount Otemanu, the reef, and neighboring islands; book ahead as seats fill quickly given limited port time.
Relax on a Motu Beach
Catch a shuttle boat to one of the small offshore islets ringing the lagoon for powder-white sand and unhurried swimming with Otemanu as a backdrop.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Bora Bora
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $4,181 | |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Jacques Cartier | 14 | $14,490 | |
| Sep 10, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $6,405 | |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $5,740 | |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 12 | $1,489 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Riviera | 30 | $13,749 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Riviera | 41 | $18,749 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Riviera | 59 | $26,699 | |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 13 | $1,989 | |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $7,350 | |
| Oct 4, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Whisper | 14 | $9,800 | |
| Oct 5, 2026 | Oceania | Oceania Riviera | 14 | $5,895 | |
| Oct 6, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 10 | $6,680 | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $3,780 | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 14 | $5,572 | |
| Oct 12, 2026 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Spirit | 12 | $2,379 | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $2,082 | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 14 | $5,209 | |
| Oct 18, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Whisper | 7 | $4,100 | |
| Oct 22, 2026 | Windstar | Star Breeze | 7 | $2,153 |
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