Many of us dream of spending a honeymoon or romantic retreat in an overwater bungalow, and if you've seen photos of thatched-huts on stilts overlooking a clear lagoon with striking green mountains behind them, chances are you were looking at Bora Bora in the South Pacific. After a 50-minute flight from Tahiti, you'll reach an island group featuring 10 overwater bungalow resorts.
Ranging from 3-star deluxe to 5-star plus, these Bora Bora hotels and resorts aren't exactly cheap, but a stay in any of them is an unforgettable highlight. The more affordable overwater bungalows in Bora Bora feature bungalows that are larger than an average urban hotel room, and the most luxurious of them feature bungalows that are enormous by any standards. There are also some overwater bungalows in Bora Bora that are perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Here are a few Bora Bora overwater villa resources with information that will help you to better decide which type of overwater villa resort to choose for your next vacation:
Overwater bungalows were first invented in the South Pacific (in Moorea, off Tahiti, to be specific), and this is still the premier destination for overwater resorts. But if you aren’t close to the South Pacific then you should probably also consider the Maldives. Water villas in the Maldives, as they are called there, can be found at over 80 different resorts. This string of islands just south of India has most of the world’s water bungalows, and as a result, they also have the most competition and the best value.
Photos of all Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti overwater bungalow resorts on one page.
Check out an interactive map of all Bora Bora overwater resorts
Check for airfare deals to Bora Bora
The Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach is once again separate from its Private Island resort a short boat ride away, but guests continue to be able to use facilities from both.
This is one of the first overwater resorts in Bora Bora, and the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort overwater bungalows are among the smallest, but still, it’s a dependable 4-star facility.
Sofitel Bora Bora reviews highlight that the location makes it convenient to reach restaurants and shops in other parts of Bora Bora, so it’s ideal for those who like to sample different things rather than stay in one secluded resort for their whole stay. Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort overwater bungalows have recently gone up a bit in price due to high demand, but are still good value for most.
The Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort is currently closed.
The Hotel Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora is considered to be a boutique 3-star resort. It’s another of the earlier Bora Bora hotels, and its 19 Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora overwater bungalows are fairly modest in size compared to most of the newer properties. Thanks to various promotions, this is one of the most affordable overwater bungalow resorts in the South Pacific.
The location also puts it very accessible to other restaurants and activities on Bora Bora, so this is another good choice for those who prefer to explore their surroundings rather than spend all their time on the resort property. Hotel Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora reviews also state that the overwater bungalows are excellent value for visitors with smaller budgets.
Starting once again in late 2012, the Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island Resort is booked separately from its sister just across the lagoon. The location is a 2-minute boat ride from the main resort on Bora Bora island makes it more exclusive and secluded and the recent renovation and addition of a swimming pool should prove popular.
There is a restaurant and a bar on the Private Island, and guests also get access to the restaurant and bar at the Marara Beach resort as well. For a solid 4-star resort run by a respected luxury chain, the room rates here offer very good value, being among the most affordable of the Bora Bora overwater bungalows.
Located on the northern coast of Bora Bora sits five overwater bungalows, with four of them available for public booking. Three of these bungalows, titled Brando’s Overwater Bungalow, Marlon’s Over Water Hidaway and The Black Pearl, are all owned by the same couple, making it easy to book more than one at a time if you’re interested. The fourth bungalow is owned by a different couple. All of them, however, are kid-friendly, which helps to attract more families to the island.
Each of the four are very similar to each other, though The Black Pearl is more on the luxurious side than the other three. Each of the bungalows come with air conditioning (aside from Dream Holiday Bungalow), a private bathroom, kayaks and a full kitchen. When booking a stay here, you’ll want to note that this isn’t a typical resort and instead each bungalow is more like a vacation home, meaning you’ll need to rent a car in order to reach a spa, the store and restaurants.
Check rates for Brando’s Overwater Bungalow
Check rates for Marlon’s Over Water Hideaway
Check rates for The Black Pearl
Check rates for Dream Holiday Bungalow
The InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort was another of the first overwater bungalow resorts in Bora Bora, though it’s been kept up to date well, and continues with a 5-star standard. The bungalows are of good size and have all the modern amenities you’d expect from an InterContinental Bora Bora hotel.
The location just off the southern tip of the main Bora Bora Island gives it a wonderful sense of seclusion when you’re in one of the Intercontinental Le Moana Bora Bora overwater bungalows, yet it’s not difficult to get to the island to sample other restaurants and shops. Being one of the smaller resorts and being mostly over water, this is a great choice for a honeymoon with many couples leaving positive Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort reviews, but is less than ideal for a family. Intercontinental Le Moana Bora Bora overwater bungalows are in the middle price range for the island and very good value for those seeking a luxury experience at a moderate price.
The Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa is a 5-star resort hotel that offers stunning views of Bora Bora and its lagoon. It’s located on a small islet that is a fast & free 5-minute boat ride to the main island, making it perhaps the best of both worlds, with privacy and seclusion, but also with the ability to get elsewhere on Bora Bora quickly if needed.
The Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort premium overwater bungalows are reasonably large, and there is a great variety of restaurants, bars, and activities available, so going elsewhere might not be a high priority anyway. The spa here is also among the best in all of Bora Bora’s hotels. Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort Premium overwater bungalows are not the cheapest on the island, but are very competitive considering the size and quality.
The Le Méridien Bora Bora is a solid 5-star resort with almost all of its 99 rooms being overwater.
All of the Le Meridien Bora Bora overwater bungalows are of moderate size, and nearly all of them feature a glass section of floor that lets guests observe the sea life under their room around the clock. The amenities are all modern, and the resort features a long list of water sports in addition to a full-service spa.
The location is extremely secluded, at the southern tip of a narrow motu (small islet) off the main island of Bora Bora, so this resort might be ideal for honeymooners and those on a romantic getaway. There is plenty to do on-site, but getting to the main island is not especially fast or easy. Le Meridien Bora Bora overwater bungalows have also gone up in price in recent years, but discounts are available when they have enough availability so it’s worth checking.
The Le Meridien Bora Bora is currently closed for a reconstruction project.
Another that is comprised mostly of overwater bungalows, the Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa is actually on a small islet just off Le Taha’a Island, which overlooks Bora Bora, so this is the most secluded resort on this list. The overwater bungalows are all large, and the price differences are based on the view.
The Bora Bora hotel has 5 restaurants and bars, plus a long list of activities and excursions, so there will be no shortage of things to do for those who are inspired. On the other hand, its location makes it difficult to reach businesses on Bora Bora itself, so it’s probably best suited to the honeymoon crowd rather than those who prefer to explore the whole island.
The Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort is a full-service 5-star resort on its own island, and one of the finest in all of Bora Bora. Each overwater bungalow is huge and all the amenities and accessories are first-class, and each features a glass floor section for underwater viewing.
The list of water sports and other activities is long, and the spa is of premium quality as well. The location is somewhat remote, so this is another that’s better for romantic couples rather than those who are set to explore Bora Bora itself.
Being newer and larger than its sister resort mentioned above, the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa is a solid 5-star hotel with huge rooms and all the luxury amenities you could hope for. Each overwater bungalow has a separate bedroom with its own TV, and most have exception views of the main island and lagoon.
The Thalasso Spa here is one of the largest and best in Bora Bora, so this is an excellent choice for those on an indulgence holiday or a honeymoon. The 5-star prices also make it less popular with families, so this resort is mostly geared toward couples.
Those who’ve seen them all agree that the St Regis Resort Bora Bora is the finest overwater bungalow resort in the South Pacific. Even the smallest of the overwater rooms is enormous, and they go all the way up to a 2-bedroom overwater villa that could be considered a mansion in most places.
The service is 5-star and there is a long list of activities and excursions available, so it may not be necessary to leave during your stay, but it’s a quick boat ride to the main island if you want to explore. For those who can afford it, this is as good as things get in the South Pacific.
The Four Seasons Resort is a stunning 5-star Bora Bora hotel with an isolated location that makes it ideal for romance and privacy. Everything here is of top-standard and the service is excellent as well.
Each overwater bungalow is huge and filled with posh amenities, most with amazing views of Bora Bora and its lagoon. The remote location on its own private islet means that reaching shops and restaurants on Bora Bora is difficult, but there is plenty to do on the property, including an excellent restaurant and a top-class spa.
One of the smaller resorts found on the island of Bora Bora, the Oa Oa Lodge offers 3 overwater rooms in addition to 5 land-based choices. Though these 3 overwater rooms are situated over the water, they are not completely found over a lagoon but rather still connected partly to the island. This means that the bungalow is half supported by land and half supported by a stilted structure. Because of this however, you’ll find a lovely balcony view from each room. You’ll also find a ceiling fan, a fridge and a private shower. Those who love a little in-room entertainment will delight in the flat-screen TV, satellite channels and Wi-Fi.
Because of the resort’s small size, you won’t find any dining choices or a spa on-site, but you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance. Both scuba diving and snorkeling are common activities enjoyed by guests who stay here.