Top 10 Things to do in Bora Bora for Couples

Last updated on December 23rd, 2025 at 03:59 pm

Congrats!!!! You’re finally planning a trip to one of the most beautiful beach destinations on the planet. It’s also unofficially known as the honeymoon capital of the world, which makes it the perfect place to kick off my guide on the Top 10 Things to Do in Bora Bora for Couples. If you didn’t know, we recently got married, and for our honeymoon we spent five incredible nights in Bora Bora, a tiny island in French Polynesia famous for its crystal-clear lagoon, dramatic volcanic peaks, and ultra-luxurious overwater bungalows.

Okay so you’re about to visit one of the dreamiest places on earth, which means we need to make every moment in Bora Bora absolutely unforgettable. To help you plan the best Bora Bora vacation (or honeymoon!), I’ve put together a list of the 10 best things to do in Bora Bora for couples, from a private lagoon tour to jet skiing and an adrenaline-pumping swim with sharks.

The entire list has been vetted and personally tested by yours truly (and my husband) so you know it’s gonna be gooooooodddd!!!!!!

So get your sunscreen, bathing suit, snorkel gear, and let’s get into it 🤿👙👇

Read more on French Polynesia 🇵🇫

• 12 Bucket List Things to Do in Mo’orea for First-Timers
• The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa Review: Overwater Luxury in French Polynesia

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Bora Bora at a Glance

Short on time? Here are my top hotel picks when deciding where to stay in Bora Bora (including where stayed for our honeymoon):

• Hotel Maitai Polynesia – A relaxed, budget-friendly escape with classic Polynesian charm, perfect for travelers who want lagoon access and overwater vibes without the luxury price tag.
• Hotel Royal Bora Bora – A simple and comfortable beachfront stay offering great value, ideal for guests looking for an easy, no-frills base on one of the island’s best beaches.
• Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts – A romantic, Polynesian-style resort with thatched overwater bungalows and lush tropical grounds, perfect for couples wanting an authentic island experience at a mid-range price.
• InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – A serene luxury resort known for its pristine overwater villas and world-class spa, ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, turquoise water, and high-end service.
• Conrad Bora Bora Nui – A modern, upscale resort tucked into a dramatic volcanic cove, perfect for guests who want spacious villas, sweeping views, and a more private luxury feel.
• The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa – A newly refreshed resort blending Westin’s wellness-forward style with Bora Bora’s lagoon scenery, ideal for visitors seeking stylish rooms and elevated comfort.
• The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – An ultra-luxurious, expansive resort offering some of the island’s largest overwater villas and signature butler service, ideal for travelers seeking top-tier indulgence and unparalleled pampering.
• Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – A world-renowned luxury resort with exceptional service, stunning Mount Otemanu views, and spacious overwater bungalows, perfect for honeymooners and travelers wanting the ultimate Bora Bora experience.

Make sure to check out my full hotel review on The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa here.

Getting to Bora Bora

For being in the middle of the Pacific ocean…getting to Bora Bora is surprisingly straightforward (ish). Or maybe we’re just spoiled because we live in San Francisco but there’s an incredible daily nonstop from San Francisco to Tahiti (PPT) on United, which is the easiest and most direct option from the U.S.

There’s also a daily nonstop from LAX to PPT on Air France. So if you’re coming from Europe, a lot of travelers will book Air France and go via LAX.

Once you land in Tahiti, you’ll go through customs, grab your bags (if checked), and then hop on a quick 45-minute Air Tahiti or Air Moana flight to Bora Bora.

A lot of people (including ourselves) tend to layover in Tahiti for a night or two before continuing on. I definitely suggest doing that to give yourself more time to see French Polynesia! I personally think it’s kinda silly to fly all this way and ONLY go to Bora Bora but to each their own.

Once you land in Bora Bora, most resorts provide boat transfers directly from the tiny airport straight to your hotel. You’ll pick up your luggage, be greeted with a fresh lei, and be on your merry way via a speedboat!

Top 10 Activities to do in Bora Bora for Couples

Guys I’ve traveled a loooooot and I can say without a doubt, that our honeymoon in Bora Bora was the best vacation of my life. Like, I cant even begin to describe how clear the water was. And how RELAXED we were the whole time. I completely deleted slack off my phone, my husband didn’t check outlook once, and it was magical.

This post has been so fun for me to write because I just picture us hanging out in our overwater bungalow with every paragraph I write.

So if you’re planning a romantic trip or honeymoon, keep reading for the complete list of our top 10 things to do for couples in Bora Bora.

#1: Stay in an Overwater Bungalow

You can’t come to Bora Bora and not stay in an overwater bungalow, it’s basically illegal. Most of the big resorts, including The Westin (where we stayed), The St. Regis, Four Seasons, and InterContinental Bora Bora Resort, offer villas perched directly above the lagoon, with ladders leading straight into the water.

I speak from experience when I say there is NOTHING better in this world than waking up and walking about three steps across your private deck to reach the calm turquoise ocean.

Our bungalow even had a glass floor, so we could watch the fishies swimming around below while we drank mimosas at 9am 🐠

(Speaking of breakfast, another Bora Bora staple is to have a full breakfast buffet delivered by canoe – most of the resorts including The Westin offer this as an additional package)

Top Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora

• Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts – A classic Polynesian escape with traditional thatched overwater bungalows set above a crystal-clear lagoon, perfect for travelers seeking a romantic, mid-range stay with an authentic island feel before heading out to enjoy the top things to do in Bora Bora.
• InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – A luxury retreat known for its sleek, contemporary overwater villas featuring direct lagoon access and postcard-perfect views, ideal for guests seeking a peaceful, high-end stay rooted in relaxation.
• Conrad Bora Bora Nui – A modern resort offering some of the island’s most spacious overwater villas and hillside suites, perfect for travelers who want dramatic scenery, elevated privacy, and plenty of room to unwind before exploring the top things to do in Bora Bora.
• The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa – A newly reimagined property with stylish overwater bungalows and lagoon-view villas, ideal for visitors looking for comfort, fresh design, and an approachable luxury experience.
• The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – A lavish getaway featuring some of Bora Bora’s largest overwater villas, complete with expansive decks, high-end finishes, and signature butler service, making it a top pick for travelers craving total indulgence while staying close to the top things to do in Bora Bora.
• Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – A world-famous resort offering iconic overwater bungalows with Mount Otemanu views and ultra-spacious villa-style layouts, perfect for honeymooners and travelers searching for a once-in-a-lifetime overwater stay.

#2: Explore the Entire Island via Jet Skis and ATVs on a Combo Tour

Bora Bora is all about relaxing but sometimes you just want a little adventure right???

One of the top things to do in bora bora for couples is the jet ski and ATV combo tour. it’s such a fun way to see the lagoon and the island’s interior, and honestly, it ended up being one of our favorite experiences of the whole trip.

We booked the excursion through Viator with Bora Bora Activities Center and the ~6 hour tour started with a speed boat pick up from our hotel and an ATV tour around the whole entire island.

We stopped at stunning viewpoints overlooking  Mount Otemanu and the lagoon and even took in some hidden Second World War cannons. You know I love my WW2 history!!!!

In the afternoon, the tour continued by jet ski. Which was hilarious because the tour guides loved my husband for some reason. I think they trusted him to lead the pack so they like, forced us to go in front of everyone and lead the way.

At one point, one of the couples tried to get in front of us (which was totally fine by us) but the tour guide was like NO. DO NOT PASS THEM. It was hilarious.

We stopped at several stunning swimming spots, had a Polynesian lunch on a secluded motu, and sipped the freshest coconut water from coconuts harvested right in front of us, which is why this experience ranks among the top things to do in Bora Bora.

Installed by the Americans (lols) after Pearl Harbor to protect the island from the Japanese, they were luckily never needed and are now slowly being reclaimed by the forest.

We booked this tour via Viator and I’m not kidding when I say this was the absolute hi-light of our trip. And I’m so glad we did this before I found out I was pregnant haha.

Top ATV & Jet Ski Tours in Bora Bora

• Full Day Combo ATV & Jet Ski with a Polynesian BBQ on a Motu (the exact tour we booked)
• Combo Snorkeling + Motu Lunch + Jet Ski Group Tour
• Bora Bora Combo Jet Ski and ATV Quads Tour

#3: Cruise Around Bora Bora’s Lagoon by Private Boat

Why is the water in Bora Bora so blue???? It’s because it’s basically an atoll, and there’s a lagoon. Aka shallow waters. (Things I did NOT know prior to visiting)

The Bora Bora lagoon is the main attraction on the island, hands down. It’s simply stunning, teeming with marine life and the calm waters make it the perfect place for water-based activities (more on that later).

A private full day day lagoon tour is a must. It’s one of the top things to do in Bora Bora, especially if you want that holy sh*t is this actually real life pinch-me moment.

Given that the best Bora Bora resorts are located along the lagoon’s edge, the tour operators are usually happy to pick you up from the resort.

From here, you’ll typically cruise out to key snorkeling spots where you can experience some of the local marine ecosystems: coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, sand banks where sting rays glide gently past and the dramatic reef edges which drop away to endless blue.  

Many experiences, including the one we booked, also include lunch on a private islet (motu)!!!! It was like, the most epic place ever for some drone shots. And just a totally surreal experience. No question this experience is one of the top things to do in Bora Bora.

Think the FRESHEST grilled fish, fruit that’s been nowhere near chemical pesticides and tropical island side dishes served on coconut‑leaf plates.

I recommend booking a morning tour, since the water is typically calmer and offers better visibility at this time of day. We booked our private lagoon tour through Viator and can personally vouch that our tour guide Max was the absolute sh*t.

They even helped navigate the boat so that I could safely land my drone without it flying into the ocean lol.

Top Private Lagoon Tours in Bora Bora

• Half Day Private Lagoon Snorkeling Experience (this is the one we booked)
• Private Bora Bora Lagoon & Water Lunch Experience
• Private Bora Bora Lagoon Experience
• Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkeling Tour by Private Boat
• Half Day Private Lagoon Snorkeling Experience

Top Shared Lagoon Tours in Bora Bora

• Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch
• Bora Bora Full Day Manu Lagoon Excursion
• Bora Bora Combo Tour: Lagoon Cruise and 4WD Tour Including Snorkeling
• Full-day Lagoon Safari Tour with Lunch in Bora Bora 

#4: Snorkel the Rainbow Coral Gardens

Did I ever tell you guys about the one time I snorkeled the great barrier reef for 8+ hours without sunscreen? Yep. My best friend and I almost got sun poisoning. Good times.

Good thing the sun in Bora Bora isn’t as intense, but the coral is just as beautiful with so many fishies!!!

The Coral Gardens are one of the top natural Bora Bora attractions and a popular snorkel and dive site in the lagoon, lying between the main island and several small motus.

The coral shelters an unimaginable array of life, from tiny fish to sharks, rays and turtles, making it one of the best places in the world for snorkeling and one of the top things to do in Bora Bora for couples.

If you book any one of the lagoon tours I mentioned earlier, you are almost certain to visit the Coral Gardens, but you can also reach it independently by kayak or small boat from Matira Point.

Some of the species to keep your eyes peeled for include butterflyfish, parrotfish, and sometimes small reef sharks in calm conditions. Bring your own snorkel gear if possible, as resort equipment varies in quality.

The best visibility is in the morning before the wind picks up and in the name of protecting the coral (which needs all the help it can get), make sure you only wear reef-safe sunscreen and put it on at least 30 minutes before entering the water.

If you’re not a confident swimmer, many tours provide life vests, and guides can help you to still enjoy the experience in  shallower areas.

#5: Watch Mount Otemanu change colors

Watching the sunset in front of Mount Otemanu is one of those Bora Bora moments you don’t forget.

The whole lagoon shifts from bright turquoise to pastel pinks and soft golds, and the silhouette of Otemanu just sits there looking absolutely unreal.

If you’re planning a romantic trip or honeymoon, make sure you save at least one evening for this exact scene. You won’t regret it.

#6: Unwind With a Polynesian Massage

Pretty much every major resort in Bora Bora has its own spa, and the majority overlook the lagoon, which is the perfect setting for a relaxing spa day. We booked a traditional Polynesian massage directly with the Westin Bora Bora since that’s where we were staying.

Couples can choose from a range of treatments that combine Tahitian techniques with natural monoi oil and vanilla.

A 90-minute Polynesian massage is a particularly popular option and one of the best things to do in Bora Bora – you’re going to want to book treatments well in advance as spa reservations tend to fill up quickly, especially at the weekend.

#7: Swim with Blacktip Sharks and Stingrays

The opportunity to swim with sharks in Bora Bora is unmissable and one of the most popular activities to do in Bora Bora.

Harmless blacktip reef sharks are the most common species in the waters of the lagoon and are easily sighted alongside curious rays, tropical fish and the occasional turtle.

Between July and November, humpback whales can also be seen as they migrate to the warm waters of French Polynesia to give birth.

Licensed safari tours ensure that you get an incredible opportunity to swim with marine life without disturbing it.

Expert guides will typically lead a small group out to a shallow sand bank where you’ll be given a snorkel (if you don’t have your own) and a chance to enjoy a first go snorkeling with marine life.

Similar to the coral gardens, if you book any one of the lagoon tours I mentioned earlier, you’ll definitely get the option to swim with these sharks and stingrays.

#8: Visit World-Famous Matira Beach

For the best beach in Bora Bora, you absolutely haaaaaaave to stop by world-famous Matira Beach.

It’s often ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet and honestly, I get why.

The water is ridiculously clear, the sand is soft and bright, and the whole place feels like a screensaver come to life.

While you’re there, make sure to grab lunch at the iconic Bora Bora Beach Club 🥥

#9: Enjoy Lunch on a Private Island

Enjoying lunch on a motu (a tiny private islet, in case you’ve forgotten) as part of a shared tour in the daytime is one thing, but one of the most romantic things for couples to do during a Bora Bora vacation is to take things up a notch and enjoy a private candlelit dinner on a motu as the sun sets.

Many resorts and tour companies can arrange private dinners on nearby motus, complete with tiki torches, Polynesian music, and a seafood barbecue or gourmet tasting menu.

Couples can be picked up and transferred by boat and then left to dine in privacy, a unique experience in our ever-busier world.

All sorts of packages are available and it varies by budget and resort, so you’re probably best to do some research so you know exactly what experience you’re booking.

#10: Go Resort-Hopping On Your Own

Getting a little bit of island fever in your own resort? No worries we get it. While we looooved our time at the Westin, we were itching to explore another resort.

There’s a ton of little water taxis that can take you around the whole island. So we called one over to the St Regis one night for dinner and drinks.

We ate at the delicious Italian restaurant – Farniente Ristorante and everything was soooo good! Also the aperol spritz was the size of my head!!!!!

Top Things to Do in Bora Bora for Couples: Final Thoughts

Can you see why Bora Bora is easily the best destination in the world for couples??? Even if it’s not your honeymoon but I’m definitely here to tell you that a honeymoon in Bora Bora IS NOTTTTT OVERRAAATTTTEEDDD.

Bora Bora is made for romantic getaways and honeymoons. It boasts incredible scenery, top luxury resorts and an endless array of things to do.

Lots of the activities to do in Bora Bora are ideal for couples, including spa days and enjoying a luxury stay in an overwater bungalow.

And though the pace of life slows on the island, there are plenty of activities available if you’d like to raise your heartbeat too, from jet skiing to 4×4 safaris and swimming with sharks. 

As one of the most remote places on Earth, Bora Bora is truly unique and one of a kind – I’d recommend it to anyone who loves adventure, getting away from it all and immersing themselves in nature.

Looking for a place to stay in Bora Bora?

Check out my full review of the Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa here.

Visiting other parts of French Polynesia?

Check out all my international travel guides here!

Looking for travel inspiration to somewhere else?

Check out all my international travel guides here!