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How To Get From Tahiti To Bora Bora – 2024 Guide

Every international flight to French Polynesia arrives in Tahiti so if you’re visiting Bora Bora then you’ll need to figure out how to get there.

I did this journey recently when I visited Bora Bora so today I’d love to share with you exactly how I got there.

This post about getting from Tahiti to Bora Bora includes how to get from Papeete to Bora Bora, the exact schedules, prices and everything else you need to know.

How To Get From Tahiti To Bora Bora

The best way to get from Tahiti to Bora Bora is by plane as this is the fastest and easiest way to get there.

The cheapest way to get from Tahiti to Bora Bora is by ferry however it is much more inconvenient and takes significantly longer.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick overview of the two options:

  • The flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora takes just 50 minutes and costs around $209 per person (one-way).
  • The boat from Tahiti to Bora Bora takes 8 hours and 40 minutes and costs around $80 per person (one-way).

I personally ended up flying as it was just so much quicker and I didn’t want to waste an entire day of the trip on the ferry.

I’ve heard that the ferry is extremely scenic and you’ll pass by several other Polynesian islands so it’s certainly a great way to see more of the area.

Keep reading for more detailed information on how to travel from Tahiti to Bora Bora including the exact schedules, how you can save money and more.

Flights From Tahiti to Bora Bora

Flying is the fastest and most efficient way to travel from Tahiti to Bora Bora as it takes just 50 minutes.

There are between 2 and 7 daily flights from Tahiti to Bora Bora. It varies each day however on most days there are around 5 flights.

Most of the flights leave in the morning between 6:00 AM and midday. There are a few afternoon flights but these are rarer.

You will need to take the flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora with Air Tahiti as it is actually the only carrier that flies this route.

Here’s an example flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora:

Example flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora.

Flights depart from Faa’a International Airport (PPT) and arrive at Bora Bora Airport (BOB).

Please be aware that Air Tahiti has a strict baggage allowance which they do enforce. They will weigh both your checked luggage and your personal belongings so make sure you don’t go over.

Here’s what you’re allowed:

  • 1 hand baggage and 1 accessory per passenger – maximum weight 5kg (11lb).
  • Hold luggage with a standard ticket – maximum weight 23kg (50lb).
  • Hold luggage with a special ticket with additional weight allowance – maximum weight 46kg (100lb).

This is strictly enforced due to plane size.

Flight Cost

The airfare from Tahiti to Bora Bora costs between $195 and $235 per person (one-way). The average price is $209.

I checked Skyscanner for the current pricing and here’s what I found:

Image showing average flight prices from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshots taken from Skyscanner.net.
Image showing average flight prices from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshots taken from Skyscanner.net.

I checked tons of different dates throughout the year and the absolute cheapest price I could find for this route was around $185.

This price is rare and usually only comes up if you’re traveling during low season though (December to March).

Image showing the cheapest airfare from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshot taken from Skyscanner.net.
Image showing the cheapest airfare from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshot taken from Skyscanner.net.

Prices tended to be at the higher end of the scale during high season which runs from May until October or if you’re booking really last minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

The highest price I could find was $239 and this was for a booking just a few days out from departure.

Image showing the most expensive airfare from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshot taken from Skyscanner.net.
Image showing the most expensive airfare from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshot taken from Skyscanner.net.

💡Tip: I often use Skyscanner when booking flights as they collate all the deals and show you the absolute best price on the internet. It’s definitely saved me a ton of money over the years.

How to Save Money on Flights

There are several easy ways that you can save some money on your flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora.

I’ve included a method for those just visiting Bora Bora and for those who will be island hopping around French Polynesia.

Buy a Return Ticket

You’ll be able to save some money by booking a return ticket. This only works if you’re just visiting Bora Bora (and no other French Polynesian islands) during your trip.

If you book a return flight then the average cost is between $328 and $395 per person. Booking the 2 flights separately would have cost around $420 so that’s a decent saving.

Flights as cheap as $328 can only really be found during the low season (December to March) and the more expensive flights of up to $395 are mainly found during the high season (May to October).

Image showing average prices of a return flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshots taken from Skyscanner.net.
Image showing average prices of a return flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Screenshots taken from Skyscanner.net.

For more flight-saving tips, check out my complete guide on how to save money on flights.

Air Tahiti Pass

This tip could save you a significant amount of money if you’re wanting to visit more than one island in French Polynesia on the same trip.

Consider purchasing an Air Tahiti Multi-island Pass.

These passes include flights to several different Polynesian islands. If you’re visiting 2+ islands then it might be cheaper to purchase a pass instead of individual flights.

There are several different options available depending on which islands you want to visit.

The cheapest pass which includes Bora Bora is the Bora Bora Pass. This pass also includes airfare to Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea and Maupiti so is ideal for island hopping.

The cost of the Bora Bora pass varies depending on the season.

Check out the pricing chart below for the Air Tahiti Bora Bora Pass:

Air Tahiti Bora Bora Pass pricing chart. Please note at time of writing €1 = $1. € is listed on Air Tahiti website so it is the most accurate price.
Air Tahiti Bora Bora Pass pricing chart. Please note at the time of writing, €1 = $1. € is listed on Air Tahiti website so it is the most accurate price.

Please note that a child ticket can only be used for anyone aged between 2 and 11. Air Tahiti doesn’t offer passes to any child under 2 years old.

There are also different Air Tahiti passes available if you’re wanting to visit some of the other lesser-known islands like Tikehau and Fakarava but these cost slightly more.

Check out the full range of Air Tahiti passes here.

Tahiti to Bora Bora Ferry

Another option for getting from Papeete, Tahiti to Bora Bora is by taking the ferry.

I was initially really keen on taking the ferry to Bora Bora but after finding out how long it was going to take, I ended up booking a flight instead.

It could still be a good option if you’re wanting to save a bit of money or if you’ve got time to spare.

The boat ride from Tahiti to Bora Bora is fairly comfortable and the ferries are very modern and have lots of seating.

Papeete is Tahiti’s capital and it’s where all flights into French Polynesia land.

The boat from Papeete to Bora Bora leaves from the Papeete Ferry Terminal which is just a 10-minute drive from the airport so you can easily grab a taxi.

In Tahiti, expect to pay between 1,800 XPF and 2,000 XPF for this taxi. This is approximately $15/$16 at the time of writing.

The main downside to the ferry route is that it takes a long time (I’m talking 8hrs+).

In addition, the ferries to Bora Bora only depart from Tahiti 3 days a week.

💡Quick Tip: Although the ferry is long, it gives you a great opportunity to see some other French Polynesian islands from the deck of the boat.

If you don’t mind the lengthy journey then in the steps below, I detail exactly how you can take the ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora.

Tahiti to Bora Bora Ferry Time

The ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora takes 8 hours and 40 minutes.

You will need to take the Aremiti 5 ferry with Apetahi Express as this is the only ferry that goes from Tahiti to Bora Bora.

Please note that this ferry has 4 stops with Bora Bora being the final stop. The ferry stops at Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and finally Bora Bora.

You can book a ferry ticket on the Apetahi Express website. Please note that the website is in French. Most web browsers will give you an option to translate it into English automatically.

This is what the booking system looks like:

Apetahi Express booking system.
Apetahi Express booking system.

A one-way ticket costs 9,600 XPF which is around $80 per person.

Tahiti to Bora Bora Ferry Schedule

The Tahiti to Bora Bora boat only leaves 3 times a week.

Ferries from Tahiti to Bora Bora only depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Additionally, there is only one departure on each of these days.

This means that if you want to travel by ferry to Bora Bora from Tahiti, you’ll need to arrive into Tahiti on one of these days.

If you arrive any other day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) then you’ll either have to fly to Bora Bora or you’ll have to stay overnight in Tahiti.

Here’s the timetable for the ferry:

Apetahi Express ferry timetable showing departure times from Tahiti and arrival times in Bora Bora.
Apetahi Express ferry timetable showing departure times from Tahiti and arrival times in Bora Bora.

As you can see, the ferries all leave Tahiti early in the morning so, unless you arrive really early in the morning into Tahiti, you may not be able to get a ferry the same day that you arrive.

I personally would recommend staying over one night in Tahiti anyway after your flight. 

This gives you time to get some rest after your long journey and takes away any stress if your flight happens to be delayed.

Additionally, you can explore Tahiti a little if you have time which is super fun.

💡Tip: My favorite super affordable hotel close to the Tahiti airport is the Tahiti Airport Motel. It’s ideal for a one-night stay and definitely won’t break the bank.

How Far is Tahiti From Bora Bora?

The distance from Tahiti to Bora Bora is 277km (172 miles).

Check out the handy map below which shows where Tahiti and Bora Bora are in relation to each other:

Map of Tahiti and Bora Bora.
Map of Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Overall, Tahiti is fairly close to Bora Bora as they are both located in the country of French Polynesia.

Not sure where the vacation? I compared Tahiti vs Bora Bora to help you decide.

Cruise From Tahiti to Bora Bora

If taking a flight or ferry sounds like a bit too much and you’re looking for something more relaxing then have you considered a cruise?

There are several cruises that start in Tahiti and cruise around French Polynesia visiting islands like Bora Bora, so you’ll get a chance to see the islands without the stress of figuring out transportation.

Here are some of my top cruise picks:

These cruises also give you the chance to see plenty of other Polynesian islands along the way including Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Rangiroa and more.

Surprisingly they’re actually fairly reasonably priced too.


And that’s it!

Thanks for reading this post all about transportation from Tahiti to Bora Bora.

As all international flights fly into Tahiti, it can be confusing figuring out how to get to Bora Bora from Tahiti.

I know I found it difficult, which is why I put together this ultimate guide to help others doing this journey.

Need more help planning your Bora Bora vacation?

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Megan Jones is a travel expert and founder of Traveller's Elixir who has been travelling the world full time since 2021. Megan's travel tips been featured in numerous media outlets including Metro, Timeout, Thrillist and more.

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