Most of Bora Bora’s activities revolve around that vibrant blue lagoon so what exactly are we supposed to do at night?
I found myself asking that exact same question when I began planning my first trip to Bora Bora and now that I’ve visited, I can tell you that there’s a lot to do.
From Bora Bora nightlife to where you can get the best sunset views, this complete guide will give you lots of ideas of things to do in Bora Bora at night.
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Things to do in Bora Bora at Night
Bora Bora isn’t exactly known for having a vibrant nightlife scene which leads people to question if Bora Bora is boring.
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of amazing things you can do after dark.
I personally spent most of my evenings watching the sunset, grabbing some casual drinks, taking a late night walk along the beach or watching one of the fire shows put on by my resort.
In this list below, I’ve covered as many different evening activities as possible. I hope you find something you enjoy.
1. Take a Sunset Cruise
One of my favorite things to do in Bora Bora at night is to head out on a sunset cruise around the lagoon.
On one of these cruises, you’ll be taken around Bora Bora’s iconic lagoon where you can admire the views of Mount Otemanu and the rest of Bora Bora’s breathtaking beauty.
I did this once on my trip and loved it. The sunsets in Bora Bora are just magical and being out on the lagoon just felt so serene.
The scenery was out of this world and it was definitely one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life!
For the best experience, I’d recommend joining this catamaran sunset sail tour where you can watch the sunset from the deck of a catamaran whilst you sip on a glass of wine.
This is the one that I personally did and I really enjoyed it. The staff were so friendly and made the whole experience really special.
For something extra special and super romantic, you can also book this private catamaran sunset sail just for you and partner.
This is ideal if you’re on a honeymoon or if you just want some peace and quiet.
- Shared Sunset Sail (my personal recommendation)
- Private Sunset Sail (ideal for couples)
2. Go Stargazing
A unique activity that you can do only at night is stargazing.
As Bora Bora isn’t super built up and is far from big city lights, there’s close to zero light pollution and you can see a lot of stars at night.
I was actually shocked on my first night in Bora Bora as I’ve genuinely never seen so many stars!
The stars shine very brightly and if you look closely, you’ll be able to see hundreds or maybe even thousands of them!
You can go stargazing anywhere in Bora Bora but one of my personaly favorite spots was the beach.
If you have your own overwater bungalow with an outdoor deck, why not sit out on the deck and gaze at the stars?
If you’d prefer to be guided, then you can join this stargazing and legend telling tour. I’d recommend doing this if possible because the star-guides are super knowledgeable.
I did this tour one night and loved it. The ancient Polynesian legends are super interesting and it made me appreciate where I was so much more.
Our guide told us all about how the ancient Polynesian people would use the night sky to help them travel through the ocean.
Apparently they were actually able to explore the entire Pacific Ocean using this technique!
At the end we gathered around a firepit and listened to some more ancient Polynesian stories and legends which are super fun and interesting too.
3. Enjoy a Romantic Sunset Dinner
There’s nothing better than enjoying a private dinner with your loved one whilst the sun sets beside you. It’s very beautiful and romantic.
Many of the hotel’s in Bora Bora will set this up for you, just ask your concierge.
The Four Seasons Bora Bora hotel will even set up a romantic dinner on a private island just for you and your partner!
Other hotels will also happily arrange a private dinner on the beach or a dinner with mountain views.
If your hotel can’t arrange this for you, you can book onto a sunset dinner cruise instead. It’s super romantic!
4. Eat Dinner at St James Restaurant
There are plenty of restaurants in Bora Bora but few are truly worth making the effort of leaving your hotel for.
St James Restaurant, however, is one of them as it has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful restaurants in the whole of French Polynesia.
This open-air restaurant features a range of delicious French and Polynesian cuisine and sits on a breathtaking waterfront location with mesmerizing sunset views.
I absolutely adored this restaurant and would fly back to Bora Bora right now if it meant I could visit one more time!!
Find out exactly what kind of food they eat in Bora Bora.
Quick Tip: This restaurant is super popular so make sure you book a table in advance.
Getting there can be a pain though so that’s why I’d recommend joining this relaxing sunset cruise which will pick you up right from your resort and take you to St James Restaurant and back.
I booked this tour myself and found that it makes the evening way less stressful.
You can simply sit back and relax and let your guide take care of everything else including your restaurant reservation.
5. Enjoy Bora Bora’s Nightlife Scene
When it comes to entertainment, Bora Bora nightlife doesn’t disappoint.
Bora Bora’s main island is the best place to be if you want to enjoy a night out. If you’re not staying on the main island, you can get there by using a shuttle boat from your hotel.
One of the best bars in Bora Bora is the Bora Bora Yacht Club.
Enjoy a cocktail (or two) in an open-air restaurant with gorgeous views. I found that it was spacious and calm so is an ideal place to sit back and relax with loved ones.
After dark they often entertain guests with live music, traditional Polynesian dance shows and an impressive fire dance.
Another great choice is Bloody Mary’s which has played host to many famous guests over the years including Pierce Brosnan and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
This beachside bar is a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy the evening. Make sure you order their specialty Bloody Mary cocktail. My personal favorite drink here was their Mai Tai.
Check out my guide on food and drinks prices in Bora Bora to budget for this.
6. Relax at Upa Upa Lounge Bar
If you’re looking for somewhere elegant with a luxury feel to end your day, then head over to the Upa Upa Lounge Bar at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Hotel.
Grab yourself a delicious drink then sit back and admire the breathtaking lagoon views. The bar serves a range of cocktails and fine wines. You can also order sushi too if you get hungry.
The best thing about this bar is the unique glass floor so you can watch the fish swimming below you all night long. It’s pretty cool.
7. Watch a Traditional Polynesian Fire Dance
Many of Bora Bora’s best hotels have shows every week where you can watch one of these impressive dances.
Some of the best include the Four Seasons Resort, Conrad Bora Bora and the St Regis Bora Bora.
These performances tend to involve beating drums, singing, daring tricks and mesmerizing dance moves.
The shows are super fun to watch and the crowd often gets involved, cheering and clapping along.
The performers often also invite guests to come up and learn some dance steps if they want to.
I was lucky enough to watch the shows at both the Four Seasons and St Regis. They were both incredible and super fun – I genuinely wouldn’t be able to pick a favorite.
If you’ve not booked a room at one of these hotels then you can still enjoy their wonderful fire dance shows by heading over to their restaurants.
You don’t have to be a guest to book a table and it’s fairly easy to get there by shuttle boat.
Check out what you can expect from a fire show in Bora Bora in the video below which was recorded at St Regis.
8. Sit Out on Your Deck and Relax
If you’ve booked an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, one of the best things to do at night is to simply sit out on the deck and relax.
You’ve paid a high price to stay in one of these rooms and this is one of the best ways to make the most of it.
You can order food and drink via room service and enjoy them whilst sitting out on the deck.
Watch the sunset or enjoy the sound of the calm water around you. Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional fish or manta ray.
My top recommendation is to order a bottle of champagne from room service. Your hotel will usually send this to your room on ice.
Quick Tip: Save money on drinks by bringing your own! Each person traveling to Bora Bora is able to bring 2L of liquor or wine (that’s around 3 bottles). You can then use the wine glasses provided in your room.
Trying to choose an overwater bungalow? Check out my ultimate list of the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora.
9. Try the Local Beer
One thing you have to do whilst in Bora Bora is try out the local beer.
The traditional local beer in Bora Bora is called Hinano and has been brewed here since 1955.
Hinano, which has a sweet but bitter taste, is named after a beautiful white flower that is indigenous to the South Pacific region.
I’m generally not the biggest fan of beer (give me a glass of champagne any day!) but I ordered a Hinano when I visited Bloody Mary’s and slurped it down pretty fast so I’d give it an A+.
As the Hinano beer is brewed locally, it’s actually the cheapest beer available and is much cheaper than the imported beers.
You can grab yourself a Hinano beer all over Bora Bora. Most bars and restaurants serve it on the menu so you won’t have to try hard to find some.
10. Meet the Locals at The Lucky House
The Lucky House is the closest thing to a pub in Bora Bora and it’s where the local Tahitians usually hang out.
In this lively bar, you’ll often find the locals sipping on beers and getting excited about whatever game is being shown on the TV at the time.
In general, the locals are super friendly and always happy to chat with you.
It’s a great place to make new friends and is one of the only bars on the island that stays open really late.
Wondering what to wear in Bora Bora? I wrote a whole guide on what to wear in Bora Bora for both day and night.
11. Head Over to Bora Bora’s Only Nightclub
If you’re looking for a wild night out then you’ll need to go to Bora Bora’s one and only nightclub – Le Recif.
It’s usually packed to the brim with young locals heading out for some fun as well as the odd couple who are on vacation.
As the club is mainly for the locals, it isn’t in the main tourist area and is a little bit out of the way so make sure you plan your transport home ahead of time.
They usually start with casual karaoke from 8PM until midnight and from there it turns into a wild, disco party.
Expect live DJs, loud music, bright lights, crazy dancing and a ton of alcohol.
Tip: Le Recif only opens on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
12. Enjoy a Sunset Walk Along the Beach
Evening activities don’t always have to revolve around bars and drinks.
One of the most simplest, but also most enjoyable, activities is to simply walk along the beach at sunset.
Bora Bora is often regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the whole world so you’d be missing out if you didn’t do this at least once.
In the evening, most tourists are in their rooms or dining at a restaurant so the beaches are often very quiet, if not completely empty.
It’s the perfect time to take a relaxing stroll with your loved one, take in the views and watch as the sun bathes the beach in a beautiful orange glow.
Tip: Bring a blanket or towel and sit out on the beach for a while. I personally love listening to the sound of the water as it comes up to the shore.
Make sure you read my post all about bugs in Bora Bora as mosquitoes can sometimes be an issue.
And that’s it!
Hopefully this list gave you some ideas of what to do in Bora Bora at night.
Bora Bora isn’t really known for its nightlife and most places close early but there are still plenty of amazing things to enjoy here after dark.
My personal favorite on this list is the sunset cruise because I’m a sucker for sunsets!
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