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Bora Bora Visa Regulations

For U.S, Canadian, Japanese and New Zealand Citizens, no visa is required for vacations of up to one month.
For Andorra, Australia, Britain, French, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, St Marin, Vatican, and Switzerland Citizens, no visa is required for holidays of up to three months.
Citizens of other countries may need a visa. Contact the French embassy.

Requirements can change at any time. To be sure that information on Bora Bora Entry Requirements and Customs Regulations is current, check with the French consulate before you plan Bora Bora travel.

All foreigners entering French Polynesia must hold either a return ticket to their country, or documents for onward travel to two continuing destinations. A passport valid for six months after the date of entry is also required.

Information on Bora Bora travel Flights

To get to Bora Bora you will first need to fly into Tahiti. Flights from Los Angeles to Tahiti are 8 hours, and flights from Sydney are 8 hours. Consult flights to Tahiti to check the easiest way to get to Tahiti, and how long your travel will take. From Tahiti, flights to Bora Bora take 45 minutes and will be the most beautiful you have ever experienced. Here is information on Bora Bora flights.

Information on Bora Bora Weather

Bora Bora has warm, tropical weather all year. Bora Bora weather is divided into two seasons: the wet season(Summer), is between November to April. The dry season (winter) is May through October, and is peak season for Bora Bora travel. You will have more sunshine hours (see our weather chart) and lower temperatures during the dry season. Each season has different advantages. To find out which is the best time to travel to Bora Bora, visit our Bora Bora weather section.

Tahiti Currency

The local currency is the Pacific Franc (XPF). You can exchange money most easily at Faaa airport in Tahiti before coming on to Bora Bora. There are several banks with ATMs in Vaitape, Bora Bora's main town. Bora Bora airport also has an ATM. The United States dollar is accepted in some places. As a general guide 100XPF is approximately $US1.

Bora Bora's Timezone

Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -10 hours
Time zone abbreviation: TAHT - Tahiti time

Languages Spoken in Bora Bora

French and Tahitian are the official languages. The school curriculum is in French. Although there is little formal teaching of the Tahitian language, about 80% of the population converses in it at home. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. For information on Bora Bora travel useful Tahitian language phrases, see commonly used Tahitian and French words.

Bora Bora vacation Phoning home

To make a long distance call from Bora Bora you must purchase an international phone card. These phone cards can be used on all of the Tahitian islands to call overseas. If you have a GSM phone you may be able to have international roaming on your phone. If your phone is unlocked, an affordable way can be to buy a sim in Tahiti or buy a international sim card.

Bora Bora vacation Internet access

Internet access is available in Vaitape at the Aloe Cafe. They have several computers (both mac and PC). All the Bora Bora resorts have internet access. Their policy on charging varies. Some offer free Wifi in the rooms, others charge. Many of the resorts charge for in-room use but offer free internet in their business center or near reception. So ask when you are checking in. You will also find information on Bora Bora resort internet policy on the website of each.

Information on Bora Bora travel Power Voltage

Electrical power in French Polynesia is 220Volts – 60Hz. Electric outlets have two round holes, the same as in Western Europe. Many of the Luxury resorts have American plugs in their bungalows. All the resorts have a US 110 volt shaver socket in the bathroom that will recharge camcorders and cameras without the need for an adapter. For specific information on Bora Bora resorts' power plug voltage, check on their web sites. You can usually borrow an adapter from your reception, but it is best to bring your own, as they may be all on loan to other guests when you need one.

Information on Bora Bora travel vacation Tipping

Tipping is not customary or expected in French Polynesia.

Flights to Tahiti

Flights to Tahiti from Canada

Canadians heading to Tahiti will first need to fly to Los Angeles International Airport. From here, a direct flight to Tahiti can be taken with Air Tahiti Nui or Air France. Hawaiian Airlines also fly to Tahiti from LA, but has a stop off in Honolulu. The flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti is just over eight hours.

Air Tahiti Nui (TN) has flights leaving Los Angeles 6 days per week Wednesday to Monday and multiple flights per day. Flights return from Tahiti every day of the week, with 2 or 3 flights per day.
Air France (AF) has four flights a week to Tahiti (one is a code share with Air Tahiti Nui) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Hawaiian Airlines flies (HA) to Tahiti every Friday and returns every Saturday. So it is easy to schedule a 1, 2 or 3 week trip. You could even have a few days in Hawaii as well. This helps break up the journey.

Flights to Tahiti from the USA

The flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti is just over 8 hours. For your Tahiti airfare from the USA you have a choice of:

United Airlines (UA) offers direct flights to Tahiti from the US mainland. Flights depart from San Francisco to Papeete 3 times a week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Air Tahiti Nui (TN) from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui has flights leaving Los Angeles 6 days per week Wednesday to Monday and multiple flights per day. Flights return from Tahiti every day of the week, with 2 or 3 flights per day.
Hawaiian Airlines (HA) have flights to Tahiti from Honolulu (HNL) once a week.
Air France (AF) has four flights a week to Tahiti (one is a code share with Air Tahiti Nui) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
French Bee (BF) is a French low-cost long haul airline that flies between San Francisco and Papeete 3 times a week.

Flights to Tahiti from Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines (HA) flies to Tahiti every Friday and returns every Saturday. So it is easy to schedule a 1, 2 or 3 week trip. You could even have a few days in Hawaii as well. This breaks up the journey, which is especially great if you are flying from the east coast of the USA or from Europe. The flight time from Hawaii to Tahiti is 5½ hours.

Flights to Tahiti from Australia or New Zealand

Both Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui fly directly to Tahiti out of Auckland, New Zealand. Australian's just need to zip across to Auckland with Qantas, to connect to an Air Tahiti Nui flight, or fly the whole way with Air New Zealand. The flight from Auckland to Tahiti is 5 hours.

Air Tahiti Nui (TN) flies out of Auckland twice per week, on Thursdays and Sundays. Return Flights are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Air Tahiti Nui flights arrive at night. So you will spend the first night of your trip in Papeete. On your last day of your trip, you will fly out at the end of the day.
Air Tahiti Nui (TN) flies out of Auckland twice per week, on Thursdays and Sundays. Return Flights are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Air Tahiti Nui flights arrive at night. So you will spend the first night of your trip in Papeete. On your last day of your trip, you will fly out at the end of the day.
Air New Zealand (NZ) flies out of Auckland four times per week, on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. Return flights are on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Air New Zealand has 3 flights that arrive during the day, and one flight arriving at night.

Flights to Tahiti from other Pacific Islands

Flights are also available to Tahiti from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and Noumea in New Caledonia.

One direct flight from Noumea to Tahiti is available with Aircalin (ACI) on Fridays. Flight time is 6 hours. More flights are available by going through Auckland.
One direct flight goes per week from Rarotonga to Tahiti on Thursdays with Air Tahiti (the inter-island carrier of Tahiti, not Air Tahiti Nui). Flight time is 2 ½ hours.

Flights to Tahiti from South America

LAN Chile Airlines flies to Tahiti, twice per week, from Santiago. Flights go through Easter Island.

Flights to Tahiti from Japan

Air Tahiti Nui (TN) has direct flights from Tokyo to Papeete twice per week. Flight time is 11 hours.

Flights depart Tokyo on Saturday and Monday. Air Tahiti Nui Flights from Japan arrive in Papeete in the morning, around 8.30am.
Return flights to Tokyo leave Papeete on Friday and Sunday at 7am in the morning.

Flights to Tahiti from Europe

For Europeans wanting flights to Tahiti, you will need to make your way around to Los Angeles, to connect with a Tahiti flight.

Air France (AF) flies from Paris to Tahiti with a stop over in Los Angeles. Air France has four flights a week from LA to Tahiti (one is a code share with Air Tahiti Nui) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Air Tahiti Nui (TN) has flights leaving Los Angeles 6 days per week Wednesday to Monday and multiple flights per day. Flights return from Tahiti every day of the week, with 2 or 3 flights per day.
Hawaiian Airlines (HA) have flights to Tahiti going via Honolulu (HNL) once a week.
French Bee (BF) flies from Paris to Tahiti on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, with a stop in San Francis

Weather

Here's what you need to know about the Bora Bora weather to help decide on the best time to go to Bora Bora,when you're likely to enjoy the best weather in Bora Bora, and what to take on a Bora Bora vacation for each season.

The season you're planning to vacation in may also influence your choice of the best Bora Bora resort to book. A quick check of the monthly Bora Bora weather chart will show you that the temperatures are 26°C (80°F) and above, all year round.

Lagoon water temperatures, of 26°C (80°F) and above, mean that you can swim every month of the year at the beautiful Bora Bora beaches.

The climate in Tahiti and Her Islands is warm and pleasant for most of the year. Although this is the tropics, the heat is not extreme. A respite is provided by gentle South Pacific Ocean breezes and the north-easterly trade winds. There is only a small variation between daytime and night time temperatures, so you can look forward to balmy evenings during most of the year.

Seasons in Bora Bora

Bora Bora weather is officially divided into two seasons, summer (low Season in Bora Bora) and winter (high season in Bora Bora). I like to include a third category, Bora Bora 'shoulder' season. Planning to go during the shoulder season is one of the smartest choices you can make.

If you live in the northern hemisphere you may be surprised to know that summer in Bora Bora and winter in Bora Bora are at the opposite time of year to yours. Look on the map and you will see that French Polynesia is south of the equator.

Bora Bora winter months include June, July, August, September and October. Winter is the dry season in Tahiti and usually has day after day of sunshine and blue skies. Winter is high season in Bora Bora. Here's what winter in Bora Bora was like on our recent June vacation. Find out what makes winter in Bora Bora the most popular vacation time.

The Bora Bora summer months are December, January, February and March. Summer is the wet season in Tahiti. During these months there is more chance of rain and the temperatures can be slightly higher. We discovered that there are also times when the temperatures are cooler. If you are considering going during Bora Bora summer there's more you must find out to be prepared for possibilities during wet season. Summer is low season for tourists in Bora Bora.

When is the Best Time to Go to Bora Bora?

Bora Bora is no ordinary destination! So much consideration is given to the question of what is the best month to visit Bora Bora. Whether you're planning the perfect Tahiti honeymoon, a once-in-a-lifetime Bora Bora vacation, an affordable Bora Bora holiday, or deliberating between exciting Tahiti cruises; there are important factors to consider when deciding the best time to go to Bora Bora.

As the lagoon temperature is warm all year round, it's always a good time to go to Bora Bora! But some months are likely to ensure a superior vacation because you may experience less rain, less wind; or be able to party on low season prices. Here's what to expect for weather in Bora Bora, including all the not-so-good weather to be aware of: such as rain, wind, humidity; or (God forbid) ... a hurricane. By knowing about these factors you can time your trip to suit your preferences, and know what to prepare for.

Cyclones in Bora Bora

French Polynesia is on the eastern edge of the South Pacific cyclone/hurricane belt. So it's rare to have cyclones in Bora Bora. Historically, storms caused by tropical depressions and other El Nino effects have usually occurred in February and March. The last one to pass through Bora Bora was in early 2010, and closed Lagoon Resort.

Talk the Tahitian Language

If you learn some Tahitian words from the Tahitian language you will make a good impression with the locals. Before you fly off on your Bora Bora vacation have some fun memorizing a few useful Tahiti French phrases as well.

On this page you can learn to speak Tahitian words, and French phrases and words, that will be most useful. Further down you will find some French words that will help you to read food items on a menu (so the surprises on your plate are good ones!).

The official languages of Tahiti and her islands are French and Tahitian. Although French is used in schools and business, the Tahitian language is still preferred by most islanders in their homes. English is well spoken in the tourist areas and resorts. But if you do some exploring on your own, and venture to the local's hot spots, you will come across places where English is not understood. For example, menus outside of hotel restaurants, or at roulettes, will often be in French so you will want to understand some French words.