Why Is Bora Bora So Expensive? (Top 12 Reasons)

The island of Bora Bora is one of the most expensive places to live or visit.

Bora Bora is located in French Polynesia and is well known for its turquoise lagoons, pristine white beaches, over-water bungalows, and underwater scenery.

Many people are drawn to both the beauty of the island as well as the luxury prices.

The combination of these two factors makes it one of the most expensive places to live or visit.

Why is Bora Bora so expensive?

The island of Bora Bora is known for their gorgeous blue waters and the incredibly beautiful white sandy beaches that surround it.

The luxury hotel Four Seasons Resort is located on the Island, as well as many other luxurious resorts that give you the perfect view of the lagoons and tropical landscape.

However, living in such a beautiful place comes with a high price tag.

Here are some reasons why Bora Bora is so expensive.

High cost of flights and hotel accommodations

The number one reason why Bora Bora is so expensive is because there are only two main ways to reach the island, in addition to very few hotels in comparison to other South Pacific islands.

As a result, the high cost of flights and hotel accommodations makes it difficult for large scale tourism companies or tour groups to promote travel to Bora Bora.

Limited supply of property

Another reason for high hotel rates is the limited supply of property on Bora Bora, as it is one of the most sought-after islands in the entire world.

Since hotels and resorts on the island do not exceed more than 150 rooms, prices skyrocket as interested buyers bid to acquire land on such a tiny island with an even tinier space to build.

Underwater scenery

Bora Bora’s underwater scenery is also one of the main reasons why many divers choose this specific destination over others.

The world-renowned Blue Corner and Shark Pit are but a few examples of sites that offer amazing opportunities to view marine life including sharks and manta rays up close without requiring any swimming skills at all.

About 175 species of fish are commonly found in Bora Boras’ waters, along with whales, dolphins, manta rays and turtles.

Turquoise lagoon

The island also has two lagoons which are easily accessible by boat or kayak making it a favorite location for scuba divers to visit on their way to or from other islands in French Polynesia.

Very Few Hotels

As previously mentioned, the number of hotels on Bora Bora is very limited compared to other South Pacific Islands which makes this destination much more expensive than others.

As a result of its renown as an exotic island paradise featuring luxury resorts that many dreams about visiting, but few can afford, prices continue to remain at least twice as expensive as neighboring islands.

For instance, if you were looking for 5-star accommodation on the island of Tahiti, you would be able to find rates as low as $100 per night.

For the same type of hotel in Bora Bora, you will find rates upwards of $200 per night.

Unique features of waters

Unique features of Bora Boras’ waters are its clarity and color which are not only gorgeous but also highly sought after by divers.

The transparency can often reach up to 60 meters or 197 feet while the lagoon’s famous dark blue tone is thanks to its high level of glacial silt.

Also worth mentioning are the island’s numerous coral reefs that are home to a number species including gorgonians, sea fans and hammerheads sharks.

Bora Bora offers beautiful overwater “pond” huts with direct access to the lagoon, in addition to overwater bungalows with terraces or garden views.

High demand for property

One of the main reasons why Bora Bora is so expensive is because there is a high demand for property on this island due to its beautiful beaches and scenery.

For many potential buyers who are looking for a place to build resorts, private homes or even hotels, any available piece of land becomes highly competitive and out of reach unless you have a large sum of money at your disposal.

In fact, most resorts that exist today on Bora Bora were developed during the 1960s by millionaires such as Aristotle Onassiss, American industrialist Henry Kaiser and others interested in owning an exotic location where they could reside year-round.

Advantages of Location

Even though other islands in French Polynesia such as Tahiti and Moorea may be larger and more populated, Bora Bora’s location makes it a much better choice for travelers interested in exploring the South Pacific because this island is the central point where you can visit all other major destinations like Hawaii or Australia.

Overwater bungalows

As one of the most beautiful places on earth, not only does Bora Bora feature overwater bungalows with simple architectural styles; however, many luxurious resorts have been created along its lagoons which offer spa-like amenities right on the water’s edge complete with personal butlers.

The famous St. Regis Resort is a perfect example of what visitors can find when visiting this exotic locale – from the moment you arrive, a personal butler will wait for you at the end of a pontoon bridge that stretches over the lagoon before leading you to your designated bungalow.

Expensive Rent

Despite having such high property values, rent is equally expensive too, thanks to the fact that most permanent residents on Bora Bora are owners rather than renters.

Vacationers who come to this island on a daily basis can expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 per day for an entire suite that includes all of the amenities you might need such as pools, spas, and more.

Due to this very reason, many visitors choose to stay elsewhere in French Polynesia which doesn’t have nearly as high prices or demand.

Pristine white sandy beaches

Along with its crystal clear waters that are surrounded by lush greenery, Bora Bora also features beautiful beaches that are surrounded by natural white sand.

The two most popular beaches are the one at Motu Toopua which is located off the main island of Motu Piti Aau and features a small beach bar, while nearby Paradise Beach is another more secluded destination where you can spend your entire day basking in the sun or swimming in the water.

Travel to nearby islands

Those who visit French Polynesia will find that they can get to nearby islands such as Grand Terre (Tahiti) very easily because there are plenty of daily flights available from Tahiti on various airlines including Air Tahiti Nui called “the friendly airline.”

Another convenient alternative is taking a ferry from Bora Bora that will transport you to Moorea, the second largest island in French Polynesia.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Bora Bora worth the money?

Bora Bora is a great island that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

It has beautiful water, wonderful resorts, and friendly people which makes it a pleasure to spend time there.

Even though the flight from the states takes about 12 hours with layovers, many people still rate this as one of the considerable vacation destinations.

The first reason why Bora Bora makes for an awesome vacation is because it has some of the clearest pristine water that you could ever find.

The locals will swim out to meet the boats and they are not afraid about getting into areas that other people would be worried about.

You can take a glass-bottom boat tour which means that you don’t need to spend money on renting snorkeling equipment to see all of the fish and coral reefs in this area.

The second reason why so many people enjoy their time spent in Bora Bora is because of how great the resorts are! There are 5 star resorts near black, volcanic sand beaches where people can relax during their trip.

They have everything from spas to casinos at these resorts, so people can easily go to the location of their choice based on what they want.

Finally, Bora Bora has a lot of friendly locals who will greet you with a smile and help you if you need any assistance.

This island is full of natural resources that everyone from children to adults will be able to enjoy.

Many people turn into snorkel enthusiasts after their first time in this area because it’s such an amazing experience!

In conclusion, traveling to Bora Bora is definitely worth the money and effort because of how great everything is on this island.

The water, weather, people, resorts, and experiences are all remarkable and will certainly bring everyone back for future visits.

If nothing else convinces you, perhaps the whales swimming past your overwater bungalow will!

What is the Cheapest Time to Go to Bora Bora?

One of the best ways to save some money on your trip to Bora Bora is to time it right.

The low travel season runs from November to March, which coincides with the rainy season and makes it a slightly less desirable time to visit.

You’ll find the costs of flights and accommodation are typically at their lowest during these months, although when Christmas and New Year roll around you’ll see them take a huge leap again.

Typically, these low season rates can continue into April and May, and many consider this the best time of all to visit.

Not only will you still be able to take advantage of low flight prices, but you may also notice that many resorts have reduced their room rates.

How Can I Get to Bora Bora for Cheap?

Depending on where you’re going, the flight can often be the most expensive part of any trip, and with Bora Bora so far away in the middle of the South Pacific, that will definitely be the case here.

Don’t be put off, though, as you don’t have to pay above the odds to get there.

Flight costs will be down during the aforementioned low travel season, and there are many great websites and apps you can take advantage of when looking to score cheap flights during these months.

You’re probably already well aware, but if not then there’s no better than Skyscanner and Secret Flying when it comes to scoring a good deal.

With those sites it is possible to fly from many different European cities to Bora Bora, including Amsterdam, Paris and Munich.

Final Thoughts

Even if Bora Bora were 10 times cheaper than it currently is, it would still be one of the most expensive destinations in the world thanks in part to its exotic beauty and surroundings which allow individuals with enough spending power to enjoy living in a resort-like environment every single day of their lives.