Bora Bora vs Moorea: Which Island Is Better for Families?

Sometimes the places we love most aren't the ones we expect.

Before our trip to French Polynesia, I was sure Bora Bora would be the highlight of our holiday.

After all, it's the island everyone dreams about. Picture perfect overwater bungalows perched above impossibly turquoise water. The one that appears on bucket lists around the world.

And honestly? Bora Bora was every bit as beautiful as I'd imagined.

But after travelling through Tahiti, Huahine, Bora Bora and Moorea with our kids, there was one island we couldn't stop talking about long after we left.

Surprisingly, It wasn't Bora Bora.

It was Moorea.

Now before all the Bora Bora lovers come for me, hear me out. Bora Bora is absolutely worth visiting. If you've travelled all the way to French Polynesia and have the time and budget, I would recommend visiting both islands.

But if you're travelling with kids and only have time for one island, my vote goes to Moorea every single time.

Here's why.

Moorea vs Bora Bora with Kids: Quick Comparison

Category	Moorea	Bora Bora
Best for Families	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Budget-Friendly	⭐⭐⭐	⭐
Luxury Resorts	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beaches	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lagoon Beauty	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Family Activities	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Adventure & Hiking	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Snorkelling	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of Getting Around	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Local Culture & Community Feel	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Relaxed Island Vibe	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bucket-List Factor	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Our Verdict

Choose Moorea if:

• You're travelling with kids

• You love adventure and outdoor activities

• You want a more affordable trip

• You enjoy hiking, driving and exploring

• You want a more authentic local experience

• You have one week or more to explore

• You are not wanting long travel days

  
  

Choose Bora Bora if:

• Staying in an overwater bungalow is a dream

• You want the most spectacular lagoon in the South Pacific

• You're planning a honeymoon or special occasion

• You don't mind spending more money

Bora Bora took our breath away.

Moorea stole our hearts.

First Things First: Bora Bora Really Is Stunning

Let's start with Bora Bora because it truly deserves its reputation.

The lagoon is unlike anything we've ever seen. The water changes colour throughout the day, shifting from pale turquoise to deep sapphire blue. From the air, it almost doesn't look real.

We spent three nights on Bora Bora and stayed on the main island in Vaitape rather than one of the famous luxury resorts on the surrounding motus. We hired a car, rented a boat for a day, explored the island, snorkelled, relaxed at Matira Beach and soaked up those incredible lagoon views. You can read our full guide to visiting Bora Bora on a budget.

We loved it.

Bora Bora's biggest attraction isn't actually the main island itself.

It's the lagoon and the surrounding motus (small islands), where most of the famous luxury resorts are located.

And while the resorts are undeniably beautiful, they are also incredibly expensive. During our visit in August, one of the busiest times of year, many of the overwater bungalows appeared surprisingly quiet.

If your dream is to stay in an overwater bungalow and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime luxury experience, Bora Bora is hard to beat.

But if you're travelling with kids and looking for adventure, variety and activities, Moorea offers so much more.

Moorea Has All the Water Activities... Plus Everything Else

Bora Bora offers amazing snorkelling, lagoon tours and boat trips.

Moorea offers all of those things too.

In fact, some of our most memorable experiences in French Polynesia happened here. We swam with humpback whales, snorkelled alongside sharks and stingrays, explored the island by car, hiked to incredible viewpoints and spent lazy afternoons at some of the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen.

There's also opportunities too:

• ATV tours

• Kayaking

• Scuba diving

• Snorkelling

• Visit Waterfalls

• Massive hiking trails

• Lookouts

• Pineapple plantations

• Scenic drives

You could easily spend a week in Moorea and still not run out of things to do.

Whether you're an adventurous family or simply enjoy exploring new places, Moorea offers far more variety.

The Island Itself Is Incredible

Towering green mountains rise dramatically from the ocean. The famous Belvedere Lookout offers breathtaking views across the island. Two beautiful bays, Opunohu Bay & Cook Bay, carve into the coastline, creating some of the most spectacular scenery in French Polynesia.

Simply driving around Moorea became one of our favourite activities.

Moorea Feels More Authentic

Bora Bora felt more tourism-focused. Moorea just felt more like a place where people actually live.

One of our favourite beaches in all of French Polynesia was Ta'ahiamanu Beach in Moorea. Backed by dramatic green mountains and a great place to spot turtles.

Most afternoons, people would wander down to the beach with guitars & portable speakers, and play games of beach volleyball. Kids ran around playing together while families sat chatting and watching the sunset.

One evening, I was sitting on the beach watching the sunset and remember thinking, I could actually live here.

Not because it was the most beautiful place we'd ever seen (although it was pretty close), but because it felt so relaxed, welcoming and genuine.

The Beaches Are Just as Beautiful

One thing Bora Bora definitely doesn't have over Moorea is the beaches.

While Matira Beach is spectacular and deserves all the praise it receives, some of our favourite beaches in French Polynesia were actually on Moorea. Temae Beach, Ta'ahiamanu Beach, and the lively Tipaniers Beach are all stunning and great for snorkelling.

The water was crystal clear, the sand was soft and white, and the most of coastline felt wonderfully uncrowded.

Best of all, they were easily accessible.

No expensive resort pass required.

Just park the car and enjoy.

Which Island Is Better for Families?

If you're travelling as a family, Moorea wins this category quite comfortably.

The island is easier to explore.

There are more activities.

Accommodation is generally more affordable.

The atmosphere feels relaxed and family-friendly.

And if the weather isn't perfect for water activities, there are still plenty of things to do on land.

For families travelling with children of different ages, Moorea simply offers more flexibility.

So... Which Island Would We Choose?

This is the question everyone asks.

And honestly?

If you have the time and budget, visit both.

Bora Bora's lagoon is every bit as magical as the photos suggest. Seeing it for yourself is something you'll never forget.

But if I only had time to revisit one island with my kids tomorrow, I would book a ferry to Moorea without hesitation.

Bora Bora took my breath away.

Moorea stole my heart.

If you're planning a wider trip through the islands, don't miss our Budget Travel Tips for Bora Bora, our guide to Snorkelling with Sharks and Stingrays in Moorea and the Cheapest Way to Travel to Tahiti from Australia.

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