Best Things to Do in Bora Bora
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
From cruising Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoon to swimming at Matira Beach and driving around the island beneath its dramatic volcanic peaks, there’s so much more to Bora Bora than luxury resorts. Here are the best things to do in Bora Bora — including plenty that don’t cost a fortune.
1. Hire a Boat and Explore the Bora Bora Lagoon
One of our absolute favourite things to do in Bora Bora was hiring our own little boat and exploring the lagoon for the day.
We booked through La Plage Bora Bora, where you can hire a small 6HP boat without needing a boat licence. A full-day hire (around seven hours) starts from approximately $450 AUD including fuel.
For our family it worked out better than booking several separate snorkelling and lagoon tours — and it was waaaaaay more fun!
Before you hit the water, La Plage will give you a map of the lagoon and show you the best places to stop, swim and snorkel, so you have a good idea of where to go before setting off.
The boat came with an esky, so we stocked up on baguettes, fruit, snacks and drinks before heading out. From there, the day was completely ours. We could cruise around the lagoon, stop for a swim or snorkel whenever we wanted and simply enjoy being out on that insanely blue water.
If you're not confident driving a boat yourself, there are also plenty of guided lagoon and snorkelling tours that take you out to explore the lagoon, reefs and marine life.
2. Chill out at Matira Beach
If you're looking for one of the best free things to do in Bora Bora, head straight to Matira Beach.
Matira is Bora Bora's only true public beach and it's absolutely beautiful. The sand is soft and white, the lagoon is ridiculously clear, and the water stays calm and shallow for quite a way out — making it a great spot for swimming, especially with kids.
Bring your snorkel gear because there's plenty to see without booking a tour. We even watched rays gliding through the crystal-clear water right from the shore.
3. Snorkel in Bora Bora's Lagoon
With warm, crystal-clear water and an incredible amount of marine life, snorkelling in Bora Bora's lagoon is an absolute must.
We did most of our snorkelling independently, either straight from the beach or while exploring the lagoon in our hire boat. Depending on where you stop, you can see colourful reef fish, coral, eagle rays and even reef sharks.
If you're exploring on your own, it's worth bringing your own snorkel gear so you can jump in whenever you find a good spot — particularly if you're hiring a boat for the day.
Alternatively, there are plenty of guided snorkelling and lagoon tours that will take you to some of Bora Bora's best-known snorkelling spots, including areas where you can see rays and reef sharks.
4. See Sharks and Stingrays
One of the highlights of exploring Bora Bora's lagoon is the chance to see reef sharks and stingrays in the wild.
We were lucky enough to see rays while exploring on our own — even spotting them gliding through the shallow water at Matira Beach. If you're hiring your own boat, La Plage can also point out some of the best places in the lagoon to look for marine life.
But if seeing sharks and rays is high on your Bora Bora wish list, a guided lagoon tour is probably your best option. These tours know where the sharks and rays are usually found and often combine the experience with several snorkelling stops around the lagoon.
You can check Bora Bora shark, ray and snorkelling tours here.
5. Drive Around Bora Bora
Bora Bora is surprisingly easy to explore by car, and hiring one for the day is a great way to see more of the main island.
We hired a small car from Avis in Vaitape for around $100 AUD for the day. The Avis office is right near the wharf where the free airport shuttle boat drops you off, so picking it up was really easy.
There's essentially one main road circling Bora Bora, and the entire loop is only around 32 km. You could drive around the island in about 45 minutes without stopping, but where's the fun in that?
We took our time, stopping at viewpoints, passing through little villages, checking out different parts of the coastline and, of course, spending time at Matira Beach. Having a car also made it easy to stop at the supermarket in Vaitape and stock up on groceries, snacks and picnic supplies.
You really only need a day to explore the island by car, and having the freedom to pull over whenever something catches your eye makes it much more fun than simply getting from A to B.
6. Hike to Mount Popoti Lookout
If you want to see Bora Bora from above, hiking to Mount Popoti Lookout is absolutely worth the effort.
We did the hike independently, following the same rough track used by some of the island's 4x4 and quad tours. It took us around two hours return, with increasingly beautiful views over Bora Bora's lagoon and surrounding motu as we climbed.
We somehow managed to do the whole thing in flip-flops — which, looking back, wasn't our smartest decision! I'd definitely recommend wearing sneakers or proper walking shoes, especially as parts of the track can be steep and slippery.
The views from the top are incredible, looking out over the different shades of blue in the lagoon and across the island.
If you don't fancy walking, some organised off-road tours also head up towards Mount Popoti, giving you those incredible elevated views without having to hike the whole way.
7. Take a 4WD Island Tour
If you don't want to hire a car or tackle the hills on foot, a 4WD island tour is another great way to explore Bora Bora beyond the lagoon.
Tours take you around the main island and up steep tracks to elevated viewpoints that aren't as easy to reach in a regular hire car. It's a good option if you want to see more of Bora Bora's interior and those incredible views over the lagoon without hiking.
8. Watch the Sunset at Matira Beach
Some of Bora Bora's most magical moments don't cost a thing, and sunset at Matira Beach is one of them.
As the afternoon light fades, the lagoon changes from brilliant turquoise to soft shades of blue and gold. The water is usually calm, the beach is peaceful, and it's the perfect place to end a day of exploring.
Stop at the supermarket on the way and pick up fresh French baguettes, cheese, fruit and a few drinks for an easy picnic on the beach while you watch the sunset.
Our tip: Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset, bring a towel and stay for the changing colours after the sun goes down — it's stunning!
How Many Days Do You Need in Bora Bora?
We spent 3 days exploring Bora Bora, which is enough time to see the main island, enjoy Matira Beach, hike to an incredible lookout and spend a full day exploring the lagoon.
If you have longer, 4 or 5 days would give you more time to slow down and enjoy the beaches & a 2 night stay in a resort on the surrounding motus.
Day 1: Explore Bora Bora by Car
Pick up your hire car in Vaitape and spend the day exploring the island at your own pace. Drive the loop around Bora Bora, stop at viewpoints and villages along the way, explore Vaitape and stock up on baguettes, cheese, fruit, drinks and snacks from the supermarket.
Finish the afternoon with a swim at Matira Beach, then stay for sunset with a picnic on the beach.
Day 2: Hike Mount Popoti & Enjoy Matira Beach
Use your 2nd day with the car to explore anything you missed before heading to Mount Popoti for the hike up to the lookout. Allow around two hours for the return walk and take plenty of water — and definitely wear sneakers if you have them.
Afterwards, head back to Matira Beach for an afternoon of swimming, snorkelling and relaxing by the lagoon. Hire cars will usually need to be returned by 5pm.
Day 3: Spend the Day on the Bora Bora Lagoon
La Plage Bora Bora will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you back afterwards, so you don't need the hire car for this day.
Spend around seven hours exploring the lagoon in your own little boat, stopping to swim and snorkel wherever you like. Pack the esky with a picnic lunch, drinks and snacks and make a full day of it.
It's a pretty incredible way to finish three days in Bora Bora.
Where to Stay in Bora Bora
Where you stay in Bora Bora really depends on the type of trip you're planning.
For the classic Bora Bora experience, you'll find the island's famous luxury resorts and overwater bungalows on the surrounding motu, with incredible views across the lagoon towards Mount Otemanu.
If you're travelling on a smaller budget or want to explore more independently, look for apartments on the main island. You'll be closer to supermarkets, car hire and local restaurants, and it's much easier to get out and explore on your own.
Can You Visit Bora Bora Without Staying at a Luxury Resort?
Yes you can! You don't need to stay in an overwater bungalow to experience the best of Bora Bora.
The turquoise lagoon, mountains, beaches and sunsets are there for everyone — not just guests staying in the luxury resorts.
If you're trying to keep costs down, we've put together a separate guide to visiting Bora Bora on a budget with our best tips for experiencing Bora Bora without the crazy price tag.
Bora Bora might be famous for overwater bungalows and once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons, but for us, the best parts were much simpler — cruising the lagoon in our little boat, swimming at Matira Beach and looking out over that ridiculously blue water from Mount Popoti.
However you choose to experience it, Bora Bora really is every bit as beautiful as it looks in the photos.
More French Polynesia Guides
Planning more of your trip? Check out our other French Polynesia guides:
🌺 Huahine — A quieter, less-developed island with beautiful beaches, local villages and a completely different feel to Bora Bora.
🏝️ Bora Bora vs Moorea — Trying to choose between the two? Here's how they compare and which island we'd choose.
✈️ Cheapest Way to Travel to French Polynesia from Australia — How we kept the cost down, including flights, Qantas Points and the cheapest ways to get from Australia to paradise.
💰 Bora Bora on a Budget — Where we stayed, what we spent and how we experienced Bora Bora without the luxury price tag.
🐋 Swimming with Humpback Whales in Moorea — What it was really like getting into the open ocean and swimming alongside a humpback whale.
Travel Insurance for Bora Bora
We always recommend travelling with travel insurance, especially for a trip like Bora Bora where you may be hiring a car, heading out on boats, hiking and spending plenty of time in the water. Make sure you check the policy carefully to ensure the activities you're planning are covered.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Travelling and creating guides like these takes a lot of time & research. Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you use them — at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support 🤍
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