We have been lucky enough to visit not one but three of the French Polynesian islands! On our Round the World trip we wanted to visit as many of the islands of Polynesia as possible and we managed to visit Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea! If you are planning a once in a lifetime trip to Polynesia you may not have the opportunity or the inclination to visit all of these islands! But we are here to help you decide which island(s) is the right from for you by answer the question: Tahiti vs Bora Bora vs Moorea – which is better? 

While it is hard to pick a winner in the battle of the island paradise titans of Tahiti vs Moorea vs Bora Bora it is, at least in my opinion, easier to pick a loser! For me Tahiti just doesn’t hold a candle to its more remote counter parts of Bora Bora and Moorea!

Visiting Tahiti

When you picture Tahiti, I don’t know about you but I have visions of a beautiful Paul Gauguin painting and a Paul Gauguin painting it ain’t – at least in the capital city Papeete.

To be honest, Tahiti is actually more of a gateway island to French Polynesia rather than a destination in itself. It has a large port, both for international cruises (if you are considering taking a South Pacific cruise click here for more details), between island ferries and other vessels for import shipments.

As with any industrial port there is a certain seediness around it! Papeete was somewhere that I don’t think I would have felt comfortable walking around on my own after dark and on one occasion when my husband went out he was propositioned many times.

So if you want to ask what feels safest Bora Bora or Tahiti I would definitely say Bora Bora.

However, it isn’t all bad! Tahiti is definitely the best island for shopping especially if you want to buy a famous Tahitian Pearl.

It is also the island that has the most nightlife! We were traveling as a family so we didn’t experience this but it seems to be the general consensus.

Also if you are looking for more authentic street food and markets then you will probably like Tahiti more. But to get the most out of your time in Papeete I would recommend trying a walking tour to learn more about the history of the city!  You can find out more information and book the tour HERE! 

But for me – going to French Polynesia isn’t about visiting cities, doing shopping and all the other things that come with visiting any city – for me the reason I wanted to go to French Polynesia was to experience the tropical island paradise.

Once you are outside of the city, the island does in fact open up into a more tropical island paradise and there are may excursions you can take that will take you to the waterfalls and more tropical side of the island – please click here for more details.

However for me when I think about French Polynesia – Tahiti isn’t the vision that comes to mind!

For more information about what you need to know before traveling to Tahiti click here! 

Where to Stay In Tahiti!

While we were on the island we stayed at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa! The hotel was about a twenty minute taxi ride outside of Papeete and even closer to the international airport.

Tahiti Vs Bora Bora – Vs Moorea – Visiting Tahiti – Where to Stay in Tahiti

The hotel is absolutely stunning – It is technically rated a 4 star hotel but definitely seemed more 5* than 4star in my opinion! (If going to French Polynesia it is worth considering the Intercon Tahiti and Bora Bora as we recommend brand loyalty as a great travel hack).

Intercon Tahiti Lagoonarium – answer to where to stay in Tahiti

The main attraction of the hotel is that there is a large lagoon in the grounds. This salt water lagoon provides a great first snorkelling experience as the water is calm and shallow and filled with fish! On top of the lagoon there are also two beautiful infinity pools.

Intercon Tahiti Lagoonarium – answer to where to stay in Tahiti

The hotel also boasts 25 hectares of tropical gardens which are perfect to stroll around! The extensiveness of the grounds also mean that you can also always find privacy.

If you are visiting Tahiti with kids, then this hotel is a great place to stay as it has lots of kid friendly touches.

On top of this, I have to give two giant thumbs up to the hotel restaurant. Open onto the grounds, the local cuisine and seafood on offer at the restaurant was some of the best food I ate while in French Polynesia.

For those wanting romance and a true Polynesian experience there are beautiful over water bungalows but for those more budget conscious the hotel also has garden view and lagoon view rooms.

Overall opinion of the hotel: If you are looking for the best place to stay in Tahiti then we recommend the intercon as the best hotel on the island.

CLICK HERE to check availability and book online! 

For more tips on booking your dream Tahiti Vacation check out this post. 

Best Things to do in Tahiti

If you are looking for activities and excursions in Tahiti you may want to consider: 

• A Walking Tour of Papeete
• Donut Boat Excursion 
• Half Day Excursion to  Teahupoo 

How to Get to Tahiti

The International Airport of Tahiti is Faa’a and receives direct flights  from the USA, France, Chile and New Zealand. Air Tahiti and Air Tahiti Nui also fly to other islands of the Society Islands and French Polynesia and if your final destination is Bora Bora you will need to transfer here and connect with Air Tahiti to fly into Bora Bora. 

For up to date flight information and prices CLICK HERE! 

Overall opinion of Tahiti

It is the perfect place to spend the beginning or end of your vacation but don’t plan on this being the destination in itself you need to combine either Bora Bora and Tahiti or Moorea and Tahiti, I would not recommend just visiting Tahiti alone.

A night at either end is more than enough and if you are staying there then there is really only one choice – The Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa.

So if you ask the Question Bora Bora vs Tahiti vs Moorea – for me Tahiti comes in last place.

Bora Bora and Moorea

Bora Bora vs Moorea Island – this is where the competition really starts to heat up. I have to say I loved both of these islands for totally different reasons, so here I am going to break down what we loved about both islands to help you make a more informed decision.

While Bora Bora is definitely the more well known out of the two, you shouldn’t discount Moorea.

Bora Bora Vs Moorea Which is the Easiest to get to?

The options for getting to both of these islands are well established but completely different.

How to Get To Moorea From Tahiti

For those on more of a budget Moorea is far easier to get to as it only takes one hour on the ferry to get from the main island of Tahiti to Moorea.

How To Get To Bora Bora From Tahiti

To get from Tahiti to Bora Bora on the other hand, is a short but costly sea plane ride away that takes off from Papeete to Bora Bora.

If you decide to combine a trip to Bora Bora and Moorea into the same vacation, the easiest way to get from Moorea to Bora Bora is to head back to Tahiti and take a plane.

It is possible to book flights from the US and parts of Europe direct to Tahiti with transfers to Bora Bora included. To check flight deals to Bora Bora click HERE! 

Which has the best resorts Moorea Or Bora Bora?

As a more well known destination, it is not unsurprising that Bora Bora has a higher number of hotels and resorts. However if you are looking for luxury or overwater bungalows booth islands have something to offer.

Best Place to  Stay in Moorea?

Moorea has less choice, but as a result, there is a more obvious answer to the question – where is the best place to stay on Moorea. It is without doubt the beautiful Hilton Moorea.

Tahiti Vs Moorea Vs Bora Bora – Where to Stay on Moorea

The Hilton Moorea offers the sought after over water bungalows that are perfect for honeymooners and romance orientated travelers while those travelling with young children can opt for an in hotel room which also have beach access or private terraces and some have private plunge pools depending on the room type you opt for.

For those travelling with children, please note the hotel does not have a kids club but does offer babysitting services and has a children’s menu at its restaurants.

Tahiti Vs Moorea Vs Bora Bora – Where to Stay on Moorea

One of the biggest appeals in my opinion about the Hilton Moorea is that I think it is actually one of the best value hotels in French Polynesia and is more moderately priced in comparison to its Bora Bora counterparts.

CLICK HERE to compare prices for this hotel online

Bora Bora on the other hand has a greater range of resorts both on the island and just off the island.

While Moorea does have overwater bungalows I think the most stunning overwater bungalows are in Bora Bora.

Also while, in Moorea there really is only one main contender for the best hotel award, on Bora Bora there are a few contenders for this crown! The top three resorts on the island in our opinion are:

Four Seasons Bora Bora 

The hotel has a combination of over-water bungalows and beachfront villas! Located on Point Matira in Bora Bora, voted ‘the best island in the world’ by U.S. News in 2012. The Motu Mute Airport is a mere 15-minute boat ride away. This resort is great for those wanting to snorkel as they do free guided snorkelling tours of the lagoon sanctuary.

CLICK HERE to compare prices for this hotel online

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Image courtesy of the Conrad Bora Bora

One of my all time favorite hotel chains and this is one of the best resorts in French Polneysia!

This hotel resort is a twenty minute boat transfer from the airport. One of the oldest over water bungalow accommodations in French Polynesia but its recent renovation means that it feels utterly up to date!

They really have thought of everything during their renovations and if you are looking for utter modern luxury this is the place to go!

CLICK HERE to compare prices and book for this hotel online

The St Regis Bora Bora 

When I think about staying in Bora Bora, this hotel is always the one that springs to mind having been the setting for the 2009 Vince Vaughn film Couples Retreat.

The St Regis Bora Bora Resort is a 10-minute drive from Mont Otemanu and Mont Pahia or  a 15-minute boat transfer from Bora Bora Airport. The hotel property boasts beach front villas as well as some of the mist stunning overwater bungalows where you can dive right into the ocean – the perfect accommodation for any honeymooner.

The hotel has two pools, an unbelievable spa and  beautiful beaches, gardens and terraces.

For those travelling with kids there is a kids club available as well as a play area and on demand babysitting at an additional cost.

CLICK HERE to compare prices for this hotel online

Interconinteal Le Moana

A beautiful resort, that is one of the cheaper luxury resorts on the island.

CLICK HERE to compare prices and book for this hotel online

Which is the most romantic island aka is Bora Bora or Moorea better for honeymoons?

I think both islands are particularly romantic especially with the volume of over water bungalows but because of the range of accommodations Bora Bora probably just pips Moorea to the post! However I think the perfect honeymoon would include a combination of the two islands.

Are Moorea or Bora Bora Family Friendly?

Are Moorea and Bora Bora good for families?

To me the answer is absolutely yes! As Moorea is easier to get off resort, this is great for families who love hiking and want to undertake activities outside of the resort.

Next Read: What to do in Moorea with kids! 

However the resorts on Bora Bora have more extensive children’s clubs and facilities.If travelling with children, you will have a great time on either island – it just depends what your family wants to get out of the visit.

NB: We went to Bora Bora with toddler in tow – if using a kids club is important to you please check the age restrictions in each hotel resort as these do vary when it comes to a minimum age.

For a more complete guide to Bora Bora with kids check out this post. 

Best Bora Bora Family Resorts

What has the best activities Moorea or Bora Bora?

Resorts on both islands will offer in house excursions and actitivites such as kayaking, snorkeling, yoga etc. But for those eager to get out of the resort and see more of the island, then Moorea is more likely the island for you! It is much easier to grab a taxi on Moorea or organize an independent excursion to do kayaking, snorkelling, island tours etc.

Best Activities in Moorea

• Island Tour – click here for details
• Snorkeling – click here for details
• Catamaran Tour 
• Kayaking
• Guided Hike

What has the best snorkelling Moorea vs Bora Bora?

French Polynesia on the whole is renowned for its snorkelling and you will have a great experience snorkeling in either Moorea or Bora Bora.

However you might want to consider when choosing your island whether you want boat snorkelling or shore snorkelling. If you want snorkelling excursions via a boat then Bora Bora probably tips it. If you are looking to go straight off the beach then I would say the snorkelling varies from hotel to hotel. You want to pick somewhere with a good quality reef.  The Moorea Hilton is good for this.

For more information about the best things to do in Moorea check out this post! 

Information about visiting French Polynesia

Best Time to Visit Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea

High season in French Polynesia is May – November! June and August tend to be the busiest but also have the most guaranteed perfect weather.

November – April is counted as the humid season and while they do not have a hurricane season per se, when we visited in February there were frequent storms.

So if you are looking for the best time to visit Bora Bora I would definitely avoid February and head there during some of the less busy peak season months.

FAQs about French Polynesia

• is Bora Bora and Tahiti the same place?
  As discussed above Bora Bora and Tahiti are not the same place. Tahiti and Moorea are not the same place either! They are three separate islands but are relatively close together and will often be combined into the same vacation hence the confusion.
• How far is Bora Bora From Moorea
  Moorea to Bora Bora is 150 Miles.
• What Should I pack for French Polynesia? 
  For a complete Bora Bora packing list click here! 

Have you been to French Polynesia? Where did you stay? Did you have a favorite island in the battle of Moorea vs Tahiti vs Bora Bora?