Bora Bora is a once in a lifetime bucket list destination! But similar to places like the Maldives it is typical regarded as a honeymoon destination but is Bora Bora kid friendly? In our time in French Polynesia we found it to be a very family friendly place – (you can check out our island by island guide of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea here)! So in this guide we round up where to stay in Bora Bora with kids, give you all the top tips for enjoying your stay such as what to pack and the best things to do in Bora Bora with kids so ensure you have a fabulous Bora Bora Family vacation.
How to get to Bora Bora
Anyone who is visiting Bora Bora will first have to visit Tahiti! All international flights to French Polynesia will arrive at Tahiti’s Interantional Airport in Papeete! There are no direct international flights into Bora Bora itself.
From Tahiti you will have to make an airport transfer to Air Tahiti which operate all the internal French Polynesia flights. The flight is under an hour! But be warned if you are travelling with kids do not overpacked as the internal flights strictly enforce the baggage weight allowance. This is definitely not a place you want to be overpacking for! Keep reading for our complete family packing guide for Bora Bora.
If you are considering visiting other French Polynesian islands with kids why not check out our Moorea with kids post!
For more Tahiti travel tips check out this post.
Where to stay in Bora Bora with kids – aka the best hotels in Bora Bora for kids!
I think one of the keys for enjoying your Bora Bora family vacation is picking the right type of accommodation! In this section of the guide we look at where to stay in Bora Bora with kids rounding up all the best hotels in Bora Bora for kids.
The key to finding a Bora Bora Kids Friendly Resorts is ensuring that the resort has plenty of amenities for children! Here are the best Family Friendly Resorts in Bora Bora from our research.
Note: Please check with hotels that all details are current before booking and running during your period of stay.
Best Bora Bora Family Friendly resorts
Here we round up the four best Bora Bora Family Friendly Resorts:
The Four Seasons is a great brand especially for travelling with children! If you are looking for a Bora Bora fa This is frequently cited as the most family friendly resort on Bora Bora.
The Family Friendly Amenities at the Four Seasons Bora Bora include:
- Kids Club and Tamarii Club
- Welcome Package for Kids aged 5-12 years old!
- Playground
- Splashpad
This really is the best answer o where to stay in Bora Bora with family in tow.
- Babysitting
- Private Lagoonarium
- Kids Club
- Baby sitting on request!
Please note there is no kids club at this resort.
Though a high end brand the Conrad Bora Bora Nui is one of the most Family Friendly Resorts in Bora Bora! Some of the Conrad Bora Bora Kids Friendly Resort Features include:
- Babysitting
- Kids Under 13 stay for free
- Children’s menu
This really is a great family friendly resorts in Bora Bora!
Should I stay in an Overwater bungalow in Bora Bora with family?
One of the bucket list items for Bora Bora has to be staying in an overwater bungalow! To me overwater bungalows and Bora Bora are synonymous but should you stay in one when you are travelling to Bora Bora with family?
For us the answer was no! We were with a toddler and the idea of a toddler and an overwater bungalow brought me out in a cold sweat! But this might not be the case for every family. I would stay it really depends on the family and the age of kids to whether you should stay in a Bora Bora overwater bungalow with kids.
Tips for visiting Bora Bora with a toddler or baby
Depending on the age of your child will affect what sorts of things you are looking for in a Bora Bora family friendly resort and the activities you decide to do.
We travelled to Bora Bora with our toddler and we had a great time! She loved spending time on the beach and the crystal clear waters meant she was able to spot the fish without putting her head under.
If you are going to Bora Bora with a toddler or baby then I would say you will want to make sure you pack everything you might need rather than expecting to buy supplies on the island! When we went to the shops and supermarket in Vaitape we found a very limited supply of baby nappies etc and what we found there was more expensive than at home! I would recommend taking any essential supplies you need for your Baby or toddler in Bora Bora.
What To Pack For A Bora Bora Family Vacation
Knowing that you will be limited on baggage when travelling on Air Tahiti you may be wondering what to pack for a Bora Bora Family Vacation! Well in this sections we round up what we think are the essentials to take with you on your Bora Bora Family Holiday.
Clothing for Bora Bora
One of the great thing about Bora Bora is that it isn’t a very formal place so you don’t need to worry much about your nighttime clothing.
The key for packing for Bora Bora in my opinion is to pack lightweight clothing that are loose and comfortable.
I always stick to cottons and linens when I am traveling to tropical island paradises like Bora Bora.
On top of the clothing you will need
- Swimwear
– for children I recommend buying Swimwear with UV Protection! Our brand of choice is Splashabout (full review here)! - Beach cover up
- Floatation Devices for toddlers and Baby’s
- Swimming Pool Inflatables!
- Beach Hat
Activewear and Snorkeling Gear for Bora Bora
- For Parents, Bora Bora has some great Yoga Classes so if you enjoy Yoga be sure to pack your Activewear!
- There are plenty of places to rent snorkelling equipment on the island and from your hotel however the cost of this can add up so we recommend taking your own with you.
- WATER SHOES – these are an essential when walking in lagoons and on the beach as Lion Fish are found in the waters around French Polynesia! Water shoes will protect you and your littles and for me are an essential when travelling with littles
What to Pack for Bora Bora with Baby or Toddler
The store in Vaitape had a limited amount for supplies for those travelling to Bora Bora with Baby or Toddler. I would recommend packing anything you require for bay and toddler specifically to ensure you aren’t paying over the odds or struggling to find something. This includes (but isn’t limited to)
- Baby Formula
- Dummies and Bottles
- Baby Fruit Pouches
- Swim Diapers
- Diapers
For a more complete Bora Bora Packing List and What to Wear Advice check out this post!
Best Things to do in Bora Bora with Kids or without
Sometimes called Bora Boring, you might be worried if there is enough to do in Bora Bora with kids but I am here to tell you that there is more than enough to keep you and your kids busy on a Bora Bora family vacation.
Go Snorkeling
Bora Bora is home to some of the world’s best snorkelling and it is something that you can definitely do with kids in tow.
Most of the hotels, especially those listed above will provide great snorkelling on site, however if you want to do a snorkelling excursion not via your hotel or in your hotel grounds then CLICK HERE for more options!
By going someone not on your hotel grounds you stand a chance of seeing different fish in a different location.
One such excursion that offers a different type of snorkelling experience is to do a Coral Nursery Snorkelling Session – click here for details!
Or if you are interested in sharks when not take a snorkelling excursion specifically designed for getting up close and personal with sharks! CLICK HERE for more information
Please check minimum ages before booking.
Or take a private lagoon tour!
Go Whale Watching
Bora Bora is a great place to go and see whales, in particular to see hump back whales! A whale watching excursion is sure to delight.
CLICK HERE for more information! Please check age requirements and exclusions and restrictions before booking.
Tour Bora Bora by Land and Sea
Or why not try and get a new perspective of Bora Bora by taking a 4×4 journey across the island! Stopping at different viewpoints and getting away from the hotels you will be able to get a new perspective on Bora Bora.
CLICK HERE for more information!
Explore Vaitape
Vaitape is the largest city on the island of Bora Bora! It won’t take you long to explore but if you fancy a stretch of legs outside of the hotel grounds and want to pick up some souvenirs this is the place to go.
FAQs About Bora Bora
Is Bora Bora child friendly? Is Bora Bora good families?
I would say Bora Bora is child friendly we had a great time on all of the French Polynesia islands! I would say the biggest key to enjoying Bora Bora is picking the right resort but overall is Bora Bora good for families? I think so.
Have you been to Bora Bora with kids? What are your top tips for visiting Bora Bora with family in tow!