Friday, April 19, 2024

Bora Bora for the day: What to do while your cruise is in port

cruise bora bora

A small group of up to 12 people means that you’ll only share the boat with five other couples. You’ll have a bit of a thrill while you sail out to your viewing point, then once you arrive, you can simply relax and drift with the water as the sun starts to set. Once you’re on the boat, you can relax and soak in the natural beauty of Bora Bora.

Cruises visiting Bora Bora, Society Islands (French Polynesia)

Yes, you might want to buy a pearl and you should definitely sample the poisson cru (raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime juice). But to be honest, the best spot you can visit on your Bora-Bora cruise anywhere out on the lagoon. And for those looking to inject a little more play into their seafaring excursions, there's always an array of aquatic adventures to be had with Princess Cruises. Between scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming, these water activities are great ways to cool off while floating among Bora Bora's beautiful population of fish.

Silversea Cruises to Bora Bora

cruise bora bora

It’s quiet without being stuffy, and the dramatic beach landscape combined with rainforest peaks make Bora Bora one of the world’s best destinations. Of course, island tours and excursions are a great way to see Bora Bora when time is limited. Finish your satisfying day in port with authentic Polynesian fare, local catches, and freshly marinated poisson cru. Bora Bora is an exclusive haunt loved by honeymooners and celebrities, some of whom have reportedly stayed in over-the-water villas for more than US$15,000 per night. A meal or drink at the island's famous Bloody Mary's in Bora Bora Yacht Club is a must. The good news for cruise passengers is it's cheaper to visit Bora Bora by sea than on a land-based holiday -- and, on some cruise itineraries to French Polynesia, you get an overnight stay.

How I Booked a Vacation in Bora Bora (Almost) for Free by Using Points and Miles

While Bora Bora is home to many beaches, finding one to spend the day at can be tougher than you might expect. Bora Bora -- home to the always-romantic overwater bungalow concept -- is one of the most anticipated ports of call in the South Pacific. Though I didn’t book through United, I was still able to call and add my MileagePlus number to the reservation, enabling me to use the perks of my elite status. I booked both myself and my husband into the exit row for free, just as I normally would when booking through United. Before I locked in the Conrad with my points, I checked flights to make sure I could put together a reasonable itinerary in terms of the time and miles it would require. I’m based in Portland, Oregon, so I often connect in San Francisco, which happens to have nonstop flights to Tahiti on United Airlines—and so that’s where I began my search.

Best Island Cruises in the South Pacific, Caribbean, Indonesia - Luxury Island Cruises - Town & Country

Best Island Cruises in the South Pacific, Caribbean, Indonesia - Luxury Island Cruises.

Posted: Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

But while the water is crystal clear and shallow out to the coral reef offshore, it's not the best spot on the island for snorkeling. And, watch for falling coconuts from the palms that line the 2-mile-long stretch of beach. One of the most famous shore excursions in the Society Islands is the opportunity to snorkel among stingrays and small sharks. (Yes, I was nervous about the shark part, but the sharks are small and they honestly ignored us and just swam around. It wasn't threatening.) The stingrays, on the other hand, are very friendly. They reminded me of labrador retrievers that are excited to greet a new visitor.

Air Tahiti operates several daily flights, but we arrived from San Francisco too late at night to take any of them. We chose to stay overnight at the Hilton Tahiti and take an early morning flight to Bora Bora the following day. These certificates would have worked beautifully for this trip to Bora Bora, given that Hilton does not cap their value, allowing you to use them at nearly any of its hotels worldwide.

Learn More About Bora Bora Shore Excursions

Your cruise will take you away from the main island and out to an anchor spot to watch the sunset. They’ll know the best places to take you for incredible views and calm waters while you enjoy the scenery. A sunset cruise is the perfect activity in Bora Bora because it’s both adventurous and relaxing. From a catamaran or outrigger canoe, you can see Bora Bora’s infamous lagoon at sunset, one of the most beautiful times of the day.

You will need some form of transportation to get to a beach or snorkelling area. The best snorkelling opportunities are through a tour or excursion. It is a famous snorkelling site where you get the opportunity to get up close to black tip sharks, stingrays and parrot-fish. If you do not want to go snorkelling through an excursion you can also simply take the shuttle bus to Matira beach and do some simple snorkelling there. Bora Bora is the definition of a tropical paradise, where you’ll find seas in otherworldly shades of blue and green set against the island’s rugged mountains.

Tahiti & South Pacific Cruise Destinations

So instead of paying 720,000 points for six nights, we paid 600,000 points. In all, those points got us a stay that would have cost $8,755.96 in cash. Although Bora Bora definitely caters to luxury tourists, there are some budget-friendly accommodations to be found. It would be nice to have some nuts, crackers, granola bars, and other filling snacks to enjoy alongside those provided by the cruise.

Second, elite status is great for upgrades, but there’s more to it than that. It can also help you save points and miles, as in the case of Hilton’s fifth-night-free perk and United’s discounted award tickets. The best part of any sunset cruise is the moment that you reach your viewing location and the guide drops the anchor. This is your queue to sit back, relax, and watch as the sun starts to descend over the horizon.

Experience the essence of Bora Bora with a boating trip along the breathtaking coastline. Anchor to go snorkeling and see the treasures of the sea, like corals, anemones, stingrays, tropical fish of every color, and even a few sharks. Hike into the rainforests and mountains, and indulge in authentic Polynesian food. If you're tired of spending all your time on land, consider signing up for any of the amazing opportunities to explore Bora Bora’s surrounding waters.

Tipping isn’t the norm here, so on cruises to Bora Bora, don’t worry about tipping your taxi driver or server. Ships typically anchor in Pofai Bay and passengers are tendered to the township of Vaitape. This village of shops and eateries is on the western side of the main island and perfect for sunset viewing.

Sunset cruises are a relaxing and fun activity while you’re in Bora Bora. You can see the sunset from a new perspective and float along the water as the colors light up the sky. Although the sun is setting, it’s still possible to get burned, especially if the sun reflects up from the water.

To get to the beach you can best utilise the shuttle service that is offered by the locals. Pay around 5 US dollar one way per person to get a ride to either Matira beach or the Bloody Mary’s restaurant. Matira beach is a wonderful paradise beach where you will find some casual bars and restaurants. There is limited shade available on the beach, but hardly any facilities like beach beds and towels, so make sure you come prepared. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

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