In a nutshell
No international flight lands in Bora Bora. You fly to Tahiti (Papeete, PPT) first: about 8.5 hours nonstop from Los Angeles or San Francisco with Air Tahiti Nui, French Bee, United or Air France, or from Honolulu with Hawaiian. Then it’s a 50-minute domestic hop to Bora Bora with Air Tahiti or Air Moana, plus a short boat transfer. Delta and the Seattle route are gone; a Sydney nonstop starts in December 2026.
Getting to Bora Bora is a two-flight trip, and that second, tiny flight over the lagoon is one of the best views you’ll ever get from a plane window. Our team breaks down every route that actually operates in 2026: which airlines fly to Tahiti, what changed this year (two US routes disappeared, a Sydney nonstop is coming), and how the last hop to Bora Bora works.
Can you fly directly to Bora Bora?
No. There are no direct international flights to Bora Bora from anywhere. Bora Bora’s airport (code BOB) sits on a small motu and only handles domestic flights within French Polynesia. Every visitor first flies into Papeete, Tahiti (Faa’a airport, code PPT) for customs and immigration, then connects to a short 50-minute domestic flight to Bora Bora, and finally hops on a boat from the airport motu to the main island or their resort.
Which airlines fly to Tahiti (PPT) in 2026?
All roads to Bora Bora go through Papeete. Here are the routes that actually operate in 2026, by departure city:
| Departure | Airline(s) in 2026 | Flight time / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Air Tahiti Nui, Air France | About 8.5 hours nonstop |
| San Francisco (SFO) | French Bee, United | About 8.5 to 9 hours nonstop |
| Honolulu (HNL) | Hawaiian Airlines | Twice weekly (Tuesday and Saturday), since March 2026 |
| Auckland (AKL) | Air Tahiti Nui, Air New Zealand | About 5 to 6 hours |
| Tokyo | Air Tahiti Nui | About 12 to 14 hours |
| Paris | Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, French Bee (via Los Angeles or San Francisco) | About 22 hours total |
| Sydney | Air Tahiti Nui (nonstop) | Starts December 2026 (first direct Australia link in 17 years) |
What changed in 2026
Delta ended its Los Angeles route in 2025, and Air Tahiti Nui dropped Seattle in early 2026. Plenty of guides still list both: they’re gone. A Sydney nonstop arrives in December 2026, announced by Air Tahiti Nui.
Flying Air Tahiti Nui? It costs nothing to join their Club Tiare frequent-flyer program, which can earn you cabin upgrades, extra baggage allowance and other perks over time.
How long is the flight to Bora Bora?
Plan on two legs. The international leg to Papeete runs about 8.5 hours nonstop from Los Angeles or San Francisco, around 5 to 6 hours from Auckland, and roughly 12 to 14 hours from Tokyo. From Papeete, the domestic hop to Bora Bora is just about 50 minutes. With a smooth connection, expect something like 11 to 12 hours of flying from the US West Coast, plus any overnight in Papeete if your international flight lands late in the day.
How do you get from Papeete to Bora Bora?
Two domestic airlines fly the Papeete to Bora Bora route: Air Tahiti, the historic carrier, and Air Moana, which launched in 2023. Both run several flights a day on ATR turboprops, and the ride is about 50 minutes of pure lagoon views. It’s worth comparing the two on schedule and price for your dates. We cover the choice in depth in our dedicated guide on how to get from Tahiti to Bora Bora.
Insider Tip
For the best views of the island make sure to sit on the LEFT SIDE of the plane when boarding in Tahiti (and on the RIGHT SIDE when leaving Bora Bora).
Is there a ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora?
Yes: the Apetahi Express inter-island ferry connects Tahiti to Bora Bora via Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a. It’s a long crossing best suited to island-hoppers on a budget; most travelers fly the 50-minute route instead. Check current schedules on the operator’s site before planning around it.
What happens when you land at Bora Bora airport?
Bora Bora’s airport sits on Motu Mute, a small islet northwest of the main island, so the moment you step off the plane you are met by boats. Resorts run their own transfers straight to the property (about 10 to 20 minutes), and a free shuttle boat connects the airport to Vaitape, the main town. Confirm your transfer with your resort in advance and factor its cost into your budget. Still deciding where to base yourself? See our guide on where to stay in Bora Bora.
Good to know
Most resorts in Bora Bora that are located on a Motu (ex : The Four Seasons Bora Bora) have their private boat to take you directly from the airport to the resort.
How much do flights to Bora Bora cost?
One-way Papeete to Bora Bora fares typically start around $200. International fares vary widely by season, so book several months ahead for the May to October high season, when both flights and resorts are busiest. For a fuller breakdown of what a trip costs, see our guide to Bora Bora prices, and start your Bora Bora packing list early.
Insider Tips
Make sure to add travel insurance to your flights to Bora Bora. This will protect you in case of cancellation, lost baggage, long delays, etc…
Flights to Bora Bora: FAQ
Can you fly nonstop to Bora Bora from the US?
No. Bora Bora’s airport only handles domestic flights. You fly nonstop to Papeete, Tahiti (about 8.5 hours from the West Coast), then take a 50-minute domestic flight to Bora Bora.
Which airlines fly to Tahiti from the United States?
Air Tahiti Nui and Air France from Los Angeles, French Bee and United from San Francisco, and Hawaiian from Honolulu. Delta ended its route in 2025 and Air Tahiti Nui dropped Seattle in early 2026, so ignore older guides that still list them.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Bora Bora?
About 8.5 hours to Papeete, then a 50-minute hop to Bora Bora. With the connection, plan on 11 to 12 hours door to door on a good day.
Is there a direct flight from Australia to Bora Bora?
Not to Bora Bora itself, but Air Tahiti Nui announced a nonstop Sydney to Papeete service starting in December 2026, the first direct Australia link in 17 years. From Papeete, Bora Bora is a 50-minute flight.
What airlines fly from Papeete to Bora Bora?
Two: Air Tahiti, the historic carrier, and Air Moana, flying since 2023. Both operate several flights a day on ATR turboprops, with lagoon views on the approach.
Is there a ferry from Tahiti to Bora Bora?
Yes, the Apetahi Express connects Tahiti to Bora Bora via the Leeward Islands. It’s a long crossing that suits budget island-hoppers; most visitors fly instead. Check the current schedule before counting on it.
What is the Bora Bora airport like?
Tiny and beautiful. It sits on its own motu (islet), so everyone leaves by boat: resorts run their own transfers (10 to 20 minutes), and a free shuttle boat connects to Vaitape, the main town.
How to get around Bora Bora
If you’d like to move freely around Bora Bora you can either use boat taxis or rent your own car. Here are the most popular car rentals companies: Expect the prices to move around $90/day and $680 per week.
Also read ⬇️
How to get from Bora Bora to the other islands
Are you curious to also explore the other pacific islands?
Awesome! The easiest will be to visit the rest of the popular Society islands which are: Tahiti, Moorea, and Raiatea. This way you can have a multiple islands holiday! To each of these, you can either fly or take a long boat ride. Here’s how to get to each of them.
Bora Bora to Tahiti
If you’d like to visit Tahiti, we recommend doing it at the beginning of your trip – you’ll need to take one of your connecting flights here so it just makes sense. To fly to Tahiti, prepare for your domestic flight to take around 1H (if no layovers) and cost $180 – $450. For a cheaper option, you can take a ferry operated by Apetahi Express. It’s a much longer crossing best suited to budget island-hopping, so check the operator’s current schedule.
Bora Bora to Moorea
To get to Moorea, you can as well either take a direct domestic flight or a ferry. Keep in mind the prices depend on the season (high season – higher prices), the airline, and whether it’s one way or a round trip flight. For one-way flights, the cost ranges around $220 – $550 and takes 45 mins.
One of the more budget options is…you guessed it – a ferry. Just take a ferry operated by Aremiti to Papeete, Tahiti (8,30 h) and change for a short ferry ride to Moorea (only half an hour). The total cost will be $140 – $150.
Bora Bora to Raiatea
To get to Raiatea, you can fly or take a boat with no big difference in price or time. Both flying and taking a ferry will cost you around $83 – $183 and take around 2 hours.
Bonus: Bora Bora to Tikehau (the island of pink beaches)
If you have the time and want to explore French Polynesia, you can also fly to Tikehau, a part of the Tuamotu archipelago. The flight takes around 4 hours and costs $220 – $550.
What about the Cook Islands?
Many people also ask if they can visit the Cook islands coming from Bora bora.
While they’re also in the Pacific, they’re pretty far. So, you surely can but you’ll have to take an 11-hour long international flight that costs anywhere from $650 to $1600. Also, don’t forget about obtaining new visas (as they’re a different country) and other entry requirements.
Vaccines, visa & entry requirements for Bora Bora island (from the States)
Alright, now that you know all the travel deets for Bora Bora, the best times to get in, and the best ways to organize your trip, let’s bring on the boring yet important stuff. The entry requirements and safety advice.
What vaccines do I need/ should have for French Polynesia?
While none of these are the absolute must-have, the WHO recommends having the following vaccinations for Bora Bora:
- hepatitis A,
- hepatitis B,
- yellow fever (only for people coming from a high-risk country)
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- COVID-19 vaccination
Insider Tips
Just like in most tropical countries, be careful of the dengue fever. There’s no vaccination for this mosquito-borne infection yet. The best and only way to protect yourself is to use mosquito sprays and mosquito nets. Most of the resorts are treated against mosquitoes so this applies especially if you stay in any of the rural areas.
Do you need a visa for Bora Bora?
As a US citizen, you’re free to enter Bora Bora for up to 90 days without a visa every six months. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least three months ahead and that you have proof of onward travel.
Is Bora Bora a safe place to travel to?
Yes, Bora Bora is very safe and crime levels are low. Just avoid leaving valuables unattended, as petty theft does occur. Stick to common sense and leave anything valuable locked at your hotel.
Good to know
While there’s no U.S embassy in Bora Bora, anytime you have a problem, want to report a crime, or lose your passport, feel free to reach out to the contact below :
U.S Consul handy:
Centre Tamanu Iti, 1er etage – 98718 Punaauia
Telephone:+(689) 426-535
Hopefully, by now, you know your way to Bora Bora, what to expect, and what to prepare for a stress-free rejuvenating vacay. If you have any more questions about your trip, don’t hesitate to ask in our FREE ‘Off to Bora Bora’ FB group and someone will surely respond.
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