Bora Bora in November & December (2026)

Hot, often showery and quiet until the holidays arrive: here's what Bora Bora is really like in November and December, and how to plan around rain and cyclone season.

By the BoraBora.guide team · Published 31 October 2026 · Facts checked October 2026

The short answer: November is a smart month for Bora Bora: hot, only moderately rainy, and quieter and cheaper than the high season. December is the wettest month of the year on Météo-France's long-term averages, yet also the busiest over Christmas and New Year, when rates peak. Both months fall in cyclone season, and with a strong El Niño building in 2026, flexible bookings matter more than usual.

November: highs near 31°C (87°F) and about 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, spread over roughly 12 days.
December: the same heat, but about 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain over roughly 17 days.
This season: NOAA expects a strong to very strong El Niño through early 2027, and El Niño tends to favor cyclones near French Polynesia.

Bora Bora weather in November and December at a glance

The figures below are 1991 to 2020 normals from Météo-France's climate sheet for Bora Bora airport on Motu Mute, plus sunshine and daylight data. For all twelve months, see our best time to visit Bora Bora guide. This page zooms in on the two months that open the wet season.

	November	December
Average high	30.7°C (87°F)	30.8°C (87°F)
Average low	25.0°C (77°F)	25.2°C (77°F)
Rainfall	139 mm (5.5 in)	251 mm (9.9 in)
Days with 1 mm of rain or more	12	17
Days with 50 mm (2 in) or more	About one every two years	About one a year
Sunshine	About 7 hours a day	About 6.5 to 7 hours a day
Sea temperature	About 28°C (82°F)	About 28°C (82°F)
Sunrise and sunset (21st)	5:24 am, 6:22 pm	5:32 am, 6:39 pm

Sunshine hours are an older NOAA average (1961 to 1990); sea temperatures are approximate.

Bora Bora weather in November

November is a transition month. Rain climbs from October's 109 mm to about 139 mm, which is still barely half of what December brings. A typical November has 12 days with a measurable shower, and many are short tropical downpours that clear within the hour.

It is getting hotter and stickier, though. Highs sit around 31°C (87°F) and nights rarely drop below 25°C (77°F). The lagoon is about 28°C (82°F), warm enough to snorkel for an hour without a wetsuit.

November is also the first month of cyclone season, and a single day can be extreme. The airport's wettest day on record, 435.5 mm (more than 17 inches), fell in November 1983. That is rare: on average, a November day brings 50 mm or more only about once every two years.

Bora Bora weather in December

December is the wettest month of the year at Bora Bora airport, with about 251 mm (9.9 in), just ahead of January. Expect rain on about 17 days, and roughly one real deluge of 50 mm or more. Météo-France ties the warm season's unsettled spells to the South Pacific Convergence Zone, a belt of cloud and storms that can stretch across the Leeward Islands. When it settles overhead, you may get two or three gray days in a row, then a clear run.

Days are long. In late December the sun rises around 5:30 am and sets around 6:40 pm, about 13 hours of daylight, the most of the year. Even this wettest month averages roughly 6.5 to 7 hours of sunshine a day.

We wouldn't cancel a December trip over the rain figures alone. Book your lagoon tour for early in the stay, though, so a washed-out day can be moved.

Bora Bora rainy season and the 2026 El Niño

The wet season runs from November to April and doubles as cyclone season. In most years no cyclone comes near Bora Bora, but this year deserves more attention than usual:

NOAA (8 October 2026): El Niño keeps strengthening, and a strong to very strong event is likely through January to March 2027. Read the latest NOAA ENSO diagnostic discussion.
Météo-France: in El Niño years, cyclone activity spreads farther east toward French Polynesia, storms can be more intense, and the season can start earlier and end later.
An early start: in mid-October 2026 the South Pacific's first tropical depression of the season, named Wati, formed near the Cook Islands, and Tahiti and Moorea were placed on orange heavy-rain alert.

Early-season storms have hit the Leeward Islands before, and both examples below came in El Niño years. In December 1991 Cyclone Wasa flooded tourist bungalows on Bora Bora and visitors were evacuated to a church; that month also set the airport's December record for rain in a single day, 209.5 mm (8.2 in). In November 1997 Cyclone Osea destroyed about 30% of the island's infrastructure and 309 homes.

There is a twist. Météo-France's three-month outlook for October to December 2026, issued on 12 October, calls for below-normal rainfall in the Society Islands and near-normal temperatures. A drier-than-usual run of weeks and a higher cyclone risk can go together. Check Météo-France Polynésie's seasonal forecasts before you fly, and read our Bora Bora safety guide for what to do if a warning is issued.

Bora Bora in November: whales, holidays and quiet weeks

November sits in a sweet spot. The June to September high season is long gone, October's shoulder season has ended, and the holiday rush hasn't begun.

Last of the whales. Humpback season in French Polynesia runs July to November, peaking August to October, so early November still gives you a chance. Whale-watching trips start from about $200 per person, and in-water swims are capped at groups of six.
Just after the canoe race. The Hawaiki Nui Va'a outrigger race is scheduled for 28 to 30 October 2026 and finishes on Matira Beach, so a November arrival misses it.
Public holidays. All Saints' Day (1 November) and Armistice Day (11 November) are holidays, and since 2025 so is Matari'i on 20 November, which marks the Polynesian new year, when the Pleiades rise and the season of abundance begins. The biggest celebrations are in Papeete. Expect some offices and shops in Vaitape to close.

Bora Bora in December: Christmas and New Year's Eve

Christmas Day and New Year's Day are public holidays, and the large resorts run full festive programs. Two that have published details:

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora: its festive season page promises Santa's arrival by canoe, family activities, holiday dining and a New Year's Eve party with fireworks over the lagoon. It gives no dates or prices, so ask.
The Westin Bora Bora: its 2026 program, announced in September, has Santa arriving on the main beach on 24 December, a six-course Christmas tasting menu at Varavara, a buffet at Tipanier, and a New Year's Eve "White Party" at the 'O'A Bar with a DJ and fireworks. See the Westin's holiday page.

Whichever resort you choose, ask whether the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners are included in your package or charged separately, and book restaurant seats when you book the room. Don't count on outside events: we found nothing published for public celebrations on Bora Bora itself.

Prices and crowds in November and December

These two months behave very differently on price.

November to mid-December: among the quieter weeks of the year, with generally lower rates and easier availability than July and August. It's a good time to compare Bora Bora vacation packages, since availability is easier outside the holidays.
Christmas to New Year: as tight as the dry-season peak. Book overwater bungalows 9 to 12 months ahead, check for minimum-stay rules, and don't expect the starting prices you see quoted for the rest of the year.
The island hop: the 50-minute Papeete to Bora Bora flight sells out in busy periods too, so book it with your international ticket.

To see how dates change your total, run them through our trip cost calculator.

How to plan a wet-season trip

Book flexible. Choose refundable rates where you can, and buy travel insurance that covers weather delays and cancellations.
Leave a buffer. Spend your last night before the long-haul flight on Tahiti, or allow a spare day, in case storms delay domestic flights.
Have a rainy-day plan. Rain doesn't matter underwater, so a scuba dive or spa morning makes a good fallback.
Pack for wet heat: a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, reef shoes and insect repellent for day and evening.
Chase the sunset. In December the sun sets well to the south of west, so west-facing beaches and motu get the show.

Frequently asked questions

Is November a good time to visit Bora Bora?

Yes, for most travelers. November averages about 139 mm of rain over 12 days, far less than December, and it is quieter and usually cheaper than the June to September high season. It is the start of cyclone season, so book flexible rates.

Is December a good time to go to Bora Bora?

It can be, if you accept rain. December is the wettest month, with about 251 mm over 17 days, but it still averages several hours of sunshine a day. The Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year.

Does it rain every day in Bora Bora in December?

No. Météo-France normals show about 17 days with 1 mm of rain or more, and many are short showers. Unsettled spells can bring two or three gray days in a row, followed by clear weather.

When is the rainy season in Bora Bora?

November to April, which is also cyclone season. December and January are the wettest months. The drier season runs May to October, with July to September the driest.

What is Christmas like in Bora Bora?

Christmas Day is a public holiday, and most of the festive action is at the resorts: Santa arrivals, gala dinners and New Year's Eve fireworks over the lagoon at the Four Seasons and the Westin. Book dinners when you book the room.

Will El Niño affect a trip to Bora Bora in late 2026?

It might. NOAA expects a strong to very strong El Niño through early 2027, and Météo-France says El Niño favors cyclones near French Polynesia and can lengthen the season. Book refundable rates, get insurance and follow official alerts.

Bora Bora in November & December: Weather, Rain & Holidays