Bora Bora Ecolodge is a small, eco-minded hideaway on the hillside above Anau, on the main island. Its six thatched-roof bungalows each have a kitchenette, so stays here are self-catering: there is no restaurant, pool or spa.

Good to know

Hot water is solar-heated and rooms are cooled by fans rather than air-conditioning. The nearest beach, Matira, is about a 15-minute drive away, and the owners typically collect guests from the Vaitape ferry dock.

Bora Bora Ecolodge bungalows: what a self-catering stay is like

Each of the six bungalows has a compact kitchenette with a small oven and stovetop, a mini-fridge, an electric kettle and basic dishes. It's enough for breakfasts, salads, grilled fish and simple pasta, but not for ambitious cooking. The lodge doesn't serve breakfast or morning coffee, so buy supplies on your way in.

The French owners live on site. Reviewers describe them as hospitable and helpful: they'll drive guests around, suggest activities and stop at a bank or grocery store in Vaitape on request. There is no 24-hour front desk, though. Wi-Fi is free and fast in a small covered "Wi-Fi corner," but it doesn't reliably reach the bungalows. Because hot water is solar-heated, it can run low after a string of cloudy days, which are more common in the wet season (November to April).

Swimming is from the lodge's wooden dock rather than a beach. That suits snorkelers and paddlers, but if you want soft sand every day, budget for trips to Matira.

Self-catering in Bora Bora: groceries and cheap eats

Self-catering is the single biggest way to cut the cost of a Bora Bora trip. Restaurant prices are high, and there are no shops within walking distance of the lodge, so plan one larger grocery run in Vaitape, where the island's supermarkets are. Bring a cool bag for the drive back.

For meals out, the cheapest options are the Vaitape roulottes (food trucks) serving poisson cru, grilled fish and steak frites, and Snack Matira on Matira Beach (lunch only, about 10am–4pm). As a rough guide, a couple mixing home cooking with casual meals out should budget about $80–100 a day for food (October 2026). Many groceries are imported, so bring any specialty items you can't do without.

Getting around from Anau

Anau is on the east side of the main island, roughly opposite Vaitape on the 32 km coast road. There is nothing to walk to from the lodge, so renting a car for at least part of your stay is the easiest option. Matira Beach is about 15 minutes' drive away, and Vaitape about 30. Scooters and bikes are other options for getting around.

The lagoon off Anau is known among divers for manta rays. Ask a dive center about the Anau site if you're planning a dive. See our Bora Bora scuba diving guide. When you book a lagoon tour, check where it picks up, since you'll be some distance from Vaitape and Matira.

Budget accommodation in Bora Bora compared

The Ecolodge is the cheapest place we list, at about $150–300 a night. It's best for independent travelers who want quiet and privacy and are happy to drive. If you'd rather walk to a beach and restaurants, Village Temanuata at Matira Point costs a little more but puts you near Matira Beach. If you want one or two nights over the water on a budget, Maitai Polynesia has some of the island's most affordable overwater bungalows. Our 7-day budget itinerary shows how a self-catering stay fits into a full week.