Moorea vs Bora Bora: getting there from Papeete
Moorea sits only about 17 km (11 miles) from Tahiti, so it is the easiest island to reach after you land. Two ferry companies, Aremiti and Terevau, cross from Papeete's port to Vai'are on Moorea in roughly 25–45 minutes, depending on the boat. There are several departures a day, from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult one-way fares were about $9–18 in 2024, and you can take a rental car on some boats. Air Tahiti also flies the route in about 15 minutes.
Bora Bora is about 255 km (160 miles) northwest of Tahiti. Most visitors take the 50-minute Air Tahiti or Air Moana flight, then a boat from the airport islet (a free shuttle to Vaitape, or a usually paid resort transfer). The Apetahi Express ferry does run there, but it takes around 7 hours with stops at Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a. See our Papeete to Bora Bora guide for schedules and options.
Size and scenery compared
| Bora Bora | Moorea | |
|---|---|---|
| Land area | About 30 km² (main island) | About 133 km² |
| Population (2022 census) | 10,758 | 17,858 |
| Signature view | Mount Otemanu above a wide lagoon dotted with motus | Opunohu and Cook's bays from the Belvédère lookout |
| Lagoon | Large (about 78 km²), with sandy motus | Narrower, close to shore |
Bora Bora's beauty is in its lagoon. Moorea's is on land: steep green ridges, valleys and two deep bays on the north coast. The trail up to the Belvédère passes ancient marae sites in the Opunohu Valley.
Costs: is Moorea cheaper than Bora Bora?
Usually, yes. Moorea has three hotels with overwater bungalows: the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa (54), Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort (38, reopened in April 2026 after a renovation of its common areas) and Manava Beach Resort & Spa (28). A 2026 guide puts their average overwater rates at roughly €300–1,000 a night.
In Bora Bora, overwater rooms start from about €800 at Maitai Polynesia and run from about $2,500 at the Four Seasons and Conrad to about $4,000 at the St. Regis (Oct 2026). Bora Bora's motu resorts usually add about $100–300 per person return for the boat transfer. Moorea's overwater hotels are on the main island, so the ferry plus a rental car or taxi does the job, and you can drive to local restaurants instead of eating every meal at the resort. For full Bora Bora numbers, see is Bora Bora expensive?
Activities: what each island does best
- Moorea: hiking in the interior, pineapple fields, Tiki Village (a re-created Polynesian village with dance shows and crafts) and whale-watching from July to October, when humpbacks pass close to the island.
- Bora Bora: a full day on the lagoon, with snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks and pink whiprays, the Aqua Safari helmet walk, sunset sailing and diving at the Teavanui Pass. Browse things to do in Bora Bora for prices.
Combining Moorea and Bora Bora on one trip
Seeing both is easy. Air Tahiti's Maeva Pass covers Tahiti plus two to four of Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea, from about €416 per person in low season for two islands (fares for travel from April 2026). Moorea has to be the first or last stop, and the Tahiti–Moorea flights must be direct. Air Tahiti's network centers on Papeete, so most Moorea–Bora Bora trips connect there.
One easy plan is Moorea first, for hiking and lower prices, then Bora Bora at the end, so the trip finishes over the lagoon.
