Papeete to Bora Bora Island Hop

Tahiti to Bora Bora flights: Air Tahiti vs Air Moana

Two airlines fly the 259 km (161 mi) between Papeete and Bora Bora, and both use ATR turboprops. In the October 2026 timetable they offer about 60 departures a week between them, from early morning to early evening. Air Tahiti has roughly two-thirds of those flights and Air Moana the rest. Scheduled times run from about 40 to 55 minutes.

	Air Tahiti	Air Moana
Checked bag	23 kg (50 lb) on standard fares; 5 kg extra for divers' gear on request	23 kg on Smart and Full Flex fares; none on Light fares
Cabin bag	5 kg	5 kg (55 × 35 × 25 cm), plus a small personal item
Shuttle boat leaves Vaitape	1 h 30 min before departure	1 h 15 min before departure
Island passes	Yes (multi-island passes)	No pass

A return ticket usually costs about $300–600 per person, depending on season and how early you book. Compare both airlines for your dates, because the cheaper one changes from week to week.

Papeete to Bora Bora connection tips

• Leave at least two hours between an international arrival and your Bora Bora flight. Unless your ticket checks your bags through, you collect them and check in again at the domestic counters, in a separate area of Faa'a airport.
• Book one ticket if you can. Since June 2026, Air Tahiti Nui passengers can book the Air Tahiti flight to Bora Bora on the same reservation through the airlines' codeshare.
• Late arrivals stay overnight. The last flights to Bora Bora leave in the early evening. If your long-haul flight lands after that, book a hotel near the airport and fly in the morning.
• Pack for the small plane. The overhead bins on the ATR are small, so a standard roller bag may have to be checked. Keep medication and valuables in a small personal bag.

Best seat for views on the flight to Bora Bora

From Tahiti to Bora Bora, sit on the left side of the plane for the classic view of the lagoon and Mount Otemanu on approach. Flying back from Bora Bora to Tahiti, the right side is the one to pick. Air Tahiti has typically used open seating, so boarding early helps. Be aware that the wind sometimes changes the landing direction, and the view changes with it.

Papeete to Bora Bora by ferry

If you have time and want to save money, the Apetahi Express fast catamaran sails from Papeete to Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a before Bora Bora, and then on to Maupiti. It runs a few times a week. Papeete to Bora Bora takes about 7 hours with the stops, and a one-way ticket costs about 7,000 XPF (about $65–70). Each ticket includes a 23 kg checked bag, a 15 kg cabin bag and a small personal item. The open-ocean crossing from Tahiti to Huahine can be rough in July and August, when the strong southeast trade wind (the mara'amu) blows. Book ahead and check the current timetable.

Bora Bora to Tahiti: planning your flight home

Most flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco leave Papeete in the evening, so a morning or early-afternoon flight from Bora Bora usually connects comfortably on the same day. If your onward flight leaves Papeete early in the morning, as French Bee's does, fly to Tahiti the day before. If you are not staying at a resort, catch the free airline shuttle boat from the Vaitape dock to the airport. Air Tahiti says to drop your checked bags with its agents before you board. Resort guests travel by the resort's own boat. See the Bora Bora airport guide for details, or plan side trips on the way with our island hopping guide.