Logistics · Destination Guide
Mantas, sharks, coral gardens, and overwater-lagoon logistics in the Pearl of the Pacific
Updated Apr 20, 2026 • 29 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most visitors fly internationally into Tahiti Faa'a International Airport (PPT), then connect by domestic flight to Bora Bora Airport (BOB) on Motu Mute. Air Tahiti lists the direct PPT to BOB flight at about 50 minutes. Because BOB is on a motu, arrivals collect luggage and board a lagoon shuttle to Vaitape or a resort boat. Bora Bora is best planned with pre-arranged resort, dive, and activity pickups rather than spontaneous public transport.
Bora Bora Airport (Motu Mute)
BOB • NTTB
8 km across the lagoon to Vaitape • About 15 minutesutes by lagoon shuttle to Vaitape
Domestic airport on Motu Mute, serving Bora Bora via inter-island flights from Tahiti and other French Polynesian islands.
Air Tahiti Bora Bora Navette to Vaitape, Resort boat transfer, Private water taxi
Tahiti Faa'a International Airport
PPT • NTAA
259 km by air from Bora Bora • About 50 minutesutes nonstop by domestic flight to BOB
French Polynesia's international gateway on Tahiti, with domestic inter-island connections to Bora Bora from the same airport complex.
Transport: Air Tahiti domestic connection, Air Moana domestic connection, Overnight in Papeete if schedules require
On arrival, Vaitape has taxis, vehicle rental, scooter rental, bike rental, and limited local trucks. There is no rideshare ecosystem and public transport is not reliable enough for time-sensitive dives or dinner reservations. Many excursions include pickup, but confirm whether pickup is by boat or road and whether it is included from your specific resort. Renting a bike, scooter, or small car works well for the main island loop, Matira, and viewpoints. Motu resorts rely on scheduled boat shuttles to the main island.
All visitors need a valid passport, and visa rules depend on nationality. Many U.S., Canadian, U.K., E.U., Australian, and New Zealand leisure travelers can visit for up to 90 days, but travelers should verify their case through France-Visas or their nearest French consulate before departure. Carry proof of return or onward travel, accommodation, funds, and insurance if requested. French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, so Schengen-area assumptions do not always apply. Check customs and biosecurity rules before carrying food, shells, plant material, or professional equipment.
Most Bora Bora dive centers include tanks, weights, and rental equipment, and some offer Nitrox. Bring personal fit-critical items such as mask, computer, SMB, prescription lenses, and camera spares. Inter-island baggage allowances can be tighter than long-haul allowances, so confirm sports gear rules before bringing large camera rigs or freedive fins. Plan rinsing and drying time before resort boat transfers, and do not schedule scuba on the day you fly BOB to PPT.
CFP franc (XPF)
XPF is used across French Polynesia. Major resorts, restaurants, boutiques, and supermarkets usually accept cards, while small shops, roadside snacks, taxis, markets, and some local services may prefer cash.
ATMs are available on the main islands and in practical hubs such as Vaitape and PPT. Withdraw XPF before transferring to a remote motu resort if you plan to shop or eat off-property.
110V and 220V • 50/60Hz • A, B, C, E
Resorts vary. Some rooms provide European-style and U.S.-style outlets, but you should carry a universal adapter and confirm that camera chargers, laptops, strobes, and grooming tools are dual-voltage.
Communications
Mobile coverage is generally good around the main island, Vaitape, Matira, and major resorts, but some motu edges and boat routes can have weaker signal. Vini and Vodafone are the main local networks, and eSIM or roaming packages can work if arranged before travel. Resort Wi-Fi is usually adequate for messaging and light work, but upload-heavy photo or video workflows may be slower than expected.
Language
French is the official language, Tahitian is widely spoken, and English is common in resort, dive, and tour settings. Learn basic greetings such as ia ora na and mauruuru, and keep written confirmations for pickups, dietary needs, and medical details.
Insurance
Carry comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation and activity coverage. Divers should add DAN or equivalent dive accident coverage because recompression treatment is in Tahiti and evacuation from Bora Bora can be expensive. Freedivers should confirm whether training, depth sessions, and wildlife swims are covered.
Packing list
Pack a personal mask, reef-safe sunscreen, rashguards, hat, polarized sunglasses, dry bag, reusable bottle, insect repellent, light rain shell for November to April, and sturdy shoes for viewpoints. Divers should bring certification cards, logbook app access, dive computer, SMB, camera O-rings, and any prescription mask or specialty gear. Freedivers should confirm whether long fins can travel under domestic baggage limits.