A part of French Polynesia, Bora Bora has some of the most beautiful sights to behold- a tropical island surrounded by an amazing blue lagoon and coral reefs, accompanied by small islets (Motus). Crowned by the blue lagoon, Bora Bora is a heavenly paradise for people longing for a relaxing vacation amidst natural beauty, and not to forget newly-weds who're looking for a private romantic setting for honeymooning.
The Maldives is an archipelagic state situated in the Indian Ocean known for its luxurious water villas. It is an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands grouped into natural atolls. However, only 200 islands are inhabited. Each resort generally occupies an entire atoll. Imagine having a room on a pier jutting out from the shore with a glass floor under which manta rays and reef sharks can be seen swimming, and step out from your overwater bungalow to the view of turquoise water.
Bora Bora vs Maldives: Budget
The currency of Maldives is Maldivian Rufiyaa, and Bora Bora is French Pacific Franc. Maximum hotels and tour operators accept payment in US dollars as well.
Bora Bora vs Maldives: Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bora Bora is from May to October which is the dry season. This is also the peak tourist season. The temperature during this time ranges between 20 degrees Celcius to 25 degrees Celcius. However, visit Bora Bora between November and April if you want to travel on a budget. The temperature will be slightly higher with warm weather, but the accommodation rates will be lesser than during the peak season.
The best time to visit Maldives is from December to April, which is its dry season. Maldives experiences wet and dry seasons with the dry season being better for travel. The wet season from May to October experiences more rainfall and humidity, but the prices of accommodations are lower during these months. So, if you want to travel on a budget, visit Maldives between May and October. To experience the best surfing, visit Maldives between March and October.
Bora Bora Vs Maldives: Accessibility
To reach the Bora Bora island, you must land at Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti, followed by an air transfer to Bora Bora by Air Tahiti. From the airport, further travel to the resort is done through a speedboat or seaplane. The duration of the flight to Bora Bora depends upon where you are travelling from. From the United States, it takes roughly 7.5 hours to reach the island, while the same may take a day if it's from Asia.
Maldives can be reached via flights to the Male International Airport - there are 12 airports in Maldives. You can then easily travel to your resort through a speedboat or seaplane, mostly arranged by the hotels, at an extra cost.
Bora Bora vs Maldives: Activities
Bora Bora vs Maldives: Accommodation
Bora Bora and Maldives are both known for their super luxurious over-water villas. In Bora Bora, a luxury resort with an overwater bunglow costs anywhere between USD 800 to USD 1500 for a night. Maldives, in comparison, has more options in a lesser price range. Each of the resorts occupies an island in Maldives and mostly has rooms ranging from beach bungalows to overwater villas, even with a private pool. So, Maldives has more affordable accommodation as compared to Bora Bora. If you are looking to stay in overwater villas that are a little inexpensive and have a modern touch, the Maldives is the right choice. Since there is a solitary resort on each island, you will get a more private and tranquil location.
Bora Bora vs Maldives: Food
The food in Bora Bora is inspired by French cuisine while the food in Maldives has a greater Indian and Asian influence. In Bora Bora, there are a variety of seafood like Mahi-mahi, grouper, and bonito along with bread, pastries, pineapple and banana. In Maldives, a lot of the local food is based on curry, coconut and seafood. However, because of the international resort chains, all types of cuisines are available in Maldives. It is recommended to opt for a full board meal plan (breakfast, lunch and dinner included) in both Maldives and Bora Bora to save cost on food.
Bora Bora vs Maldives: Family Trip
Both Bora Bora and Maldives have plenty of options for kids. In both places, most of the resorts have kids' playrooms and family pools. When deciding to travel to these places, consider things like the travel time and the extra cost. Also, some properties at both places do not allow kids on overwater bungalows. So, check that before deciding.
Bora Bora or Maldives: LGBTQ+ Travellers
Maldives have stricter laws and regulations and isn't very LGBTQ friendly. However, this does not mean that you will face issues as the people in the tropical island nation are far from malicious. Unlike Bora Bora, avoid public displays of affection in Maldives, and you should be good to go!
The island retreats of Bora Bora and Maldives are renowned for spellbinding beauty and immortalizing memories. It surely is hard to select as both of these paradisiacal lands make the heart skip a beat. The best way out is to explore both these places, one at a time. However, if it has to be only one, then whichever one you choose, you are bound to experience a holiday of a lifetime.