Bora Bora vs Hawaii… Which is better? Which is more affordable? Is Bora Bora or Hawaii better for a honeymoon?
Perhaps you’re planning your honeymoon or once-in-a-lifetime dream beach vacation. After all the time, money and energy you’ll spend during the trip planning process, you won’t want any regrets!
Here, you’ll explore the main differences between Bora Bora vs Hawaii (like beach quality, activities, geography, cost and accessibility) so that you can make an informed destination decision on which tropical vacation spot is best for you.
Are Bora Bora And Hawaii The Same Thing?
No, Bora Bora and Hawaii are not the same thing. Hawaii (part of the United States) is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of North America; whereas, Bora Bora (part of French Polynesia) is located south of Hawaii off the coast of South America.
In addition to the geographical and continental differences of Bora Bora and Hawaii, there are also various other significant differences to traveling to Bora Bora and Hawaii, such as cost, accommodations, activities, languages, beach quality and more.
(Bora Bora on the left, Hawaii on the right.)
Is Bora Bora Close To Hawaii?
Although Bora Bora is located directly south of Hawaii, these two island regions are not close. Bora Bora is 2527 miles (4066 kilometers) away from Hawaii.
You can’t island hop between Bora Bora and Hawaii without a five-hour flight. So, in terms of planning your dream tropical island trip, it may be logistically best to make two separate vacations out of the two destinations.
(Bora Bora shown below.)
Bora Bora Vs Hawaii Cost
In short, Hawaii is definitely cheaper than Bora Bora.
There are a couple of reasons for this. One, Hawaii is much more accessible than Bora Bora, which we’ll discuss next. Two, the accommodations in Bora Bora are much more luxurious, which means that the accommodations in Bora Bora are also much more expensive on average.
That being said, it is possible to visit Bora Bora on a budget, and even to find affordable overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, so don’t rule this island out quite yet.
(Hawaii shown below.)
Is Bora Bora Or Hawaii Easier To Get To?
Hawaii is typically easier to get to than Bora Bora, but it really depends on where you are coming from.
If you are coming from the United States, Hawaii is obviously easier to get to because it is a U.S. state. Flights are widely available from all over the U.S., and no passports are required for entry.
If you are coming from the Australia, Bora Bora is easier to get to because it is geographically much closer than Hawaii. However, you will need a passport, and there may be a language barrier.
Lastly, if you are coming from the U.K., unfortunately neither Hawaii or Bora Bora are very easy to get to. Either destination will likely solicit over 20 hours of flight time.
You can read all about the logistical difficulties of flying to Bora Bora (i.e. strict luggage policies, etc.) in my Bora Bora honeymoon packing guide.
(Hawaii shown below.)
Most of my readers are from the U.S., the U.K., and Australia, so that’s why these specific regions are covered here. If you’re coming from elsewhere, here are some other factors to consider when thinking about accessibility.
One, the majority of the resorts in Bora Bora are located on private islands, meaning you will need a boat transfer to and from the airport (most resorts have their own transfers). This also means that food is expensive because you won’t have easy access to a main island grocery store.
Two, there are various islands in Hawaii, so don’t settle for the Big Island without doing research. In fact, the most popular Hawaiian islands to visit are off of the Big Island (Maui and Oahu, for example). Luckily, all of these popular islands have airports, so no boat transfers are required.
Is Hawaii Better Than Bora Bora?
If you prefer jungle adventures to a relaxing beach scene, you will think Hawaii is better than Bora Bora. But, if you’re anticipating the beach vacation of a lifetime, you’ll will think Bora Bora is better than Hawaii.
When it comes to Bora Bora vs Hawaii, the best destination for you depends on your travel activity interests.
If the thought of trekking through bamboo forests, seeing friendly faces, plunging into waterfall pools, surfing, bodyboarding and hopping from ice cream shop to ice cream shop excites you, go to Hawaii — particularly the island of Maui.
If you’re craving a week of complete relaxation, featuring bright aqua water, thatched-roof bungalows, total seclusion, an occasional dip in the resort infinity pool, snorkeling with rainbow fish, and resort staff to wait on your hand and foot, go to Bora Bora.
Which Has Better Beaches, Bora Bora Or Hawaii?
Again, it depends on what type of beach activities you’re looking for.
Hawaii offers fantastic beaches for swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and turtle sighting. Moreover, Hawaii is also home to incredible black sand beaches, green sand beaches and red sand beaches that are truly out of this world.
Bora Bora, on the contrary, boasts photogenically blue water, gentle waves, perfectly white sand beaches and fewer shark attacks than Hawaii.
Bora Bora Vs Hawaii: Which Is Best Overall?
Overall, despite the price and inaccessibility, Bora Bora wins the Bora Bora vs Hawaii debate.
Bora Bora is truly unbeatable. Very few places in the world can compete with Bora Bora’s jaw-dropping blue water, luxurious resort property and romantic seclusion.
It’s true that Hawaii is usually a lot cheaper and easier to get to than Bora Bora; however, like many aspects of life, you get what you pay for. And, remember, it is possible to plan a trip to Bora Bora for the same price (if not cheaper) than a trip to Hawaii.
Which island destination sounds best to you? Have any more questions? Leave a reply below or send me a DM over on my Instagram. Let’s chat!
More On Bora Bora And Hawaii
Bora Bora Travel Guides
How To Do Bora Bora On A Budget
What To Pack For Your Bora Bora Honeymoon
How To Score Cheap Overwater Bungalows In Bora Bora
Is Bora Bora Worth It? A Place Better Than Bora Bora
Hawaii Travel Guides
27 Maui Instagram Spots For Iconic Photos (With Map And Photos)
What To Pack For Maui During The Winter Months
How To Pick A Foolproof Road To Hana Outfit
Where To Take Photos On The Road To Hana (With Map)
13 Best Beaches In Maui To Swim
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Is Bora Bora a practical and affordable place to live full time?
Hi James! Although Bora Bora is absolutely beautiful, I have to say that Hawaii is a much more practical place to live full-time. Neither are necessarily affordable in terms of cost of living, but Hawaii has a lot more resources/conveniences for locals.