Bora Bora, Tahiti Overwater Bungalows

Located on Motu Piti Aau, which means ‘islet of two hearts,’ InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is a five-star resort that prioritizes romance! 

The resort has 80 overwater bungalows and each has a living area and separate bedroom as opposed to many other resorts that have more studio-style all-in-one villas.

There are various room categories but all overwater bungalows have the same features, including King beds, and are the same size (around 1,000 square feet). The difference in category has to do with location and view. Interiors feature contemporary decor with Polynesian touches, and one of the highlights is a glass coffee table with views of the ocean below.

Whether you want to have your wedding at the resort’s overwater wedding chapel or indulge in a canoe-delivered breakfast or romantic beach dinner, the options for indulging in some one-on-one time with your significant other are endless! I’d suggest a couples treatment at the Deep Ocean Spa by Algotherm. At over 13,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest spas in Bora Bora and features glass floor overwater treatment rooms.  

In keeping with the brand’s sustainability mindset, there’s an organic garden to provide herbs for resort and produce to Le Corail restaurant with the ultimate goal of making Le Corail a zero-waste restaurant. The resort also saves over 30,000 plastic bottles each year by using refillable glass water bottles, making this a vacation you can feel good about.

Located on the southern tip of the main island of Bora Bora, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort was one of the first overwater bungalow resorts in Bora Bora. The 50 overwater bungalows have been updated and well-maintained and the mid-range price point makes the resort a more accessible option for travelers. 

Each overwater villa has a living area with a glass coffee that showcases views of the lagoon below, a separate bedroom with King-size bed, and two-level deck with direct water access. At around 600 square feet, the bungalows are on the smaller side, but larger groups can enjoy the Poevai Overwater Suite, which combines two overwater bungalows plus an additional living space for around 1,200 square feet of luxury.

Dine on French-inspired cuisine at Noa Noa Restaurant or island cuisine at Vine Vine Bar & Restaurant, which features local dishes like poisson cru à la Tahitienne. 

Canoe Breakfast, delivered via a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe is available and the resort offers Polynesian dinner shows on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Resort employees wear uniforms featuring tropical flowers or traditional Polynesian designs and the resort’s architecture and decor incorporate Polynesian traditions and materials.

In an effort for increased sustainability, the resort works to minimize packaging and non-recyclable waste, uses LED lighting and solar-powered water heaters for energy management, and uses 100% recycled water for the gardens. Refillable water bottles are provided to guests on arrival and they can be filled at fountains throughout the resort. Additionally, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana is actively engaged in coral restoration and transplantation.

Featured in the movie Couples Retreat the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is a five-star resort with overwater bungalows that are the largest and possibly the most luxurious in Bora Bora. The resort feels secluded but is just a short boat ride to the main island of Bora Bora which gives easy access to restaurants and shops. 

The 77 overwater bungalows start at 1,550 square feet and get as large as almost 3,500 square feet and include 24-hour St. Regis Butler Service. At your request, your butler can pack and unpack for you, iron your clothes, and act as your point of contact to assist with things like restaurant and spa reservations.

All of the one- and two-bedroom bungalows feature King-size beds, glass floor panels to view the water below, and private decks. Some categories also feature whirlpools or private pools.

The St. Regis Bora Bora has four restaurants with the highlight being its signature restaurant, The Lagoon by Jean-Georges by famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Meal plans are available for purchase and there’s also a beach bar if you want to cool off while enjoying one of the resort’s two pools (one of which is adults only!) Enjoy free kayaking and paddle boarding at the main beach or snorkeling in the Lagoonarium.

The luxurious Miri Miri Spa is located on its own islet in the lagoon with views of Mt Otemanu and a private beach. Treatment offerings include massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, aromatherapy, reflexology, and lymphatic drainage.

Oa Oa Lodge is a small no-frills resort that has three small overwater villas and five land-based villas. You won’t find the high-end luxury of the big resort chains here. In fact, you won’t find a restaurant or spa on-site. There are, however, ample restaurants and shops—including a grocery market—within walking distance.

Rooms are simply decorated and have a balcony, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and a ceiling fan rather than air conditioning. Unlike other properties where the overwater bungalows are located on long stretches of boardwalk, the overwater villas here are located partially on the coast and partially on stilts over the water.

Located on Motu Tevairoa, just northwest of the main island of Bora Bora, Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts is a four-star resort with 50 overwater bungalows. The resort is just a 15-minute free shuttle boat ride to the main village of Vaitape on the main island so you can enjoy the privacy of the resort while exploring all Bora Bora has to offer.

The resort offers many included activities like: mini golf, bocce ball, tennis, volleyball, ping pong, use of snorkel gear, kayaks, windsurfers, and canoes. But if you’d rather just relax, the state-of-the-art TĀVAI Spa at the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa showcases traditional Tahitian architecture, materials, and treatments.

Don traditional flower crowns and celebrate your wedding on Te Motu, the resort’s private islet where a Polynesian Master of Ceremonies will officiate as you exchange views. Continue the celebration with an outrigger canoe cruise to another beach where you’ll enjoy a champagne picnic on the beach before returning to your romantic overwater bungalow.

Overwater bungalows feature sundecks with direct lagoon access, glass viewing panels in the floor, a bathtub and stand-alone shower, and one king or two twin beds. The thatch roof villas feel distinctly Polynesian with modern amenities. Air conditioning keeps you comfortable, while large windows keep the view front and center.

Dine at the resort’s three restaurants and one bar featuring international cuisine with a Polynesian twist. A week Polynesian buffet and local dance show showcase the island’s offerings.

Formerly Le Meridien Bora Bora, Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa has recently undergone a complete property-wide renovation and rebranding and is set to reopen during the summer of 2024.

With coastal chic vibes, three restaurants and three bars, a private lagoon, the Heavenly Spa, an infinity pool, and a sea turtle rehabilitation Eco Center, the resort won’t be lacking for things to do!

But if you don’t want to leave your overwater bungalow, no one could blame you! Many come with plunge pools, but they’ve all got Westin Heavenly beds, glass floor viewing panels, freestanding bathtubs, flat-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and private porches with direct water access.

More information should be forthcoming soon, but it’s worth noting that this is a Marriott property, so you can book it with points. It’ll cost you around 300k points per night, but for a fully renovated property in this stunning location, it looks to be worth it!

Located on Motu Tautau nestled between Taha’a and Bora Bora island, Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts is a five-star Relais & Chateau property with 58 Polynesian-inspired suites and villas.

Just a 14-minute helicopter ride from Bora Bora or a 35-minute boat ride from Raiatea airport, the resort’s location provides easy access to some of Taha’s unique offerings. Visit the island’s vanilla plantation (Taha’a is known as l’Île Vanille), rum distillery, or Tahitian Pearl farms. Of course, there’s also snorkeling and the other water-based activities you expect in Bora Bora, but these land-based options are unique to Taha’a.

The overwater bungalows are just shy of 1,000 square feet and sleep three adults or two adults and one child in a King and Single bed combination. Lounge on your private deck with a shaded seating area, outdoor shower, and direct lagoon access, or enjoy your indoor amenities like air-conditioning, a luxurious standalone bath, Wi-Fi, glass floor panels, and a desk area if you absolutely have to work while you’re in paradise.

The resort features three restaurants offering French-Polynesian fusion food in everything from casual beachside fare to fine dining. There are also two bars and an ice cream parlor for sweet treats! The Tāvai Spa is nestled in a garden, surrounded by bamboo trees, and offers treatments that utilize local Monoi and Tamanu oils.