Maldives vs Bora Bora, Which One Should You Visit?
The Maldives and Bora Bora are two very exclusive places that only a few people ever see in their lifetime. They’re both extremely luxurious locations only reserved for those willing to pay a lot. But with that, you get an ultimate getaway destination in the middle of the ocean; both places are truly paradise. So when figuring out if the Maldives or Bora Bora is a better destination, it depends on your unique situation. Both will provide an experience of a lifetime and are some of the greatest destinations on earth. By the end of this article, you will most likely be able to figure out which dream destination is right for you, as we’ll be breaking down both of these destinations and comparing them head to head. This is the Going Locations in-depth comparison, Maldives vs Bora Bora; let’s see which location is right for you!
Maldives Overview
Unlike Bora Bora, Maldives is its own independent country. The country has over 1,000 islands along the Indian Ocean, some islands small enough to be private resort islands. The country has over 500 hotels and 150 resorts, ranging from $50 to $20,000 per night. Maldives is known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear water. You can get the whole Maldives experience from whichever island you choose, but the resorts also make up a large part of the experience; we’ll cover that later. We’ll cover most of Maldives, including location, price, weather, and much more, and compare it to Bora Bora, but for now, let’s hop over to the second location in our comparison.
Bora Bora Overview
Unlike the Maldives, Bora Bora isn’t its own country. It’s a group of 9 islands nestled in the heart of French Polynesia. Just like Fiji, Bora Bora is in the absolute middle of the pacific ocean, so be prepared for a long journey. Bora Bora consists of many coral reefs that tourists love to see, but the main show-stopper on this island is the 2,385-foot volcano located right in the center of the main island. You can see it from almost all parts of Bora Bora, and adventurous tourists can even hike up this volcano, but that’s best done with a local guide. No need to worry because this volcano hasn’t been active for over 3 million years, so you’ll be safe on the island. Bora Bora is surrounded by a lagoon which I find crazy. This, along with the white sand beaches, is why Bora Bora’s water is so clear. So now that you have a brief overview of the Maldives and Bora Bora, let’s get to comparing!
Getting to the Maldives and Bora Bora
These places are not easy to get to; this contributes to their secludedness. The journey to either of these places will most likely be long, but once you’re there, you will feel like you’re on a slice of heaven 1,000s of miles away from everyday life. To a certain extent, that is true, especially in Bora Bora, as it’s located in the center of the Pacific Ocean. Let’s break down both the Maldives and Bora Bora to see how you can get to both.
Maldives
The Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, about 700 miles from the coast of India. The country’s northernmost island is around 500 miles from the country’s southernmost island, something to keep in mind. If you live in South Asia, the Middle East, or East Africa, the Maldives would be easier to reach than Bora Bora. The Maldives consists of four international airports, the main one being in Male, the country’s capital. Direct flights to the Maldives are available from Europe. A flight from London will take around 10 hours, while a flight from Istanbul will take just under 8 hours. Unfortunately, no direct flights run from North America, so getting to the Maldives will take around 19 hours from New York and over a day from the West Coast. After the long journey to Male, you can take either ferry or seaplane to get to your final destination; this is where the fun begins.
Bora Bora
When I say that Bora Bora is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I mean it. It’s isolated from every continent, so getting here can prove challenging. The extreme isolation does have its benefits, as once you’re here, it feels like a true paradise that’s far away from the rest of earth. If you live in North America, South America, or Oceania, Bora Bora will be easier to reach than the Maldives. Bora Bora only has one airport, and that airport only has domestic flights, so you’ll have to take a layover. You’ll most likely have to stop at Fa’a’ā International Airport, then take a 45-minute connecting flight to Bora Bora. This journey takes around 11 hours from Los Angeles and Auckland but over 24 hours from Europe and the Middle East.
If long travel days aren’t your thing, this may be your deciding factor. If you don’t mind traveling long distances, stick around, as we’ll cover all of the other aspects that might influence your trip.
When is the Best Time to Visit
Many factors can contribute to this category, including weather, price, and availability. To start, Bora Bora is in the southern hemisphere, while the Maldives is mainly in the northern hemisphere, so winter in one place is summer in the other. As far as temperature goes, the Maldives and Bora Bora have a consistent temperature year-round as they are near the equator. The Maldives’ warmest month is April, when temperatures can get up to 89°F (32°C). The country’s coolest month is November, when temperatures get up to 86°F (30°C). As you can see, not much change in temperatures. It’s the same deal in Bora Bora, where temperatures go up to 83°F (28°C) in April and 79°F (26°C) in the territory’s coolest month.
Rain is the main factor when deciding when to visit. The Maldives’ monsoon season is between May and November; during this time, the country can experience heavy rains. June is the country’s rainiest month, with around 15 days of rain, though that number can change depending on which part of the Maldives you visit. Bora Bora’s rainy season is from November to April, so the exact opposite of the Maldives. The territory’s rainiest month is December, with around 15 rainy days, the same as the Maldives. Obviously, with more people wanting to avoid the rain, prices are significantly higher in the dry seasons. The exact amount will depend on many factors, but it is a good amount.
If you are staying for a good amount of time and don’t mind the rainy days, then going in the island’s rainy season would be a good bet. If you don’t mind paying more to avoid the rain, then the country’s dry season would be right for you. When one country has its dry season, the other has its rainy season, so if you’re only available to travel at a particular time of the year, this might be a deciding factor in your trip.
Where to Stay in the Maldives and Bora Bora
The Maldives has way more options than Bora Bora as the country has way more islands, but all of Bora Bora’s hotels and resorts are close to the main island. The price of your stay varies vastly depending on how luxurious you want to be. It’s possible to spend as little as $50 per night and as much as $30,000 per night, but most people tend to spend between $500 and $1,000 per night, which can easily get you a bungalow like the one shown above. Below, I’ll share my top 3 favorite places to stay in both locations, prices included.
Maldives
We’ll start from the most affordable resort and work our way up in price. The Residence Maldives won’t blow your bank account, but it is sure to blow your mind. It’s a private island located 242 miles (390 km) south of Male, pretty much right on the equator. Breakfast is included for all guests, but there are also options to upgrade to all-inclusive as well. All villas are either beachfront or overwater, so no matter where you stay, you’re getting the views. All villas have either a sundeck or beach, a soaker tub, and a separate living and dining room. Just wait till you hear the price of all of this!
Price: $1,052-$2,500 in peak season (Price varies depending on which size villa you chose) and just $250-$1,700 in off-peak season.
A laid-back 5-star resort close to Male, the country’s capital. All rooms have a private pool, soaking tub, and outdoor shower. Don’t worry about sharing the island because the Four Seasons Resort takes up the entire island. There is a load of activities and world-class dining; you are sure to have a wonderful time at this resort.
Price: $2,400-$15,000 in peak season and $800-$7,500 in off-peak season.
This is by far the most expensive resort on this list, but it’s also a whole new level of luxury. The JOALI Maldives is a 5-star resort located on a private island around 106 miles (171 km) north of the capital city of Male. Guests get to this resort by seaplane and can enjoy exclusive or all-inclusive packages. Even the base villas at JOALI Maldives are over the water with a pool, sundeck, and over 2,500 ft² (240 m²) of space, larger than most people’s houses. The JOALI Maldives is the definition of luxury; you really can’t get much fancier than this!
Price: $5,500-$33,000 in peak season and $2,173-$19,000 in off-peak season.
Bora Bora
Because Bora Bora is way smaller with fewer resorts, the accommodations will be more expensive as there isn’t enough land to keep up with the demand for this place. The InterContinental Le Moana is on the south side of Bora Bora’s main island, with views of the famous Mount Otemanu and crystal clear water. The resort’s hotel has many fun activities to keep you busy throughout the day and multiple restaurants with a room service option. It’s also part of the IHG brand, so staying here could earn you points for future stays.
Price: $650-$1,100 in peak season and $550-$900 in off-peak season.
Another fantastic option on this list is the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. It’s located east of the main island in Bora Bora, along with all the other fancy resorts, such as the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa. The St. Regis, however, is the fanciest of them all and can also earn you Marriott points which is, in my opinion, the best rewards system out there. You can relax by the massive pool that is the resort’s centerpiece, dine in one of the five restaurants, or swim in some of the freshest water on earth. Even the entry-level villas are over water, with an outdoor porch, sundeck, a massive shower, and lagoon views.
Price: $1,400-$6,300 in peak season and $900-$5,000 in off-peak season
Like JOALI Maldives, The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the most luxurious resort in Bora Bora that money can buy. The resort is located on Bora Bora’s westernmost island but still gets views of the main island. The hotel features almost all the water activities you can imagine, including jet skiing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, and much more. You can walk on the white sand beaches and dive into the crystal clear water, all footsteps from your private bungalow. Hilton owns the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, so staying here could earn you points for future stays.
Price: $1,700-$8,000 in peak season and $1,147-$6,500 in off-peak season.
You can easily tell that the difference in price between peak and off-peak season is tremendous in the Maldives but not as much in Bora Bora. Hopefully, this could further help you in your decision of where to go, now let’s move on to activities!
What to Do in The Maldives and Bora Bora
As most might have already guessed, water sports are the most popular things to do in both destinations. Also, hanging out in your villa wouldn’t be bad either, as these places include much more than a hotel room ever could. I could spend all day chilling in my private pool overlooking the crystal clear water. There are some activities in both of these places that you simply can’t miss. Let’s see what those activities are!
Maldives
Male: The capital city of the Maldives has a vibe like no other. Being the only city in the Maldives, Male feels a lot like Honolulu because they’re both cities on relatively secluded islands situated 1000s of miles from much else. On holidays such as New Year’s Day or Independence Day, July 26th, the city lights up with people celebrating and a vibe like no other. While Dhivehi is the main language in the Maldives, most people know English fluently, so this could be a great time to connect with the natives of the Maldives.
Snorkeling: The Maldives is known for snorkeling as their water is so clear. You can see marine life clearly as you dive into the Indian Ocean. Most resorts provide you with the gear to go snorkeling, such as a snorkel, fins, and mask. You can also easily find a certified snorkeling instructor, making the experience that much better.
Island Hopping: I highly recommend this, as going to just one island in the Maldives wouldn’t give you the full experience. Seaplanes are a great and luxurious way to get from island to island; speedboats are also an option for shorter routes. There is no possible way for you to visit all of the islands, but visiting just a couple will provide you with a great experience.
Bora Bora
Mount Otemanu: This is the signature piece of Bora Bora; this extinct volcano has become a popular tourist sight not just to see but also to hike. The peak of Mount Otemanu is 2,385 feet which is impressive for an island this size. Sadly, you can’t hike up to the top, but tourists are permitted to go a good way up. One tip, it’s always better to hike with a local guide.
Lagoon Tour: As I covered at the beginning of this blog post, Bora Bora is centered inside a lagoon. The best way to explore the lagoon is by taking a lagoon tour. You can sail the lagoon, eat dinner over the lagoon, go snorkeling in the lagoon, or jet ski over the lagoon; the possibilities are endless.
Explore the White Sand Beaches: You can easily do this at your resort as it’s not worth missing. The white sand is a significant contributor to the water’s clearness and is beautiful to explore. Bora Bora has some of the best beaches in the world, so make sure not to overlook this.
Bora Bora vs the Maldives: Which Costs More?
It’s a pretty obvious answer, Bora Bora’s peak season is in the same months as the Maldives’ off-peak season, and vice versa. So if you’re planning to take a trip between November and April, Bora Bora will be cheaper, but if you’re planning a trip between May and November, the Maldives will be cheaper. The other factor is the flight; plane tickets aren’t cheap, especially to isolated places like these. If you live nearer to the Maldives, you might save thousands solely on transportation. The same goes for if you live nearer to Bora Bora. If we take out those variables, which one is more expensive? The average trip to Bora Bora is around $3,200 per person, while the average trip to The Maldives is $2,100 per person. It makes sense because Bora Bora is a way smaller place meaning fewer places to stay, but with the high demand, prices will go up. Now, the price ranges in both places depending on how much you want to spend, so don’t let this discourage you from going to the place of your choice.
The Maldives vs Bora Bora, Which One Should You Visit?
The truth is that it solely depends on you. I would rather go to Bora Bora because it’s closer to where I live, meaning cheaper flight costs, and I like the idea of being close to the main island, but that’s just my take. You might like the Maldives better because of the wider selection of resorts, secludedness with private islands, or the location in proximity to where you live. It’s a person-to-person decision; there is no obvious choice. This is the conclusion to the Going Locations comparison, Maldives vs Bora Bora. I hope this article helped with your decision, let me know where you would go.
Going Locations on Instagram
