Are Overwater Bungalows Worth it in Bora Bora and Moorea? The Honest Truth!

Crystal clear turquoise water laps beneath concrete columns. Bungalows with palm roofs hang overhead. Tropical fish, stingrays and sharks glide around the coral reef below. In the distance, the volcanic peaks of Bora Bora and Moorea rise like statues against the blue sky. Yes, we’ve all seen it. The postcard perfect views of French Polynesia’s overwater bungalows on the lagoons are the idyllic image of paradise. Many people dream of visiting these islands to specifically stay in one of the overwater bungalows. The concept of overwater bungalows was first started here, after all. Maybe you’ve decided that you’ll travel here for your honeymoon, experience the untouched waters when you’re retired or explore the epic landscapes and waters during your travel photography career. Whatever your reason is for visiting, when the day ultimately comes to book the long awaited and longed for overwater bungalow, you go online, plug in your preferred dates and then panic. Do overwater bungalows really cost THAT much? And are overwater bungalows worth it in Bora Bora and Moorea to begin with? Let’s dive in.

Are Overwater Bungalows Worth It in Bora Bora and Moorea?

Despite the sometimes jaw dropping price tags of overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and Moorea, I can confidently say that they are 100% worth it. The experience literally brings you directly in touch with some of nature’s most pristine and untouched waters and ecosystems.

Because the overwater bungalows are built on top of lagoons, which is a protected area of water separated from the ocean by volcanic rock and coral reef, all sorts of marine life call the lagoons home. As you sit on the back deck of your overwater bungalow or stare through the glass floor inside the suite, you may be surprised to see such an abundance of brightly coloured tropical fish swim by. You may even be surprised by a visit from a few eagle rays or blacktip reef sharks. And, if you like snorkelling, you can hop right into this underwater world from your bungalow, immersing yourself in what feels like a gigantic tropical fish tank.

The bungalows in Bora Bora and Moorea are generally fairly luxurious, so they do, of course, make for great honeymoon venues. The resorts themselves also typically have one or two (or three) great restaurants and bars on site so that you can stay close to your overwater bungalow at all times. A lot of the resorts also provide rental (sometimes they are free) kayaks and standup paddleboards. I would highly recommend standup paddleboarding on a calm day across the lagoon. From a paddleboard, you can look straight down through the clear waters into the reef systems, providing a breathtaking perspective into the vast amount of life that calls this area of the Pacific home.

Lastly, most of the overwater bungalows on Bora Bora and Moorea have prime real estate. With that comes incredible views of the islands themselves. In Bora Bora, for instance, most of the overwater bungalows are on motus, or small islets, across from the main island, offering incredible views of Mount Otemanu.

Where Should I Book an Overwater Bungalow in French Polynesia?

Now, this is the tricky part. Bora Bora is the more well known and sought after place to book an overwater bungalow in French Polynesia - but that comes at a cost. Sure, the epic views of Mount Otemanu are stunning, but you can take that view in on a lagoon tour for way less money than staying at an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. So, does it make sense to stay at an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora?

If you have the money, an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora is definitely worth it. It is paradise after all. There are other options, however, that will give you basically the same experience for a much more affordable rate.

When we traveled to French Polynesia for our honeymoon, we decided to book our overwater bungalow in Moorea, which is the sister island to Tahiti. When traveling to French Polynesia, you fly into Tahiti’s international airport. From there, you can take a thirty minute ferry ride directly to Moorea. The island itself boasts jagged volcanic peaks, fruit plantations and, similarly to Bora Bora, a pristine lagoon.

The lagoon in Moorea offers a few different overwater bungalow options. We stayed at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, and it was incredible. Our overwater bungalow was positioned way out in the lagoon, and our back deck had unobstructed views of Moorea’s jagged mountains. Since we were there on our honeymoon, the bed in our room had flowers and towels in the shape of hearts when we arrived. The hotel staff also left us a bottle of champagne on ice and a welcome note.

The bungalow featured a glass floor beneath the coffee table, which I gazed through every time I walked back into the bungalow. An eagle ray even swam directly beneath it one evening!

The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa also provided a number of different restaurants. Our favourite was Rotui Bar & Grill, which was an open air pub right on the beach. We ate most of our lunches and dinners here. The breakfast buffet was also exceptional, offering custom omelettes, an array of fruits and pastries, and much more. There’s also a gift shop on the resort where we purchased a few things. Beware though, if you forget sunscreen like we did, you will be charged quite a lot of money for a bottle.

The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa does provide free kayak, paddleboard and snorkelling rentals, so definitely take advantage of that if you stay here. I discovered how incredible the paddleboarding was towards the end of our stay, and I wish I had done it even more.

Oh yeah, the price. The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is still an overwater bungalow in French Polynesia, so it’s going to be expensive. But, in comparison to Bora Bora, our overwater bungalow was about a third of the price. This will obviously depend on current prices and what time of year you’re booking, but, in general, overwater bungalows in Moorea are more cost effective than Bora Bora.

So, should you book an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora or Moorea? Well, it depends. If you’re after the iconic views of Mount Otemanu and you can afford the hefty prices, by all means stay at an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. If you’re on a bit more of a budget, check out the overwater bungalows in Moorea. The experience is essentially the same as Bora Bora, except you may be able to stay an extra night or two with the money you save.

Any Last Pieces of Advice?

If you do decide to stay in an overwater bungalow when you travel to French Polynesia (which you should!), treat it as an excursion. Because these stays are so expensive no matter the season, it’s easier to justify the expense when you plan on spending most of your time in your room and at the hotel.

When we stayed at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, we spent three nights there and literally spent every day sunbathing on our private dock, snorkelling, paddleboarding, sipping happy hour beverages and dining at one of the resort’s many restaurants. Because overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and Moorea immerse you directly into the wild of French Polynesia, we treated our stay as if it was an adventure in itself - and it was honestly the adventure of a lifetime.

Conclusion

Many people dream of traveling to Bora Bora and Moorea to stay in one of the famous overwater bungalows. But, with such high nightly accommodation fees, are overwater bungalows worth it in Bora Bora and Moorea? Given that most overwater bungalows in French Polynesia are situated right on the lagoon, the experience can immerse you right into one of the most untouched underwater ecosystems in the world. The overwater bungalows also typically have some of the best properties in Bora Bora and Moorea, providing you with incredible views of each islands’ volcanic landscape from your suite. Sure, the rooms can be expensive, but, if you book an overwater bungalow in Moorea instead of Bora Bora, you can save a bit of money and even extend your stay.