Bora Bora Packing List – What To Pack For Bora Bora

Wondering what to bring to Bora Bora? I felt exactly the same when I began prepping for my trip to this island paradise!

That’s why I’ve put together this extensive Bora Bora packing list to make sure you have everything you need.

It includes tons of things to pack for Bora Bora including some things you won’t have even considered.

Bora Bora Packing List

I definitely ended up packing a few things that I didn’t end up using and I missed a few items that I wish I’d brought along.

I’ve spent a long time putting together this ultimate Bora Bora packing list based on what I actually ended up using whilst I was there.

Here is a complete list of what to bring to Bora Bora:

A float

If you’re staying in an overwater bungalow then you’ll be glad you brought an inflatable pool float. 

I found that these were perfect for lounging in the lagoon just outside your villa.

The water is absolutely spectacular in Bora Bora and looks even better in person. Who wouldn’t want to float around on it all day!?

I personally love this cool flamingo float or this giant donut float. They look pretty cool in photos too.

Bonus: You can also bring a bit of rope to tie your float to your overwater bungalow so that you can relax without floating away. Genius right!?

Related Post: How Deep Is The Water In Bora Bora?

Swimsuits

I spent around 90% of my time in Bora Bora in my swimsuit so you should pack at least 3. 

Most of Bora Bora’s activities revolve around that iconic blue lagoon and you’ll spend most of your time in it.

I’d recommend bringing at least one one-piece swimsuit too for activities like jet skiing, snorkeling or paddle boarding as they’re a bit more secure than bikinis.

Beach coverup

As you’ll be in your swimsuit all day, bring along a beach coverup to protect yourself from the sun when walking around the resort or for going to lunch.

You can’t just show up to a restaurant in a bikini in Bora Bora (it would be seen as rude) so bring a beach coverup like this one. I basically lived in these during the day.

You could also pack a kimono robe. These are ideal for lounging around on your deck when you can’t be bothered to wear real clothes or for wandering around the resort.

Lightweight clothing

Due to the heat, I found that lightweight and loose clothing was the best in Bora Bora. Try to stick to comfortable materials like cotton.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, you can expect temperatures between 79ºF and 82ºF during the day. That’s 26ºC to 28ºC.

I’d recommend bringing a few floaty sun dresses, some loose t-shirts and a pair of cotton shorts. For men, a few t-shirts and a pair of shorts is perfect.

For more information, check out my complete guide on what to wear in Bora Bora.

Sun hat

The sun is strong in Bora Bora so protect yourself by bringing a hat to block the sun. 

I personally love these elegant, floppy sun hats. They’re perfect for Bora Bora and look great in photos.

I wore mine most days and felt so elegant and glam!

For men, I’d recommend a baseball cap or bucket hat. My partner basically lives in this one.

Tip: When packing your hat, fill the inside with things like socks to ensure it doesn’t lose its shape. Put the hat crown up in the bottom of your suitcase and pack your clothes around it.

Sliders

I used to take flip flops or sandals with me to hot locations like Bora Bora but when I discovered sliders, my whole life changed!!

I’m not kidding, they’re sooooo much more comfortable than flip flops or regular sandals and are ideal for locations like Bora Bora where your feet are often wet or sandy.

These are my absolute favorite sliders that I take pretty much everywhere with me now. I lived in these when I went to Bora Bora because they were just so comfy and easy to slip on and off.

Definitely do not attempt to walk barefoot around the resort as your feet WILL burn (don’t learn the hard way like me).

Snorkel and fin set

Some of the fancy hotels like St Regis or the Four Seasons provide snorkel sets for free however most other hotels don’t so I’d recommend bringing your own snorkel set with you.

I also don’t like the idea of sharing mouthpieces with everyone else at the resort so prefer to bring my own.

Snorkeling was one of my favorite activities in Bora Bora as there were so many tropical fish, rays and reef sharks in Bora Bora’s lagoon. It was so fun to explore.

Check out my complete guide on Bora Bora’s top snorkeling spots for more info.

Underwater camera

Get some cool underwater photos and videos of the tropical fish whilst snorkeling by using an underwater camera.

These are super fun to look back on and, as the snorkeling in Bora Bora is some of the best in the whole world, you’ll want to get some footage to show friends and family.

I’d recommend the GoPro Hero 10 as it’s super reliable and one of the best underwater cameras out there. I’ve taken mine all over the world with me and it’s still like new.

If you’re worried about losing it in the ocean then get a floating handle like this so if you happen to drop it, it will float to the surface. I have this and it’s great.

Sunscreen & aloe vera

I can’t stress how important this is. The sun is very strong in Bora Bora and can really damage your skin if you’re not careful.

Plus getting sunburn can really put a downer on the trip. Who wants to be a red tomato in all of their vacation photos?

This sunscreen is my holy grail as it’s SPF 60 (yep, it exists) and is waterproof. I used it everyday and never burned once.

Get a waterproof sunscreen if you can as you’ll spend a lot of time in the water in Bora Bora and re-applying sunscreen every ten minutes is a hassle.

I’d also recommend bringing a chapstick with SPF in it to protect your lips and some aloe vera just in case the worst happens.

Insect repellent

There are mosquitoes in Bora Bora so bringing a good insect repellent will go a long way.

If you’re staying in one of the fancy resorts then you may not need this as they spray their entire resort with insect repellent regularly to keep the bugs away.

I stayed at both the St Regis and the Four Seasons and barely saw any mosquitoes at all.

If you’re staying anywhere else or if you plan on leaving the resort at any point (e.g. to eat at a different restaurant or go on an excursion) then you’ll want to bring some repellent.

This insect repellent is my favorite as it has a high percentage of DEET which is proven to be super effective in preventing bug bites.

Deodorant 

It’s hot. You’ll sweat. It’s a no brainer really.

I prefer stick deodorants for travel as you don’t have to worry about them leaking.

I’d also recommend packing all of your toiletries into a hanging toiletry bag like this one. 

Not only will this keep all of your little bottles organized but you can also hang it on the mirror, shower or towel rack in the hotel which saves precious counter space.

Power adapter

You’ll need to take a couple of the 2-prong European type adapters (type E) with you as this is the most common socket type in Bora Bora.

Many of the fancier hotels will provide these if you forget them but it’s useful to have a few spares so you can plug in various devices all at once. 

I’d personally recommend getting a universal adaptor as these work in any country (so you can use it for future vacations too).

Pro tip: Bring along a power strip then you only need to buy one travel adapter to charge all your devices at once.

Hair ties

You’ll spend a lot of your time on boats in Bora Bora and, at times, it gets a bit windy.

When we first arrived, I had my hair loose and let’s just say I have no idea what we saw on that boat ride. I could barely see a thing with my hair flying around and covering my face.

Bring some hair ties with you so you can enjoy the views.

Tangle teezer

If you’ve got long hair, then a tangle teezer is a must.

After being in the lagoon all day snorkeling, your hair gets super tangled and messy. It was too much for my regular hairbrush to handle.

Tangle teezers are like magic, somehow they manage to untangle your hair, pain-free. Literally a lifesaver. 

Reusable water bottle

This hot tip will save you $$$. Bottled water is kinda pricey in Bora Bora and due to the heat, you’ll want a lot of it.

You can even get some water bottles like this one from LifeStraw that filter the water for you, removing any dirt or bacteria. 

This means that you can fill it up from pretty much anywhere (even a dirty puddle according to LifeStraw themselves!) and have safe, clean drinking water.

A beach bag

A beach bag will come in pretty handy on your vacation in Bora Bora.

Fill it with all your essentials, towels, sunscreen, snorkeling gear and snacks then head down to the beach or lagoon for the day.

Medicines

Bring along some tylenol, ibuprofen and any other medicines that you need to take regularly.

These will be quite expensive if you buy them in Bora Bora and sometimes difficult to find so I’d recommend bringing them with you.

Waterproof phone pouch

These are great if you don’t have an underwater camera but still want to snap some photos in the water.

A waterproof phone pouch will keep your phone safe and dry whilst in the water. Plus you can still use your phone whilst it’s in the pouch.

I love taking photos of everything for the memories so I hate not being able to bring my phone into the ocean but this changes everything!!

Makeup 

I’d recommend lightweight makeup for Bora Bora (or none at all if you’re comfortable). 

It’s super hot in Bora Bora all the time so heavy makeup will just slide off.

Here’s my top makeup picks:

• Tinted moisturizer – this one is super lightweight (you can barely tell it’s there) and evens out your skin tone nicely. I use it pretty much everyday now.

• Waterproof mascara – this one is great and won’t budge even if you spend all day in the water.

• SPF face cream – I always put this on first to protect my skin. Regular sunscreen on my face is just yuck but this one is just like a normal moisturizer.

• Chapstick with SPF – your lips can get burnt too and as the sun is super strong in French Polynesia, you’ll be glad you brought this.

Dry bag

These waterproof bags are great as you can put your phone, wallet, room key etc into them and take them into the water with you.

They are ideal if you’re going on an excursion like kayaking or paddle boarding and need somewhere safe and dry to store your belongings.

You can even get ones like this that float which are great if you accidentally drop it in the ocean.

Luckily the water in Bora Bora is really clear so you’ll easily be able to spot it.

Non-perishable snacks

To save a bit of money in Bora Bora, bring along some snacks like dried fruit, nuts, cereal bars etc.

Food is very expensive in Bora Bora so you’ll be glad you brought these along. 

At the expensive resorts, you’ll be paying a few hundred dollars each day on food and the grocery stores are practically inaccessible from most resorts.

I have an entire guide on food & drinks prices in Bora Bora for more information.

3 bottles of wine/liquor

Ok so this one is for those who want to save some money. Drinks are super expensive in Bora Bora (I’m talking $20+ per cocktail) so you can save money by bringing your own.

Every person coming to Bora Bora is able to bring 2L of wine/liquor with them which is around 3 bottles. Pack these into your checked luggage or buy some in duty-free.

We brought along a bottle of prosecco and the staff were so lovely about it. They even offered to put it on ice for us.

Sneakers

You only need these if you’re planning on doing a hike in Bora Bora. 

I actually ended up doing the hike up Mt Otemanu which is Bora Bora’s famous extinct volcano, so a pair of sneakers or walking shoes are a must for this activity.

It’s a fairly difficult hike so you will want some comfy footwear.

A book

If you’ve booked an overwater bungalow then you’ll likely want to spend as much time as possible sitting out on your glorious deck looking out at the lagoon.

Same! That’s why I’d suggest bringing a good book so you can sit out on your deck and relax for hours and hours.

I spent so many hours doing this and it’s just so relaxing!!

Water shoes

In some areas of the beach, they have coral on the seafloor. It’s quite uncomfortable to walk on coral and it can sometimes be sharp.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to bring along some water shoes to protect your feet.

Water shoes don’t have to be ugly. I found some cute water shoes here.

Waterproof rain jacket

You’ll only need a raincoat if you’re planning on visiting Bora Bora during the rainy season which runs from November until February.

During these months you may experience some heavy rain but don’t worry, it’s not that bad and won’t ruin your trip.

You’ll usually just get a heavy downpour for 20 minutes or so then it dries up instantly due to the heat.

The rain won’t really affect your trip and you’ll still have a great time but you will be happy that you brought this rain jacket with you.

I wrote a list of things to do when it rains in Bora Bora if you need it.

Other Things to Pack for Bora Bora

Here’s a few additional things to bring to Bora Bora. They need no explanation.

• Sunglasses

• Underwear & socks

• Travel documents e.g. passport, travel insurance etc

• Headphones – I love my AirPods as they’re wireless and the charge lasts so long (you can even use them on the plane)

• Hair straighteners

• Hair brush

• Face wipes/makeup remover

• Phone charger

• Pen (I can never find one when I need one)

• Razors

• Toothbrush & toothpaste

• Tampons/pads

• Perfume

• Pajamas 

What to Pack for Bora Bora – Honeymoon

If you’re visiting Bora Bora on your honeymoon then here’s a few extra things you should take to Bora Bora.

Instax or disposable camera 

You only have one honeymoon with your significant other and we all want to remember it as much as possible, right!?

If you’re on your honeymoon then bring along a disposable camera or Instax (basically a polaroid camera) and take some cute snaps throughout the trip.

When you get home, you can create a scrapbook with all your memories.

These disposable cameras are waterproof so perfect for Bora Bora.

Lingerie

I mean, it’s your honeymoon so…

Bora Bora Packing Tips

When packing for Bora Bora, you’ll need to be careful to not go overweight on your luggage.

You’ll most likely be flying to Bora Bora from Tahiti via Air Tahiti.

Air Tahiti has a strict baggage allowance which they enforce. They will weigh both your checked luggage and your personal belongings so make sure you don’t go over.

Here’s what you’re allowed:

• 1 hand baggage and 1 accessory per passenger – maximum weight 5kg (11lb).

• Hold luggage with a standard ticket – maximum weight 23kg (50lb).

• Hold luggage with a special ticket with additional weight allowance – maximum weight 46kg (100lb).

This is strictly enforced due to plane size. Check out the Air Tahiti FAQ page for the most up to date information.

There are other ways to get to Tahiti. For all the information, check out my post on how to get to Bora Bora from Tahiti.

Things NOT to Pack for Bora Bora

Here’s a few things that you can leave at home:

• Hairdryer – pretty much every hotel will have one.

• Flashlight – just use the one on your phone.

• Fine jewelry – you don’t want to risk losing it in the ocean.

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And that’s it!

That’s my ultimate Bora Bora packing list which includes all the things to pack for Bora Bora.

Need more help planning your Bora Bora vacation?

• Best Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora
• How Much To Tip In Bora Bora
• Does Bora Bora Have A Golf Course?