The Best Time to Visit Bora Bora

See Also

• Recommended locations to lodge in Bora Bora

What is the best time to visit Bora Bora?

The months of May, September, and October coincide with the best weather on the island while avoiding the peak travel season of June through August. This is also the best time for sightseeing, water sports, as well as securing hotel deals.

• Most Suitable Time to Visit: The months of May, September and October.”
• Prime Timespan for Pleasant Climate: May to October.
• Premium Time for Exploring Attractions: May, September and October.
• Best Time for Honeymoons: May through October.
• Best Time for Exploring & Snorkeling: April, May, September and October.
• Best Time for Outdoor Activities: June through September.
• Best Period for Saving Money: Avoid the peak seasons (June to August, and the Christmas/New Year period) when all resorts and hotels are bursting. Rates increase, and flights are sometimes overbooked, so plan ahead. Also, the local school holidays (especially in October) are busy times for inter-island flights.
• Best Period for Experiencing the Sights: Like all tropical island areas in the South Pacific, there are 2 critical aspects to consider when planning vacations. Bora Bora is particularly busy (and costly) during the major European holiday times of June, July, and (particularly) August, as well as the Christmas/New Year period from mid-December to mid-January. The second factor is the wet season, which lasts from November to April. Heavy rainfall is frequent during this time, humidity levels can be draining, and cyclones are a possibility (although very rare).
• Best Period for Diving & Snorkeling: Calm, transparent waters are most likely between April and October, the driest months. However, in June, July and August, trade winds bring relief ashore, but can stir up the surface of the sea. During the wet season (November to April), rainfall and wind can also influence visibility, but this is less problematic in the shallow and mostly non-tidal lagoon surrounding Bora Bora.
• Optimal Season for Outdoor Pursuits: As expected, weather influences the ease and enjoyment of outdoor activities. The rainy season from November through April brings heavy downpours and stronger winds, and humidity can be uncomfortable when not raining. The driest months of June through September see the best conditions for time outdoors, but outdoor areas should still be avoided during any cyclonic weather.
• Best Time for Beaches: The dry season from May through October sees average daytime highs of around 28°C (83°F) while water temperatures in the lagoon surrounding Bora Bora stay invitingly warm at between 24°C to 26°C. On some occasions, swimming may be more pleasant during the rainy season as a means to escape the heat and humidity. Of course, avoid any inclement weather like lightning storms, and always remember to use ample sun protection.

Bora Bora Travel Seasons

• Peak Season (June, July, August, and mid-December to mid-January): This is the European vacation time, with the highest point of the highest in August; and around the Christmas/New Year period. During these times, lodging prices soar and occupancy is extremely high, so always book far in advance. And remember that December to January is also the height of the damp season, with terminated flights not unusual, and cyclones always possible (but extremely rare).
• Shoulder Season (April, May, September and October): These months represent the transitional periods at the beginning and end of the dry season, which fall outside of the peak holiday timeframes (as explained above). The weather is highly comfortable – generally clear, mild and dry – and prices have yet to reach their highest points.
• Low Season (November to mid-December, and mid-January to March): These periods fall within wet season, when rain frequent, humidity often unpleasant, and cyclones always possible, so stay alert. Hotel rates drop significantly, and with so many vacant rooms, guests can negotiate. Finding plane seats also rarely an issue.

Bora Bora Weather by Month

Check out the top things to do in Gran Canaria:

• • • Exploring the Maspalomas sand dunes
    • Hiking within Roque Nublo
• Bora Bora Climate in February: The middle of the wet season presents the greatest potential for cyclones. (Oli passed through in February 2010 but caused minimal injuries and damage.) While most tropical low pressures bypass Bora Bora, peripheral winds and rains can create uncomfortable and sometimes impossible travel conditions by plane and boat.
• Bora Bora Weather in March: Rainfall starts to lessen dramatically to an average of 177mm (7 inches), while temperatures remain at about 30°C (86°F). But the continual moisture can still force people back inside.
• Bora Bora Weather in April: The ending of the wet season is near, signaling a reduction in humidity, much to the relief of everyone. Oddly, the average rainfall is somewhat more than March, but the number of downpours starts to dwindle by the middle of the month, and humidity levels noticeably drop further. But don’t put away the umbrella and wet-weather gear just yet.
• Bora Bora Weather in May: Official beginning of the dry and cooler season, sometimes called the ‘winter’ by locals – and with it the chance of cyclones has basically disappeared. The weather quickly becomes noticeably drier, with rainfall less than half of that in January. Average daytime temperatures drop slightly below 30°C (86°F) for the first time in the calendar year.
• Bora Bora Weather in June: Usually flawless weather, with rainfall reducing notably, but perhaps more importantly, humidity decreases and eases further with persistent trade winds that can last until late August. Average daytime temperatures for this period and the following 3 months average 28°C (82°F). But the seemingly endless clear and dry days do coincide with the start of the busier tourist season.
• Weather in Bora Bora in July: By now, some locals may even start complaining about the ‘cool weather’ amid increased trade winds, which provide relief for many on land, but are unwelcome by some on or under the water. The mild climate continues, with the lowest average daytime and night-time temperatures for the year, and a further reduction in rain.
• Bora Bora Climate in August: The conditions continue to be ideal, except the trade winds are at their strongest, sometimes making boat trips less pleasant. Rainfall is at the lowest monthly normal for the year – 60mm (2.4 inches) – with the greatest number of hours of sunshine, and least number of days with any rain (4). But the large crowds have now started arriving from Europe for their annual holidays.
• Bora Bora Weather in September: That month may be ideal to visit the location as the dry and pleasant weather continues, but with a significant decrease in hotel rates and number of visitors. The trade winds may still occur, but are cooling rather than frustratingly intense.
• Bora Bora Weather in October: The final month of the yearly calendar for reliably gentle weather. Average daytime temperatures start to rise by a degree (°C), and, more noticeably, there’s an surge in humidity. Rainfall begins to increase as the damp season looms; there’s about 30% more rain in October than the prior month, but less than half of the next.
• Weather in Bora Bora in November: The official beginning of the wet period, also called `summer` by locals, which continues until late April. Average daytime temperatures increase further, soon reaching about 30°C (86°F), while humidity becomes noticeably more uncomfortable. Rainfall doubles that of October and is over triple the amount from September. Cyclones are now possible (although very rare) anytime until April, so remain alert.
• Bora Bora Weather in December: By this time, the rainy season is in full swing, with heavy downpours that could impact travel plans. With an average of 15 rainy days in December, it`s the wettest month: 280mm (11 inches) of rainfall, almost 5 times more than in August. Despite this, tourist numbers increase greatly during the Christmas/New Year period.

Bora Bora Holidays, Events and Festivals

Bora Bora Events in January

• New Year’s Day – public holiday celebrated by everyone, especially at Matira. Some shops, bars and cafés, particularly those owned by expats, close over the Christmas/New Year period – perhaps even for all of December.
• Taurua Varua (date varies, late January) – One of the island’s most important spiritual celebrations, comprising three successive weekends of distinctive traditional singing at various locations around the principal island.

Bora Bora Events in February

• Chinese New Year (variable, January/February) – the handful of Chinese families (and others) in Vaitape celebrate moderately for a few days.

Bora Bora Events in March

• Missionaries Day (5th) – also known as Gospel Day. Public holiday honoring the arrival of Protestantism over 220 years ago, with traditional dancing and singing mostly in the churches.
• Orero Championship (changeable, mid-March) – exceptional singing challenge that honors ancient tradition held at town hall in Vaitape, with winners going on to face others across Tahiti.

Bora Bora Events in April

• Easter (changeable, March/April) – some facilities close for 4 days, while Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Easter Sunday is a great time to visit a place of worship.
• Miss & Mister Bora Bora (date varies, usually early April) – a contest of beauty and strength held at the town hall in Vaitape.

Bora Bora Events in May

• Labour Day (1st day) – public holiday.
• Tahiti Pearl Regatta (7th to 13th) – largest sailing race in the central Pacific. All styles of boats, from yachts to canoes, travel around Tahiti and nearby Ra’iatea and Bora Bora islands.
• Victory Day (8th) – public holiday commemorating the end of WWII in Europe.
• Hotel Residence du Lion d’Or Louvre
• Whit Monday (date varies, occurring in May or June) – also referred to as Pentecost, a public holiday and major religious event.

Bora Bora Events in June

• Heiva Dances (date varies) – in preparation for the major Heiva celebrations around Tahiti next month, the dance school in Vaitape practices and performs.
• Miss Tahiti (22nd) – pays tribute to the beauty of Tahitian women, with an event held at the town hall in Vaitape.
• Hivavaeve (29th) – also called Internal Autonomy Day. Public holiday commemorating when French Polynesia gained self-rule (but not yet independence).

Bora Bora Events in July

• Heiva i Tahiti – anticipate a wide variety of traditional dancing styles, melodic tunes played on the ukulele, canoe racing competitions, and entire carnivals devoted to different sports found across the entirety of Tahiti. (Inquire at your lodging or search online about happenings and places to encounter them in Bora Bora.)
• Bastille Day (14th) – public holiday, celebrated with food and song along the main street of Vaitape.
• Raid Anei Bora Bora (subject to change, frequently occurring around late July) – competitive hiking held in the mountains. (Check online for current details.)

Bora Bora Events in August

• Assumption (fifteenth) – public holiday, with church services widely participated in.

Bora Bora Events in September

• No special events or festivals this month.

Bora Bora Events in October

• Stone-launching Contests (changeable, early October) – honors the ancient practice of fishing using stones, with gatherings among communities on the main island.

Bora Bora Events in November

• All Saints Day (1st) – public holiday, when many locals pay visits to graves of relatives.
• Armistice Day (11th) – commemorates the end of World War 1.
• Faatitoraamoa (11th to 13th) – Armistice Day is traditionally `observed` with a few days of local cockfighting competitions across the principal island`s communities.
• Hawaiki Nui Canoe Races (changeable, mid-November) – serious boat races around Hauhine, Ra’iatea and Bora Bora islands. Over 3 days, with lots of fun activities for participants and spectators to enjoy.
• Matari’i Ni’a (changeable, late November) – traditional celebrations among communities surrounding the main island as locals express gratitude for rain and hope for an abundant harvest.

Bora Bora Events in December

• Village de Noël (11th to 14th) – Christmas fair with locally-crafted products available for purchase around the harbor in Vaitape.
• Parade de Noël (Saturday before Christmas) – a modest but colorful parade takes place in Vaitape including dances and exhibits.
• Yuletide (25th) – enthusiastically celebrated. Also a public holiday, with most stores and independent eateries (i.e. those not associated with hotels) closed for several days. Some facilities, particularly those owned by expats, close over the Christmas/New Year period; sometimes, even for the entire month of December.
• Boxing Day (26th) – Christmas festivities continue, although not a public holiday.
• New Year’s Eve (the 31st day of December) – commemorating the transition between years, with most resorts offering buffet dinners, sometimes including dances and live music. Otherwise, head to Matira to see what events are happening there.