such an incredibly popular island for honeymoons among North Americans, Bora Bora has its high season and largest crowds during June and July, but for those with a choice of when to go there are probably better times of year, depending on your goals, so we'll discuss each season below.
As with all other tropical islands, Bora Bora has two seasons rather than four. There’s a rainy season and a dry season, and being a bit south of the equator, its “summer” is from December through February while the “winter” is from June through August.
However, as you can see on our main weather in Bora Bora by month article, the temperatures are nearly identical all year long, and even the rainfall is somewhat consistent compared to many other islands in the South Pacific.
The rainy season runs more or less from mid November through mid April, but cloud bursts are possible at any time.
The best weather, with slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidities, runs from May through August, but most hotels raise their rates only from June through October. Again, this is partly due to the number of weddings and honeymoons during this period, so if you go during June or July you’ll be seeing a lot of newlyweds.
All the resorts, including those with overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, have their peak rates during this period. Fortunately, most of these are only 10 or 20% more than their low-season rates, so there isn’t a huge swing at most places.
Bora Bora is certainly a hot spot for scuba diving and snorkeling, and if these water sports are big motivators for you it’s another reason to come between April and November. The heavier rains the rest of the year tend to upset the clear water and make visibility less ideal for periods of time, though there’s still plenty of great diving weather all year.
From November through March the weather is a bit hotter and humidity is higher all day, but the more dramatic change is the rainfall. Like in most tropical places, the rain tends to come in dramatic bursts, often lasting only 30 to 60 minutes, and then clearing up. This sometimes happens overnight, but it’s also fairly common in the late afternoon.
If you come from December through March you might have overcast skies for many hours each day, though it’s rare to go one for longer periods. Also, when the summer clouds move in quickly you can get some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see in your life.
With all of the above in mind, the best time to go to Bora Bora is in either April or May. You’ll get the low-season hotel rates plus the best weather and great scuba diving. It’s just a matter of fewer people in North America taking vacations during these months, so demand is lower, and the resorts are happy to offer great rates to encourage visitors.