Bora Bora resorts for a truly tropical treat in French Polynesia

Perched on the private island of Motu To’opua, Conrad Bora Bora Nui offers a paradise of dazzling white sands and mesmerising blue waters. Take your steaming cup of morning coffee onto the wooden terrace of your overwater villa, soaking up the sight of Mount Otemanu as you ponder a dip in the lagoon.

Perhaps you’ll learn to speak a little Tahitian during the resort’s organised cultural activities, or you might let a round of mini-golf to take you into the afternoon. Those after a spot of pampering will be drawn to Hina Spa for a vanilla body wrap and ancestral beauty ritual. You can complete the indulgence with a sauna session, followed by a tropical cocktail at Tarava Pool Bar.

For an open-air feast, reserve a seat at refined French restaurant Iriatai. Prefer to stay in? You can easily arrange in-room dining. Your villa’s private hammock will make an excellent spot to watch the sun go down with a special beverage from the minibar.

Speed across crystalline waters to Motu Tevairoa, where the captivating Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa awaits. You’ll rise to the sound of the ocean in a Lagoon Premium Overwater Suite, where your timber lodgings lead out to an expansive deck. Take time to enjoy a tranquil breakfast, brought to your private gazebo by outrigger canoe, before slipping into the turquoise lagoon for a morning dip.

You could spend all day reclining on pristine white sands, or you can take advantage of the various available water sports. Embark a calming canoe trip around the picture-perfect island or test your core strength with a paddleboarding session. Shimmering waters invite swims with a snorkel, while back on land you can challenge fellow holidaymakers to a sunny game of pétanque.

At Tāvai Spa, ask about the Manea Manea treatment using natural scrubs and finishing with a fruit, mineral and seaweed wrap. Make your way afterwards to Miki Miki Bar & Grill for a satisfying pizza and a glass of something chilled.

You’ll never forget a stay at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. This exclusive spot pairs opulent amenities with carefully crafted rooms designed to maximise the Polynesian landscape. In your overwater villa, you’ll sleep soundly in a sumptuous king-size bed, waking with the sun to the sound of gently lapping waves.

Head to Reef Restaurant to start the day with a spread of freshly baked croissants and tropical fruits. Wander the glittering shoreline as your food digests, then seek out the on-site spa for signature treatments like the Polynesian Taurumi Massage and a deep-sea hydromassage bath. The outdoor Jacuzzi might tempt you into its bubbling depths for the afternoon, or you might simply find a quiet corner in the tea lounge.

You’ll want to call in at Bubbles Bar for happy hour before returning to your calming space for a soak in the bath. As the sun slips towards the horizon, pad out to your private deck to watch the moon rise over the lagoon.

Five-star opulence awaits those checking into the Four Seasons Bora Bora. You can admire spectacular Mount Otemanu from around the resort and spend tranquil days beneath the vast blue sky. Opt for an airy beachside villa to be close to the sand, or indulge your inner water baby with a stay in an overwater bungalow where you can dive into the crystal lagoon from your private deck. Regardless of your room choice, you’ll luxuriate among teak furnishings, traditionally patterned textiles and gleaming mother-of-pearl light fittings.

Greet the day with a morning yoga session by the shimmering lagoon, or get your heart rate up with a tennis match. Tamarii Club is on hand to entertain younger guests, while adults can retreat to the spa for a Kahaia Haven treatment using black pearls. Round things off with a sensory shower before heading to Arii Moana for an evening feast of fresh sea bass to a backdrop of a spectacular sunset.

Unwind among 44 acres of lush tropical gardens during your stay at Hotel The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. The French Polynesian seascape touches every corner of this extravagant resort, where you’ll gaze out on shockingly turquoise waters from every room. You can spread out across an incredible 368 square metres of space in a palm-fringed garden villa, or settle yourself above the rippling lagoon in a deluxe overwater suite.

To get close to native wildlife, visit the hotel’s innovative Lagoonarium or whirl across the island on an exhilarating jeep safari. If you have energy to burn, the equipped fitness centre might tempt you in. Otherwise, the outdoor oasis pool is a fresh alternative to the ocean for your noonday swim.

Select your indulgence of choice from a range of treatments at the on-site spa, such as a decadent monoi oil Taurumi massage. Afterwards, you can drift over to Aparima Bar for a cheeky afternoon cocktail—the coconut-flavoured Hina makes an ideal aperitif before platters of colourful sushi at Bam Boo Restaurant. Finish off your meal with a cup of hot sake before turning in for a quiet evening kissed by the ocean breeze.

You’ll be in view of the mystical peaks of Otemanu and Pahia when you stay at the four-star InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort. Located on Matira Point, this luxury getaway lets guests seeking a little seclusion choose between beachside and overwater abodes.

To get into the island spirit, have breakfast delivered straight to your private deck by traditional outrigger canoe. After a refreshing swim in the sparkling lagoon, grab a stand-up paddleboard and glide through the waters around the resort. There’s also a billiards lounge should you want a break from the sun, or you can join a snorkelling trip and spend the day in the company of exotic sea life.

In the afternoon, take the complimentary shuttle boat to Motu Piti Aau for a bit of indulgence at Deep Ocean Spa. You can pamper yourself with treatments like the Relaxing Pearl Rain Massage, or simply recline in a multi-sensory outdoor spa. Settle in at Noa Noa Restaurant towards sunset for a night of crystalline champagne and gourmet French-inspired cuisine.