Why it made this week's list
Late August is a useful time to start looking at Bora Bora for travel from late September through early December. May through October is French Polynesia’s drier season, with lower humidity and generally cooler conditions, while November begins the warmer, wetter season. That creates an interesting window: October still offers some of the destination’s better weather, while late October and November can be worth comparing if your family is willing to trade a higher chance of showers for potentially fewer visitors.
Water temperatures remain around 81–82°F during this period, so swimming and snorkeling stay comfortable. For families not tied to Thanksgiving or Christmas school breaks, the weeks between the main dry-season rush and the holidays are especially worth checking for private rates.
Why families may like it
Bora Bora is often marketed to honeymooners, but this resort works surprisingly well for families who enjoy water more than organized attractions. Younger children can rotate between the beach and Main Pool, while confident swimmers, older kids and teenagers can snorkel the private Lagoonarium, kayak and paddleboard.
The resort offers family programming, child-sized amenities, cribs and access to babysitting arrangements. Restaurants also offer menus intended to work across age groups. Larger families should pay close attention to villa occupancy: the two-bedroom Overwater Royal Villa accommodates up to five guests.
The biggest challenge is logistics. The resort sits on a motu rather than Bora Bora’s main island, so exploring Vaitape, Matira Beach or historic sites requires a boat transfer. Families who want to walk out of their hotel and explore a town each evening may find the setting restrictive.
Hotel overview
The St. Regis Bora Bora occupies its own motu across the lagoon from Mount Otemanu, giving the resort the classic Bora Bora view many families picture before they arrive. Accommodations are unusually spacious: standard overwater villas begin around 1,550 square feet, while families wanting separate bedrooms can consider the two-bedroom Overwater Royal Villa, which sleeps up to five. Beach and garden villas are available as alternatives to sleeping directly over the water.
Days can be remarkably easy. There are two beaches, a family-friendly Main Pool, an adults-only Oasis Pool and a private Lagoonarium where guests can snorkel among tropical fish. Complimentary non-motorized watersports include kayaks and paddleboards. The spa gives parents an adult escape, and babysitting can be arranged through the concierge.
Dining includes French Polynesian/international, Italian and Asian options, plus casual poolside meals and 24-hour in-villa dining. Restaurant schedules vary, and dinner reservations are recommended. The Wednesday Polynesian dinner and show at Te Pahu can be an easy cultural evening without leaving the resort.
The limitation is isolation: getting to the main island requires planning and a boat.
Best for
Water-loving families — Swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking can fill several days without leaving the property. Less ideal for children who prefer theme parks or structured attractions.
Families with older children or teens — Bora Bora becomes much more interesting once children are comfortable snorkeling and spending long periods around water.
Multigenerational families — Large villas, resort downtime and activities that do not require strenuous touring make it easy to split up and regroup. Confirm occupancy before booking larger parties.
Families wanting an easy resort stay — You can happily spend several days on property without feeling like you are missing the main reason people visit Bora Bora: its lagoon.
Couples adding a family celebration — Spa time, sunset views and fine dining remain available even when children are traveling with you.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is built around one extraordinary geographic feature: a volcanic island crowned by Mount Otemanu and encircled by a shallow turquoise lagoon, reef and small offshore motu. The water is not simply scenery—it is where much of the trip happens. Lagoon tours combine snorkeling, coral gardens, rays, reef sharks and stops on small motu.
The main island is worth at least one outing. Vaitape is Bora Bora’s primary village and a good place to browse pearl shops, pareos, carved items and local products. Matira Beach, near the island’s southern tip, is the best-known public beach and an easy place for a relaxed swim. Families interested in history can explore reminders of Operation Bobcat, the U.S. military base established here during World War II. Restored cannon sites still overlook the coast.
Because the St. Regis is on a separate motu, this is not a hotel where you simply walk into town. Plan mainland outings intentionally and then treat the resort itself as part of the destination.
Most families will get the best balance from two or three off-resort excursions during a seven-night stay rather than trying to tour every day.
Things to do with children
St. Regis Lagoonarium — Snorkel a protected underwater sanctuary directly at the resort. Best for confident swimmers; allow 1–2 hours. A marine specialist leads discovery sessions three times weekly.
Kayak or paddleboard — Complimentary non-motorized equipment makes this an easy, inexpensive family activity. 30–90 minutes.
Bora Bora lagoon tour — Snorkeling excursions may include coral gardens, rays, reef sharks and a motu lunch. Best for school-age children and teens; usually half or full day. Conditions vary.
Matira Beach — Calm-water beach time on the main island. Combine with lunch or island sightseeing.
Operation Bobcat sites — Introduces children to Bora Bora’s WWII history. Site Haamaire has a short approximately 15-minute walk from the road.
4x4 island tour — Roughly three hours, with viewpoints, historic sites and cultural stops; advance booking is recommended.
Vaitape + Tahitian pearls — Browse local crafts and learn how Tahitian cultured pearls differ in color and shape. Tahiti Pearl Market operates year-round in 2026.
Tamaeva cultural workshop — A useful rainy-day option with activities such as weaving, dance, ukulele or pareo work.
Sample family itinerary
Day 1: Arrive & Exhale
Morning: Travel day.
Afternoon: Arrive at Bora Bora Airport, transfer by boat to the St. Regis and settle into your villa.
Evening: Easy dinner at the resort and an early night.
Family note: Avoid scheduling an excursion today. Bora Bora Airport itself sits on a motu, so arrival already involves a boat transfer.
Day 2: Resort Day
Morning: Breakfast, Main Beach and kayaks.
Afternoon: Main Pool and downtime in the villa.
Evening: Lagoon Restaurant or a casual resort dinner.
Family note: This intentionally slow day gives children time to adjust before longer excursions.
Day 3: Discover the Lagoon
Morning: Half-day or full-day family lagoon excursion.
Afternoon: Snorkel, see coral and marine life, with a motu lunch if included in your chosen tour.
Evening: Quiet dinner at the resort.
Family note: Ask operators about minimum ages, flotation equipment and sea conditions before booking.
Day 4: Main-Island Bora Bora
Morning: Boat to the main island and a guided 4x4 tour.
Afternoon: Matira Beach, followed by time in Vaitape.
Evening: Return to the St. Regis.
Family note: A guided island tour is easier than piecing together transportation from the resort and gives context to the WWII sites and local culture.
Day 5: The Slow Day
Morning: Sleep in, then snorkel the St. Regis Lagoonarium.
Afternoon: Parents can trade spa time while children enjoy the pool, beach or a relaxed villa afternoon.
Evening: Casual dinner or 24-hour in-villa dining.
Family note: Seven nights is long enough that a nearly unscheduled day is a feature, not wasted time.
Day 6: Choose Your Adventure
Morning: Older children: additional snorkeling, diving or a boat experience. Younger families: beach and paddleboards.
Afternoon: Return early for pool and rest.
Evening: Sunset views before dinner.
Family note: Keep this day flexible so you can move an earlier water excursion here if weather interferes.
Day 7: Culture + Favorite Things
Morning: Return to Vaitape for crafts, pearls or a cultural workshop.
Afternoon: Back at the resort, repeat whatever the family loved most—Lagoonarium, beach, pool or kayaking.
Evening: Wednesday visitors can consider Te Pahu’s Polynesian dinner and show; schedules should be reconfirmed before arrival.
Day 8: Departure
Morning: Final breakfast and short beach walk.
Afternoon: Resort boat transfer to Bora Bora Airport and onward flight.
Evening: Travel.
Family note: Confirm transfer timing with the resort rather than assuming the public Vaitape airport shuttle is the right option for your booking.
Best time to visit
Bora Bora is warm year-round, but May through October is generally the easiest period for families who want outdoor time. French Polynesia’s official tourism site identifies these months as the drier season, with lower humidity and lighter trade winds. November through April is warmer and wetter, with tropical showers and higher humidity.
From August through October, typical regional daytime highs are roughly 84–86°F, lows about 72–73°F, and lagoon temperatures around 81°F. November warms slightly, with water near 82°F.
July and August tend to be especially appealing for weather, but this overlaps with major vacation periods. October can be a useful compromise. November brings more rain risk but can be worth comparing for families prioritizing value and lower visitor levels. Christmas and New Year are a different equation: festive atmosphere, but typically not the period I would target when price is the priority.
Best overall: May–October
Best value: Late October–November worth comparing
Best weather: June–September
Best for fewer crowds: Wetter-season weeks outside holidays
Period to approach carefully: December–March if dependable sunshine is important
Family travel tips
1. Understand the airport transfer before you book. Bora Bora Airport is on Motu Mute, not the main island. The St. Regis currently lists its reserved airport shuttle at CFP 8,400 one way / 16,800 round trip; reconfirm current pricing with the resort.
2. Book key dinners early. Resort restaurant operating days differ, and Marriott specifically recommends dinner reservations. This matters during a seven-night stay because some restaurants close multiple nights each week.
3. Bring serious sun protection and reef-friendly swim gear. Much of the best family time happens directly on or in the lagoon, with stronger tropical sun exposure than families may expect.
4. Ask about villa water access. Overwater villas are spectacular, but direct lagoon access and deep water may be less comfortable with toddlers or weak swimmers. A beach or garden villa can make more sense.
5. Arrange childcare ahead for special dinners or spa time. Babysitting is available through the concierge, but the resort does not publish universal availability or pricing online.
Important things to know before booking
Airport transfer costs: The St. Regis currently publishes a paid, reservation-required airport boat transfer. Verify the rate when booking.
Villa occupancy varies: Do not assume every overwater villa fits a family of four or five. The two-bedroom Overwater Royal Villa specifically accommodates up to five.
This is not an all-inclusive resort: Dining inclusions depend on your booked rate or package. Breakfast, for example, may carry an additional charge.
Restaurant schedules change: Some venues are closed on particular days, so confirm the current schedule before arrival.
U.S. travelers: The State Department currently says U.S. tourists do not need a visa for stays under 90 days but must meet French Polynesia’s passport and onward/return-travel requirements. Recheck requirements before departure.
Final thoughts
Bora Bora is the kind of destination where the resort is a big part of the experience, and The St. Regis Bora Bora is especially well suited to families who are happy spending their days around the water. Between the Lagoonarium, beach, pools, paddleboards and spacious villas, you can enjoy several memorable days without feeling pressured to constantly leave the property.
That said, the trip becomes even better when you mix in a lagoon excursion, a visit to the main island and a little local culture. Seven nights gives you enough time to do that without rushing.
This is not the easiest or least expensive family vacation to reach, and families with very young children should think carefully about overwater villas and boat-based transportation. But for families looking for a special tropical trip with incredible scenery, warm water and plenty of time together, Bora Bora can absolutely live up to the anticipation.
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