Vaitape Travel Guide

City City in Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

Vaitape fronts Bora Bora’s lagoon - visitors ferry to motu beaches, snorkel coral gardens, haggle for black pearl jewelry and watch Mount Otemanu tower across the water. Local markets and small eateries serve poisson cru and grilled fish.

Main image
Costs
$200-$500+ per day
Very expensive: dining, ferries and accommodation cost significantly more than mainland.
Safety
Safe, resort-focused
Generally safe; petty theft rare but standard island caution applies.
Best Time
May-October
Dry season is sunnier and calmer for lagoon activities.
In This Guide
Local Time
4:57 PM
GMT-10
Weather
Overcast 83°F
Overcast
Population
4,927
Infrastructure & Convenience
Small-town infrastructure: shops, ferries and tour operators; limited public transport but tourist services strong.
Popularity
Extremely popular with luxury tourists and honeymooners; gateway to Bora Bora resorts.
Known For
turquoise lagoon, overwater bungalows, snorkeling, Mount Otemanu, pearl farms, luxury resorts, sunsets, Matira Beach, water taxis, diving
Vaitape is the main commercial town of Bora Bora and the island's primary ferry and supply hub.

Why Visit Vaitape? #

As Bora Bora’s main settlement, this harbour village is a gateway to the island’s iconic lagoon and Mount Otemanu vistas. Visitors browse black-pearl shops, sample poisson cru and attend Polynesian dance performances that highlight local culture. With Matira Beach a short trip away, the town is handy for arranging boat tours, snorkeling outings and island excursions while staying connected to village life.

Best Things to Do in Vaitape

All Attractions ›
Bora Bora
1
Bora Bora
Tropical South Pacific island with turquoise lagoon and motus
Island
Raʻiātea
2
Raʻiātea
Second-largest Society Island, Polynesian cultural center
Island
Tahaʻa
3
Tahaʻa
French Polynesian island famed for vanilla and lagoons
Island
Mount Otemanu
4
Mount Otemanu
Jagged volcanic peak of Bora Bora island
Mountain

Vaitape Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Vaitape waterfront - Vaitape's waterfront clusters shops, cafés, and services that form Bora Bora's main town center.
  • Matira Beach - Matira Beach provides accessible white sand, calm swimming, and seaside bars just south of Vaitape.
  • Local pearl shops - Pearl boutiques in Vaitape display Tahitian black pearls and explain local pearl-culture traditions.
Hidden Gems
  • Bloody Mary's restaurant and bar - Bloody Mary's is a long-standing waterfront restaurant known for seafood and island ambiance.
  • Coral Gardens snorkel spots - Nearby coral gardens host abundant fish and accessible snorkeling close to boat ramps.
  • Small motu picnic sites - Private motu picnic sites offer secluded beaches and relaxed snorkeling within easy boat distance.
Day Trips
  • Motu snorkeling and picnic tours - Half-day boat trips to surrounding motus offer snorkeling, swimming, and picnic stops in the lagoon.
  • Mount Otemanu viewpoint - Boat or land trips to viewpoints give dramatic vistas over the lagoon and Mount Otemanu.

Best Time to Visit Vaitape #

Vaitape (Bora Bora) is nicest in the dry season (May-October) when skies are clearer, seas calmer and snorkeling is excellent. The wet season (Nov-Apr) brings heat, humidity and more rain.

Wet Season
November - April · 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Hot, humid with frequent rain showers; lush scenery but boat trips can be choppy.
Cool Dry Season
June - August · 23-28°C (73-82°F)
Drier, slightly cooler and very pleasant - ideal for snorkeling, hiking and calm seas.
Warm Dry Season
September - October · 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Warm and drier with fewer tourists - good balance of heat and clearer seas for diving.

Best Time to Visit Vaitape #

Climate

Vaitape's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1781 mm/year), wettest in December.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (226 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° – 30°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

226 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

February

February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (203 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° – 30°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

203 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

March

March is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
24° – 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

160 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (154 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° – 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

154 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.6h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (134 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° – 29°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

134 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

June

June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Regular rainfall (96 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
23° – 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° – 27°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.1h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° – 27°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° – 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° – 28°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (193 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° – 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

193 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

December

December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (244 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
24° – 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

244 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

How to Get to Vaitape

Vaitape (Bora Bora) is reached by flying from Papeete (PPT) to Bora Bora (BOB) and then taking a short boat shuttle to the main village. Air Tahiti is the primary domestic carrier for these inter-island flights.

By Air

Faa’a International Airport, Papeete (PPT): The main gateway to French Polynesia is Papeete on Tahiti; international flights arrive here. From Papeete take a domestic Air Tahiti flight to Bora Bora Airport (BOB) on Motu Mute - the flight is about 50 minutes.

Bora Bora Airport (BOB): Air Tahiti operates regular flights from Papeete to Bora Bora. On arrival at BOB you transfer by boat to Vaitape - the administrative village on Bora Bora - using resort or public shuttle boats (see below).

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no rail transport in French Polynesia.

Boat / Shuttle: From Bora Bora Airport (on Motu Mute) you must take a boat shuttle to Vaitape (main village on the main island). Resort transfers and public boat shuttles operate; the crossing is short (typically 10-20 minutes). Fares vary by operator - many resorts include the boat transfer in your booking; public boat shuttles charge modest fees.

How to Get Around Vaitape #

Vaitape (Bora Bora) is compact and easy to walk for short distances around town and the waterfront. Boats and water taxis are the primary means to reach motus and many resorts; rental scooters and cars are possible but limited. Airport transfers typically involve a short boat shuttle from the main island; within Vaitape, taxis and small ferries handle most passenger movement, and prices for boat transfers tend to be higher than land transfers elsewhere.

Where to Stay in Vaitape #

Budget
Vaitape town - $40-90/night
Vaitape (Bora Bora) town has a few modest pensions and family-run guesthouses; options are limited compared with island resorts.
Mid-Range
Motus around Vaitape - $150-350/night
Most comfortable mid-range stays are on the surrounding motus and resorts; Vaitape itself offers fewer mid-tier hotel choices.
Luxury
Private motus / Bora Bora resorts - $500+/night
Luxury is concentrated on private motus with overwater villas and exclusive resorts; Vaitape town has almost no comparable high-end properties.

Where to Eat in Vaitape #

Nightlife in Vaitape #

Nightlife in Vaitape is subdued and revolves around hotel restaurants, waterfront bars and the occasional live-music night. Late-night clubs are rare; most evenings are relaxed and dining-focused. If you want a livelier scene, check event listings at larger resorts or plan to be out during peak tourist evenings.

Shopping in Vaitape #

Shopping in Vaitape centres on small boutiques and souvenir shops selling local pearls, black coral jewellery, pareos and handcrafted items. There are also a few supermarkets and convenience stores for essentials. For luxury boutiques or a larger mall experience you’ll need to travel to Tahiti; Vaitape’s retail scene is focused on island crafts and tourist purchases.

Nearby Cities #

Uturoa
Uturoa
41 km away