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Be-lavie

Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise

BORA BORA: A GUIDE TO A ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP

1st December 2019

Last Updated on 28th November 2022 by Bejal

You know how they say dreams can come true, well mine did when I woke up on Christmas morning in Bora Bora! You loyal followers will be familiar with the ritual of yours truly and Dr. C jetting off somewhere each year for the festive period, well a couple of years back we undertook the most epic trip of our lives TO DATE may I just highlight!! We took a couple of months off work, purchased an ‘Around the World’ ticket, packed our bags and started an adventure. The most special part of that adventure was we meticulously arranged to spend Christmas on the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora.

In This Article

Toggle
  • Bora Bora
  • How To Get To Bora Bora
  • Christmas in Bora Bora
  • Arriving in Bora Bora
  • Private Island Life
  • Overwater Bungalow & Island Life
  • Search For Hotels in Bora Bora
  • Things To Do
  • Christmas Dining
  • Christmas Entertainment
  • Butler Service
  • Magical Sunsets
  • Know Before You Go
  • Pin For Later

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I know right about now, I’m going to be the most envied woman in the blogosphere but please forgive me whilst I reminisce with you how we spent the most perfect six days in what I can only describe as sheer, unadulterated paradise. Are you ready folks, strap in for the most magical time of the year….

Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Beach

Bora Bora

Bora Bora, known as the “Pearl of the Pacific, sits in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, between the Americas and Australia. Surrounded by a vast coral ring, its lagoon is considered the most beautiful in the world, and its many islets are lined with coconut trees and white-sand beaches. Offering amazing activities, from jet-skiing, sport fishing, para-sailing and glass-bottomed boats, to jeep safaris, tank dives and swimming with sharks, Bora Bora has to be the ultimate holiday destination.

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Contents
 [show]
  • Bora Bora
  • How to get to Bora Bora
  • Christmas in Bora Bora
  • Arriving in Bora Bora
  • Private Island Life
  • Overwater Bungalow & Island Life
  • Things to do
  • Christmas Dining
  • Christmas Entertainment
  • Butler Service
  • Magical Sunsets
  • Know Before You Go
  • Pin For Later

How To Get To Bora Bora

Flights to Bora Bora from the UK take around 31 hours, with two or three stops in places such as New York, Los Angeles and Tahiti. Bora Bora’s airport is on the nearby islet of Motu Mute, and Bora Bora is just a short boat ride away

CHECK RATES & BOOK FLIGHTS TO BORA BOra

Christmas in Bora Bora

Welcome to Christmas in Bora Bora. This is the view! Mainly hues of blue and green! It’s warm, its balmy, there may be a storm brewing, there’s no over commercialism or gluttony in sight. On the menu is a plethora of seafood, fruit, vegetables and coconuts. There is no smell of cinnamon or festive berries but instead the air exuberates with the fresh smell of salt water and perfumes that should be bottled from the frangipani trees. Christmas day, well, it’s a regular kind of day that the French Polynesians celebrate with family and friends, eating drinking and being merry.

Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Beach  with overwater villas

Arriving in Bora Bora

We boarded our flight from Auckland to Tahiti, the capital of French Polynesia, on Christmas Eve, which seemed like an eternity but actually only eight hours. After a restful night’s sleep we took a much shorter flight to the island of Bora Bora, approximately 50 minutes with the most breath taking views consisting of a medley of blue and lush green hues, not forgetting the coral loaded ocean.

Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Beach  Birdseye View from plane

Arriving at Bora Bora is like no other airport experience. For starters there’s the aroma of the Frangipani flowers coupled with the fact that your on a small part of the island totally surrounded by water. Customs and baggage collection is stress-free as we were met by representatives from our resort with stunning fresh flower leis and shell necklaces. The first hints of exclusivity prevail you as you see the different resort boast waiting to collect their guests from the airport jetty.

Arriving at Bora Bora Airport
Bora Bora Airport Resort Yachts
Bora Bora Airport Resort Yachts

Private Island Life

Ia Orana and Maeva  to Bora Bora

(hello pro. yo-rah-nah and mah-yeh-vah)

We were met by our captain and crew from Sofitel Private Motu or Island Bora Bora and were whisked through shimmering blue waters on a 20 minute cruise about to embark on a literal dream of a lifetime.

Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island Arrival

As we approached the motu, we could see our hosts standing on the jetty with brightly coloured sarongs and then we heard the conch shell welcoming us to the island and Bora Bora. As we alighted, fresh coconut drinks were pressed onto our hands and our necks were adorned with beautiful leis.

Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island Arrival
 Sofitel Private Island Arrival
Sofitel Private Island Arrival
Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island Arrival
Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island Arrival

It was a moment of utter speechlessness, 360 degree views of literal endless ocean with shadow of the great Mount Otemanu in the distance.

Mount Otemanu Views, Bora Bora

Sofitel Private Island Arrival

Overlooking one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island is located in the heart of the exceptional Matira Bay, nestled on a private islet facing the main island of Bora Bora. This is a secret hideaway, a peaceful and romantic retreat, with emphasis on the privacy and intimacy that is created by the 31 villas that serve as abodes on this motu surrounded by native vegetation and turquoise water and beautiful coral gardens.

Sofitel Private Island view when flying in
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise

There are many luxurious resorts in Bora Bora however, we opted to stay at Sofitel Private Island overlooking Bora Bora mainland for the reasons above and for its very authentic French Polynesian feel in terms of décor, styling, staff, a second to none hospitality and individuality and that it felt very unique to some of the other resort style abodes we’d researched. The island surpassed all our expectations and is true testament not to believe everything you read in reviews.

 Sofitel Private Island overwater villas
Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island overwater villas

Overwater Bungalow & Island Life

We took to island life like fish to water (excuse the pun)! Obviously we splurged excessively on a luxury overwater bungalow, the most quietest one in fact on the island (No. 112), which faced an incredible coral reef with panoramic views that were literally to die for. Think sunken bath, double sinks, Tahitian TV on tap, a filled drinks cabinet, a huge bed, a stunning terrace for breakfast and your very own stairs that take you right into the lagoon. Oh and not forgetting the glass bottom villa floor to watch the fish through! It was literal perfection.

Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island overwater villas

It was here that we awoke on Christmas morning and in all honestly, this was the best Christmas present ever. Breakfast was bought to us in a canoe by our hosts and consisted of a medley of fruit, juices, bakery items and hot items were available from the main restaurant Manu Tuki with delightful vistas of the lagoon.

Sofitel Private Island overwater villas

 

 Sofitel Private Island overwater villa balcony

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Things To Do

Island Life is very much what you’d expect. Long chilled days on the deck of the overwater bungalow, dipping in and out of the lagoon, snorkelling and looking at the marine life, taking a trip around mainland Bora Bora to discover some of what the locals get up to during their vacation time. I was eager to support some of the cottage industries out there and we visited a local house where the ladies made and dyed Pareos, the traditional sarong like attire.

Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Celebrating The Festive Season at Sofitel Private Island Bora Bora
Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island relaxing
Sofitel Private Island relaxing

Back on the private island there was an abundance of water activities to try out such as canoeing, sailing, paddle boarding and diving. Infact the Sofitel Bora Bora private Island has some of the best coral diving spots in French Polynesia.

Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island
Bora Bora Sofitel Private Island Sea life

Christmas Dining

Forget the roast and trimmings because in paradise, there is only one way to enjoy cuisine and that’s fresh. Fish as fresh as it comes, barbecued preferably but us veggies are not forgotten with rainbow salads, rice dishes, pastas and so much more. Wines are as crisp as they come and juices well, so many exotic fruits.

Sofitel Private Island Dining
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise

There are many local bars and restaurants including the very famous Bloody Mary’s, which is quite the celebrity hangout on mainland Bora Bora

Bora Bora: Island Tour to Bloody Mary's
Island Tour to Bloody Mary's

Christmas Entertainment

The Queens speech and the Christmas edition of EastEnders was well and truly substituted for some traditional French Polynesian dance. With the fire burning, a soft sea breeze and the beautifully elegant French Polynesian ladies swaying with fresh frangipani in their hair and supporting the dances of their warrior partners, there was no better way to end an evening!

Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise

Butler Service

Christmas was made extra special with the fabulous butlers who tended to outr every need, from arranging water sports and activities to sorting our luggage and delivering delicious breakfast to our room!

Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise

Magical Sunsets

If you didn’t fancy entertainment there was always the Pointe du Vue, a viewpoint at the top of the Private Island, a perfect place to relax with sundowners and of course watch the stunning sunsets that are absolutely unique from day to day!

Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Sunsets
Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Sunsets
Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Sunsets
Sofitel Private Island Sunsets

The following few days in paradise were a balmy blur treated to sunsets, private boat rides, romantic sundowners and some serious unplugging time.

Sofitel Private Island

Lets just say this was one festive period I didn’t want to come to an end. As they say at Sofitel

‘Life is Magnifique!

Nana (Pro. Nah Nah) Bora Bora, it was hard leaving you….

Leaving Sofitel Private Island
Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Sunsets

Christmas in paradise! How and where would you spend your ideal? Let me know in the comments below.

Bora Bora: Sofitel Private Island Sunsets
  • Address: Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island BP 516 Nunue 98730 French Polynesia
  • Tel: +689 40 60 56 00
  • Website & to book for best rates: Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island

Know Before You Go

  • For Visa & Entry Requirements take an assessment at the French Polynesian Tourism Site
  • Flight time from UK: 31 hours
  • Languages Spoken: French & Tahitian
  • Time Difference: GMT -10 hours
  • Additional advice for visiting French Polynesia can be obtained from the French Polynesian Embassy UK
  • Easily convert the US Dollars here at Google Currency Converter
  • Vaccination and medication information at Fit for Travel
  • Flights: Check the best flight rate for your Bora Bora Trip

Á Bientôt…

Pin For Later

Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise
Bora Bora: Celebrating The Festive Season in Paradise

12 Comments
Share
Bejal

I’m Bejal aka Be, an ex-scientist turned travel writer and digital content creator. I have travelled to 6 continents, visited 70 plus countries, including an around the world trip, making me quite the expert in crafting intricate itineraries. I love to discover some of the world's more remote destinations and stay in some incredible hidden location eco-hotels. My aim is to transport you, my audience, to inspirational and cultural global spots that are less visited and allow you to see the 'real' and authentic side of destinations through detailed guides with a sprinkling of luxury. The spotlight is on eco-friendly responsible experiential travel with lifelong memories.

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  • Mostlyfoodandtravel
    2nd December 2019

    The smile on your face says it all Bejal! Glowing and so happy. Bora Bora is definitely a bucket list item and your photos alway fill me with envy and inspire me to book that ticket

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Mostlyfoodandtravel
      2nd December 2019

      It really is a magical place but a very long way away and good to combine with another location to break up the crazy journey! However pure paradise awaits!

      Reply
  • louise
    2nd December 2019

    Yes – I am jealous! Everything looks like a dream come true to me! What a wonderful way to spend Christmas… Maybe when Clara gets older, and she is ready for a long-haul flight 🙂

    Reply
    • Bejal
      louise
      2nd December 2019

      It really is a dream come true Louise! It was just superb from the moment we arrived and reluctantly left. You will definitely have to go there but i warn you the flights are really long, but then again you can always twin it with another destination!!!

      Reply
  • Tanja
    4th December 2019

    oh wow! what else to say? a private island too:) #travellinkup

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Tanja
      15th December 2019

      Yes I have to say it was totally magical at the most magical time of the year! $TravelLinkUp

      Reply
  • Ladies what travel
    9th December 2019

    What an amazing way to spend Christmas! I’ve never been away over xmas or NYE, always stay home with the family, but this would make me change a habit of a lifetime lol! #travellinkup

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Ladies what travel
      9th December 2019

      It was such a lovely time! I reckon Bora Bora would definitely make you want to travel at Christmas!

      Reply
  • thetravelsofmrsb
    20th December 2019

    It looks like true paradise! What a perfect Christmas!

    Reply
    • Bejal
      thetravelsofmrsb
      28th December 2019

      Paradise is totally the right word to describe Bora Bora. I do hope you get a chance to visit one day.

      Reply
  • Stefan (BerkeleySqB)
    25th February 2021

    Ok… I admit it.. I’m dying with envy. Ellie & I always wanted to visit French Polynesia. Reading your post and looking at the pics it doesn’t just seem to be some stereotype, it literally is paradise on earth. Also: very cool that you two took some time off for an round-the-world trip, way to go..!!!

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Stefan (BerkeleySqB)
      25th February 2021

      Thanks so much for reading Stefan. It really is paradise and everything everyone says really is true! A proper pinch me trip and can hardly believe we made it here!

      Reply

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Hello, I'm Be, an ex-scientist turned travel writer and digital content creator having travelled to 70 plus countries, all over the globe. My aim is to transport you to less visited inspirational and cultural global spots showing off the 'real' authentic side of destinations through detailed guides with a sprinkling of luxury. The spotlight is on eco-friendly responsible travel with lots of coffee spots and veggie food thrown in!

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