Bora Bora vs The Maldives: Which Tropical Paradise is Best for You?

Who doesn't want to spend their vacation on a remote picture-perfect island in the middle of the ocean, away from the crowd? If you are a luxury traveler or looking to splurge on special occasions, Maldives and Bora Bora are the top two destinations for you. Both of them have to offer similar experiences from different parts of the ocean. We've been to both of the destinations to form some strong opinions for you. So, let's dive into the ocean and find the answer to the question, 'Bora Bora vs Maldives?' throughout this blog. 

Bora Bora 

In the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora is an island group in the Society Islands, which are part of French Polynesia. Jacob Roggeveen, the Dutch explorer, was the first European to sight Bora Bora in 1722. From the first European sighting, this tiny, calm, and beautiful atoll kept attracting travelers and explorers around the world. 

The reef and the lagoon have gifted Bora Bora with scenic beauty in the middle of the ocean. This is probably the reason it was called 'Pora Pora Mai te Pora' in ancient times, which means 'Created by the Gods' in the local Tahitian language. Bora Bora is popular for its beautiful and friendly Sharks, Stingrays, Barracudas, colorful Coral fish, Maraes, Mount Pahia, the lagoon, the reef, safari, and attractive beaches with over-water bungalows.

The Maldives 

The Maldives is a naturally gifted gem of the Indian Ocean. Nearly 52 years ago, the government of the Maldives started to promote tourism. Now, there are more than 1200 pristine coral islands and 26 atolls, making it a top destination for travelers around the world. This archipelago is known for its naturally gifted scenery, marine ecosystem, tropical environments, and high-class overwater bungalows. 

The Dhivehi cuisines, underwater restaurants, coral reefs, attractive sandy beaches, and dynamic nightlife of the Maldives will surely make your luxury or occasional tour memorable. On top of that, there are cruises and underwater activities to explore in the Maldives. 

Bora Bora vs the Maldives: Map

Bora Bora vs Maldives: The Comparison

It is always better to know about the destinations before planning a trip anywhere. The Maldives or Bora Bora are no exception to that. So, let's dive into the ocean and explore these two beautiful destinations for you. 

Location and Accessibility: The Maldives vs Bora Bora

The Maldives

The Maldives is an archipelago located south of the Indian subcontinent in the Indian Ocean. Being closer to the subcontinent, it is more accessible for tourists from around the world. You can simply take a flight towards Male, the capital city of Maldives. The flights are often more frequent and affordable for most of the travelers who prefer to travel in this archipelago. You can use seaplanes, cruises, and boat-ships to travel from one island to another within the archipelago. 

Bora Bora 

The French Polynesian atoll, Bora Bora, is a part of the Society Islands located in the South Pacific. To arrive at this remote island, you must take a long flight that often takes a stopover in Tahiti. It's true that this atoll's remoteness adds allure, but it makes it an expensive and time-consuming destination for everyone. For this reason, you may notice a lower European crowd while visiting Bora Bora. 

Verdict:

The Maldives won the battle of accessibility against Bora Bora. Arriving in the Maldivian archipelago takes a shorter flight time without any stopover, whereas reaching Bora Bora requires a long flight with a stopover. 

Climate: Bora Bora vs The Maldives  

The Maldives

With a warm and humid tropical monsoon climate, Maldives has a strong seasonal cycle. The annual mean temperature of this archipelago evolves around 28° Celsius (83°fahrenheit). As this archipelago belongs to the southern equatorial regions, you won't experience significant dry weather related to the northeastern monsoon wind. 

There are two monsoon seasons: northeastern and southwestern. The northeastern monsoon (dry season) starts in December and lasts until March, while the southwestern monsoon (wet season) starts in May and lasts until November. The southwestern monsoon causes strong winds, rain, and thunderstorms in this archipelago. The Maldives' average rainfall is around 1989 mm. 

Bora Bora

Despite being in a tropical region, Bora Bora is not an island with extreme heat. The climate remains warm and pleasant most of the year. The gentle south Pacific breeze and northeastern trade winds provide respite to the atoll. You may also notice a slight variation of temperatures between day and night, which keeps the evenings balmy. 

Bora Bora has two seasons: summer and winter. Summer starts in December and lasts till the end of April, while winter begins in May and lasts till October. The atoll got an average temperature of 26°celcius (80°Fahrenheit) as the water temperature remained the same. You may witness rainy days throughout the year, but December, January, and February get most of the rain in Bora Bora. 

Verdict: 

Bora Bora wins the climate challenge against the Maldives! As it got a comfortable tropical weather compared to the Maldivian archipelago. 

Natural Beauty: Bora Bora vs Maldives 

Bora Bora

Bora Bora is gifted with a blue lagoon, towering volcanic cliffs, lush greenery, coral reefs, maraes, and calm Pacific water. In the atoll's center, the remnants of an extinct volcano will catch everyone's eyes and give them a wide view of the blue lagoon and the island. As a part of the extinct volcano, the iconic Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia add a dramatic view to the atoll's tropical allure. Friendly native people, sharks, barracuda, and the underwater view will surely make your time enjoyable. 

The Maldives

The Dhivehi land is widely popular for its islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean. The turquoise water stretches, coconut trees, reefs, and the white sand beach of Maldives make it more attractive for everyone. As the islands are lower in elevation, these give a sense of serenity and isolation in the middle of the ocean. The underwater scenery of the archipelago will surely amaze you while diving in the ocean. 

Verdict: 

In terms of natural beauty, I'll pick Bora Bora over the Maldives. Its diverse landscapes, including cliffs, lagoons, and greenery, have made me enjoy my holidays. However, the serene uninterrupted ocean views, low-elevated islands, and white-sand beaches of the Maldives also amazed me a lot. 

Accommodation Options: The Maldives and Bora Bora

Bora Bora

The Bora Bora atoll offers some of the world's most luxurious overwater bungalows. In many of them, you can enjoy a view of marine life through the glass floors. Accommodation options at Bora Bora include high-end, exclusive resorts that are perfect for honeymooners and luxury travelers. You also find many private lodges that come at a lower price, exclusively for budgeted travelers. 

Top 5 luxury hotels of Bora Bora: 

1. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

2. Four Seasons Resort 

3. Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort 

4. Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort 

5. Conrad Bora Bora Nui 

Top 5 lodges of Bora Bora:

1. Bora Bora Holiday's Lodge

2. Toa Lodge Bora Bora 

3. Bora Bora Lodge 

4. Villa Yrondi

5. Sunset Hill Lodge

The Maldives

From budget-friendly stays to luxurious private island resorts, the Maldives have a wide range of options for accommodation. The Maldives also have many overwater villas with sandy beaches and transparent floors where you can view marine life. Depending on your budget, you can choose your accommodation.

Top 5 luxury hotels of Maldives:

1. Kudadoo Maldives Private Island 

2. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Island

3. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi 

4. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi 

5. Joali Maldives

Top 5 lodges of Maldives:

1. Ayada Maldives

2. LUX South Ari Atoll

3. Villa Nautica Atoll

4. Sheraton Maldives 

5. Kuramathi Maldives

Verdict: 

In terms of accommodation, the Maldives have got a wide range of options for accommodation compared to Bora Bora. So, Maldives wins the game of accommodation against Bora Bora.

Activities and Experiences: Maldives vs Bora Bora

Bora Bora

Tourist activities in Bora Bora are usually lagoon-based. You can do snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle-boarding, and shark or ray-feeding excursions. Also, you can experience swimming with sharks and stingrays while diving around the coral reefs. Moreover, you can enjoy land-based activities, including hiking, trekking the mountains, and visiting villages while traveling to Bora Bora.  

The Maldives

Most tourists' activities are marine-oriented in the Maldives, as land-based activities are limited due to the flat geographical landscapes. This archipelago offers many incredible underwater experiences. Diving with whale sharks and manta rays, jet skiing, surfing, parasailing, and water gliding are some of the incredible activities to do in the Maldives. 

Verdict: 

Bora Bora offers tourists a combination of land—and water-oriented experiences. The Maldives is better for water-oriented activities and marine exploration. 

Security: Bora Bora vs the Maldives

Bora Bora

The French Polynesian atoll, Bora Bora, is one of the safest and most secure destinations with lower crime rates. State Department of the US kept Bora Bora at its safest travel advisory level (Level 1), elaborating that as travelers are advised to "exercise normal precautions". However, some petty crimes include property crimes and burglary. Strict laws and regulations, high police presence, and security measures in resorts and lodges have kept this atoll's crime rates under the global average. Residents of Bora Bora don't hesitate to leave their homes unlocked because of the lower crime rates. 

The Maldives

The Maldives is also considered one of the safest destinations for tourists, with relatively lower crime rates in the tourist area. The US State Department has put the Maldives at an increased level of caution level (level 2). Most resorts in the Maldives have strict security measures in place to ensure the safety of tourists. But you just need to be mindful of local customs, especially while visiting non-resort islands. 

Verdict: 

Both Bora Bora and the Maldives are secure for tourists. But Bora Bora has the edge because it has strict security measures for everyone. 

Cost Comparison: Maldives vs Bora Bora

Bora Bora

Due to its remoteness, high-end accommodations, and exclusive experiences, Bora Bora is generally more expensive than other destinations. 

The Maldives

Compared to Bora Bora, the Maldives are more affordable, especially because they offer many accommodation options, cheaper flights, and budget-friendly luxuries.

Verdict:

On a limited budget, the Maldives have many things to offer its travelers. On the other hand, Bora Bora caters more to luxury travelers.

Cuisines: Bora Bora vs Maldives 

Bora Bora

Bora Bora's cuisine combines French, Italian, and Japanese influences. It is mostly influenced by French dishes with a lesser Italian and Japanese flair. Poisson Cru, Miti Hue, Fafa, Miti Haari, Mahi Mahi, and Chevrettes are some of the most popular and delicious dishes you'll find in Bora Bora.

The Maldives 

The Maldivian or Dhivehi cuisines are closely related to Indian cuisines as they include dishes for all tastes. Garudhiya is a type of fish soup that is vastly popular among the locals. I suggest you taste this while traveling to the Maldives. Masroshi, Biss Keemiya, Boshi Mashuni, Saagu Bondibai, Kulhi Boakibaa, Aluvi Boakibaa, Rihaakuru, Biyadho, and Gulab Jamun are some of the popular dishes you can try in the Maldives. 

Verdict: 

The Maldives has more variety in local cuisines, compared to Bora Bora. If you are a foodie and wants to taste a variety of cuisines the Dhivehi cuisines can be a perfect choice for you. 

Festivals: Maldives vs Bora Bora

The Maldives

Festivals in Maldives are usually national and religion-based. Though most of the tourist spots of this archipelago are isolated from local communities, you can still be a part of the Ramadan feast named Iftar with the local community during Ramadan. Eid and Fishermen's Day are also festive events in the Maldives. 

Bora Bora 

The French Plynesian atoll, Bora Bora has got a rich culture with traditional festivals. Tarua Varua, Faatitoraamoa, Matari’i Ni’a, Heiva I Bora Bora, Hawauku Nui Va’a Race are some of the traditional fesitvals of Bora Bora. In this atoll, you can see the festivals in almost every month of the year. 

Verdict: 

Compared to Maldives, Bora Bora have a festive atmosphere throughout the year. So, if you want to participate in the local festivals it is better to visit Bora Bora.

Overall, The Maldives and Bora Bora both are oceanic paradise for the tourists around the world. You know which destination you should choice to spend your precious holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is better for a honeymoon, Bora Bora or The Maldives?

Both Bora Bora and the Maldives are perfect destinations for honeymoons aBoth offerprivacy and luxury, oceanic landscapes, atolls, mand arine experiences. For a budgeted honeymoon trip, the Maldives is better as it offers diverse oaccommodation options, from low-budget toluxury. Bora Bora is better for a luxury honeymoon trip with aiverse landscapes and adventure for the couples. 

2. Which has better beaches, Bora Bora or The Maldives?

Well its a complicated question that is pretty tough to answer especially when you've visited both of them. For me, the white-sand beaches of Maldives are better with clear waters, especially the private beaches. Bora Bora offers a dramatic landscapes with its unique blue lagoon and white-sand beaches. It is pretty much confusing to choose between them. 

3. When is the best time to visit Bora Bora and The Maldives?

Dry seasons are the best time to visit both Bora Bora and the Maldives. April to November are the best time to visit Bora Bora and November to April are the best time to visit the Maldives. 

Conclusion

After this competitive showdown between the Maldives and Bora Bora, your choice depends on what you're seeking. Bora Bora has the dramatic landscapes with luxurious accommodations. The Maldives flat islands, atolls will provide you diverse accommodation options, marine life with an relatively easier access. Bora Bora is the better fit for luxury traveler and the Maldives is better for budgeted travelers. Either of the options will let you experience the tropical oceanic wind.