Maldives vs Bora Bora

The Maldives and Bora Bora are the two places most people picture when they think of overwater villas. Both have warm, clear lagoons and resorts built over the water, so they are often compared. The holidays they offer are quite different, though: Bora Bora is one island and its lagoon in French Polynesia, in the South Pacific, while the Maldives is a whole country of coral atolls in the Indian Ocean.

This guide compares the two fairly, so you can decide which suits your trip.

One lagoon or many atolls

Bora Bora is a volcanic island with a green mountain at its centre, surrounded by a lagoon and a ring of small islets. Its resorts are gathered around that one lagoon, and the mountain view is its most famous sight.

The Maldives has no mountains. Instead it spreads across many atolls, each a ring of low coral islands around its own lagoon. Most resorts have an island to themselves, so you choose not just a hotel but a whole island. Our atolls guide explains how the atolls differ.

Overwater villas in both

Overwater villas are a highlight of both destinations. In Bora Bora, many look across the lagoon towards the mountain. In the Maldives, they look out over open lagoon and ocean, and they come in many styles, from simple villas to large ones with private pools, at a wide range of resorts.

Many Maldives guests split their stay between an overwater villa and a beach villa. Our overwater vs beach villas guide compares the two.

Range of choice

Bora Bora has a fairly small number of resorts around its single lagoon. The Maldives has a much wider choice: resorts of very different sizes, styles and moods across many atolls, from quiet small islands to larger islands with plenty to do.

That wider choice is useful whatever your budget, because there are more options to match the villa, meal plan and transfer you want. Our guide to choosing a Maldives resort and meal plans guide explain how to narrow it down, and we can suggest hand-picked resorts that fit.

Reefs and marine life

Both lagoons are lovely for snorkelling. The Maldives is especially known for its reefs: many resort islands have a house reef you can swim to from the beach, and manta rays, turtles and reef sharks are part of island life. Read our guides to house reefs, marine life and Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay.

Sandbanks and lagoon days

Days on the lagoon are part of both holidays. In the Maldives, bare white sandbanks rise from the lagoons, and many resorts take guests out for a picnic or a swim. Our sandbanks guide explains how these trips work.

In Bora Bora, lagoon trips often include the islets around the lagoon, with the mountain as a backdrop. It also has hiking and a main island with villages, which the Maldives resort islands do not.

Getting there

Distance is one of the biggest differences. For travellers from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia, the Maldives is usually much closer than French Polynesia, and many airlines fly to Velana International Airport, often with a single connection. Bora Bora is closer for travellers from the Americas and the Pacific. Our flying to the Maldives guide explains the routes.

Once you land in the Maldives, the resort takes you straight to your island by speedboat, domestic flight or seaplane from Velana Airport. Bora Bora is usually reached by a short flight from Tahiti and then a boat to your resort. Our transfers guide explains the Maldives options.

Who each destination suits

• Travellers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia often find the Maldives easier to reach for a shorter break.
• Couples will love both; the Maldives adds a wide choice of private islands. See our honeymoon guide.
• Snorkellers and divers will find house reefs and many dive sites in the Maldives. See our dive sites guide.
• Travellers who love mountain views and a trip combined with other Pacific islands may prefer Bora Bora.

If you choose the Maldives

Start with our Maldives at a glance guide, then browse our hand-picked resorts. Tell us how you like to travel and we will suggest resorts that match, or write to us at [email protected].

Still comparing? See our guides to the Maldives vs Mauritius vs Seychelles and the Maldives vs Bali.