French Polynesia — Society Islands
Is it safe to travel to Bora Bora?
Yes — Bora Bora is exceptionally safe. Crime is close to non-existent; the planning concerns are medical distance, the sun and the lagoon.
Reviewed 16 September 2026 · iLuxuryTravels Editorial
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity with French policing and standards, and Bora Bora is a small island where resorts occupy their own motu. Theft is rare and violent crime against visitors is close to unheard of. Most guests never lock anything.
Remoteness is the genuine consideration. Bora Bora has a local medical centre; anything serious means evacuation to Tahiti, roughly an hour by air. Travel insurance that explicitly covers medical evacuation is not optional here, particularly for older travellers or anyone with a condition.
In the lagoon, the hazards are mundane and avoidable: coral cuts that infect readily in warm water, stonefish on shallow sand, sunburn amplified by reflection, and currents in the passes. Reef shoes, sunscreen reapplied often, and lagoon excursions with a licensed guide handle all of it. Cyclone season runs November to April, though direct hits are infrequent.
Bora Bora safety: the questions people actually ask
- Is it safe to travel to Bora Bora?
- Yes, and it is among the safest destinations in the Pacific. Crime is minimal. Plan for medical remoteness, sun exposure and lagoon conditions instead.
- Are there sharks in the Bora Bora lagoon?
- Blacktip reef sharks and rays are common and are the basis of popular guided excursions. They are not a threat to swimmers. Follow the guide's instructions, do not feed by hand, and stay out of fishing areas.
- Do I need medical evacuation insurance for Bora Bora?
- Strongly recommended. Serious care means a flight to Tahiti. Check that your policy names medical evacuation explicitly and that it covers any pre-existing condition in the party.
- When is cyclone season in Bora Bora?
- November to April is the wet and cyclone season, with the greatest risk between January and March. Direct strikes are uncommon; the more likely effect is a few days of rain and cancelled boat excursions.
- Is the tap water safe in Bora Bora?
- Resorts supply treated or bottled drinking water and it is reliable. Elsewhere on the island, stick to bottled water.