Getting the ferry to Bora Bora is a great way to travel to this tropical paradise island
How to take the Ferry to Bora Bora
Taking the ferry to Bora Bora from Tahiti is an economical and scenic way to reach the tropical island paradise that is Bora Bora. The Apetahi Express runs three times per week, and stops at three other islands en route (Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a), continuing to Maupiti after its stop on Bora Bora.
It’s a leisurely journey on a well-equipped, air-conditioned passenger ship with fantastic views of the tropical Society Islands along the way. For those with the time (it takes roughly seven-and-a-half hours to reach Bora Bora from Tahiti), it’s the ideal way to travel.
Buying Tickets for the Ferry to Bora Bora
Buying your ticket online is fast and easy, and you will receive an e-receipt after purchase. At the time of writing, ferries leave Papeete at 6:30 am on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, returning on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays with an 8:50 am departure from Bora Bora.
We purchased our tickets in advance, although the ferry was far from full. At the ferry terminal, we presented our ticket screenshots at the check-in counter to receive our boarding passes.
Be prepared; while the Wi-Fi at Papeete Airport is free and easy to connect to, we could not connect to the Wi-Fi at the ferry terminal.
Getting to the Ferry Terminal in Papeete
Arriving from New Zealand, we landed in Papeete at the highly inconvenient time of 2 am. With ferries to Bora Bora leaving at 7 am, we knew getting accommodation wasn’t logical or within budget. So, we crashed at the airport (after our prospective taxi driver said it would be safer than a bench in Papeete), with what seemed like 10-20 other passengers doing the same.
At around 5 am, we decided to take a taxi (there are plenty at the airport, even at 3 am) to the ferry terminal. Before 6 am, Papeete’s metered taxis charge the night rate, so the 10-minute journey to the ferry terminal cost us NZD 37.
A well-known landmark in the centre of Papeete, any taxi driver will easily get you to the ferry terminal. But just in case, the address is Papeete Ferry Terminal, Gare Maritime, Papeete 98714, French Polynesia.
Checking in for the Ferry to Bora Bora
We don’t speak French, so communication at the ferry terminal was a challenge. We initially went to the wrong counter, and when we said “Bora Bora”, the cashier pointed us towards ticket counter 5. There, we showed screenshots of our online tickets, and the cashier printed them for us and directed us to the baggage area.
The ticket Counter for the Apetahi Express Ferry to Bora Bora
The baggage area was fenced in, and men checked our printed tickets, counted our bags, and pointed us to the correct baggage heap to drop them in, sorted by destination. They did not weigh or count our carry-on bags, even though they had a scale. After that, they sent us upstairs to Gate 3, above the ticket booths.
The baggage Drop-Off area for the Apetahi Express Ferry to Bora Bora
Boarding the Ferry to Bora Bora
Outside the gate, we waited with other gathering passengers until the attendants arrived to check passengers’ tickets against their IDs. There, we were scanned into the open-air waiting room until boarding commenced.
Scanning tickets before boarding the Apetahi Express ferry to Bora Bora
Boarding was seamless. The staff opened the gate at the far end of the waiting area, and we boarded the ferry. Our boat was not too full, and we all had rows to ourselves, which was a treat.
Boarding the Apetahi Express Ferry to Bora Bora
Tip: We recommend getting a table if you have at least two people, as these allow you to read, eat, and sleep more comfortably. The tables fill up first after boarding.
What it's like on Board the Ferry to Bora Bora
The ferry to Bora Bora exceeded our expectations, with outlets and USB chargers, a full cafe, and comfortable reclining chairs. It was a long journey, but still enjoyable. We slept for most of the journey, but went up to the open-air top deck as we approached each island to watch the loading and unloading. We even saw a pod of dolphins as we entered one of the lagoons. The cafe offered sandwiches (~NZD6.50) and coffees (~NZD4.70).
The views of the other Society Islands from the Ferry to Bora Bora made the journey worthwhile
Overall, the ferry to Bora Bora was a great experience. We charged all our electronics and had plenty of time to rest, eat and enjoy the scenery. If you have the time and are on a budget, the ferry to Bora Bora is the way to go!
Seats on the Apetahi Express ferry to Bora Bora have plugs and USB adaptors
The cafe aboard the Apetahi Express ferry to Bora Bora was reasonably well stocked
General Seating area aboard the Apetahi Express ferry to Bora Bora
Visited: June 2024