Bora Bora with Kids? These French Polynesia Family Resorts Belong on Your Vacation Bucket List

At these kid-friendly resorts in French Polynesia, there's something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Family at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa (Photo: IHG)
Photo: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa

The idyllic French Polynesian island of Bora Bora is a haven for honeymooners, but this romantic vacation spot for couples in the South Pacific Ocean is an equally spectacular destination for families too. Many Bora Bora resorts offer kid-friendly activities and their spacious accommodations allow even large families to spread out. White sand beaches deliver opportunities for building sandcastles and crystal-clear lagoons provide a safe space for kids to swim in calm water. 

However, Bora Bora certainly isn’t the cheapest destination for a family vacation, After all, it can be hard to find affordable transoceanic flights to reach this remote destination. On top of that, the best Bora Bora resorts are pricey, especially if you splurge on a classic overwater bungalow.

But if you’re looking for family vacation ideas in an out-of-this-world tropical location that will impress everyone from toddlers to teenagers, these kid-friendly Bora Bora hotels should be at the top of your bucket list. 

All of these resorts are located in Bora Bora unless otherwise noted.

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1. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Water activities at Four Seasons Bora Bora (Photo: John Russo)
Kids have their own outdoor playground and water-play area at Four Seasons Bora Bora (Photo: John Russo)

The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora earns family-friendly points with its sprawling multi-bedroom overwater bungalows and beachfront estates, some of which have private infinity or plunge pools. The smaller but no less luxurious one-bedroom bungalows can accommodate two adults and two children up to age 12 on a sofa bed.

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Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts properties are known for their impeccable service—after all, the brand promises “we can arrange virtually anything.” Indeed, the on-site concierge at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora can help plan personalized family activities on and off property, from kid-friendly snorkel tours to scuba diving lessons for teens. 

The supervised Kids for All Seasons program features its own meeting area for children ages five to 12, complete with an outdoor playground and water-play area. Kids can make new friends while they do fun arts-and-crafts projects, such as coconut painting. 

2. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Aerial view of Mont Otemanu and the St Regis Resort Bora-Bora (Photo: Shutterstock)
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort offers two- or three-bedroom villas perfect for families (Photo: Shutterstock)

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort welcomes large families (or families with older kids) with opulent two- or three-bedroom villas. Smaller but still spacious garden, beachside, and overwater bungalows each have a king bed and a sofa bed. Rollaway beds and cribs are additional options for your family’s sleeping needs, and children are welcomed with their own kid-sized robes.

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The on-site Lagoonarium, a protected sanctuary where coral abounds, is a great spot for children to give snorkeling a try in calm waters. It’s especially fun when it’s time for fish feeding. An exciting activity for the whole family is AquaSafari, where guests wear a special helmet that allows them to breathe underwater and walk with a guide to spot marine life and other lagoon treasures.

The complimentary kids’ club at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort provides supervised activities for children ages five to 12 in a colorful indoor playroom, and the resort offers free use of non-motorized water-sports equipment, including a Hobie Cat.

3. InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora

Vaitape, French Polynesia

Crystal clear water at InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort (Photo: IHG)
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort’s beachfront location offers direct access to the lagoon (Photo: IHG)

Traveling with a big brood? Check out the spacious Poevai Overwater Suite at the InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora, which can accommodate up to six people. Otherwise, beach bungalows allow for up to two adults and two children with a king bed and sofa bed; the beachfront location offers direct access to the pristine lagoon just steps away. 

This Bora Bora resort’s two-level swimming pool is a hit with families, as one area has a sandy graded entry that’s great for little swimmers, and teens can splash around the deeper area that reaches nearly six feet.

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Bora Bora is composed of a main island encircled by more remote motus (islets), where many of the upscale Bora Bora resorts are found. But the InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora is on the primary island, right next to public Matira Beach. That makes it convenient to check out an alternative place to swim in warm, tropical waters; it’s a popular local spot for evening sunset viewing, too.

The location of this kid-friendly Bora Bora resort means it’s also within easy walking distance of casual restaurants and a supermarket for snacks and sundries. 

4. InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa (Photo: IHG)
Every room at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa is an overwater bungalow (Photo: IHG)

The ultra-roomy Villa Teremoana at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa occupies the best location above the lagoon at the end of a pier with unobstructed views of towering Mount Otemanu. Ideal for a big family (or two friendly families), the 3,465-square foot overwater villa has two master suites connected by a large living area. 

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All of the accommodations at this InterContinental property are overwater bungalows, so no matter which room category you book, you’ll be able to hop into the lagoon for a swim right from your villa’s deck. Some even have private plunge pools. The rest of the overwater bungalows (outside of the two-bedroom Villa Teremoana) allow for up to two adults and two children.

It’s easy for kids to spot tropical fish in the resort’s Lagoonarium. This protected habitat is an area where coral is encouraged to grow and marine life flock to feed. You can snorkel (with complimentary equipment) amid the colorful coral, or if you want to stay dry you can see the fish and other creatures like eels and sea urchins simply by walking along an overwater walkway. 

5. Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Catamaran at sunset in Bora Bora (Photo: Shutterstock)
Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts offers sunset cruises on its solar-powered catamaran (Photo: Shutterstock)

Most of the rooms at Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts accommodate two adults and one child (on a sofa bed), so you’ll need to book the bigger villas with pools if you’re a family of four or larger. These accommodations have large sundecks with your very own plunge pool to relax in privately.

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Spend a day relaxing by the large pool or borrow snorkel gear to explore the underwater Toa Nui coral garden, where a variety of fish make their home. Or plan a family excursion on the turquoise lagoon with complimentary use of stand up paddleboards, kayaks, and outrigger canoes.

Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts also offers sunset cruises on its solar-powered catamaran, or you can book a half- or full-day private chartered excursion for your family. 

6. Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Colorful sky above Conrad Bora Bora Nui (Photo: Conrad Bora Bora Nui)
Kids will never run out of things to do at Conrad Bora Bora Nui (Photo: Conrad Bora Bora Nui)

You’ll want to book the Presidential Overwater Villa at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui if you’re two adults traveling with more than two kiddos. This two-story villa has two bedrooms, three bathrooms, three terraces, and personal butler service. If you don’t require such palatial accommodations, consider a range of other accommodations that suit families of four, from garden suites to overwater bungalows with their own pools. 

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The supervised Tamariki Kids Club at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui welcomes children ages five to 12 with an outdoor playground, indoor playroom, ping pong table, board games, and other activities. Children learn about the Polynesian culture and traditions through hands-on activities like making flower crowns, playing the ukulele, painting pareos, and learning Tahitian dances.

7. Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Overwater bungalows at Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora (Photo: Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora)
Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora is more affordable than the most luxurious Bora Bora resorts (Photo: Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora)

The Hotel Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora is less expensive than some of the luxury Bora Bora hotels. That said, it only offers rooms that can accommodate up to three people, so if you’re a family of four or more, you’ll need to book two separate rooms. Choose from overwater bungalows, beach bungalows, or oceanfront hotel rooms that are close to the lagoon, or garden-view rooms across the street that are nestled into the lush mountainside. 

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While this property may not be as luxurious as some of the other resorts in Bora Bora, it earns high marks for its moderate price tag and location that’s within easy walking distance of a supermarket and a car rental agency. There are also two restaurants and two bars on the property, and the hotel offers moped, electronic bike, and traditional bike rentals for exploring Bora Bora’s main island.

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Kara Williams
Kara Williams is a travel journalist whose work has received Lowell Thomas, SATW Western Chapter, and NATJA awards. She reports on everything from camping to luxury travel, and has a particular love of national parks, tropical destinations, and romantic escapes. Williams is a mom of two young adults and makes her home in the Colorado mountains.