Bora Bora v the Maldives

[JMSA]

I'll level with you. I can't afford to go to either. Dreaming is free though
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to go to the Maldives. An overwater bungalow with glass floors, and a slide leading down to the sea. I love the sea and sea life, but very deep water freaks me out a little, so the thought of crystal blue shallows really appeals.
Or would Bora Bora fit the bill equally well? Problem is though, would I be left feeling that the Maldives is an itch yet to scratch?
Of course, this is hypothetical, at least for a few years yet. But my obsessive personality won't let it go.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has been to either. Or maybe you think there's somewhere better?
So, my prerequisites:

• luxury accommodation, but as above (on the water, etc)
• great marine life which is accessible without going too far out
• boat trips would be good
• fantastic food
• a price tag that's not prohibitively extortionate

I'm aware of the rainy season, and think that's probably best avoided.

Thanks for indulging me, especially as I'm in bed unwell

Can i come?

I’ve been to Bora Bora. It was amazing, and definitely has the marine life. It’s incredibly expensive, even for French Polynesia. We stayed in a youth hostel kind of place there and it was still very costly. Amazing place. You might find more of a bargain on one of the other islands - Tikehau or Fakarava, from memory, were both stunning and more off the beaten track.

I'm an introverted queerhawk, so had actually planned to go alone. But what the hell, I'll make an exception for you!

@Henddraig thank you!

Ive been to the Maldives, although not in a water bungalow, that was way out of the budget!. Honestly, it was everything I expected it to be and more....keep hanging onto to the dream 😊

DH and I went to the Maldives on our honeymoon in 2018.
it was gorgeous, everything I have ever dreamed of and more.
we split our two weeks and stayed in two different resorts, one was perfect for snorkelling and diving and the other had an amazing spa
it was perfect and worth every single penny we paid, would one hundred percent return (if somebody will look after the kids)
never done Bora Bora tho so can’t compare

My daughter is obsessed with Bora Bora, we let the kids choose a holiday after their GCSEs and this would be her choice, but it takes an unbelievable amount of time and plane transfers to get there. So vetoed.
Save up for the Maldives.

We went to the Maldives for our honeymoon, it was absolutely amazing.
We stayed in a beach bungalow and had the most perfect holiday.

I’ve been to the Maldives, and yes it was amazing. Bora Bora is on my bucket list too.
One of the trips we did from the Maldives resort was to a local island. It was very restricted and had no alcohol etc. but did have a fenced off part of the beach where tourists could sunbathe and swim. I think next time we would go to a local island for a cheap week, then a luxury week on a resort island.

Right, my instinct had always said 'Maldives', so the Maldives it is! in my head

@JMSA. Thank you. I'm similar, we can ignore each other

I have been to both.

French Polynesia is in the middle of no where and price and travel time reflect this. Worst flight ever LA to tahiti.
Look at turquoise Holidays... sometimes they have "deals" . To "save money" For food eat fish and tropical fruit and local beer .. dont eat meat its soooo expensive or French wine. There are five island groups and well worth considering the VV expensive bora bora as a 2 night stop and treat yourself to the bungalow etc. Youncan alsondona robinson crusoe tyoe atol too. Marine life awesome, we were diving and just phenomenal as well as walking round reefs / conoeing and snorkeling

We also went to Maldives
Again v expensive but all islands much of a muchness visually eg they are low lyung atols.. Still wonderful though but pick the right one for you and activities / water colour etc.

My heart is in French Polynesia But my head knows it was a once in a lifetime trip. Eg I'd be able to go again to the Maldives and take my children. FP once I win the lottery!

Xx

I’ve been to the Maldives several times. I like it but I’ve been to nicer places. It rains frequently and there isn’t much to do when it does. And it’s such a ball ache to get there. Usually two flights and then either a boat from Malé, a sea plane (fun, usually Aussie or saffer pilots in flip flops) or an internal flight.
I always feel a slight sense of anti climax in the Maldives. Maybe because expectations are high and getting there isn’t straightforward.
So TL;DR, try Bora Bora. And get well soon!

I’d be put off by the likely amount of Americans in Bora Bora.. that’s one of the reason we chose Mauritius for our honeymoon over the Caribbean!

I’d love to go to Bora Bora but I am…poora poora

I can't comment on Bora Bora, but we went to Maldives for our honeymoon and stayed in an overwater bungalow.

It wasn't a super fancy resort, but was still 10k for 10 days AI back in 2011. The sand was white, the sea life incredible (loads of creatures huddle under the shade of your bungalow). You're on an island, so no one is ever going to hassle you.

I'll admit, I was bored by day 7. One week would have been enough.

To @Lcb123 point. Fp and bora bora and Americans- more Americans in tahiti we had a room for the fmday in the hilton before going for a late airport's flight and Americans were everywhere
other places French speaking families. Honeymooners from all over the world... Definitely not too many Americans

I've been to both - my aunt worked in the Maldives and we went to visit and Bora Bora was our honeymoon. I actually didn't like Bora Bora that much, partly because it rained all day every day for a week. Our hotel was supposed to be v nice but was full of incredibly drunk and obnoxious Americans. Maldives for me for sure.

You and me botha botha

Thanks everyone. You're all lovely. Expect to hear from me when my lottery ticket comes in!

The Maldives. Went for my honeymoon. Had an overwater bungalow and it was paradise. You can fly directly with BA