They are both beautiful destinations, but there’s a lot to think about when deciding which one to visit. Apkmusk

The first thing to bear in mind is where you are travelling from. The Maldives is more readily accessible from Europe than Bora Bora is, but if you are based in the United States then Bora Bora is by far the best option.

The travel time to the Maldives from London is around 10 hours on a direct flight. Of course, lots of people pair Sri Lanka and the Maldives and so will fly via Colombo. Contrast this with the flight time to Bora Bora from London which can be anything upwards of 24 hours. From London to Bora Bora involves flying via Los Angeles, then onward to Tahiti before finally getting a short flight to Bora Bora.

The travel time to Bora Bora from the USA is around 10 hours – nine to get from Los Angeles to Papeete and then the onward flight to Bora Bora. Compare this with the flight time from the USA to the Maldives which is at least 27 hours. From LAX, you take a 16-hour flight to Dubai where you will change for an onward flight to the Maldives.

So if it’s accessibility you’re thinking about then the Maldives is easier to get to from Europe and the best option is a vacation in Bora Bora in a water bungalow from the United States.

The Islands

Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia. Many of our clients will pair Bora Bora with another island in the area. Renowned for its coral-fringed lagoons, we often recommend that pairing Bora Bora with Moorea and Tahiti is an ideal combination. The properties on Tahiti tend to not be quite as luxurious as those on Bora Bora.

Scuba diving in Bora Bora is perhaps some of the best in the world and it also has at its heart Mount Otemanu, a dormant volcano. Bora Bora is different from the Maldives in that it’s one island with multiple resorts. It means that although you are staying at one property, you can explore the island further, visiting other properties and dining elsewhere. You can be quite active in Bora Bora, discovering the island on a guided hike or a safari by jeep. Bora Bora water sports are popular too – jetskiing, paddle boarding, fishing, snorkelling and diving are all available and for those feeling that little bit more adventurous then you can turn your hand to shark feeding or swimming with stingray. Read more on why you should visit French Polynesia.

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When it comes to the Maldives, you’ll be spoilt for choice. With over 1,000 coral islands, the country is made up of 26 distinct atolls – which are rings of coral islands. For that private island feel then the Maldives is probably the ticket. Most Maldives resorts are based on their own individual island, each complete with their own iconic beaches. You don’t have to go very far in the Maldives to find that beautiful sandy beach you’ve seen in the brochures.

Switching off and doing nothing is one of the most popular choices for clients travelling to the Maldives. You could quite easily be lying on the beach at your resort and not see another soul for an hour. Most resorts have multiple beaches and private areas. When thinking about things to do in the Maldives, dolphin watching, scuba diving and other water sports are popular choices. And then it is said that scuba diving in the Maldives is perhaps some of the best on earth – but then we said that about Bora Bora too!

If scenery is on your wish list then you may wish to consider that Bora Bora has its mountain at its centre so you will find jagged rocks and a stunning view. In the Maldives, the low lying islands mean that there’s little scenery or forests to explore.

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