Are you planning a weekend getaway or a romantic honeymoon with your partner but have issues selecting the best tropical island to visit? Whatever the event may be, both Fiji and Bora Bora are attractive options to consider.
They are both exotic islands with a lot to offer regarding entertainment and relaxation. But since most people usually face the constraint of time and money, selecting the best among the two becomes a necessity.
It’s not easy to select between Fiji and Bora Bora, but this article will help you with everything you need to know about both islands to decide which one best suits your preference.
Before diving into the difference between Fiji and Bora Bora, let’s briefly overview both islands.
Overview of Fiji
One thing many people aren’t aware of is that Fiji isn’t just a single island. Instead, Fiji is a vast island comprising 300 other smaller islands.
Fiji is famous for its sandy beaches lined with palm w and its pristine turquoise beaches with clear lagoons. Suva is Fiji’s capital city, with a population of about 900,000.
The city has a mixed population of Christians and Hindus, with English as the official language. The island also features two international airports, 25 domestic airports, and over 300 hotels.
Overview of Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a smaller island compared to Fiji. The island is just about 11.8 square miles and has a population of 10,000, a meager amount compared to Fiji.
The residents in Bora Bora speak French as their official language, although most can speak English fluently. Most people here are either Christians or follow the local religion of Tahiti.
Bora Bora has only one airport, called ”Bora Bora Airport (BOB)” with over 92 hotels.
Now that we have an overview of both tropical islands let’s check out how they differ in some significant areas.
Size
Let’s start our comparison using the size of both islands. When it comes, Fiji is miles above Bora Bora. The size of Fiji and Bora Bora is 600:1. Fiji is roughly 600 times bigger than the entire Bora Bora.
It’s not that Fiji is huge, but Bora Bora is tiny. You can tour the city by bicycle in approximately 3 to 4 hours. Fiji and Bora Bora are 1,992 miles apart, but they are pretty similar.
Climate
Their proximity to the equator highly influences the climate in Fiji and Bora Bora. It’s tough to distinguish the weather conditions in these two Islands since they’re relatively similar regarding the best times to visit.
In Fiji, rainy seasons are usually from October to May and possess a relatively high risk of cyclones. However, summer is your best choice if you would love to enjoy your vacation under a clear blue sky.
Summers are usually from May to September. However, like Fiji, Bora Bora experiences the rainy season from November to April, so you should also plan your trip here during the summer.
Accommodation
Accommodation is vital when planning your vacation, and the good news is that both Fiji and Bora Bora have excellent accommodations where you can enjoy your vacation undisturbed.
Fiji offers a broader range of accommodation options than Bora Bora. Regarding hotels, resorts, and guesthouses, Fiji is more pocket friendly than Bora Bora, as accommodation in Bora Bora is usually more luxurious.
The average night in Fiji costs about $30 to $40, while that of Bora Bora costs about $90 to $120. Regarding accommodation, Fiji is best for those who want a comfortable place where they won’t have to spend much.
Bora Bora, on the other hand, is best for those needing something more luxurious and expensive.
Budget
Planning your budget before your trip is vital as it helps you focus your spending and curb the problem of insufficient finance during travels.
If you’re planning to go to Fiji, you must know that the average daily expenses cost is about $140 to $160—the fee covers things like feeding and transportation.
If you’re planning to visit Bora Bora, on the other hand, the average daily expenses, cost is $200 to $250 based on your preference and lifestyle.
Conclusively, Fiji is more budget-friendly than Bora Bora, but the choice of which is better depends on your needs. For example, Fiji is ideal if you need a serene and reserved place with a low budget. On the other hand, Bora Bora is the perfect fit if you want a more sophisticated and luxurious location.
Beaches
When it comes to beaches, it’s hard to make a proper distinction between Fiji and Bora Bora because both islands have top-notch beaches.
Golden sands, tropical backdrops, and turquoise seas make every beach on these islands an Instagram post waiting to happen. Beaches in Fiji and Bora Bora have many similarities, but a few things distinguish them.
Beaches in Fiji are usually on the outer island, the only exception being Natadola Beach, which lies on Fiji’s mainland. For Bora Bora, the Beaches here partly belong to resorts; thus, entry into most of them usually comes at a cost.
Matira Beach, previously ranked by Conde Nast Traveler as the most beautiful beach in the world, is the only beach in Bora Bora that isn’t owned by a resort or charged at cost. However, since it’s the only public beach in Bora Bora, the area is usually very crowded, so you arrive here early if you need a good spot.
Whether you’re craving a nice romantic vacation or weekend outing to unwind, both Fiji and Bora Bora are good locations you won’t regret visiting.
Transportation
The cost of transportation in Fiji differs considerably from that of Bora Bora. Fiji has a more vast territory than Bora Bora; moving around the city is costlier than touring Bora Bora.
You don’t need to break the bank to move around in Bora Bora as the island is tiny, and you can even tour the entire island in a single drive.
Safety
Safety has never been an issue in Fiji and Bora Bora. Both tropical islands are a haven for tourists and travelers.
Visitors in Fiji must be slightly careful, especially while wandering in urban areas at night.
On the other hand, Bora Bora has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, so it’s a generally secure place to stay. Regardless, you’ll have to pay relentless attention to the roads if you plan to tour with a car, as the streets are usually narrow.
Sightseeing
Fiji and Bora Bora have numerous attractions that would make your stay in either city worthwhile. Of course, based on Fiji’s vast size and islands, there are more activities here than in Bora Bora, but that doesn’t stop Bora Bora from being a fantastic tourist destination.
Merits of Living in Fiji
In summary, here are a few things that you’ll benefit from living in Fiji
• Affordable housing when compared to Bora Bora
• Numerous island gives a vast option for exploration
• Communication with the locals is effortless
• Less money for standard services
Demerits of Living in Fiji
All cities have good and bad traits, and this wonderful island of Fiji is no exception. Here are a few demerits of living in Fiji
• The cyclone season in Fiji is slightly intense.
• Touring the city can be time-consuming since there are a lot of places to see
Merits of Staying in Bora Bora
• You’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world here
• Perfect for lovers of seclusion and luxury
• Safe and can be navigated with a bike
• Perfect choice for those seeking a shorter but more concentrated experience
Demerits of Living in Bora Bora
• The lifestyle here is a bit expensive
• The island is small for lovers of exploration.
Fiji vs. Bora Bora? Which of These Islands is Best For Your Next Vacation?
Conclusively, Fiji and Bora Bora are excellent destinations you’ll enjoy visiting.
Fiji is ideal for an average visitor seeking to enjoy their vacation in a less secluded place. The area is much bigger and has a broader range of fun activities with more flexible accommodations for all budgets.
Bora Bora, on the other, is perfect for those looking for a secluded but more concentrated vacation.
However, if you require a little luxury and pampering and spending more money isn’t a problem, Bora Bora is the best option for you. It’s also the best option if you only have 2 to 3 days off and wish to make the best out of your break, as you can explore the entire island within this time frame and Mark it entirely off your itinerary.
