Tap Water

Bora Bora has a huge desalinization plant, so the tap water is safe to drink. Most local residents still drink bottled water, available at all groceries.

Dietary Restrictions

Bora Bora has developed a unique culinary tradition as different cultures have infused the island with different traditions. The cuisine of Bora Bora is a mixture of traditional South Pacific cooking mixed with French, Italian and Japanese influences.

Most of the food is cooked in the traditional pit ovens. The ovens are made by digging a hole into the ground and stones placed into the hole are heated by fire.

Fish is the main staple of the Tahitian diet. Fish is often marinated in coconut milk before it is baked or grilled. Poisson cru is a very popular dish that consists of raw fish marinated in limejuice that is often served in a salad. Many dishes also include chicken, pork, sweet potatoes, breadfruit, rice, local fruit and vegetables such as papaya, mangoes, pineapples, bananas and fafa, which is a type of spinach.

Banana or papaya purees known as po’e are the most popular dessert served on the island.

Dining Experience

While the style of food may have adapted over the years, the tradition of eating Tahitian food with your hands is something that has remained.

Food tends to be a bit expensive in French Polynesia.  It is on par with dining out in New York, Los Angeles or Honolulu. Bora Bora has several good restaurants located outside the hotels.  These restaurants range in service from quaint family-owned businesses to large, elegant restaurants focused on French cuisine, gastronomic menus or local Polynesian specialties.

Average cost per meal in Bora Bora are about $130 to $175 USD for a couple.

Tipping

Historically, tipping has not been customary in the French Polynesia islands and is therefore not expected. However, it is certainly welcome if you feel you receive exemplary service.

If you do decide to tip, there is no “standard amount” for tipping (such as 15% to 20% here in the U.S.) and you simply tip whatever amount you feel is warranted, much like the French custom. We love to bring small gifts from home to hand out as tips/gifts to exceptional service staff, such as book about your hometown or some other token. The locals find this meaningful and in the Polynesian spirit of friendliness.