13 Places Like Bora Bora (But Cheaper!)

Bora Bora, an island in French Polynesia, is on a lot of travellers’ bucket lists — and rightfully so. Its breathtaking beaches, turquoise waters and luxurious overwater bungalows are what vacation dreams are made of. But this sun-kissed paradise comes at a premium: a week-long trip for two can cost upwards of $10,000!

We’re not saying you should completely give up on your goals of visiting this incredible destination just because of the price tag, but we do want to point out that it isn’t the only island in the world. In fact, there are a ton of amazing places like Bora Bora for you to consider.

Whether you want to travel on the cheap, or simply want to spend less time saving up for your next beach vacation, check out these Bora Bora destination dupes.

Places like Bora Bora in the South Pacific

• Moorea
• Fiji
• Whitsunday Islands

Places like Bora Bora in the Caribbean

• Jamaica
• St. Lucia
• Antigua
• Belize

Places like Bora Bora in Asia and Africa

• Maldives
• Palawan
• Mauritius
• Zanzibar

Places like Bora Bora in other parts of the world

• Hawai‘i
• Ksamil 

You might as well get as close to the real thing as you can! Like Bora Bora, these beautiful islands have beaches with sugary sands, accommodations with overwater bungalows and stunning coral reefs teeming with tropical fish.

Have your heart set on vacationing in French Polynesia, but can’t afford the private beaches and luxury resorts in Bora Bora? Go to Moorea instead. Located off the coast of Tahiti, this island locale has everything you need for a romantic getaway — whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary trip or a plain ol’ baecation.

Not to mention, Moorea is easier to travel to. In order to get to Bora Bora, you need to book a pricey inter-island flight from Tahiti, the largest island in this archipelago; Moorea, meanwhile, is just a short ferry ride away.

Since white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees and overwater villas also abound here, you’d think it would be just as expensive as Bora Bora — but it’s not. Fiji is larger and therefore has a greater variety of accommodations, making it easier to tailor your trip to your budget.

Plus, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the island’s incredible culture and world-class snorkelling scene. This tropical paradise is home to some of the most welcoming local people, vibrant coral reefs and colourful marine life.

If staying at a resort with gorgeous overwater bungalows is really important to you, the Whitsunday Islands in Australia aren’t your best option. Luxury and budget-friendly accommodations coexist here, which ultimately limits the number of private overwater villas available. You won’t need to compromise on anything else though!

Tucked between the Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are an ideal place to discover the underwater world and its rich marine life. And if you prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to relax on.

One of the things that makes Bora Bora so expensive is that it’s so far away — more than 7,000km from Vancouver and almost 10,000km from Toronto. Cut down on costs and travel time by visiting these spots in the Caribbean.

With a wide array of all-inclusive resorts, a mix of beautiful beaches and lush jungle, and a culture steeped in reggae music and flavourful cuisine, Jamaica is a more diverse and lively island paradise than Bora Bora.

That said, you still have the option of indulging in calm, quiet luxury — and sleeping in spectacular overwater bungalows. The Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast all-inclusive resorts (located in Montego Bay and Whitehouse, respectively) have gorgeous villas for you to stay in. 

On the hunt for a great honeymoon destination? St. Lucia’s natural beauty and lush scenery is unparalleled, making it an ideal place to celebrate your newlywed status. The Pitons definitely hold their own against Bora Bora’s towering Mount Otemanu — and, no surprise, the mountains are surrounded by stunning beaches and luxurious accommodation options.

Here, you can fill your days with ziplining adventures, scuba diving, hiking, mud baths and more.

We’ll be honest with you: Antigua’s landscape doesn’t hold a candle to Bora Bora’s. Sure, it’s also lush and volcanic… but it just doesn’t have quite the same take-your-breath-away quality.

However, what this destination lacks in dramatic views it makes up for in pristine beaches and amazing all-inclusive resorts. From Hammock Cove’s beachside villas to the Royalton Antigua’s private bungalows (this luxury resort boasts the only overwater bungalows on the island, btw), you’re truly spoiled for choice.

Not everyone is cut out for lazy beach vacations, and that’s okay! For those who prefer to stay busy, Belize is a more-than-suitable alternative to Bora Bora. Located on the east coast of Central America, it offers you the chance to explore the land and the deep blue sea.

It’s home to pristine rainforests, beautiful beaches and the Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not to mention, there’s a ton of history and culture to discover at its more than 600 ancient Mayan sites. 

If you’ve been dreaming of Bora Bora, and also have Asia and Africa on your travel bucket list, these Indian Ocean archipelagos are for you. You may not technically be killing two birds with one stone… but it’ll feel like you are!

Secluded beaches, crystal-clear waters, private island resorts, iconic overwater bungalows, spa treatments — the Maldives, situated off the coast of Sri Lanka, offers everything that Bora Bora does. And as such, it can be just as expensive (if not more so). So, why did we include it on this list of cheaper alternatives? Because there are ways you can cut costs!

Like Fiji, there’s a greater variety of accommodations here so you can find a hotel that will take a smaller hit on your wallet. Or, if you’re really set on staying in an overwater bungalow with stunning sea views, you can wait until the off season (October–November) to visit this popular honeymoon destination.

This island in the Philippines consistently ranks as one of the world’s most gorgeous — and it’s easy to see why. Its tropical landscape is made up of dramatic limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches and lagoons so blue, you’ll think you’re swimming in Kool-Aid.

Whether you want to snorkel in colourful coral reefs or go island hopping, this is an idyllic spot to “wet” your appetite for adventure.  

Mauritius, an island nation in East Africa, is for the do-it-all traveller — someone who enjoys relaxing as much as they enjoy going on an adventure. You can choose to spend your days lounging on postcard-worthy beaches or getting out and enjoying the host of land and water activities around the island.

There isn’t a desire that can’t be met here. And on top of all that is the promise of delectable food inspired by some of the world’s greatest cuisines. From French and Italian influences to Thai, Indian and other Asian flavours, you're to satisfy every craving.

According to The Tanzania Times, hotels in Zanzibar cost five times less than those in Bora Bora. If that’s not enough to convince you to consider this destination dupe, we don’t know what is!

Of course, that’s not the only reason to visit this sunny locale (otherwise known as Spice Island). Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, this is a go-to spot for scuba diving, boating, kite surfing and more. Since you’ll already be in Tanzania, you might as well cap off your trip with a safari experience, too!

From the beautiful Pacific Ocean to the Ionian Sea, you can find some Bora Bora alternatives in the most unlikely (and easy-to-get-to) places! 

Though Bora Bora does have kid-friendly resorts and activities, it’s definitely not the first destination that comes to mind when we think about vacationing with kids. There’s just something about French Polynesia that gives off romantic honeymoon vibes rather than family trip vibes.

In Hawai‘i, there’s something for travellers of all ages to enjoy. No matter which of the scenic islands you decide to stay on, you’ll get to admire a stunning coastline, soak up the sun at a beach or outdoor pool, and create lifelong memories. Craving a bit of Bora Bora’s luxury? There are high-end hotels scattered across Maui, O‘ahu, Kauai and Lanai.

Albania is probably the last destination you were expecting to see on this list and that’s exactly why you should consider it. That, and the fact that some of our very own travel consultants named this Balkan country as one of the top hidden-gem spots in Europe during a recent Facebook Live event.

Ksamil, in particular, has all the things you want to enjoy in Bora Bora — including white sands and turquoise waters. The best part? You can fly and stay and eat and explore in Albania for a fraction of what you would spend on a luxurious resort in French Polynesia.

Want to visit these places like Bora Bora or other destinations that resemble private islands? Get in touch with our travel consultants today! We can help with everything from booking flights to finding luxury resorts with overwater villas.