Places Like Bora Bora But Cheaper!

LOOKING FOR PLACES LIKE BORA BORA BUT CHEAPER?

Dreaming of a luxurious tropical getaway with culture to explore, adventures to experience and pristine beaches to relax by? Your mind may have jumped to Bora Bora, known for its luxe overwater bungalows, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. But unfortunately, Bora Bora comes with quite a price tag. If you’re after a gorgeous holiday in the tropics without breaking the bank, these are the top places like Bora Bora but cheaper.

Just to give you an idea of the cost to travel to Bora Bora I’ve calculated the average price for a mid-range trip.

The average price for a mid-range, 7-day trip, excluding flights, is around $2000-2200 USD for a solo traveller, $2500- $2700 USD for a couple. So you expect to pay around $275 per day!

Save your hard-earned pennies with these extremely comparable places like Bora Bora but cheaper!

Places Like Bora Bora But Cheaper

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Noumea, New Caledonia

If you’re an Aussie or Kiwi, New Caledonia is a short trip away to experience the breathtaking beauty of the South Pacific with the subtle elegance of Europe. New Caledonia is a captivating, unique and diverse French overseas territory offering an exceptional variety of landscapes, cultures and activities. 

This corner of the globe should not be missed and is often not even considered when planning a holiday! Experience magnificent beaches, waterways and a range of breathtaking vantage points. 

Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, has a wealth of culture to explore. The multi-cultural city consists of mainly Melanesians (Kanak) and Europeans (French). The remainder are Polynesian and Asian. Spend time exploring museums, bush festivals, art galleries or theatres, and immerse yourself in the unique culture. 

Take a short trip to paradise, to experience the renowned gem of Southern New Caledonia, Isle of Pines. Labeled the closest island to paradise due to its crystalline waters, pure white sand and captivating views. Other islands to check out that are just as stunning are Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga and Maré.

If you are a foodie, dine at Le Méridien Nouméa Resort & Spa’s resident restaurants to taste some serious French dining. When in France, you also need to treat yourself to some delicious Crepes. Creperie Le Rocher has a range o sweet or savory crepes to enjoy, and with a view!

Fiji

Moving onto Fiji, a popular tropical getaway for Aussies due to the short-haul flight and abundance of activities. Fiji, a mere 4-hour flight from Australia’s east coast, is one of the most popular South Pacific Islands to explore. With over 300 islands, beautiful resorts and overwater bungalows, and Fijian culture and traditions to be immersed in. 

Starting with Nadi, considered the gateway to all things fun in Fiji. Located on the western side, Nadi is close to the Coral Coast and Denarau Island.

When in Nadi, spend some time island hopping the dreamy Mamanucas islands, the jewel of Fiji. Mamanuca Islands are home to world-class surf breaks, hidden caves, and stunning reefs. A short trip via air or water and you’ve landed in an unspoiled, inhibited tropical paradise. If you are game, take the plunge and dive with sharks in Beqa Lagoon. 

Venture out further to experience even more alluring natural attractions. I would recommend you explore Kadavu island and the surrounding islands. Nadi to Kadavu is a short 50-minute flight so be sure to factor that into your itinerary. Kadavu is home to the fourth largest reef in the world, the Great Astrolabe Reef.  But wait there’s more! Immerse yourself in vine-tangled jungles, rocky headlands and isolated beaches. Truly magical!

If you prefer to stay closer to Nadi, take a trip to Port Denarau Island. Shopping, a round of golf, spa treatments, dining out lounging by the beach and more! Port Denarau has it all. 

Lastly, North of Fiji is the Yasawa Islands, home to the magical Sawa-i-Lau Caves, which you may have seen in the Hollywood movie, Blue Lagoon. Best visited from a nearby island resort or take a seaplane excursion from the mainland. 

Cook Islands

Moving over to the spectacular Cook Islands. The Cook Islands has ties to New Zealand and is located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. 

The diversity of breathtaking natural attractions means you can tailor your ideal itinerary. Whether you are after a fast-paced action-packed holiday or a laidback culturally enriching experience, the options are limitless. 

Firstly, add the largest island, Rarotonga, to your itinerary. Rarotonga, is the gateway to the Cook Islands, the perfect place to stay to see the highlights. Climb the summit of the island’s mighty volcanic peak, explore the turquoise waters, swim with tropical fish, dine at restaurants with a Polynesian twist or embark on an adrenaline-pumping adventure. 

Get a taste of life on the Islands at the Punanga Nui Market every Saturday morning. Bustling with locals browsing the stalls and peaking up fresh produce for the week. Another highlight is the cultural performances on the main stage.

After exploring Rarotonga, spend a few days at Aitukai Island, located less than an hour’s flight from Rarotonga. The main town on the island, Arutanga, is a lovely place to stroll around and see the old church. Aitukai’s main drawcard is the small islets scattered across the crystal clear waters. Take a local cruise around to see it all! And make sure to stop off at One Foot Island to experience the tranquil location. 

Lastly, attend an Island Night to get a glimpse of cultural traditions. The Highland Paradise Cultural Centre on Rarotonga has excellent Island Night performances. If you can attend an Island Night in Aitutaki, you may be treated to Aitutakian fire-dancing, an impressive spectacle! 

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Vanuatu

Located in the South Pacific Ocean only a 3-hour plane ride from Brisbane, Australia, Vanuatu is an affordable experience not to be missed. From beautiful untouched waters to unique cultural experiences, Vanuatu is one of the best places like Bora Bora but cheaper! 

One of the best parts, Vanuatu is largely unexplored, unheard of, and doesn’t experience loads of tourists. Experience the deep-rooted culture, the friendly locals are eager to take you into the world to explore their world. Visit a range of villages and tribes across the islands to see what life in Vanuatu is like. 

Enjoy some of the world’s most pristine waters by diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, surfing, you name it! You can even scuba dive shipwrecks and World War 2 spots including Million Dollar Point. 

Get up close to an active volcano, and by close I mean the closest you are gonna get to any active volcano! Although not for the faint-hearted, its a once in a lifetime experience, to feel the heat, spell the sulfur and witness the eruptions. On the topic of volcanos, one drawback of travelling to Vanuatu is the risk of volcanic eruptions and subsequent tsunamis. If you plan to head to Vanuatu ensure you have travel insurance (which you should for any international travel) and just before you leave, check the Vanuatu Meterology alerts. If in doubt, it’s always better to be safe than sorry! 

What to do in Vanuatu

Continuing on with what to do in the absolutely gorgeous country of Vanuatu. I think a major drawcard for visiting Vanuatu is the blue caves. Located on Tanna Island, take a short dive underwater through the cave’s passageway and surface to an incredible sight. The sunlight floods through the top of the cave revealing the luminescent blue water. 

Speaking of blue water, the next attraction to see is the blue lagoon. Take a swing on the rope and enjoy the pristine blue water.  For all you beach lovers, a visit to Champagne Beach is a must to dip your toes in the powder white sand and clear waters. 

I could go on but the last must-see attraction in Vanuatu is watching the brave land divers of Pentecost Island. From April to June, land divers jump from the monumental towers with nothing but thin ropes and vines. A right of passage for men to thank and show reverence to the gods. 

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Philipines, Palawan

Palawan is an island located west of the Philippines that will take your breath away. The capital of the Palawan Province is Puerto Princesa, one of the cleanest cities in the Philippines. Major tourist destinations within Palawan include Coron, famous for its diving and El Nido, famous for its towering cliffs.

Expect bright blue waters surrounded by karst stone island cliffs with plenty to explore. Gorgeous beaches to explore, caves, jungles, rustic Filipino food and bottomless beer! 

Your itinerary should include island-hopping, caving, ziplining, snorkeling and scuba diving. For a day filled with underwater activities, spend the day far north of Palawan on Coron Island.

Just look how spectacular it is!

One thing to note, is although the Philippines has fewer tourists and is a more authentic experience than popular islands such as Thailand, it can be a little trickier to get around and jump from island to island. That being said it is absolutely doable with some planning and budgeting to spend a little bit more.

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Malaysia 

Further to the incredible places like Bora Bora but cheaper, Malaysia is an incredible alternative for saving dollars without sacrificing the experience.

Often travellers in South East Asia flock to Thailand, however, Malaysia is more untouched and just as beautiful (it shares its idyllic landscape with Indonesia!)

Spend a bit more in Penang or save your pennies in Langkawi. Or get the best of both worlds and do both!

Starting off with Penang, most of the tranquil beaches are on the northern side with a few along the western, south, and southwest coastline. Visit the famous beaches of Penang Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah, both of which have beachfront resorts with gorgeous views and loads of restaurants.

Water sports enthusiasts can spend the day jet-skiing, parasailing, or wind sailing, while the beach bums lay by the beach, sipping cocktails. Head down to the beach at sunset, to witness the incredible sight. 

Moving over to Langkawi, a romantic setting with white sand beaches and crystal waters to indulge in. Sample the local cuisine at the night markets, hike to waterfalls or go diving to explore the underwater world. 

World-class beaches on your list in Langkawi are Datai Bay, Tanjung Rhu and Pantai Cenang.

And lastly, a stop in Langkawi would not be complete until you stop by Eagle Square to check out the impressive eagle sculpture. 

Places like Bora Bora in Australia

I couldn’t not include Australia in a post about places like Bora Bora but cheaper! To finish off, let’s cover my home country, Australia and the beautiful reefs on offer just waiting to be explored!

Whitsundays, Australia

Discover the heart of the Great Barrier Reef at the Whitsunday Islands.

I’m not joking, there is a giant heart reef!

Explore the stunning composition of coral that formed the heart from a helicopter for the best view. One of the most luxurious experiences on the Islands, but also the most unforgettable and truly breathtaking. 

All you really need to know is how gorgeous the Whitsunday Islands are and I’m sure you are sold on booking a plane ticking!

Located about a 1hr 30min flight from Brisbane, the Whitsunday has a range of beautiful islands waiting to be explored. 

Secluded white sandy beaches to tan on, turquoise water to swim in, and world-class luxury accommodations to relax and unwind. 

Jump on an ocean raft and enjoy the stunning Whitehaven beach, arguably one of Australia’s best beaches. Next, strap on the snorkels and head on over to Daydream Island to swim with hundreds of marine species. 

Set sail around the 70+ islands of the Whitsundays via a bareboat charter. Be your own captain and skipper on your own million-dollar yacht for the day! Talk about luxury and a once ina lifetime experience!

If you are able to splurge on your trip, why not spend the night underwater? A unique and memorable experience in a Reefsuite combined with snorkeling, main meals, beverages and a cruise. A truly unforgettable experience. 

The Wrap Up: Places Like Bora Bora But Cheaper

Those were my top places like Bora Bora but cheaper! It is absolutely possible to have a luxury tropical getaway in other destinations that offer cheaper prices or a closer to your home town.

Leave a comment if you’ve been to any of the destinations mentioned above or if you prefer Bora Bora through and through!