Bora-Bora hosts Hawaiki Nui Va'a on 31 October 2026

Bora-Bora hosts Hawaiki Nui Va'a from 28 to 31 October 2026, bringing the Polynesian outrigger-canoe race to Vaitape and Matira. The island, part of French Polynesia, provides the finish for the third stage and the lagoon setting for the event's closing races.

Hawaiki Nui Va'a reaches Bora-Bora

The 33rd edition follows a four-day programme across the Society Islands. The race begins at Huahine on Wednesday 28 October, continues from Raiatea to Taha'a on Thursday 29 October and reaches Bora-Bora from Taha'a on Friday 30 October.

The final offshore stage covers 58.2 kilometres to Matira, according to Polynésie La 1ère, while the official tourism listing names Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora-Bora as the event locations. The official 2026 race programme identifies the Comité Organisateur Hawaiki Nui Va'a and lists the route to Bora-Bora on 30 October.

The 31 October finale moves into the lagoon near Vaitape. Aere Va'a races bring together younger competitors, para va'a and other categories, extending Hawaiki Nui Va'a beyond its three principal stages.

The race follows Bora-Bora's lagoon geography

The island is a volcanic landform surrounded by a lagoon and coral reef, with Vaitape on the western side. Tahiti Tourisme lists the island's surface area as 24 square kilometres and names Vaitape as its administrative centre.

That geography explains the event's changing character. The 30 October finish approaches Matira from open water, whereas the Aere programme on 31 October takes place inside the lagoon at Vaitape. The race therefore connects two recognisable visitor settings without turning the island into a single-course venue.

Mount Otemanu dominates the central landscape at 727 metres. The main island's high volcanic slopes, surrounding motu and protected lagoon form the setting for the final section of a race whose official description includes both open sea and lagoon stages. Further background appears in Tahiti Tourisme's island profile.

Coverage brings the Vaitape finale to audiences

Polynésie La 1ère is covering the competition across television, radio and digital platforms. Its programme for the 2026 race places the third-stage arrival at Matira and the Aere races in the Vaitape lagoon on 31 October.

For visitors, the connection between the race and the island is clearest at the two endpoints. Matira is the arrival setting for the long stage from Taha'a, while Vaitape is the location named for the lagoon races. The event offers a time-specific reason to follow activity in both areas during the final two days.

Visiting Bora-Bora: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Hawaiki Nui Va'a runs from 28 to 31 October 2026; the third stage reaches Matira on 30 October and Aere races take place in the Vaitape lagoon on 31 October.
• The event's named visitor settings are Matira and Vaitape, with the latter hosting the lagoon finale rather than the open-water stage.
• Bora-Bora is in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and Vaitape is its administrative centre on the western side of the main island.
• The terrain combines a lagoon, coral reef, motu and steep volcanic mountains, including 727-metre Mount Otemanu.
• French and Tahitian are the official languages, and the national currency is the CFP franc.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Bora-Bora

When does Hawaiki Nui Va'a take place at Bora-Bora?

Hawaiki Nui Va'a runs from 28 to 31 October 2026. The third stage arrives at Matira on 30 October, followed by Aere races in the Vaitape lagoon on 31 October.

Where is Bora-Bora and how do you get there?

Bora-Bora is in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, with Vaitape on the western side of the main island. The event sources identify Matira and Vaitape as the relevant settings for the final stages.

What is Bora-Bora?

Bora-Bora is a volcanic island surrounded by a lagoon and coral reef. Mount Otemanu rises to 727 metres, and Tahiti Tourisme lists Vaitape as the administrative centre.