Bora Bora in French Polynesia is a leading contender for the title of the world’s most romantic island. A heavenly combination of turquoise lagoons, lush green mountains, snorkelling, diving, chilled cocktails, sunshine, white sand beaches, palm trees and overwater bungalows.
French Polynesia is a collection of five archipelagos in the Pacific Ocean comprising 118 islands. The most well known are the Society Islands which include the popular islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Mo'orea.
The temperatures are consistent all year round, ranging from 20 to 31°C but in the high season, between May and October, it is slightly cooler, not as humid and less prone to the rain and storms of the low season.
However, it is possible to stay in the low season and see little or no rain, and due to the huge distances between many of the islands, one can have rain whilst another is in bright sunshine.
A big consideration for any adventure to this incredible part of the world is the distance and time that it takes to get there from the UK. The elapsed journey time to Tahiti, the entry point to French Polynesia, is almost 24 hours.
The most popular route is to fly to Los Angeles, which is around 11 hours, and then it's at least a three-hour connection, followed by an eight-hour flight to Tahiti.
Very few hotels in the Pacific offer an all-inclusive meal program to their guests; most will include just breakfast. Some do offer early booking incentives for honeymooners that will include breakfast and dinner.
When budgeting for meal costs, you should allow around £80 per person per day for stays in French Polynesia. These estimates are based upon the likelihood that you will not eat three full meals every day due to travelling, excursions or time differences that affect your body clock.
Alcoholic drinks are approximately 80% of UK prices and good hotels will have a range of wines to suit all palates and budgets.
My recommended Honeymoon itinerary, just like my lovely client Jennie did, would be to travel straight to Tahiti - the excitement of what awaits will keep you going through the long journey.
Travelling so far, it would be a shame to visit a single island so why not consider staying on two? Start with a few nights on Mo’orea, perhaps staying in a garden or beach villa, and then for the trip highlight stay in a stunning overwater bungalow on Bora Bora. If you have the time, then consider stopping for a couple of nights in Los Angeles on the way back, aside from adding a different experience to your trip, it really helps to break up the journey home.
Mo’orea
Mo’orea is one of the most scenically striking islands in French Polynesia and is reached by a short 15-minute flight or an approximate 40-minute boat trip from Tahiti.
It's known for its jagged volcanic mountains, whose slopes are covered with pineapple plantations and lush jungle, and for its sandy beaches, some a dazzling white and others with deep black volcanic sand.
The island is just ten miles in width from west to east with its highest mountain Mount Tohivea, at 3,960ft.
Take a tour and admire the mountains from Belvedere Lookout and the beautiful viewpoint from the top of Magic Mountain.
The road that borders Mo’orea can be driven in just over an hour. However, the 37-mile route is far better toured in half a day with stops at beaches, restaurants and lookout points.
The Hilton Mo’orea Lagoon Resort can be found on a white sand beach in a secluded north coast location between the historic Opunohu Bay and Cooks Bay.
The garden, beach and overwater bungalows are all spacious, light and contemporary with traditional Polynesian decor.
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, minibars, free-standing baths and separate showers, safes, tea and coffee facilities and flat-screen TVs.
Each garden villa has its own private swimming pool while the overwater rooms offer direct lagoon access.
The hotel boasts a large swimming pool along with two small, white-sand beaches that overlook the lagoon. The resort offers free use of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkels. The snorkelling is excellent due to the implanted coral garden.
Nearby, there are several different tours and excursions to experience and keep you busy, such as horseback riding, full or half-day guided hiking, sunset cruises, ray and shark feeding, dolphin and whale watching, island safaris, helicopter tours, bike rental and ATV quad bike tours.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is considered one of the earth’s most romantic places and is reached by a spectacular 50-minute flight from Mo’orea or Tahiti. The airport is on the nearby islet of Motu Mute with Bora Bora just a short boat ride away.
The main island is in the middle of a magnificent multi-coloured lagoon, surrounded by a necklace of coral reefs and at its centre, the dormant volcano of Mount Otemanu rises 727m above the sea.
In addition to the fantastic snorkelling and diving experiences to be had, driving or cycling the 18-mile road that circles the island is a must.
You will pass through unspoilt, colourful villages steeped in Polynesian history and experience the vista of beautiful Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, providing a stunning backdrop to the islands’ beaches.
Pearl Beach Resort is located on Motu Tevairoa and reached by a 15-minute boat ride. The hotel has an authentic Polynesian style and architecture, and is set in a beautiful tropical garden, giving spectacular views of the dazzling turquoise lagoon and the forest-covered Bora Bora.
Accommodation choices consist of walled garden villas with teardrop-shaped plunge pools, beach villas directly on the sand with views, gardens and plunge pools; and then ideal for honeymooners are the overwater bungalows with steps straight into the lagoon and featuring underwater spotlights.
For the more energetic, the hotel offers kayaks and canoes, snorkelling, jet skis, fishing trips, scuba diving and island tours - powered activities and tours are charged locally - as well as tennis, table tennis, volleyball and badminton.
There is also a large beachside freshwater swimming pool, a movie theatre, library, billiard table and games room.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle boat to the main island from 8am to 11pm daily, providing the opportunity to visit and explore its little towns and villages and to dine at local restaurants.
One of the unique activities at the Pearl is being able to participate in the upkeep and 'planting' at the resort's Coral Nursery. In 2001, together with a marine biologist, an artificial reef was created, which has since, transplanted and cultivated 4,000 coral colonies, and now attracts more than 70 fish species.
This will undoubtedly be a once in a lifetime, never to be forgotten trip, ideal for either a honeymoon or a very special anniversary.
