Some trips are memorable… and then some trips feel like they belong in a movie.
Bryan and I were married on May 18, 2024, and the very next day we set off for the honeymoon we had dreamed about for years — French Polynesia.
Our journey took us from the lush mountains of Moorea to the world-famous turquoise lagoons of Bora Bora. Along the way we snorkeled with stingrays, rode jet skis through “50 shades of blue,” explored the island on a scooter in the rain, and stayed in overwater bungalows that felt almost too beautiful to be real.
From champagne sabrage to sunset catamaran cruises, this trip gave us memories we will talk about for the rest of our lives.
If Bora Bora is on your bucket list, here’s exactly how we experienced it.
🌺 Honeymoon in French Polynesia: Our Moorea & Bora Bora Adventure
Bryan and I were married on May 18, 2024, and the very next day we set off on what would become one of the most incredible trips of our lives—our honeymoon in French Polynesia.
Our journey began with a first-class flight from DFW to Los Angeles, but the surprises started before we even left Texas. When we boarded the plane, my brother walked down the aisle and sat right next to us. He had secretly booked the seat beside us so he could fly to LA with us and send us off in style. Before we departed for Tahiti, he treated us to a bon voyage drink at the airport, which made the start of our honeymoon even more special.
Because we had a long layover in Los Angeles, we spent some time relaxing in the airport lounge before boarding our overnight flight on Air Tahiti Nui. The flight to Tahiti is about eight hours, and before we knew it, we were descending into Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia.
Instead of staying in Tahiti, we immediately headed to our first island destination. After landing, we boarded a 25-minute ferry ride to Moorea, and from the moment the island came into view, we knew we had arrived somewhere extraordinary.
We stayed at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, and the welcome alone set the tone for the entire trip. When we arrived, we were greeted with cold towels and fresh pineapple juice, which felt amazing after such a long travel day.
Since our room wasn’t quite ready yet, we decided to start the honeymoon properly—with a couples massage at the spa.
Not a bad way to recover from a long flight.
Afterward, we were escorted to our overwater bungalow, which would become our little home in paradise for the next few days. The villa had incredible privacy, and the water below us was so clear and shallow that we could snorkel right off our own balcony.
Standing there for the first time, looking out over the lagoon, we both had the same thought:
This place almost didn’t look real.
🌍 Island Trivia:
Moorea is often called “Tahiti’s sister island.” It sits just 10 miles away from Tahiti, but it feels like a completely different world. The island is famous for its dramatic volcanic peaks, crystal-clear lagoons, and some of the best snorkeling in all of French Polynesia.
🌺 Moorea: Our First Island in Paradise
Our first evening in Moorea was the perfect introduction to island life.
We had dinner at Toatea, the crepe bar at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa. Dining there comes with an unexpected form of entertainment—blacktip reef sharks swim through the shallow water below the restaurant at night. Watching them glide through the lagoon while enjoying dinner felt both surreal and a little thrilling. It was our first real reminder that we had arrived somewhere truly special.
🏝 Day 2: Exploring Moorea by ATV
The next morning we set out to explore the island on an ATV tour around the mountains of Moorea, and it quickly became one of our favorite excursions of the trip.
Our guide, Appolina, was incredible—so knowledgeable and full of personality. She’s originally from Paris but fell in love with Moorea and has called the island home for the past 10 years.
One of our first stops was the Belvedere Lookout, where the views were absolutely breathtaking. From this spot you can see Cook’s Bay on one side and Opunohu Bay on the other, with the lush green mountains rising dramatically behind them. It’s one of the most famous viewpoints on the island, and once you see it in person, it’s easy to understand why.
We also stopped to admire Mount Rotui, one of the island’s most recognizable peaks.
Another fascinating stop was what locals call the “Tree of Life.” This is the exact tree visited by filmmaker James Cameron, and it served as inspiration for elements of his film Avatar.
As we continued exploring, our guide pointed out something incredibly unique about Mount Moua Puta. When you look up at the mountain from a certain angle, the rock formation looks like a giant face gazing upward toward the sky. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
🍍 Pineapple Farm Stop
One of the highlights of the tour was visiting a local pineapple farm.
Moorea grows incredibly sweet pineapples, and here’s a fun fact: French Polynesia does not export its pineapples. That means the only place you can taste these amazing pineapples is right here on the islands.
We stopped for a tasting that included:
- fresh tropical fruit
- local jams
- flavored marshmallows
- and of course, local beer
It was such a fun and unexpected part of the day.
⛰ Magic Mountain
Our final stop was Magic Mountain, and the views from the top were nothing short of spectacular. From this lookout you can see the lagoon stretching out below and even spot parts of the Hilton Moorea Resort where we were staying.
Standing there looking out over the island, it was one of those moments where you realize:
This is exactly why people dream of visiting French Polynesia.
🌍 Island Trivia:
Moorea is famous for its heart-shaped island geography, which you can really see from above. The two large bays—Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay—were formed thousands of years ago by volcanic activity and erosion. Today they are considered two of the most beautiful bays in the South Pacific.
🍽 Dinner at One of Moorea’s Most Famous Restaurants
That evening we left the resort to try Rudy’s, one of Moorea’s most well-known local restaurants. Rudy’s has been a longtime favorite among visitors to the island and offers a relaxed atmosphere with a mix of local flavors and classic dishes. It was a fun way to get off the resort for the evening and experience a little of Moorea’s local dining scene. And while we were there, we couldn’t resist trying their pineapple upside-down cake, a dessert many visitors say is a must when dining there.
🐠 Lagoon Life at Our Overwater Bungalow
The next day we slowed things down and took full advantage of one of the best parts of staying in an overwater bungalow—snorkeling right off our balcony.
The lagoon below our villa was incredibly clear and shallow, making it easy to step down into the water and explore. We spent a good part of the day floating around the lagoon, surrounded by colorful tropical fish and even a few stingrays gliding through the water beneath us.
Moments like that were exactly what we had imagined when we dreamed about visiting French Polynesia.
💃 A Night of Polynesian Culture
That evening the resort hosted a traditional Polynesian dinner show, and it ended up being one of the most fun nights of our stay.
Dinner was served buffet-style with a variety of local dishes, and the evening featured traditional Polynesian dancers and live music. The energy of the performance, combined with the beautiful lagoon setting, made for an unforgettable experience.
Watching the dancers perform under the island night sky felt like the perfect way to end our time in Moorea.
✈️ Off to Bora Bora
The next morning it was time to say goodbye to Moorea.
After three incredible nights, we checked out of the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa and headed to the Moorea airport for our next adventure.
From there we boarded a 55-minute flight to Bora Bora.
Leaving Moorea wasn’t easy—it had already stolen a piece of our hearts—but we were also incredibly excited to experience the island that many people consider the crown jewel of French Polynesia.
Next stop: Bora Bora.
🌴 Island Trivia:
Moorea is often called “the adventurous island” of French Polynesia because of its lush mountains, ATV tours, hiking trails, and agricultural farms. Bora Bora, on the other hand, is famous for its turquoise lagoon and luxury overwater resorts, making it one of the most sought-after honeymoon destinations in the world.
✈️ Arriving in Bora Bora
Flying into Bora Bora felt like something straight out of a movie.
As the plane descended, the views from the window were absolutely mesmerizing. From above, the lagoon looked like a giant watercolor painting with every shade of blue imaginable.
When we landed, we were escorted to a private boat transfer for a quick 15-minute ride across the lagoon to our resort, the stunning The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.
It’s hard to adequately describe the color of the water there. Pictures don’t do it justice. The blues are so vibrant they almost don’t look real.
🏝 Our Overwater Villa at the St. Regis
Our room at the St. Regis was completely off the charts.
The villa had a separate living area, massive windows everywhere, and no matter where you looked, you were staring out at that incredible turquoise lagoon.
One of the coolest details? The villa had glass panels in the floor, so you could actually see the water and fish swimming underneath your coffee table.
It felt less like a hotel room and more like our own private slice of paradise.
🍹 A Bora Bora Bloody Mary
After settling in, we stopped for a drink at the resort restaurant and ordered Bloody Marys.
Fun fact: the Bora Bora version of the Bloody Mary is said to have been created right there at the St. Regis, using fresh local ingredients and island spices.
Not a bad way to toast the start of our stay.
🥂 Champagne & Sabrage
That evening the resort hosted a sabrage demonstration, which was fascinating to watch.
Sabrage is the art of opening a champagne bottle with a sword, a tradition that dates back to Napoleon’s cavalry officers celebrating victories.
After the demonstration, we enjoyed a champagne tasting, followed by dinner at the resort’s Italian restaurant, Farniente.
It was the perfect first night in Bora Bora.
🥂 Travel Trivia: Champagne Sabrage
Sabrage is the art of opening a champagne bottle with a sword or saber. The tradition dates back to the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, when Napoleon’s cavalry officers would celebrate victories by slicing the top off champagne bottles with their sabers. Today, the dramatic technique is still used at special celebrations and luxury resorts around the world — including at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, where guests can watch a nightly sabrage demonstration.
☕ Mornings in Paradise
One of the perks of staying at the St. Regis is that each villa comes with a private butler, and every morning ours would bring us French press coffee to start the day.
After coffee, Bryan and I would hop on the bikes provided by the resort and ride over to breakfast.
Every morning featured a different “juice of the day,” and enjoying breakfast with views of the lagoon quickly became one of our favorite daily rituals.
🛥 Jet Skiing Around Bora Bora
Our first big adventure on the island was a two-hour jet ski tour around Bora Bora’s lagoon.
Our guide, Ari—who proudly went by the nickname “The King”—led the tour, and he absolutely lived up to the title.
Riding across the lagoon was unforgettable. The water around Bora Bora is famous for its endless shades of blue, and seeing it in person truly felt like witnessing “50 shades of blue.”
At one point we stopped in shallow water to swim and take photos. Our guide also treated us to a small island snack that included:
- fresh-cut grapefruit
- coconut bread
- tropical juice
It was simple but delicious and felt incredibly authentic.
🏖 Resort Relaxation
That afternoon we returned to the resort and spent some time relaxing in the adults-only pool.
Surprisingly, we had the entire pool to ourselves.
In fact, throughout much of the trip, it often felt like we had the resort all to ourselves—even though the staff told us the resort was actually at full capacity.
That kind of space and privacy made the whole experience feel even more magical.
🌅 Sunset Catamaran Cruise
That evening we headed back out on the water for a sunset catamaran cruise aboard the Vitamin Sea.
Our captain and first mate were both women, and they were absolutely fantastic hosts.
Watching the sun slowly dip behind Bora Bora’s iconic mountains while sailing across the lagoon was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up and relive forever.
🌍 Bora Bora Trivia:
Bora Bora’s famous lagoon was created by the collapse of an ancient volcano millions of years ago. The towering peak you see in photos, Mount Otemanu, is actually the remaining summit of that extinct volcano.
🍷 Dinner with a View of the Lagoon
One evening we enjoyed dinner at Lagoon Restaurant by Jean‑Georges, one of the most beautiful dining spots on the property. The restaurant sits right over the lagoon, and from our table we could see the glowing turquoise water stretching out toward the island.
After dinner we stopped by the 727 Bar for drinks. The bar is named after the 727-meter height of Bora Bora’s famous mountain, and it’s a perfect place to relax with a cocktail while taking in the incredible views of the lagoon and surrounding peaks.
🛵 Exploring the Main Island of Bora Bora
The next day we decided to explore the main island of Bora Bora and experience a little bit of local life.
We took a boat from the resort across the lagoon to the island and rented a scooter to drive around the entire island, which turned out to be one of the most fun and memorable days of the trip.
Cruising around Bora Bora gave us a completely different perspective than staying at the resort. Along the way we experienced:
- local neighborhoods
- a quick tropical rainstorm
- a stop at a local sports bar
- a visit to the grocery store
- and browsing the Black Pearl boutiques, which Bora Bora is famous for.
At lunchtime we stopped at Lucky House Restaurant & Pool Bar, a laid-back local spot known for its pizza.
And they weren’t kidding—the pizza was amazing.
From there we also had incredible views of Mount Otemanu, the island’s most iconic landmark. Rising 727 meters above sea level, this dramatic peak is actually the remains of an extinct volcano and the highest point on the island.
It’s impossible to miss, and seeing it up close really shows how dramatic the island’s landscape is.
🍝 Dinner at One of Bora Bora’s Most Famous Restaurants
Later that evening we returned to the main island for dinner at La Villa Mahana.
This intimate Italian restaurant is a husband-and-wife owned gem, and many travelers consider it one of the best restaurants in all of French Polynesia.
The atmosphere felt incredibly special and personal.
I ordered the lobster risotto, Bryan went with the filet, and both were outstanding.
After dinner we enjoyed a glass of wine in their beautiful courtyard and signed the restaurant’s guest book, a tradition for many visitors who make the journey to dine there.
It was the perfect way to end another unforgettable day in Bora Bora.
🌍 Island Trivia:
Bora Bora’s lagoon is protected by a coral reef, which creates the calm, shallow waters that make the island famous for snorkeling and water activities. The reef acts like a natural barrier, keeping the lagoon water crystal clear and incredibly calm.
🌴 Our Final Day in Paradise
For our last full day in Bora Bora, we decided to slow things down and soak up every remaining moment.
We rented a private beach cabana and said goodbye to our wonderful butler, Damien, who had taken such great care of us during our stay at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.
Most of the day was spent doing what Bora Bora does best—relaxing and enjoying the lagoon.
We spent a lot of time snorkeling, and something really interesting happened while we were snorkeling. A large group of fish seemed to follow us the entire time. When we stopped, they stopped. When we started again, they continued swimming alongside us.
It almost felt like we had our own little underwater escort service through the lagoon.
Moments like that made it feel like the island was giving us one last magical memory before we left.
🌅 One Last Bora Bora Sunset
That evening we watched one final Bora Bora sunset, which never gets old no matter how many times you see it.
For our last dinner on the island we ate at Bamboo Restaurant, the resort’s Japanese restaurant. It was the perfect, peaceful way to wrap up our final night in paradise.
🏝 A Few More Hours in Paradise
The next day our departure wasn’t until 5:00 PM, which meant we had a little more time to enjoy the resort.
We spent the morning relaxing between the spa and the lagoon, soaking in the last few views of that unbelievable turquoise water.
At one point we even attended a marine education presentation by the pool, which was a great opportunity to learn more about the reef ecosystem that makes Bora Bora’s lagoon so special.
And of course, we couldn’t leave without one more visit to our favorite lunch: the club sandwich and fries.
At $45, it wasn’t exactly cheap… but somehow it tasted even better in Bora Bora.
✈️ Leaving French Polynesia
Eventually it was time to say goodbye.
Moorea and Bora Bora had completely exceeded our expectations, and the trip was everything we hoped our honeymoon would be—beautiful, relaxing, adventurous, and full of unforgettable moments.
It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.
And one thing is certain…
We’ll be back someday.
🌺 Final Travel Tip:
If you’re planning a trip to Moorea and Bora Bora, splitting your stay between the two islands is the perfect combination. Moorea offers lush mountains and adventure, while Bora Bora delivers the iconic lagoon views and luxury overwater bungalows.
Together, they create the ultimate French Polynesia experience.
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