by Lindsey Epperly
When I received an invitation to visit French Polynesia on a travel consultant educational, it didn’t take me long to sign the dotted line and mark off the dates on my calendar. A little over a month later, I was well on my way to the other side of the world, which, to my surprise, wasn’t too far away.
After a four-hour flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles, where I overnighted in an airport hotel, I boarded my window seat on Air Tahiti Nui with ten other agents, eager for the eight-hour flight to Papeete, Tahiti. The travel time from Los Angeles isn’t too bad when you consider the distance from Atlanta to Europe – it’s exactly the same!
While the island of Tahiti is beautiful, the fun of French Polynesia is island jumping, and we did plenty of that. I explored the crystal lagoons of Bora Bora via jet ski, relaxed in the private island paradise of Taha’a, and had the adventure of a lifetime with sharks and rays in Moorea.
Here’s my advice and experience from my three favorite French Polynesian islands:
BORA BORA
With its quiet crystal lagoons and overwater bungalows, Bora Bora is the epitome of exotic. The minute I boarded the yacht transfer to the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, I felt like I had stepped into an issue of Travel + Leisure. Upon arrival, I was intrigued by the bungalows – they were decently sized, but I had no idea what to expect when walking into one. Little did I know, the luxuries of a modern hotel room would greet me inside of their walls. Every element of the room highlighted the island’s natural surroundings, from the glass enclosed coffee table, which slides open so that guests can feed the fish, to the breathtaking view of Mount Otemanu from the bedroom —not to mention the private dock leading directly into the lagoon.
While the Intercontinental was wonderful in its own right, another notable hotel is the St. Regis Bora Bora. This resort, where Couples Retreat was filmed, boasts a perfectly manicured property with multiple room options, from private beach villas with pools to multi-room overwater bungalows.
While I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the lavish hotels, the highlight of my time in Bora Bora was a private jet-ski excursion. Gliding across the glass-like lagoon, watching the colors change from a bright cerulean blue to a deep aquamarine, was truly spectacular.
TAHA’A
While still boasting exquisite accommodations, Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa offers a tranquil, more authentic escape for travelers in search of the ultimate in relaxation. The property is true not only to the Polynesian culture, from the wooden, natural decor in the rooms, but also to the surrounding nature.
Upon arrival, I instantly noticed the lack of music and whirring golf carts – the loudest sound was the lapping of low waves against the shore. As a fairly active traveler, it took me a while to get used to the peacefulness of Taha’a.
However, the atmosphere that this property captures is one of pure relaxation. It is by far the most romantic property that I visited and, once I did embrace the calmness, it was hard to leave.
Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa is a Relais and Chateaux property, an association of privately owned luxury resorts that are esteemed for their superior service and incredible dining.
This resort went above and beyond its reputation during our six-course meal in a private area of the restaurant. After dinner, I toured one of the beach villas, a sprawling accommodation complete with a private garden boasting an outdoor shower and tub, plunge pool, and beach access. While the overwater bungalows here are impressive, this is definitely the top-notch room category.
MOOREA
Known as the “Magical Island,” there’s no shortage of unique activities in Moorea, like my favorite excursion of the trip: swimming with sharks and rays. Personally, I am terrified of sharks, to the point where Shark Week on the Discovery Channel is a form of torture. This excursion started out with a docile tour of the lagoon, our Polynesian tour guide pointing out landmarks of Moorea. However, when our boat pulled up to the shallow lagoon teeming with dozens of sharks and rays, I knew it was either sink or swim (or stay in the boat). Through a mixture of peer pressure and adrenaline, I forced myself into the shark-infested waters.
Ironically, the five-foot-long black-tipped reef sharks gracefully swam by, not bothering anyone. It was the stingrays that I learned to look out for. These four foot-wide beasts were like slippery Labrador puppies that just wanted to play. Before I knew it, our tour guide had attached one of them to my back. When the stingray refused to leave my side, I embraced my new slimy friends and had the time of my life. This incredible tour ended with an authentic motu picnic where we learned to make poisson cru, the native dish of French Polynesia.
It’s experiences like this that make Moorea the ideal destination for the adventurous at heart. Travelers can go deep-sea fishing, traverse the mountainous landscape, or set out on their own and explore the surrounding towns. All the while, guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations, like the Moorea Pearl resort, where I stayed in a garden villa with a private plunge pool.
With choices like the exotic and lush Bora Bora, the quiet tranquility of Taha’a, and the unique activities of Moorea, French Polynesia is well worth the travel time and easily accessible from the U.S. I encourage you to think about French Polynesia for your next romantic getaway or family trip—it’s a once-in-a lifetime vacation spot that you’ll remember for years to come.
Lindsey Epperly is a luxury travel consultant at Columbus Travel who enjoys preparing custom-made vacations for her clients. To find out more about Lindsey’s travel planning and to request a trip, please visit her personal planning siteat www.lindseyepperly.com.
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