Itinerary of the month
Inspiration for your next adventure
Arrive into Pape‘ete, the capital of French Polynesia, just as the sun sets. You'll stay the night on this bustling island before you sail to Mo'orea in the morning.
Relax on a short ferry ride over to the island of Mo'orea meaning “yellow lizard”. Boasting inspiring volcanic mountains, lush green cliffs, waterfalls and a bright blue lagoon, it's an idyllic natural playground. Settle in to your bungalow with your own private plunge pool.
Swim with sharks…if you dare! If you happen to be in Mo'orea between July and November, it’s also a great time to see humpback whales…not to mention the dolphins, grey reef sharks, black reef sharks, pink whip rays, and leopard rays that you can find here all year round.
Your private charter and guide will provide everything you need to safely interact with these ocean giants.
While on Mo'orea, visit the Sea Turtle Care Center at Te Mana O Te Moana. Here, volunteers care for more than 500 sea turtles, including hawksbill sea turtles, olive ridley sea turtles, green sea turtles, and loggerhead sea turtles.
Their mission is to collect sick, injured and maimed sea turtles, provide medical care to them and to later release them into the wild. Learn about this important work directly from the people care for these gentle creatures.
Fly to Bora Bora in the morning. After a private speedboat transfer to your resort, check into one of the most iconic accommodations in the world - your very own overwater bungalow. Our pick? Four Seasons Bora Bora. Slip into the unbelievably blue lagoon waters directly from your private deck. Don't forget to pack your favorite pool float…its a thing!
In the evening, enjoy a drink from your lanai as you watch the sun set behind Mount Otemanu.
Bora Bora serves as the perfect backdrop for embracing the underwater world. This morning, experience WiseOceans, a collective of marine education and conservation specialists who work on a global scale to foster a future with healthier oceans.
On the docket: cutting coral nubbins and then attaching them to GPS-tracked underwater structures to grow new coral colonies, as well as affixing coral to build itself up on doughnut-shaped forms in the resort’s own Lagoon Sanctuary, where octopus, unicorn fish and even Picasso trumpet fish flourish.
Get some wind in your hair with a guided WaveRunner tour of the island, complete with lunch on white-sand Matira Beach, one of French Polynesia’s most beautiful beaches.
Back at the resort. order a round of highly photogenic Shades of Blue cocktails, made with vodka, elderflower liqueur, blue curaçao, grapefruit juice, fresh mint leaves and lime juice. As for dinner, the shaved coconut salad and grilled Marquesas Islands spiny lobster with clarified butter are what Bora Bora dreams are made of.
Connect with the world beneath the waves with DIVEASY. Bora is known as one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world and for good reason. Experience Anau, one of Bora Bora's most famous dive sites. It's a cleaning station for Manta rays or Fafapiti. These gentle giants are between 5 and 12 feet in length, and often come within arm's reach of divers.
Or consider Toopua, an incredible dive south of the island within the inner lagoon. Divers can drift while looking for spotted eagle rays between huge blocks of massive coral and sandy valleys.
End your perfect trip with a meal you'll always remember. Board a canoe to a private white-sand motu, where you'll be greeted with champagne followed by a personalized dinner for two as the sun sets into the water.
As the night sky appears, you'll be treated to magical starlit skies with impressive views of the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.
After a final breakfast in paradise, board your flight home.
Travel Theory's take on French Polynesia
A must-taste while on the islands in Poisson Cru - a Tahitian speciality made with Ahi tuna, coconut milk and fresh lime juice.
One more tip, the shredded coconut on the islands is amazing…if you get a chance to try it, don't pass it up!
- Casey
Located just out of the reef, diving at Tapu is all about seeing sharks. In addition to blacktip reef sharks, you may also spot lemon sharks up to ten feet long – and the occasional whale during the season.
- Kitte
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