At a glanceLand in Papeete for one night on Tahiti, take the short ferry to Moorea for three nights of hikes, bays and swimming with rays, then fly to Bora Bora for five nights in an overwater bungalow with Mount Otemanu in view. It suits couples who want the classic overwater honeymoon with a little adventure first. May to October is the drier season, with the shoulder months of May and October good for value.
This is the French Polynesia honeymoon most couples dream about, built so it actually runs smoothly. You spend one night on Tahiti to recover from the flight, three on Moorea for green mountains and lagoon swimming and five on Bora Bora in an overwater bungalow, which is where most of your budget should go.
The flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti Faa'a International Airport (PPT) takes about eight and a half hours, so it is closer than many couples expect. Moorea is a half-hour ferry from Papeete, while Bora Bora is about 50 minutes by plane on Air Tahiti, the domestic airline.
Moorea comes first on purpose. It is the more active island, with hikes, lookouts and bays. It also costs less than Bora Bora. Saving Bora Bora for the end means you finish with five nights of doing very little, which is exactly what most couples want after a wedding. Two hotel changes in ten days keep the trip calm.
The route
- TahitiFrench Polynesia · 1 nights
- MooreaFrench Polynesia · 3 nights
- Bora BoraFrench Polynesia · 5 nights
- Best months
- May to October, with May, June and October balancing weather and value
- Trip length
- 10 days
- Budget
- About $600–2,000 a night for two, with Bora Bora overwater bungalows at the top end (approximate)
Day by day
Day 1: Tahiti
Most flights from the US land at Tahiti Faa'a International Airport (PPT) late at night or early in the morning. Either way, book one night at a hotel near the airport or in Papeete, about 10 to 15 minutes away, so you are not rushing straight onto a ferry or a plane after an overnight flight.
If you arrive early, nap, then spend the afternoon at the Papeete municipal market, where stalls sell flower crowns, pareos, vanilla and black pearls. In the evening, eat at the roulottes, the food trucks that set up near the waterfront at Place Vai'ete, serving everything from poisson cru, Tahiti's raw tuna in coconut milk, to crêpes and steak frites.
If you have more energy, drive out to Point Venus for a black sand beach at sunset. Many couples come back to Tahiti for a couple of nights at the end of a trip to see the waterfall valleys and the Teahupo'o surf break, but on this route one night is enough.
Days 2–4: Moorea
Take the ferry from the Papeete terminal to Moorea, about 30 to 45 minutes, or a 15-minute flight. The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa sits on the north shore between Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, with overwater bungalows that cost far less than their Bora Bora equivalents.
On day three, drive up to the Belvedere lookout early in the morning, when the light falls on both bays and the peaks, then hike part of the trails through the Opunohu Valley. In the afternoon, take a boat out to the sandbank in the lagoon where stingrays and blacktip reef sharks gather. Swimming with them in waist-deep water is one of the highlights of any French Polynesia trip.
Day four is yours. One of you might rent a scooter or an e-bike and loop the island, about 37 miles, while the other takes a spa morning. From July to October, humpback whales pass Moorea. Licensed operators run whale-watching trips. End with sunset drinks on the north shore.
Days 5–9: Bora Bora
Fly from Moorea to Bora Bora, about 50 minutes, either direct when Air Tahiti offers it or via Papeete. Bora Bora's airport sits on an outer islet, so your resort meets you with a boat. Choose your splurge: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa all have overwater bungalows, many with views of Mount Otemanu.
Spend day five settling in and swimming off your deck. On day six, take a private lagoon tour by boat to snorkel with rays and blacktip reef sharks, explore the coral gardens and eat lunch on a motu. On day seven, do nothing at all.
On day eight, take a 4x4 tour of the main island for World War II cannons and views from the hills, or rent a jet ski and circle the lagoon. Have dinner at Bloody Mary's, a sand-floor restaurant on the main island that has been a fixture for decades. Day nine is your slow day, with a couples massage and one last sunset on the deck.
Day 10: Flying Home
Most international flights leave Papeete in the evening or late at night. Take an afternoon Air Tahiti flight from Bora Bora to Papeete, about 50 minutes. Leave a comfortable buffer for your connection. Booking your domestic flights well in advance helps, since flights from Bora Bora fill up.
If you have time between flights, book a day room at a hotel near the airport, have dinner in Papeete or relax on a black sand beach. Some resorts offer late checkout or a lounge for guests waiting for evening flights, so ask when you book.
You cross the International Date Line flying back to the US, but French Polynesia is in roughly the same time zone as Hawaii, so jet lag is gentle on the way home.
Getting Between Stops
Air Tahiti Nui and other airlines fly nonstop to Tahiti Faa'a International Airport (PPT) from Los Angeles and San Francisco, with flights of about eight to nine hours.
Between islands, Air Tahiti runs domestic flights. Papeete to Moorea is about 15 minutes, though most couples take the ferry, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes and runs several times a day. Moorea to Bora Bora is about 50 minutes, sometimes direct and sometimes via Papeete. Book domestic flights when you book your international ones, since seats on popular routes sell out. Air Tahiti has strict baggage limits, so check them and pack light.
On Moorea, rent a car or a scooter for a day, or use resort transfers and tours. On Bora Bora, your resort will arrange boats to the main island.
Where to Stay
On Tahiti, choose a hotel near the airport or in Papeete for one night. Comfort matters more than view on this stop.
On Moorea, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa is a strong choice, with overwater bungalows and views of the north shore peaks. Small pensions and guesthouses are cheaper and more local.
On Bora Bora, the resorts all sit on outer islets around the lagoon. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is known for polished service and views of Mount Otemanu. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort has large villas and strong restaurants. Conrad Bora Bora Nui sits on a hillside motu with a quieter feel. The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa has a deep-sea-water spa. Choose an overwater bungalow with a view of the mountain, which costs more but is the classic picture.
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When to Go
May to October is the drier season, with lower humidity, cooler nights and more reliable sunshine. It is also the busiest time, especially in July and August, so book resorts and flights early. July brings the Heiva festival of Polynesian dance and music on Tahiti.
The shoulder months of May, June and October are often the best value, with good weather and slightly lower prices. Humpback whales pass Moorea from July to October.
November to April is the warmer, wetter season. Rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts with sun in between, though longer storms are possible. Prices can be lower. The lagoon stays warm all year. Dengue is present in French Polynesia, so use insect repellent in all seasons. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you book.
What It Costs
French Polynesia is expensive. Bora Bora is the priciest island of all. As an approximate guide, an overwater bungalow on Moorea costs several hundred dollars to around $1,000 a night for two. On Bora Bora, overwater bungalows at the top resorts cost about $1,000 to several thousand dollars a night. Tahiti hotels cost about $250 to $600.
Food and drink add up quickly at the resorts, so look at meal plans or packages when you book. Many couples eat at least once at Bloody Mary's or at a local snack bar on the main island to save money.
Add domestic flights, a lagoon tour, a 4x4 tour and boat transfers on Bora Bora. Moorea is where you can save: a garden bungalow or a small pension there leaves more budget for Bora Bora.
Tips for the Two of You
French Polynesia is casual and relaxed. Pack swimwear, light clothes and something slightly smarter for resort dinners. Reef shoes protect your feet on coral. A rash shirt helps with sun protection while snorkeling. The tropical sun is intense, so use reef-safe sunscreen.
When swimming with rays and sharks, follow your guide's instructions and do not touch or chase them. Currents in channels between motus can be strong, so snorkel with a guide or inside the resort lagoon.
The trip has something for different tastes. One of you might scuba dive with sharks while the other snorkels or reads on the deck. One might hike on Moorea while the other takes a pareo-tying class or a spa treatment. Leave time each day to do nothing together.
Make It Shorter or Longer
With a week, skip Tahiti if your flight lands early enough to make the ferry or a connection. Spend two nights on Moorea and four or five on Bora Bora.
With two weeks, add Taha'a after Bora Bora for three or four nights. It shares a lagoon with Raiatea and is much quieter, with vanilla plantations, black pearl farms and Le Taha'a by Pearl Resorts on a reef islet. Another option is a few nights on Huahine, a less developed island with archaeological sites and local pensions.
For a bigger splurge, finish with two or three nights at The Brando on Tetiaroa, a private atoll north of Tahiti. If diving or snorkeling is your thing, add Rangiroa or Fakarava in the Tuamotus, both known for sharks and big lagoons.
FAQPlanning this trip
Is Bora Bora worth it for a honeymoon?
For couples who want the classic overwater bungalow, yes. The lagoon and Mount Otemanu are as beautiful as the photos. The top resorts are excellent. It is expensive, so spend most of your budget there and save on Tahiti and Moorea. Couples who want more culture or activities should add more nights on Moorea.
How many nights should we spend on Bora Bora?
Five nights is the sweet spot for most couples. It gives you a lagoon tour, an island tour, a couple of lazy days and time to enjoy the overwater bungalow you are paying for. Three nights can feel rushed after the cost of getting there.
Should we visit Moorea or Tahiti?
On a short trip, spend more time on Moorea. It has better lagoon swimming, dramatic peaks and overwater bungalows at lower prices than Bora Bora. Tahiti is the gateway, with the airport, Papeete's markets and food trucks and waterfall valleys inland, but one night is enough on this route.
When is the best time for a Tahiti honeymoon?
May to October is drier and less humid, with more sunshine. May, June and October are often best for value and weather. November to April is warmer and wetter, with short tropical downpours, but the lagoon is warm all year and prices can be lower.
How do we get from Moorea to Bora Bora?
Fly with Air Tahiti, the domestic airline. The flight takes about 50 minutes and is sometimes direct, sometimes via Papeete. Book early, since seats sell out. Bora Bora's airport is on an islet, so your resort will collect you by boat.
