07 Jan Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Traveling to Tahiti
Last month, the team and I traveled to French Polynesia to tour various resorts on Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Taha’a and attend a travel advisors conference.
Let’s face it…they don’t call this Paradise for no reason. This trip did not disappoint.
4 islands, and 5 hotel stays over 8 days…It sounds like a lot but #worthit
Here’s a quick rundown of our stay.
Planes and Ferries Make Island Hopping Easy
Our flight landed in Papeete just after midnight.
We had about five hours to sleep before joining the other travel advisors and local leader for our group of six.
Ferry Ride to The Magical Island
First up, we caught an early morning ferry ride to Moorea where we promptly began a half-day tour of this gorgeous, lush island which is also known as “The Magical Island.”
The excursion took us up mountains and down valleys. We were driven through pineapple fields, past banana trees, and concluded with a stop at Belvedere Overlook to view Cook’s Bay, Opunohu Bay, and Mount Rotui before enjoying some local liqueurs and then lunch at a resort.
That evening we stayed in beach bungalows at the beautiful Sofitel Ia Ora Beach Resort.
Raiatea
The next day was an assortment of planes, boats, and automobiles. After taking the 30-minute ferry ride back to Tahiti, we caught a flight to Raiatea for our upcoming 2-night stay on the island of Taha’a. The inter-island flights on Air Tahiti run several times a day and make stops at other islands to pick-up and drop-off other passengers much like a city bus service. Following a brief stop in Huahine, we landed in Raiatea where we were met at the airport with a boat to take us to the private island resort of Vahine for lunch and a resort visit. This tiny resort was perfect for unplugging and unwinding.
Snorkeling & Rum Tastings in Taha’a
Then it was time to head to our home for the next two nights, the stunning 5-star Le Taha’a Resort and Spa. With views of Taha’a on one side and Bora Bora on the other, the location was perfect!
The next morning, we indulged in a wonderful buffet breakfast consisting of European and Asian foods. Then it was time to explore Taha’a. Our first stop was at a pearl farm where we learned the intricate process that makes a Tahitian pearl.
Next, it was time to visit an award-winning rum factory and partake in some tastings. Then we visited a vanilla plantation and learned the reason why Tahitian vanilla is so expensive (Spoiler Alert: hand-pollination is necessary before a lengthy curing and drying process).
The adventure really kicked into high gear when we embarked on a speedboat for a quick snorkeling stop with black-tipped sharks before the captain commenced feeding them. Only a couple of brave souls from our group took the plunge. The rest of us stayed on the boat and happily took photos. After the literal feeding frenzy, it was time for our group to enjoy one of our own on a private motu that was set up for a beach picnic and some beach time. After the picnic, the captain stopped on another motu for snorkeling, but the current was too strong, so we didn’t stay for very long.
It was time to leave our lagoon paradise and return to Papeete, Tahiti for a couple of nights so we could attend the 2019 Tahiti Travel Exchange onboard the Aranui 5.
On to Bora Bora
Finally, it was time to head to Bora Bora, the crown jewel of the Society Islands. Rumor has it there are over 40 shades of blue in the waters surrounding each motu in Bora Bora and I believe it. The color of the water was stunning.
During our time in French Polynesia, we also toured the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana, Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, Le Méridien Bora Bora, St. Regis Resort Bora Bora, Four Seasons Bora Bora Resort, and The Conrad where we spent the night in overwater bungalows again. Each resort had remarkable accommodations, landscaping, and public areas. Be sure to check out the blog next week, where we will share our reviews of each resort.