Can you put a price tag on love? Better yet, can you assign a monetary value to romantic experiences? The easy answer is yes, because many of us have strict travel budgets so everything needs to come at a bargain. But what if you had no limitations and could do anything and go anywhere to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? That’s the kind of daydreaming that we love.

All you need now is some inspiration. Here are six hotels and resorts that have cultivated exceptionally romantic experiences for Valentine’s Day, but even if it’s too last-minute, keep an eye on these properties—they’re always up to something amazing.

Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf, St. Barth

When I recently visited Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf, I experienced quite a few “you have to be kidding me” moments, but none more than when I stepped through the doors of Villa Diane. With enough sleeping and living space to comfortably fit up to 10 people, it also has the advantage of seclusion through creative design, as anyone who needs a break from the family reunion or wedding festivities can still steal a moment of peace on a private terrace.

But what about two people? In that sense, Villa Diane is like a modern castle, set high above Gustavia with magnificent views of this A-lister’s paradise. Two or 10, there’s pampering to be enjoyed here, and the newest experience from this stunning property includes a private chef and personal butler, in-villa yoga and pilates classes, VIP service to and from the airport, a sunbed at the nearby Shellona Beach Club, and access to the rest of the hotel’s outstanding amenities.

The price? This romantic experience begins at $18,960 per night. If that shattered too many monocles, the hotel is also offering a Valentine’s Day package for stays of three nights or longer that starts at $13,000 and includes a stay in the Junior Suite Terrace Sea View (amazing views and a private plunge pool are included), dinner at Fouquet’s by three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire, a 45-minute couples massage, guided hike to Petit Cul de Sac, a sunset catamaran tour of the island’s beautiful beaches, and a 30-minute helicopter “air baptism” over the Caribbean Sea, among other activities.

The St. Regis Bora Bora

Some people think it’s cliché to pop the question on Valentine’s Day, and that might be the case if you’re planning to do it over dessert in the crowded dining room at the local Macaroni Grill. But asking the ultimate question to that special someone with Bora Bora’s Mount Popoti as your backdrop? The only clichés will be the responses from your jealous friends.

Starting at $15,000, this proposal or vow renewal experience includes a five-night stay in a St. Regis Bora Bora overwater villa, a gourmet champagne picnic curated by Chef Nicolas Nguyen of Lagoon by Jean-George Restaurant, a private sunset sail on the Vitamin Sea catamaran (hopefully to celebrate the correct answer), a helicopter tour of this amazing destination, signature canoe breakfast, and a 24-carat gold al fresco couples massage overlooking the resort’s Lagoonarium and Mount Otemanu, among other perks.

I know what you’re thinking: “Who would ever want to leave after such a trip?” Don’t worry, extra nights can be added.

Lovango Resort and Beach Club, St. John

When owners Mark and Gwenn Snider first visited this beautiful destination in the U.S. Virgin Islands, they thought they’d found heaven. Now, with creative experiences and myriad fantastic amenities and activities, Lovango Resort and Beach Club is sharing that otherworldly feeling with guests, and all of February will feature a big emphasis on romance.

Couples can book stays of three nights or longer using the code LOVE and enjoy the unique luxury treehouses or glamping tents that will not only make them appreciate the natural beauty, but also add an extra element of seclusion to this private island getaway. Also included is a private cabana for one day, breakfast at the Treetops Lounge, a romantic picnic on Honeymoon Beach (so maybe bring that ring and rehearse a certain question), and a private beach dinner under the majestic clear night sky.

To top it all off, the resort’s mixologist will even craft a personalized cocktail with a couple’s favorite ingredients.

Soneva Jani, Maldives

Valentine’s Day isn’t always about the couple. It can be about the entire family, too. At Soneva Jani, this special day offers something special for travelers of all ages. The couple will, of course, enjoy the floating champagne breakfast in their private pool, but children will the cherish the chance to make special cards and crafts for their parents or friends and family back home. (Grandparents deserve Valentine’s Day treats, too!) Other perks include restorative massages at Soneva Soul and snorkeling the Noonu Atoll, but the dinner options are where things get really interesting and very romantic.

Head to So Engaging for the five-course “Loving Journey Around the World” dinner or indulge in a delicious seafood BBQ at So Primitive. A special Valentine’s Day menu is available at Director’s Cut, which offers guests views of the movie screen at Cinema Paradiso, or the night sky can be the entertainment during a meal at So Starstruck. Still not what you’re looking for? A dinner for two on a private island can be arranged.

VOMO Island Fiji

Valentine’s Day takes place on February 14, but at VOMO Island Fiji, guests will have two months to bask in the romance. Already a haven for couples who want to feel like the only people on Earth, this 225-acre destination is cranking the love up to 11 in February and March with a new offering that not only includes all the resort’s best activities—hiking Mt. Vomo, snorkeling, kayaking, dominating the Par 3 golf course—but three bonus concepts that are all about love.

The toughest part will be choosing between them. Should guests pick the half-day private island picnic on Vomo Lai Lai that is only available to one couple per day, or should they book the beachfront dinner for two at the resort’s legendary stretch of sand? What about the 60-minute couples massage at Kui Spa? All we know is the easiest choice is booking four nights or more, because guests will receive an extra night free.

The Jefferson DC, Washington DC

It’s not the Caribbean, French Polynesia, or the Maldives, but when travel time is a huge concern, you can’t go wrong by simply ditching the passports and heading to a destination that is still rich with history and one particularly creative hotel. The Jefferson DC’s romantic offering includes a stay in the amazing First Lady Suite, which offers top-floor views that’ll make any couple feel like visiting royalty. Especially when beating the cold weather by sitting in front of the fireplace.

In addition to strolls around the city and visiting the landmarks, a couple can enjoy delicious cocktails at Quill, undoubtedly one of the coolest bars in town, before taking a seat at The Bird’s Nest, which is so spectacular in design that people could spend a whole evening enjoying conversation before they realize how much time has passed.

The post 6 Over-the-Top and Downright Awesome Valentine’s Day Experiences appeared first on Islands.

The warm waters that fringe the fabled islands in the South Pacific offer some of the best visibility on the planet, and the reefs are a treasure trove of charismatic creatures waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers. This is where you can swim beside dolphins, whales, or sharks, giving your bucket list a few major checks.

Plus, these islands offer white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and villages to explore between underwater expeditions. Below are five top places to snorkel to see the South Pacific’s most impressive marine wildlife.

Moorea, French Polynesia

Dive with dolphins, stingrays, and blacktip reef sharks in the sandy lagoon encircling Moorea, a laid-back, mountain-clad island just 10 miles from Tahiti. Try your luck at finding the animals yourself by snorkeling in waist-deep water over a sandbar on the northwest tip of the island, or book an encounter at the Moorea Dolphin Center where you’re guaranteed 15 minutes of hands-on interaction with these playful mammals.

How to get there: Take a quick flight via Air Tahiti, or a 30- to 60-minute ferry ride from Papeete.

Vavau, Tonga

Tonga’s Vavau island group is one of the best places in the world to swim with humpback whales. Females migrate north to the warm waters of the South Pacific each June to give birth, hanging out in the shallows with their newborns through October. Tour operators like Encounters Travel offer eco-friendly, intimate whale encounters, and mamas will often nudge their babies up to play alongside the visiting humans, giving you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to dance with a whale.

How to get there: Take a direct flight from Nadi, Fiji, via Fiji Airways.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Glide next to manta rays as they weave through Bora Bora‘s famous blue-green lagoon. With a wingspan reaching up to 23 feet, the resident mantas look like giant birds as glide through the water. Snorkelers can watch them scoop up zooplankton with their wide-open mouths, or see them hovering at a coral reef “cleaning station,” where fish pick parasites off their black-and-white skin. Schools of spotted-eagle rays, stingrays, and blacktip reef sharks are also common sights.

How to get there: Take a 45-minute flight via Air Tahiti from Papeete.

Niue

Not only is it one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, the tiny island-nation of Niue is also the only place where you can swim with the katuali, a sea snake that grows up to three feet long. Its tiny mouth makes it harmless to humans (children wear them as necklaces on Niue’s beaches), but this snake is one of the most venomous creatures on the planet. Watch the beautiful striped snakes stream through clear water as they dive down to the reef to feed, then resurface to breathe. The best place to snorkel with katuali is in Snake Gully near Avatele Beach.

First-time visitors should book a discovery tour to experience the most of this special destination.

How to get there: Air New Zealand offers twice-weekly three-hour flights from Auckland.

Fakarava, French Polynesia

Drift over hundreds of blacktip reef sharks as you ride the current through Fakarava‘s lagoon. This atoll’s south pass is nicknamed the “Shark Wall,” and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to up the ante on your encounter with sharp-toothed predators, visit on the June solstice when Fakarava’s pass turns into a full-on feeding frenzy. Tens of thousands of grouper spawn in the shallows, drawing in large oceanic sharks and schools of big fish, all of which are clear as day in the gorgeous tropical water.

How to get there: Air Tahiti offers 75-minute flights from Papeete.

The post 5 of the Best Places to Snorkel in the South Pacific appeared first on Islands.

From the Caribbean and Mexico to Spain, South Africa and even Utah, there’s a host of luxurious hotels with private pools perfect for the most relaxing, most romantic getaways. Isolate yourselves at Amangiri in the seemingly remote landscape of Utah; there are sunsets and gorgeous horizons all around. Prefer something more tropical? Visit St. Lucia and Jade Mountain for vistas overlooking the island.

If you’re looking for hotel rooms with a private pool, read on for our list of the best 14 locations.

Jade Mountain – Soufriere, St. Lucia

The 24 suites, aptly called sanctuaries at Jade Mountain, are stacked atop each other on a hillside, all with heart-stopping views. As you open the door, get ready to be wowed: Organic architecture blends curved stone walls with exotic hardwood floors, and the open plan means you’re never without a view, from the king-sized bed draped with mosquito netting to the sans-walls bathroom with its sexy whirlpool tub.

But the stars are the pools. Sized from 400 to 900 square feet, each is lined with iridescent glass tiles in shades like sapphire, jade, magenta and bronze. The effect is so mesmerizing you won’t mind that there’s no TV (or air conditioning, as the lofty locale provides cooling breezes). Just pour yourselves some bubbly, and slip into your infinity-edge paradise.

Royal Davui Island Resort – Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Each romantic “vale” is nestled into hillside foliage with plunge pools facing out toward the lagoon for ultimate privacy at Royal Davui Island Resort. Trading up from the island or deluxe categories to premium earns you the largest and most private oasis with its own refreshing rock waterfall.

Inside, a 20-foot netted canopy hangs from the ceiling to cocoon the king bed, which floats mid-room on a sea of polished Fijian-wood flooring adjacent to a large bathroom with a whirlpool tub and outdoor shower. A separate living room has sliding glass walls and a sunning patio with twin chaise lounges.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This 539-room all-inclusive is definitely abuzz, but the quiet Grand Class section perfectly combines luxe amenities with honeymoon privacy. All 90 suites in this section have ocean views, spa tubs and oceanfront balconies with private plunge pools. There’s even room for a massage table, should you prefer your spa treatment in suite. Top-floor rooms boast vaulted ceilings and the best views.

Hermitage Bay – Antigua

Yes, Hermitage Bay has cottages set right on the beach. But if it’s privacy and plunge pools you seek, request one of 17 hillside-cottage suites. You have to trek up a steep stone path to get there, but your effort is rewarded with the treehouse-like enclave, boasting sexy extras like a king bed, outdoor shower, wraparound sun deck and infinity-edge plunge pool with views that stretch all the way to neighboring Nevis and Montserrat.

The Resort at Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Each of the 66 rooms and suites features a private terrace with a plunge pool, but, for the most indulgent ambience, book one of the eight Capella rooms at the Resort at Pedregal. These oversized havens have carved, wood-beam ceilings, a separate sitting area and a driftwood-back king bed positioned opposite a fireplace. The terrace door opens to an infinity-edge plunge pool with stellar sea views. More watery revelry is on tap inside in the rainforest shower for two.

Cavo Tagoo – Mykonos, Greece

Cavo Tagoo stays true to the stark-white Cycladic architecture Mykonos is known for, but the whitewashed interiors are refreshingly modern. Classic rooms on the lower level have private terraces and refreshing plunge pools while the upper-level deluxe rooms come with infinity-edge pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and Old Town five minutes away.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

All of the resort’s plush, overwater bungalows offer dive- or step-in access to the lagoon, but couples who book an overwater bungalow with a plunge pool can also take a freshwater dip on the lanai right outside their room. It’s perfect for a relaxing rinse after a snorkel session or a sunset soak complete with champagne.

Inside, contemporary Polynesian décor is equally seductive, especially the oversized tub with lagoon views. The glass panel in the living room floor lets you spy on multicolored reef fish below.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba – Riviera Maya, Mexico

For a romantic respite, book a bilevel spa-pool villa at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Here, your rectangular H2O oasis is the perfect relaxation spot after a massage in your private treatment area. The décor is Asian spare meets Mexican spice. Think minimalist architecture that blends into the landscape and a neutral color palette accented by touches of orange and red.

Your outdoor terrace has twin chaise lounges and a dining area. Round-the-clock room service ups your incentive to stay put, too.

Ladera – Soufriere, St. Lucia

St. Lucia oozes romance, and the 32 treehouse-style rooms at Ladera match that vibe perfectly. Situated on a ridge 1,100 feet above sea level, the three-walled suites boast panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Pitons (two mountainous volcanic plugs) and the town of Soufriere. Each terrace has a private plunge pool surrounded by lush landscaping. Many also have waterfalls and teak swing sets hanging from the ceiling.

Spice Island Beach Resort – St. George’s, Grenada

This all-inclusive, 32-room boutique resort on Grenada’s southwest coast is on prime real estate, steps away from expansive Grand Anse Beach. The resort’s 1,200-square-foot Anthurium pool suites are located on the lower level, and each has a private courtyard terrace where gardens and chaise lounges surround a supersized 12-by-16-foot plunge pool.

Uma Ubud – Bali, Indonesia

There are just three Uma pool suites at COCO Uma Ubud. They’re constructed in an open, airy Balinese style with separate lounging, dining and sleeping areas. Each bedroom features a four-poster king bed and gleaming terrazzo floor that leads to a light-filled bathroom with a sunken tub for two. Outside, a pair of chaises flanks a sapphire-blue infinity plunge pool embraced by the solitude of the Balinese jungle.

Belmond La Residencia – Majorca, Spain

The isle of Majorca is classic Mediterranean: olive groves, quaint towns and seaside cliffs. Within the sleepy artists village of Deià is Belmond La Residencia, a pair of stunning stone houses that have been converted into a 67-room Orient Express retreat. Here, guests lounge around the grounds, hike to the nearby swimming cove or hole up in a Tramuntana suite with a tiled garden terrace and private pool.

Amangiri – Lake Powell, Utah

The stunning Utah landscape is best experienced at Amangiri, a 34-room oasis surrounded by stark plateaus near the Arizona border and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Six of the hotel’s suites have spacious plunge pools and private, candlelit sky terraces accessed by staircase and furnished with a daybed. It’s perfect for evening stargazing.

Earth Lodge – Mpumalanga, South Africa

Spend your mornings spotting lions, giraffes and elephants from a Land Rover while on safari around Kruger National Park. Then, return to Earth Lodge for afternoons staring out over the bush from the pool on your private terrace. The lodge’s 13 suites were made from stone and built low to the ground. While they appear minimal on the outside, inside, they’re an interior designer’s dream.

Each suite is filled with rich metallic art and funky, locally sourced furnishings, such as handmade twig chandeliers.

The post 14 Romantic Resorts with Private Plunge Pools appeared first on Islands.

As wonderful as it is to imagine dropping everything and buying the ultimate dream home to spend the rest of your life in paradise, it’s probably better to set your expectations a little lower, at least in terms of time. After all, a permanent move requires a ton of planning, and the costs can be staggering. But if you instead focus on picking the ultimate luxury villa in paradise, you can be on your way to a spectacular extended vacation in no time.

Bora Bora One is the kind of destination that makes almost any tropical dreams come true, and this new and improved private island experience will certainly make guests feel like they’ve purchased their own little piece of heaven in the middle of nowhere. That’s because this property is an all-or-nothing luxury booking that offers five bedrooms with a minimum stay of 10 days.

So, you know, bring multiple swimsuits.

Set on 7.5 acres, the villa is nestled between a private beach with breathtaking views and a beautiful lagoon where guests can spend their mornings and afternoons enjoying a wide variety of activities. And while it’s not exactly the typical resort, there is still a concierge on site to plan and book everything from yoga classes and basketball games to scuba diving excursions and parasailing.

In addition to the concierge, an on-site butler will see that guests live like royalty, while a private chef is available to ensure they also dine that way. If a morning of swimming with string rays is too much, the long infinity pool offers a place for lazy pre- or post-breakfast lounging.

Although, if exercise is a big component of your “rise and shine” itinerary, there are Woodway Wattbikes and Concept 2 Rowers available, as well as a tennis court and even a boxing area for extra cardio or squashing family beef.

With so much to do around the villa, it’s easy to forget to talk about the interior. The inspiration for Bora Bora One’s renovation came from the creativity and ingenuity of local artisans, and every last aspect of the décor pays tribute to the region’s incomparable beauty. Lamps have been created using wood taken from the Tuamotu Islands, baskets have been hand-woven from indigenous palm plants, and artist Teva Victor used his talents to create various pieces from wood and volcanic stone.

Of course, the biggest difference between buying a home in paradise and merely enjoying an extended vacation is that after the latter you have to go home. But that also means you get to start dreaming all over again.

The post Bora Bora One Takes Seclusion to a New Level appeared first on Islands.

In the “SeinfeldVision” episode of 30 Rock, Jerry Seinfeld tells Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) about his vacation “in a country in Europe only rich people know about,” and no, it’s not Svenborgia. That throwaway joke is funny because it’s true—even when one-percenters visit the same countries and islands as us mere mortals, they do things and stay places we’ve only imagined. A sunscreen-covered Mark Zuckerberg might be paddle boarding in Hawaii, but he’s probably not rubbing elbows and sharing sand with a family of six from Poughkeepsie.

Honeymoons are a different story, though. A couple will save for years, putting off other trips and eliminating unnecessary purchases, so when the time comes to celebrate a marriage in style, there’s almost no price tag too high or destination too unrealistic. That’s when we look to celebrities for inspiration, because even though they might be springing for the best private villas or luxury yacht charters in and near Grenyarnia, there’s always an affordable alternative that still offers ordinary travelers the honeymoon of a lifetime.

If you’re planning such a getaway, loveholidays recently compiled a list of the top 10 celebrity honeymoon destinations, and it’s no surprise that these locations are almost entirely tropical. The only one that isn’t, well, it won’t shock anyone.

10) St. Barts

Pronounce it however you’d like, this Caribbean island has long been known for two things: romance and extravagance. From stylish, luxurious private villas to elegant, eco-friendly resorts, accommodations on St. Barts almost entirely focus on spoiling travelers, which is why celebrity couples like Kevin and Eniko Hart and Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo have chosen it for their honeymoons.

9) Hawaii

This seems a little low for such a popular destination, but rest assured that Hawaii is the No. 1 holiday choice for celebrities including Katy Perry, Oprah and Beyoncé, and that last one is all that really matters to most of us.

When it comes to high-profile romance, though, Hawaii is hardly chopped liver. Dwayne Johnson and his wife, Lauren Hashian, celebrated their 2019 wedding with a low-profile honeymoon on Kauai, while Chris Pratt forgot the sunscreen for his Lanai honeymoon with Katherine Schwarzenegger.

8) Bali

With incredible views, stunning natural beauty and iconic landmarks, Bali is a legendary destination for couples seeking luxury, romance and arguably the best yoga classes in the world. After popping the question in Hawaii and getting married in Connecticut, Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson escaped to Bali for their honeymoon in 2014, almost following in the footsteps of Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, who got hitched in Hawaii before celebrating in Bali. Either way, Hawaii-to-Bali is a trend we can get behind.

7) Punta Mita

The original celebrity Simpson sister, Jessica, and her husband, former NFL tight end Eric Johnson, celebrated their honeymoon in Punta Mita, and who could blame them? This very exclusive resort community offers one of the best vacation experiences in Mexico.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Just ask Kim Kardashian, who loves this location so much that when she was rumored to be bored with her Ireland honeymoon with Kanye West, she quickly shot down those reports and… immediately scheduled a second honeymoon in Punta Mita.

6) Turks and Caicos

Already a favorite getaway spot for Drake, and of course once the home of Prince’s legendary purple driveway, Turks and Caicos has become one of the Caribbean’s best honeymoon destinations thanks to several very high-profile couples. Most recently, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello introduced the world to Parrot Cay Resort, and they followed in the footsteps of couples like Tony Parker and Eva Longoria and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner.

If couples are looking for privacy and elegance, as well as beach villas that they’ll want to live in for eternity, the Ambergris Cay private island resort would be a fantastic choice.

5) Seychelles

We always say, “If it’s good enough for a royal couple, then it’s good enough for you,” and that definitely goes for the Seychelles islands. And sure, this was the honeymoon choice of Prince William and Kate Middleton, but in this case the royalty we speak of is George and Amal Clooney. This Indian Ocean paradise was also the pick for NBA legend Dwyane Wade and model/actress Gabrielle Union, so the power couple rankings are off the charts.

4) Paris

The only non-tropical destination to make the list, the City of Love obviously makes perfect sense. Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk, Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman, Lily Allen and Sam Cooper—celebrity couples know what to expect from the home of romance, and you should, too.

One way to get the best and most of the region’s culture and history, as well as a fix of the water and beaches, is a European river cruise. See the Eiffel Tower from the Seine and cut out the crowds, while scoring amazing honeymoon selfies.

3) Bahamas

After a star-studded New Orleans wedding, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian spent their honeymoon at the private island Kamalame Cay Resort, which is located right next to the Andros Great Barrier Reef. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber wed and honeymooned on Nassau Paradise Island, choosing the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, as their accommodations. Josh Duhamel and Fergie also called the Ocean Club their honeymoon home, and Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz stayed at the Stella Maris Resort Club for their big romantic getaway.

What these celebrities know is that the islands of the Bahamas are packed with secluded, even private properties, like Cuvee’s Royal Island, that offer romantic experiences like none other. Now, their secret is out.

2) Bora Bora

The top two destinations shouldn’t surprise anyone, as they’ve inspired one of the most important travel questions we’ve ever posed. Overwater bungalows aside, Bora Bora is one of the world’s most beloved honeymoon locations because it feels like it exists on another planet. Resorts like Conrad Bora Bora Nui and Le Méridien Bora Bora provide romantic experiences unlike anything us mere mortals have ever experienced, and even celebrities can’t get enough of the unparalleled pampering and privacy.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter, Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara, Christina Applegate and Johnathan Schaech—so many celebrity couples have chosen Bora Bora for their best moments, and we don’t need to spend too much time on their Instagram accounts to know why.

1) The Maldives

It’s worth pointing out that Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union just might be the royal couple of honeymoons. Saying they honeymooned in Seychelles is misleading, because their actual post-wedding vacation included multiple stops, beginning in the Maldives, continuing in Africa’s Serengeti and concluding in Seychelles. So, thanks to this couple’s spirit of exploration and dedication to romance, the Maldives tops the list of honeymoon destinations for celebrities.

But we don’t need a basketball legend and superstar actress to tell us what we already know—unparalleled romance can be found in the Maldives. Josh Duhamel and Fergie knew this, too, as their honeymoon started in the Bahamas and continued at the One & Only Reethi Rah. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner chose the Maldives, as did Katy Perry and Russell Brand, Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (which feels like a lifetime ago).

Best of all, the islands of the Maldives are home to amazing hotels and resorts that, while mostly in the ultra-luxurious category, are still well within the budgets of anyone seeking the honeymoon of a lifetime.

The post The 10 Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations for Celebrities appeared first on Islands.

By all expectations, 2020 was set to be a phenomenal year for the Islands of Tahiti. After all, 2019 saw the biggest increase in arrivals in almost 20 years, with a record-breaking 43 percent of all visitors coming from the United States. The addition of more affordable flights a year earlier suddenly made reaching this once in a lifetime dream destination an attainable goal, and suddenly the idea of annual return trips became far more realistic to many travelers. 

But like so many other areas of the world with economies that rely heavily on tourism, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Islands of Tahiti to close its borders earlier this year. The goal during this time was to limit the spread of the virus, something that Tahitians did with aplomb. Because of their success in limiting the islands’ number of total cases to 62, and with no new active cases reported since late May, officials announced that July 15 would be the day to reignite the regional economy and reopen international borders to travelers from the United States and Europe.

“The country, the health authorities including the Ministry of Tourism and Tahiti Tourisme as well as the tourism actors have all been mobilized over the last few weeks to prepare for the return of our visitors,” said Jean-Marc Mocellin, who was appointed the role of CEO of Tahiti Tourisme earlier this year, but was unable to physically take office due to the shutdown. “This health protocol with the ETIS platform and the Traveler’s Self-Test implies a huge work and an impressive logistics for a territory as big as Europe.”

Of course, before excited travelers begin booking flights, there are rules. 

Anyone arriving by air, resident or visitor, will need to complete a series of actions, beginning with completing an RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 within three days of departure, and eventually presenting proof of the negative result at check-in. Next, the government has created a health surveillance system that requires the completion of an online commitment form and allows officials to contact travelers throughout their trips and even monitor their health status. And, four days after arrival, all visitors will take another, self-administered RT-PCR test that will be provided upon arrival. A positive test will require medical care and quarantine at the traveler’s expense.

While many companies like airlines and hotels are individually amending their cancellation and change of plans policies to aid travelers in this unprecedented period, the Islands of Tahiti has taken a unified step in assuring guests will have no problems canceling their trips should things take a turn for the worse. This “Common Cancellation Policy” has been signed by Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti, the major international air carrier and domestic airline, respectfully, as well as most of the region’s hotels.

Among the reasons fees can be waived are the inability to travel due to border closures, a lockdown in French Polynesia and testing positive for Covid-19 prior to departure. Any new reservation made between May 1 and September 30 of this year will qualify for this policy, as long as the trip takes place between July 15, 2020 and June 30, 2021.

The post The Islands of Tahiti Reopened with a Very Thoughtful Twist appeared first on Islands.

There are many reasons to visit Bora Bora, with its dramatic volcanic jutting motu peaks and scenery, and not to mention the overwater bungalows that headline the bucket lists of would-be travelers around the world.

But make no mistake, what’s under the surface is every bit as worthy as the dreamiest sunset.

Outer Reef

Will you see the hordes of tropical reef fish crowding other sites? Other than a sprinkling of black triggerfish, not really. But heading outside the lagoon offers equally worthy experiences for the adventurous snorkeler. The deep royal blue almost glows as the sloping ocean floor drops into the depths. This is where it gets exciting.

One of the big draws for divers venturing to French Polynesia is the healthy and abundance shark populations. In Bora Bora, the outer reef is where they roam. Friendly (yes, friendly!) black tip reef sharks will offer close encounters of the finned kind. If you go by tour, they’ll probably pop up as soon as they see the boat hoping for a handout. Up close viewing opps will get the heart racing, but equally enthralling are the much larger and far more shy lemon sharks. While blacktip reef sharks usually land in the four-to-six-foot range, lemon sharks are double averaging ten feet long. They’ll likely keep to themselves on the bottom but are impressive to see.

Four Seasons Spa Lagoon

Lucky snorkelers staying at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora need go no further than the lagoon at the base of the spa. Protected, warm, clear and pristinely kept—this is a perfect spot for the beginner snorkeler.

The shallow lagoon winds through the tropical foliage and is home to triggerfish, colorful wrasse, tiny chromes, glowing edged surgeon fish and the occasional eel. Little chunks of coral provide habitat for the sea life and entertainment to those getting treatments, as much like the bungalow floors, the spa offers clear windows under the massage tables to watch the fish below.

Guests can hold onto their gear to explore the reef alongside the sand beach or even to hop in from the deck of their overwater bungalows, rows of which reach into the bay dotting the light aqua water under Mount Otemanu’s gaze.

L’Aquarium—Intercontinental Hotel/Matira Point

As the name suggests, a snorkel here is equal to a visit to an aquarium. The list of tropical fish life is long—angel fish, trigger fish, lyre tail wrasse, parrotfish, chromis, cleaner wrasse and humbug fish are some highlights. Moray eels swim freely from coral ridge to ridge, while anemones waving in the swell play home to adorable clown fish.

Visibility in the region isn’t always as clear as it first appears, thanks to the healthy and nutrient-rich water. This is one spot that currents tend to keep clear, with 40-50-foot clarity often enjoyed.

Inner Reef

This sandy bottom hotspot for excursions and tours is home to a plethora of sting rays and amiable blacktip reef sharks. Thanks to some tour guides feeding the creatures, it has become a regular haunt for these creatures who might approach in hopes of a handout. Also fun to watch are the remoras that often accompany them, sliding along their length nibbling off parasites and debris.

Anau

As with many of the sites near this idyllic isle, this one’s best visited by boat tour despite seeming close to shore. Currents can be strong and local know-how goes a long way in placing visitors in just the right spot to get the best experience.

This site is actually known to offer great diving, putting much of the reef, with lovely hard and soft corals playing host to tropical reef fish, a bit too deep to enjoy from the surface. But what is readily present and the biggest draw to this site is well within view and simply magnificent.

Manta rays congregate in this little channel. Divers enjoy the reef but truly come to roll onto their back, looking up as numerous rays with their 9-12-foot wingspan glide above, feeding on the plentiful columns of plankton. Snorkelers can join the fun, enjoying a topside view of the creatures or freediving down to accompany the docile giants.

The post The Best Snorkeling in Bora Bora appeared first on Islands.

Every island-lover has a dream destination—a place so alluring or remote it qualifies as the ultimate escape. These islands number in the dozens, but we’ve narrowed down our list to seven, each blessed with natural beauty, steeped in cultural allure or located just far enough away to seem intimidating. No worries, you can easily get there on a cruise. Here are 12 itineraries that visit seven dream islands: Bora Bora, Tasmania, Easter Island, Santorini, Borneo, Bali and the Seychelles.

Bora Bora

The islands of French Polynesia (aka Tahiti) are all pretty magical, but Bora Bora is the luminous pearl that most visitors travel thousands of miles to see—its radiant blue lagoon fringed by white-sand motus (islets) and crowned by mystical Mt. Otemanu. Cruises that call on Bora Bora as well as most of Tahiti’s main island group, the Society Islands, are offered by both Windstar Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises. Which you choose depends on your cruise style.

For a more casual, breeze-through-your-hair ambiance, there’s the 8-day Dreams of Tahiti itinerary on Windstar’s 148-passenger Wind Spirit. Sailing roundtrip from Papeete (Tahiti’s capital and international gateway) on more than a dozen dates from July-December 2020, this tall-masted-ship offers an exhilarating sailing experience as it visits Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a and Huahine. Fares start at $4,399 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles and one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodations.

The 332-passenger MV Paul Gauguin is also a small ship, but it adds an onboard blend of Tahitian music and dance and French cuisine via a gourmet menu in La Veranda restaurant by Paris chef Jean-Pierre Vigato. In 2020, check out the 7-night Society Islands and Tahiti Iti cruises, which spend two days anchored in Bora Bora lagoon and also visit Huahine, Taha’a and Moorea as well as Tahiti Iti, the smaller landmass connected to Tahiti. Fares start at $4,795 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Tasmania

This isolated island state located off of Australia’s southeast coast offers something for almost everyone: Gorgeous scenery and abundant wildlife (its national parks are inhabited by wallabies, wombats, and yes, Tasmanian Devils), boutique wineries and cheese-makers, and historic sites such as Hobart harbor and the former penal colony at Port Arthur. Two cruise lines offering itineraries that include two port calls in Tasmania are Holland America and Princess.

Holland America’s 13- 14-, or 15-day New Zealand and Australia itineraries on the mid-sized Noordam, Marsdam or Oosterdam are scheduled throughout 2020 (in February, March, October, November and December) and are a great value. Most of these cruises, which in addition to visiting Tasmania, also explore the North and South Islands of New Zealand and coastal Australia, call spend a full day each in the charming capital of Hobart and Port Arthur. Fares start at $1,187 per person.

Princess Cruises has an 8-night Tasmania Cruise roundtrip from Sydney (Feb. 4-12, 2020) on its 3,560-passenger Majestic Princess, which debuted in 2017. The ship spends a full day at Port Arthur, overnights in Hobart, does a day of scenic cruising along the Freycinet Peninsula and also calls on Melbourne. Fares start at $699 per person.

Easter Island

It may be just a tiny speck in the South Pacific, but Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui) is on a whole lot of bucket lists—and for good reason. Ranked among the world’s most remote islands, it’s home to about 900 giant stone moai statues carved by Polynesian settlers 600-1,000 years ago. Book a cruise to see the quarry where they were created and learn how they were transported and posed in groups all around this 63-square-mile island, now governed by Chile. You can get there in 2020 aboard cruises by Regent Seven Seas and Princess.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers an 18-night Papeete, Tahiti to Lima, Peru itinerary aboard luxurious 490-passenger Sevens Seas Navigator (April 7-25, 2020) that mixes all-inclusive pampering and adventure—and checks off both Easter Island and Bora Bora in the process. The cruise embarks in Tahiti and in addition to Bora Bora visits four other islands in French Polynesia, and then navigates east across the South Pacific to call on Easter Island for two days before reaching Lima. Fares start at $13,199 per person, including airfare, shore excursions, open bar and gratuities.

If your budget is more modest, opt for 2,200-passenger Island Princess. Book quickly and you can still nab an inside or ocean-view stateroom for the 25-night Andes & South America itinerary, departing Fort Lauderdale on January 9, 2020 and arriving in Santiago Chile on February 3, 2020. It spends one day on Easter Island, transits the Panama Canal (another bucket-list experience) and visits 8 ports in five South American countries. Fares from $2,599 per person.

Santorini

The Greek Isles are full of mystique but few of them captivate as fully as Santorini, where whitewashed villages cling to black volcanic cliffs encircling an ancient caldera now filled with sapphire-hued seawater. Yes, it’s photogenic, but local wines, authentic Greek cuisine and sublime sunsets also add to the island’s allure. Many cruise lines offer itineraries that call on Santorini, including Celebrity and Oceania.

Celebrity’s 10-night Venice, Turkey & Greek Isles itinerary aboard 2,170-passenger Celebrity Constellation, which is scheduled for a complete refurbishment in May 2020, is offered in June, July and August 2020 and spends a generous 12 hours in Santorini. The cruise begins and ends in Venice and includes calls on Corfu, Crete and Mykonos as well as Athens and Kusadasi, Turkey. Fares start at $1,729 per person.

Oceania has 17 itineraries that call on Santorini in 2020, including the 11-night Legacies & Legends aboard 1,250-passenger Oceania Riviera from Rome to Athens (May 9-May 20, 2020). This cruise packs in nine ports in Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, with 10 hours to explore Santorini. Fares start at $4,499 per person.

Borneo

What makes Borneo a dream island? Well, at 287,000 square miles, it’s the world’s third largest—divided three ways between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei—but it’s also home to 11,000 species of flowering plants and 700 species of trees. Above all, it’s one of of only two places in the world where orangutans can be found in the wild, inhabiting the forests in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. Azamaraoffers a pre- or post-cruise land excursion to see these magnificent creatures.

Better still, with one particular itinerary you can experience not only Borneo but also Bali and Tasmania. Azamara’s 18-night Australia & Bali Voyage aboard 694-passenger Azamara Journey overnights in Bali, but since it embarks on March 24, 2020 in Sydney, guests can arrive a few days early to fly to Tasmania and explore. Then, after the cruise ends in Singapore, they can book Azamara’s 4-night post-cruise land program, In Search of Orangutans in Borneo. Cruise fares start at $3,025 per person and the land program at $2,759 per person.

Bali

Cruisers who enjoy local culture–music, dance, arts & crafts and religious traditions—will love the rhythms, colors and rituals of this Indian Ocean island. While the island is part of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, most Balinese are Hindu, a religion known for its abundant gods and goddesses, mystical temples and daily offerings. Add in talented artisans, pampering spas, verdant rice paddies and even a sacred monkey forest and Bali has its own special allure. Many cruise lines call on Bali, but these two itineraries from Viking and Seabourn are standouts.

With Viking’s 12-night Bangkok, Bali & Beyond on 930-passenger Viking Orion (April 5-17, 2020), guests can arrive several days early to explore Bali on their own—or add on one of Viking’s 2-4-night pre-cruise extensions—before boarding and sailing to several ports on Java followed by Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Fares start at $4,599 per person.

Seabourn’s 10-night Gems of the Java Sea aboard 600-passenger Seabourn Encore (April 7-17, 2020) from Bali to Singapore offers an overnight in Bali to start plus a call on a second Balinese port, Celukan Bawang. There are also two port calls on the Indonesian island of Java and one on Surabaya, as well as another bucket-list spot: Komodo Island, home to the Komodo dragon. Fares start at $3,999 per person.

The Seychelles

With their white-sand beaches, distinctive rock formations, and unique flora and fauna—from the sensual coco de mer palm to the lumbering Alhambra tortoise—the Seychelles islands are ideal for travelers looking to unwind amid some of nature’s most spectacular scenery. A great option for exploring this Indian Ocean paradise is offered by Crystal Cruises.

Enjoy a relaxing, all-inclusive yacht experience aboard 62-passenger Crystal Esprit on one of six 7-night Mahe/Eden Island Marina Roundtrip itineraries (available January-March, 2020) that sail from the main island, Mahe, and visit six other Seychelles islands. Fares start at $3,749 per person.

The post How to Cruise to Your Dream Island appeared first on Islands.

Tahiti is definitely one of those places travelers cite as a dream trip — for a honeymoon, romantic getaway or anniversary — but the islands of French Polynesia are also notoriously tricky for anyone on a budget. Enjoying those legendary overwater bungalows and surreal blue lagoons can practically cause the plastic in your wallet to melt! But by knowing a few tips on how to save and what’s worth the splurge, you can visit Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and other islands in this South Pacific archipelago and stick to your budget. Here are nine ways to save.

Visit during low season.

Tropical Tahiti is warm year-round, but there are two distinct seasons. High season is the “dry” season (March to November), when temperatures average about 80 degrees and there’s minimal rain. Low season is the “rainy” season (December to late February), when the air is a bit warmer (high 80s) and more humid with bursts of showers that typically last a half hour or less (and rarely ruin an entire day). Visit during low season to snag the best hotel prices, which can dip 25-40 percent in January and February.

Play around with airfare dates.

Flights from Los Angeles to Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport in Papeete don’t come cheap. Air Tahiti Nui and Air France/Delta are the nonstop options and roundtrip economy fares range from just under $900 to more than $1,600. Use an airfare comparison tool to check for the lowest airfares. Flying on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday versus Sunday or Monday, for example, might save you several hundred dollars per ticket, especially during peak wedding/honeymoon season. Booking at least six months in advance can lock in a cheaper airfare, too. Also, consider United, which recently launched a direct flight from several U.S. cities.

Look for a package deal.

As you’re pricing flights and hotels, also search online for package deals that bundle airfare, airport transfers, accommodations, daily breakfast and even a few dinners into one per-person price (generally starting in the $2,500-$3,500 range for seven nights). You’ll find deals from online travel agent sites, Costco, Air Tahiti Nui and others. Shop around for the best options that include daily breakfast (and preferably several dinners) since food costs are one of the biggest budget-busters.

Skip the overwater bungalow — or just book for a night or two.

Yes, the dream is to stay in an overwater bungalow, but at $500-$1,000 per night they don’t fit into most budgets for an entire week. Luckily, many resorts have hotel rooms and garden bungalows priced at $200-$400 per night. A few to check out are the Sofitel, Pearl, Manava, Hilton and InterContinental resorts on Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Book most nights in a room or garden bungalow and then trade up to an overwater bungalow for the last night or two. Tip: Overwater bungalows are cheaper on Moorea than Bora Bora.

Book an AirBnb.

If you’re a fan of AirBnb rentals, Tahiti can be a great deal. You’ll find dozens of options with prices in the $60 to $150 per night range. Just keep in mind that some residences might be a distance away from markets or beaches and, beyond Tahiti island itself, public transport is limited. Be sure to figure those logistics into your budget ahead of time.

Opt for lesser-known islands.

Most first-time visitors see the main three islands (Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora), but if you want to save money and prefer less-touristy locales, look into Huahine and Raiatea (located not far from Bora Bora) or Rangiroa, Tikehau or Fakarava (located in the Tuamotu islands and known for diving).

Consider a cruise.

While cruising Tahiti doesn’t come cheap, there is inherent value (no interisland flights are required and all meals are included) if you can score a sale fare. Fares for a 10-night roundtrip departing from Papeete on January 21 or 31, 2019, on Oceania‘s Oceania Marina start at $2,799 per person. Windstar Cruises also has air-cruise-hotel packages that include flights from Los Angeles, transfers, a pre-cruise hotel night on Tahiti and a seven-night cruise on 148-passenger Wind Spirit, starting at $4,399 per person. And Paul Gauguin Cruises has seven-night sailings (including airfare from Los Angeles) in December 2018 on 332-passenger ms Paul Gauguin, starting at $3,995 per person. These may not seem like deals, but in a place where every little thing adds up quickly, a seamless cruise experience might be worth it.

Dine smart.

Resort breakfast buffet prices are $30-$60 per person, so it’ smart to bring along protein bars and buy local fruit and yogurt for a light DIY meal; another option is to order one room-service breakfast and split it (there is usually enough food for two). Also plan to dine locally rather than just at the resort — there are typically small mom-and-pop restaurants within a short walk or bike ride from many properties — and make lunch your most filling meal since menu prices inflate after sunset. If you do have dinner at your resort check out the bar menu, which is often less expensive than restaurant menus.

BYOB.

Wine, beer and spirits are more expensive in Tahiti than at home, but you can save by packing a few bottles in your checked luggage and/or buying your preferred alcohol at duty free or a local market and enjoying cocktails on your terrace rather than by running up a big bar tab. Some resorts have a happy hour with reduced prices, so that’s the time to be social.

Know what’s worth the splurge.

Some things just need to be experienced — like Bora Bora and its brilliant lagoon. Don’t skip it, just search for the best possible deals. And if you can splurge, book a soothing Polynesian taurumi massage with scented monoi oil. If feeling adventurous, a shark and stingray feeding followed by a picnic on a private motu (a small sandy island) is definitely worth it.

The post Tahiti on a Budget: 9 Ways to Save and What’s Worth a Splurge appeared first on Islands.

The big day has just concluded, and now you’re looking for an isolated, romantic locale to start your forever with your forever partner. Traveling from North America? Bora Bora, separated from virtually the rest of the world by thousands of miles of ocean waters, is a good place to start.

With its sapphire seas, sandy islets and overwater bungalows, Bora Bora exudes romance. This postcard-perfect locale is a top honeymoon destination for many good reasons. Here are our top picks for the best hotels, restaurants and activities to experience in Bora Bora for lovebirds on a honeymoon or even just a simple romantic getaway.

Romantic Bora Bora Hotels – Conrad Bora Bora Nui

New and Improved

Book a room at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, which emerged from a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2018 with plenty of modern bells and whistles (think marble-clad bathrooms with freestanding soaking tubs and TVs that rise magically from bottom-of-bed cabinetry and swivel so you can watch from bed or your private plunge pool).

Presiding over a half mile-long, white-sand beach (the largest of any Bora Bora hotel) on the southwest end of Motu To’opua, the resort looks like a computer screensaver come to life, with a string of thatch-roofed overwater bungalows perched over impossibly blue waters. And a cocktail at its Upa Upa lounge, where the glass floor reveals colorful tropical fish, is the perfect toast for your trip, making it the perfect location for Bora Bora honeymoons.

Romantic Bora Bora Hotels – Le Méridien Bora Bora

Budget-Friendly

The overwater bungalows are more compact than competing resorts, and there’s no on-site spa, but chances are you won’t notice either at Le Méridien Bora Bora. Couples who have stayed here rave about the views of iconic Mount Otemanu and the crescent-shaped beach, which has two sides, one facing the mountain and the other facing the sparkling lagoon.

Watch “Tahitian TV” (the underwater world) through the glass panels in 85 overwater suites. Don’t miss the resort’s turtle sanctuary, where you can see rescued turtles thriving in their rehab center. Or simply snorkel the lagoon.

If you’re still in need of couples-friendly pursuits, Le Méridien’s romance concierge can arrange private dinners, sunset cruises and even symbolic wedding or vow renewal ceremonies.

Romantic Bora Bora Hotels – The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Classic Luxury

It doesn’t get more idyllic than this 44-acre St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, which is spread across three “motus” (islands) surrounded by the ocean and a large lagoon supplemented by views of Mount Otemanu from almost every vantage point. Its other claim to fame: The St. Regis was featured in the 2009 film Couples Retreat, which plays in a loop on TVs in its 90 butler-serviced suites (77 of which are overwater).

The Edenic property features Clarins’ only French Polynesian spa, a manmade “lagoonarium” for snorkeling with schools of tropical fish and four restaurants, including the overwater Lagoon by Jean-Georges, where you can sample Chef Vongerichten’s Asian-fusion menu, as you watch lemon sharks glide beneath glass panels in the floor at one of the best resorts for honeymoons in Bora Bora.

Romantic Bora Bora Restaurants – Breakfast by Outrigger Canoe

At St. Regis Bora Bora and the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, the best part of waking up is the sight of a sarong-clad oarsman and flower-festooned waitress skimming across the turquoise sea in an outrigger canoe decorated with tropical blooms. Once at the decks of your overwater villa, the pair sets up your canoe breakfast, a hearty spread for two that includes pastries, tropical fruit and the ceviche-style French Polynesian fish dish, poisson cru.

Sure, it’ll set you back about $100 per person, but the memories of your only-in-Bora Bora breakfast will last a lifetime.

Romantic Bora Bora Restaurants – Villa Mahana

In Vaitape on Bora Bora’s main island, Villa Mahana is a tiny restaurant with a mere half-dozen courtyard tables that are in hot demand by honeymooners. So, book well in advance. Come for Chef Damien Rinaldi-Dovio’s French entrees (the foie gras and lobster risotto are to rave about), and linger on the candlelit bougainvillea-draped terrace over dessert of molten chocolate cake with Tahitian vanilla ice cream.

Just don’t forget your wallet because, with prix fixe menus that started around $120 a head, dinner is a splurge, even by Bora Bora standards.

Romantic Bora Bora Restaurants – Bloody Mary’s

From your resort, you’ll need to take a boat and then a cab to Bloody Mary’s. An evening at this classic and casual Bora Bora restaurant is worth the trek. Soon after you arrive at the thatch-roofed eatery, where celebrities ranging from the Rolling Stones to Goldie Hawn, have also dined, you’ll be summoned to the open kitchen to select your meal from the fresh-caught varieties of fish and seafood displayed on ice.

While you wait for the main event, kick back with the signature Bloody Mary or a frosty Hinano beer in the sand-floored dining room. But don’t kick back too far, as those coconut-tree stumps you’re sitting on have been known to topple.

Romantic Bora Bora Activities – Have a Private Island to Yourself

As you fly into Bora Bora, you’ll undoubtedly notice those Instagram-worthy, sand-fringed islets floating in Windex-blue water. And, if you’re a guest at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you can actually have one of those “motus” all to yourself.

Book the Day in Paradise package, and you’ll be whisked away by boat to Motu Tapu, the resort’s idyllic private island, for lunch served on the sand. That’s followed by hours of snorkeling, beachcombing and whatever else you two can think of on your own private island.

Romantic Bora Bora Activities – The Ultimate Couples Massage

At St. Regis Bora Bora, they take couples’ treatments to a whole new level, with a romantic evening you’ll remember long after your tan has faded. First, reserve the last couples massage (we recommend the relaxing Polynesian massage) of the day – around 5:30 p.m., depending on the time of year – and request to have it performed by candlelight in the thatch-roof cabana on the spa’s beach.

Then, once the massage is over, you’ll dine in private at a table for two at the now-closed sanctuary, where the surrounding lagoon and tropical foliage are the perfect backdrop for a night to remember.

Romantic Bora Bora Activities – Snorkel Excursion to Teti’aroa

To get to Bora Bora from the U.S., you’ll probably fly from LAX to Tahiti. And once you land in Tahiti in the wee hours of the morning, you’ll likely have an horus-long layover before your evening connection to Bora Bora. So, make good use of your time by joining Poe Charter’s catamaran cruise to Teti’aroa, an atoll about 30 miles north of Tahiti that’s surrounded by a dozen sandy “motus” just waiting for your footprints.

The day trip leaves from Papeete and includes breakfast and lunch on board Ohana, a guided tour of the bird sanctuary on Rimatu’u and all the snorkel gear you need to explore Tahiti’s turquoise waters.

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