French Polynesia Relax: overwater bungalows and turquoise lagoons
Eight days of pure relaxation in French Polynesia — from Bora Bora's overwater bungalows and Moorea's spas to Tikehau's pink-sand beach and Rangiroa's lagoon — with no worries beyond the color of the water.
Description
This luxury itinerary runs French Polynesia's Leeward Islands in eight days of pure relaxation. It starts on Tahiti with a transition night at the InterContinental hotel and its overwater spa. Moorea offers two days of rest in a premium-category overwater bungalow, a spa facing the lagoon and the sunset cocktail from the resort bar. The 30-minute ferry to Tahiti is the most scenic way to hop between islands. Bora Bora is the crown jewel: an overwater bungalow with a glass floor to watch reef sharks from bed, a spa with tamanu and monoi products, and a private motu picnic with champagne on a coral islet. Tikehau, in the Tuamotus, offers the fish-richest lagoon in the Pacific, with 300 species, and the main islet's pink-sand beach. Rangiroa — the world's second-largest atoll — closes with the blue-turquoise lagoon, the village of Avatoru and a 5-km-wide blue lagoon.
Health & safety
- French Polynesia has no endemic malaria or dengue
- Fire coral and stonefish demand coral booties for walking the lagoon
- The equatorial sun is extreme — reapply SPF50+ every 2 hours
- Healthcare in Papeete is high-level; on outer islands it is limited, though resorts keep doctors on call
- Bottled water is recommended in the Tuamotus — desalination can taste salty
Day-by-day itinerary
Tahiti: spa and market
Papeete, Tahiti
Tahiti: spa and market
Arrival, overwater spa and the Papeete market.
Overwater spa at the InterContinental
Rest3hPapeete market and black pearls
Culture2hMoorea: overwater bungalow and lagoon
Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea: overwater bungalow and lagoon
Ferry to Moorea and a day of rest in the overwater bungalow.
Ferry to Moorea and bungalow check-in
Rest2hRelax in the bungalow and a sunset cocktail
Rest4hMoorea: spa and motu picnic
Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea: spa and motu picnic
Polynesian spa and a private picnic on a motu.
Polynesian spa with monoi and tamanu
Rest3hPrivate motu picnic with champagne
Rest3hBora Bora: the bluest lagoon
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora: the bluest lagoon
Flight to Bora Bora and a luxury overwater bungalow.
Flight to Bora Bora and premium bungalow
Rest2hAfternoon on the lagoon and a sunset dinner
Rest4hBora Bora: spa and coral gardens
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora: spa and coral gardens
Spa facing Otemanu and snorkelling over the coral gardens.
Morning spa with tamanu and vanilla
Rest3hSnorkelling coral gardens with a private guide
Nature2hTikehau: lagoon and pink sand
Tikehau, French Polynesia
Tikehau: lagoon and pink sand
Flight to the Pacific's fish-richest lagoon and the pink-sand beach.
Flight to Tikehau and pink-sand relaxation
Rest4hSnorkelling Tikehau's lagoon
Nature2hTikehau: pink island and motu
Tikehau, French Polynesia
Tikehau: pink island and motu
Private motu and swimming with mantas.
Motu excursion and bird-island picnic
Rest4hSunset cruise on the lagoon
Rest2hRangiroa: blue lagoon and farewell
Rangiroa, French Polynesia
Rangiroa: blue lagoon and farewell
The world's second-largest atoll and its blue lagoon.
Flight to Rangiroa and blue lagoon tour
Nature4hLast sunset and the flight home
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