Easily accessible with a short flight from Tahiti's airport or 30/40 minutes by ferry, the beautiful island of
Moorea was my first stop. I travelled by ferry, and even before I had reached the shores I was in awe of the green and mountainous landscape that I was approaching.
I stayed at
The Sofitel Kia Ora Beach Resort which sits on the edge of its own private, crystal-clear lagoon with overwater bungalows. The sparkling lagoon contrasts the volcanic mountain in a way that is unlike anything else I've seen; it offers the best of some of the world's most idyllic views whether you are looking out to the ocean or back at the stunning tropical peaks of the volcano.
The real beauty of Moorea is how much there is to experience; it's the perfect mix of relaxation and exploration. After a 4x4 safari tour to the centre of the island, I stopped at Magic Mountain viewpoint which gave the most amazing views of both the island and the lagoon, but my time on the island also included a visit to a pineapple and vanilla plantation to learn about the flora of French Polynesia. You can also snorkel with reef shark, sting rays and even humpback whales from August to November.
From the moment I stepped off the plane I was blown away by the beauty of
Bora Bora. The turquoise water is just as stunning in person as it is in the photos!
I stayed at the beautiful
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora in a one-bedroom overwater bungalow, which was such an incredible experience; the room was so spacious with a separate lounge area, large bathroom and all the doors and windows could open so I had a full view of the lagoon. And the hotel grounds were simply stunning! A natural lagoon flows through the resort, and walking around felt so peaceful. There are so many different spots to sunbathe whilst feeling like you're in your own private sanctuary. The resort even has their own marine biologist who works on preserving the reef, and guests can go on a guided tour of the lagoon sanctuary or get involved in the conservation projects with coral grafting!
My time on this island was filled with unforgettable moments, from the lagoon tour where I snorkelled with reef sharks and sting rays, to having lunch at a private beach where I tried a traditional outrigger canoe before making my own shell bracelet on the beach.
A short 20-minute flight took me from Bora Bora to Raiatea, but nothing could prepare me for the phenomenal experience I was about to go on.
I spent two nights aboard a catamaran with my group, sailing the shimmering waters of the lagoon. As a much quieter area than Bora Bora,
Moorea and
Tahiti, it felt like we had the entire lagoon to ourselves, and having our own yacht to spend our days on became one of my favourite parts of the trip. We snorkelled in the coral gardens, went paddle boarding and kayaking, and witnessed reef sharks and sting rays in the calm waters around the boat - an experience I'll never forget.
Venturing out onto land, I visited a pearl farm to discover more about the second biggest industry in
French Polynesia after tourism. Surrounded by incredible landscapes, I was honoured to learn about the process of how pearl oysters are farmed and harvested for these dazzling gemstones. A highlight of my land-based adventures though was definitely my meal on
Motu Nao Nao - a private island with three secluded and artfully design villas that feature floor to ceiling windows and shell walls. The island's private chef sourced local ingredients that are found on Motu Nao Nao, and as we enjoyed our lunch the chef described each of the different ingredients and flavours in every dish.