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The Ultimate 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Tahiti, Mo’orea & Bora Bora
Last updated on January 25th, 2026 at 05:24 pm
If “I am Moana of Motunui” isn’t the first thing you think of when you think of French Polynesia…then you need to sign up for a Disney subscription ASAP before coming back to read this blog post. JK! You can totally still read this post without having seen Moana (although I swear it’s 10x better if you do). Either way it sounds like you got French Polynesia on the mind and you’re wondering what the perfect 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary could look like?
Well look no further! I’ve poured HOURS into writing the absolute BEST 10-day French Polynesia itinerary a human (not AI) could ask for. Even Moana & Maui would be proud. My complete travel guide has everything you need for a flawless adventure across Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora — including where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and how to maximize every ridiculous shade of turquoise blue.
Plus, it even comes with a complete 10-day sample French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary based on pretty much everything my husband and I did during our honeymoon!!! So you don’t need to stress about planning, you can just focus on being MARRIED 🕊️
So let’s go restore the heart of Te Fiti together and dive right into the perfect 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary together!!! 👇
Read more on French Polynesia 🇵🇫
- Top 10 Things to do in Bora Bora for Couples
- 12 Bucket List Things to Do in Mo’orea for First-Timers
- The Ultimate Bucket List Things to Do in Tahiti for First Time Visitors
- The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa Review: Overwater Luxury in French Polynesia
This site contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary at a Glance
🏝️ Total # of Islands: 3 (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora)
❤️ Ideal for: Couples, honeymooners, families, bucket-list travelers
✈️ Transportation: International flights, ferry, and optional rental car
☀️ Best Time to Visit: May – October
🏨 Best Hotels (where we stayed): Hilton Hotel Tahiti, Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
Best Time to Visit for Your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary
Okay before we get into alll the details and goodness of this French Polynesia itinerary… first let’s talk about the weather and when the best time might be to visit this country 🇵🇫
Spoiler alert – there’s actually no bad time per se to visit because it’s beautiful year-round but if you’re optimizing for sunshine and water activities like we were…there are some months that are definitely better than others.
The sweet spot for visiting French Polynesia is typically May through October, which is also the dry season and brings sunny days, lower humidity, and comfortable temps that are ideal for Bora Bora lagoon swims, snorkeling, and overwater bungalow life.
We went on our French Polynesia honeymoon during the first week of October and the weather was pretty perfect. I think it rained for a total of 2 hours while we were there and luckily it was in the evening so we used it as an excuse to order room service and stay in!
June to August is peak season, so expect higher prices (and more honeymooners) while May and September offer that nice balance of great weather with slightly fewer crowds.
November through April is the wetter season, but it also comes with fewer tourists, better deals, and still plenty of sunshine between short tropical showers.
Bottom line: there’s really no bad time to visit French Polynesia, it just depends on your tolerance with a little light tropical rain!
Days 1-2 of your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Main Island of Tahiti
Okay now let’s finally get into your magical and hopefully unforgettable 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary!!
So regardless of where you’re coming from, your first stop into French Polynesia will likely be via the main island of Tahiti. It’s where all major international flights arrive into.
A lot of travelers tend to skip Tahiti or limit their time on the island but I personally think you’re doing yourself a disservice by doing so. Why fly all the way to another country just to immediately head to the beach?
I totally get it if you’re strapped for time but for me, I really enjoy learning about the culture and history of a new place when I travel. And you’re mostly only going to experience that in Tahiti. (The other islands are 100000x more beautiful but they’re mostly just that. There’s not a ton of cultural experiences to partake in which is why I suggest spending a bit more time in Tahiti).
Once you arrive at Faa’a International Airport, you’ll find a small, easy-to-navigate airport. The only potential hiccup is customs, which can take a bit depending on when flights land, so a little patience goes a long way. And a portable fan from Amazon because it is HOOOOTTTT as soon as you land.
Getting from the airport to your hotel or Airbnb is also pretty simple. Uber is widely available, taxis are easy to grab, and renting a car is another solid option if you plan to explore. There are several rental car agencies just outside the airport, which is what we did for our day trip to Mo’orea.
When we first landed in Tahiti, we opted for a quick taxi to the Hilton Hotel Tahiti and were checked in before we knew it.
Most hotels in Tahiti are located within about 15 minutes of the airport, or closer to 20 with traffic, making arrivals and departures smooth and stress-free, especially for first-time visitors.
Ps. I’ll be honest in that we actually spend a few nights in Tahiti so our honeymoon actually ended up being a little closer to 12 days than 10. But I cut Tahiti down to 2 days in this French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary because like I said, the general population would rather spend more time in the islands. And also, taking a 3-week vacation isn’t always realistic 😂
Best Boutique Hotels & Places to Stay in Tahiti During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
The one thing you’ll immediately notice about Tahiti compared to everywhere else in French Polynesia is that it’s the most affordable.
It’s the capital of the country and also where 90% of the population lives. So it can’t be Bora Bora prices everywhere. Meaning there’s a ton of great accommodation options to choose from.
- Tahiti Airport Motel ($) – A simple, no-frills stay just minutes from the airport, ideal for short layovers or late-night arrivals before hopping to another island.
- Maitai Express Tahiti ($$) – A modern, budget-friendly hotel in central Papeete offering clean rooms and convenience for travelers prioritizing location and value.
- Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti ($$) – A stylish boutique hotel with a retro-Polynesian vibe, perfect for travelers who want character, comfort, and an easy base in town.
- Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts ($$$) – A refined beachfront resort on Tahiti’s black-sand Lafayette Beach, offering upscale rooms, a tranquil setting, and a more secluded luxury experience.
- Hilton Hotel Tahiti ($$$) – Where we stayed!! A sleek, modern resort close to the airport with spacious rooms, a beautiful infinity pool, and an easy, stress-free start or end to your Tahiti stay.
- InterContinental Resort Tahiti ($$$$) – A classic beachfront resort featuring overwater bungalows, lush gardens, and lagoon views, ideal for travelers wanting a resort feel without leaving Tahiti.
Top Things to Do in Tahiti During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
Since we spent a few nights in Tahiti, we probably ended up doing more than most. But that’s good because now I’m here to tell you what’s worth doing and what you can skip during your first 2 days in Tahiti!
Day 1 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Arrive and check into your hotel. Like I said, we stayed at Hilton Hotel Tahiti and loved it. We were out of the airport and into our room within ~30 minutes! We arrived in the late afternoon so we didn’t have a ton of time to explore so we showered, freshened up for dinner, and asked the concierge where we should go!
They suggested we grab sunset drinks at Le Baroof and then head to Meherio Tahitian Bistro for dinner!
Both ended up being really solid spots that I’d happily go back to. Which honestly surprised me because I’m usually the person who spends waaaaay too many hours researching restaurants, but wedding planning had fully fried my brain in the days leading up to this trip. I put all my energy into researching excursions and things to do in French Polynesia, so we let most of the restaurant choices happen organically and somehow it worked out perfectly 🤷🏻♀️
Le Baroof had a fun and casual vibe (great music and sunset views) while Meherio was a bit more upscale. Also with epic views of the harbor and the most delicious seafood dishes!!!
Day 2 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: You’re gonna be heading to Mo’orea later today but that’s what’s so great about Mo’orea. It’s only a ~40min ferry ride away which means you basically have the whole day to spend in Tahiti.
We woke up bright and early (normally I’d say it’s jetlag but this was due to sheer excitement) and went on a morning walk to get coffee in downtown Papeete at Kaūa’a Tahiti – a cute lil coffee shop serving delicious iced coffee and yogurt bowls.
We know Papeete would be the only place we’d get to experience more “culture” so we also booked this 2-hour walking tour of Papeete through Get Your Guide. We had a local guide, Pauline, showing us all around famous Tahitian landmarks before ending at the famous Papeete Market.
I know walking tours aren’t for everyone but we loved this particular one. It was relatively short, started early (so we beat the heat), and really informative. You can tell that Pauline really knows her stuff and also gives an unbiased account of history in Tahiti. (I’ve been on plenty of walking tours where it’s clear where the guide stands politically and this was NOT that).
After the tour, we wanted to see a different part of Tahiti so we hired a driver so help us kill the remaining ~4 hours we had before our ferry to Mo’orea.
Our driver took us to see Fa’arumai Falls which was stunning! It was about a 30min drive from downtown Papeete but once we got there, it was only a 10min walk on a paved road to see these falls! They were pretty incredible to witness up close.
Then we got slightly hungry at this point so we also stopped in Punaʻauia to grab some food from a traditional Tahitian roulotte, which is basically just their way of saying food truck. (We ordered from Lani’s BBQ roulotte and it hit the spot for sure).
Lastly, our driver dropped us off at the ferry terminal and we said goodbye 👋
Make sure to keep reading for more info on Mo’orea including travel logistics, the best hotels in Mo’orea, and how we spent days 3-5 of our honeymoon in French Polynesia!
Not a fan of what we did? Head to my full guide on the best bucket-list things to do in Tahiti for first-time visitors!
Days 3-5 of your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Mo’orea
Okay now that you’ve got your cultural fix and late nights in Tahiti…it’s finally some island time for your French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary! And we’re headed to Mo’orea next!
You’ve probably already seen this island a few times from your time in Tahiti, especially on a clear sunny day! There’s a lot of different islands to choose from in French Polynesia but we picked Mo’orea due to its proximity to Tahiti and because of all the activities we wanted to do.
Getting from Papeete (the capital of Tahiti) to Moʻorea is surprisingly easy. The ferry ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes and runs multiple times a day, which makes it one of the easiest island transfers in all of French Polynesia.
‼️ While the actual journey is straightforward, buying the ferry tickets can be a little confusing. The websites definitely feels outdated, so turning on Google Translate and buying tickets in advance is a good idea. (I found it a lot easier to purchase tickets on my laptop than mobile).
There are two main ferry companies that operate between Papeete and Moʻorea: Terevau and Aremiti. Honestly, I didn’t see a huge difference between the two. Both are reliable, affordable, and run frequently.
- View the Terevau ferry schedule + timetable here (make sure to turn Google Translate on)
- View the Aremiti ferry schedule + timetable here (make sure to turn Google Translate on)
I personally booked with Terevau and even brought our rental car over to Mo’orea with zero issues. The only issue was that you have to DRIVE ON to the ferry which I’ve never done before in my entire freaking life and I’m not a very good driver buuuut thank god the workers helped me steer into the right spot lol.
You can buy tickets for the ferry online in advance or directly at the ferry terminal. If you’re not bringing a car, there’s usually no need to book ahead since tickets rarely sell out. But if you’re planning to take a car over? That’s when reserving in advance is a must.
My suggestion for your French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary would be to just rent a car once in Mo’orea. They’re slightly more expensive than in Tahiti but you’re going to be continuing onto Bora Bora directly from Mo’orea so it just makes things easier to pick up and return the car in Mo’orea.
Best Boutique Hotels & Places to Stay in Mo’orea During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
While Mo’orea isn’t as affordable as Tahiti, there are still so many great accommodation options on this island. AND there’s overwater bungalows in Mo’orea as well!
So you don’t technically NEED to go to Bora Bora (although of course, this honeymoon itinerary has you ending up there).
These are some of my favorite stays in Mo’orea for a wide variety of budgets:
- Hotel Hibiscus (Hauru area) – A simple, budget-friendly beachfront stay with tropical garden vibes, great for travelers who want an easy, relaxed base near Mo’orea’s lagoon without the frills.
- Niu Beach Hotel Mo’orea (Ha’apiti) – A modern, minimalist boutique hotel steps from a stunning stretch of white sand, ideal for guests looking for stylish comfort at a mid-range price point.
- Cook’s Bay Hotel and Suites (Cook’s Bay) – A contemporary, scenic hotel sitting right on the iconic bay, offering spacious suites and unbeatable mountain views for travelers who want convenience and calm.
- Manava Beach Resort & Spa Mo‘orea (Maharepa) – A polished, design-forward resort with charming overwater and garden bungalows, perfect for those seeking a classic French Polynesian vibe without luxury-resort pricing.
- Hôtel Fenua Mata’i’oa (PaoPao) – An intimate, artistic luxury hotel filled with eclectic décor and personalized touches, suited for travelers who want a boutique, one-of-a-kind stay with high-end comfort and service.
- Hilton Mo’orea Lagoon Resort and Spa (Papetoai) – A romantic, upscale resort with iconic overwater bungalows and a dramatic mountain backdrop, great for couples looking for a polished stay with plenty of amenities. Very centrally located to a lot of top things to do in Mo’orea.
- Sofitel Kia Ora Mo’orea Beach Resort (Temae Beach) – A refined, luxury beachfront escape set along one of Mo’orea’s most beautiful beaches, ideal for guests who want elegance, overwater villas, and a postcard-perfect lagoon.
Top Things to Do in Mo’orea During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
Okay so if Tahiti is where you go for culture, I’d say Mo’orea is where you go for adventure and a continued glimpse at local life. If you know anything about me, you might know that Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world. Or anywhere that combines sun, ocean, epic hikes, and good food.
And that is definitely Mo’orea to a T 🌺
Ps. Check out my other blog post for 12 bucket-list things to do in Mo’orea for first-time visitors!
Day 3 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: We arrived in Mo’orea from Tahiti in the evening. From the main ferry terminal, we picked up a rental car and headed to our hotel at Sofitel Kia Ora Mo’orea Beach Resort. After an action-packed day in Tahiti, we kept things simple – checked in, had dinner at the hotel, and called it an early night
Day 4 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Similar to Tahiti, we woke up with the sun and decided to grab coffee and breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a full day of adventure! I’m not normally an outdoor gal so I won’t even pretend to be a pro at hiking buuuuut I do love making the trek to epic viewpoints.
And that’s why I was so excited about visiting Mo’orea. I read that there are a ton of beautiful lookouts and hikes on the island so we decided to hit a couple in the early morning to beat the heat.
Our first stop was a ~90min roundtrip hike to the top of Magic Mountain. This hike is considered moderate and covers 2.1 mi, with an elevation gain of 597 ft. Once you get to the top, you’re instantly rewarded with 360 degree views of Opunohu Bay, turquoise lagoons, and even Tahiti in the distance.
After we came down the mountain, we treated ourselves to a nice ice cream smoothie at Fare Tutava, located at the foot of the mountain!
From there, we wanted to grab some food and lay on the beach for a bit before continuing to explore. So we got some takeout from North Shore Poke + Smoothie Bar and headed to Plage de Ta’ahiamanu.
Plage de Ta’ahiamanu is absolutely stunning. We saw the beach from above when we were at the top of Magic Mountain but it’s even more stunning at sea level. There’s a ton of amazing snorkeling and it’s really family-friendly with calm waves, white sand, and good facilities.
We probably saw over 50 different species of fish in the water! And my husband saw some type of eel he said too!!! (I didn’t see it but I’m glad I didn’t bc I probably would’ve freaked out)
After the beach, we headed to Manutea Tahiti Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery for a juice/rum tasting and to learn about how Rotui juices are made and packaged. (You’ll see this delicious tropical fruit juice EVERYWHERE in French Polynesia)
Both the factory tour and tastings are completely FREE! And if you’re not drinking (like I wasn’t), you’ll have more than enough juice to keep you full. There’s also a great gift shop which is where the tastings take place. We bought some pineapple champagne and pineapple wine to take home and they were DELICIOUS. Definitely not too sweet at all!!!!
Once the sun started to set, we headed back towards the Sofitel, grabbed a no-frills dinner from the food trucks at Roulotte le spot 64 Moorea near our hotel, and called it a night.
Day 5 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: I’ll be the first to say that we’re not young honeymooners lol so after 4 full days of traveling, we were tired. Plus, we paid all this money for luxury hotels so we wanted to experience more of it. So we actually spent our last day in Mo’orea just hanging out at the Sofitel and I had 0 complaints.
Since our flight to Bora Bora wasn’t until the afternoon, I started the day with a massage from the spa, followed by hanging out at the beach bar and laying around the pool before it was time to pack up and head to the airport 🧳
Make sure to keep reading for more info on Bora Bora including travel logistics, the best hotels in Bora Bora, and how we spent the remaining days of our honeymoon in French Polynesia!
Looking for more ideas on Mo’orea activities? Check out my other blog post for 12 bucket-list things to do in Mo’orea for first-time visitors!
Days 6-10 of your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Bora Bora
Annnndddddd you’ve finally made it to the most beautiful honeymoon destination in the world – Bora Bora! This is where you’ll spend the rest of your honeymoon soaking in all the newlywed bliss while coming down from the post-wedding blues. Literally, the blues.
The shades of turquoise and blue waters you’ll see in Bora Bora will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your life.
Since you’re already in Mo’orea – you’ll have essentially two options for getting to Bora Bora depending on what makes the most sense for your trip and budget.
Option 1: Take the ferry back to Tahiti first. This can be especially convenient if you picked up your rental car in Tahiti. You can simply drive it back onto the ferry, head straight to the airport in Papeete, and then catch the roughly 50-minute flight to Bora Bora.
It’s a clean, logical option and often the more budget-friendly route if you’re trying to avoid extra inter-island flight costs.
Option 2: Fly to Bora Bora with a quick connection through Tahit (PPT). There are no ferries between Moʻorea and Bora Bora, so flying is the only way to actually get between the two islands.
The Moʻorea to Tahiti flight is only about 15 minutes, followed by a roughly 50-minute flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora.
It might sound like a lot of steps on paper, but in reality it’s smooth, the airports are tiny, and everything moves pretty efficiently.
Pro tip: book both legs on the same ticket if you can to make connections easy and avoid rechecking bags. Also, grab a window seat on the LEFT HAND SIDE when flying to Bora Bora because the views are unreal. (And on the way back from Bora Bora to Tahiti, sit on the right hand side).
There are basically two airlines that handle these inter-island flights: Air Moana and Air Tahiti.
Both are small airlines with even smaller planes, and there’s not a clear winner between the two. I’ve seen travelers rave about both and also complain about both. Complaints were almost all related to being delayed departures because hey, everything runs on island time in French Polynesia 🤷🏻♀️
My advice is to optimize for flight timing and/or price!
Just a headsup – these inter-island flights in French Polynesia are definitely not cheap, so book early if you can. If you’re more budget-conscious, this is where taking the ferry back to Tahiti and flying from there can also make more sense.
Either way, all the islands are pretty close together, so it won’t be a long travel day at all.
And once you land in Bora Bora, most resorts offer boat transfers directly from the tiny airport to your hotel. You’ll grab your luggage, be greeted with a fresh lei, hop on a speedboat, and be on your merry way to honeymoon paradise!
Best Boutique Hotels & Places to Stay in Bora Bora During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
There’s a reason my French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary has you start in Tahiti and end in Bora Bora. And that’s simply because if you did it the other way around, you’d be sorely disappointed.
Your expectations would be so high from staying in Bora Bora that once you got to Mo’orea or Tahiti – you’d be depressed because you’d continue comparing everything to Bora Bora. And from accommodations, to the color of the water, to the service – Bora Bora is unmatched.
And that goes for their accommodation as well. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip so most of these hotels are absolute splurges. So get those credit card points ready well in advance.
I’m so thankful we were engaged for 18 months before deciding to get married because that gave us plenty of time to hoard our points. If you’re curious on how we booked our entire French Polynesia honeymoon on points – check out my TikTok here:
- Hotel Maitai Polynesia – A relaxed, budget-friendly escape with classic Polynesian charm, perfect for travelers who want lagoon access and overwater vibes without the luxury price tag.
- Hotel Royal Bora Bora – A simple and comfortable beachfront stay offering great value, ideal for guests looking for an easy, no-frills base on one of the island’s best beaches.
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts – A romantic, Polynesian-style resort with thatched overwater bungalows and lush tropical grounds, perfect for couples wanting an authentic island experience at a mid-range price.
- InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – A serene luxury resort known for its pristine overwater villas and world-class spa, ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, turquoise water, and high-end service.
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui – A modern, upscale resort tucked into a dramatic volcanic cove, perfect for guests who want spacious villas, sweeping views, and a more private luxury feel.
- The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa – A newly refreshed resort blending Westin’s wellness-forward style with Bora Bora’s lagoon scenery, ideal for visitors seeking stylish rooms and elevated comfort.
- The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – An ultra-luxurious, expansive resort offering some of the island’s largest overwater villas and signature butler service, ideal for travelers seeking top-tier indulgence and unparalleled pampering.
- Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – A world-renowned luxury resort with exceptional service, stunning Mount Otemanu views, and spacious overwater bungalows, perfect for honeymooners and travelers wanting the ultimate Bora Bora experience.
Top Things to Do in Bora Bora During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
Ps. Check out my other blog post for the top 10 things to do in Bora Bora for couples!
Day 6 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Similar to our last few arrivals, we arrived in Bora Bora in the evening. We were actually slightly delayed on arrival because it was so windy we had to go-around TWICE!
At one point, my husband and I thought we were going to die because of the turbulence and being in a plane the size of a sardine can. But hey! We made it through and a huge shoutout to the expertise of the pilots in Air Tahiti!
Once we landed, we got picked up in a speedboat and enjoyed a fun but bumpy ride to The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa. It was pretty late by the time we actually got into our room so we just headed to the onsite beach restaurant Varavara to grab drinks and dinner.
For the full breakdown of our honeymoon stay, head to my blog for a complete review of the Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
Day 7 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: I wish I could put into words how it felt when we finally woke up The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
We stayed in a King Overwater Bungalow but it was dark when we arrived so we didn’t get to see much. But when the sun came up the next day…it was unlike anything we’d ever seen. Crystal clear blue water all around us. Clear views of Mount Otemanu straight ahead. And little fishies swimming in the water directly below us.
Since today was our first full day in Bora Bora we knew we wanted to make the most of it. So we booked ourselves onto a full-day ATV 4×4 and jet ski tour around the entire island.
This full-day ATV 4×4 and jet ski tour around Bora Bora was easily one of the coolest experiences ever. I didn’t realize there’s actually a ton to see on the island of Bora Bora itself. The day started off with a direct speedboat pickup from The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa. We stopped at a few other hotels to pick up guests before arriving at a small dock near the north of the island.
The first part of the day was ATVs and lunch! I loved this tour because it was pretty small (only 9 people total, including us and our guide) and you got to see so much. We rode the ATVs directly on the road and then also into the jungle. We stopped at a couple viewpoints along the way where you could see all the luxury resorts below. (Highly recommend bringing a drone here for some epic shots)
We literally went around THE WHOLE ISLAND by ATV and made a big fat circle from where we started. Right before we hopped off the quads, we drove up to see these two remaining canons that were built by the Americans during WWII.
Fun fact – the Americans built a lot of the infrastructure in Bora Bora during the war including the airport, the roads, and towns because they were using it as a base in case of attack from the Japanese.
Some of you might know I’m a huge history nerd (particularly WWII) so this was incredibly fascinating for us. At the top, our guide treated us to some traditional French Polynesian snacks which included some Rotui pineapple juice (from Mo’orea), taro chips (yummm my fav), and a sticky sweet treat made from coconut and rice.
Once we came down the mountain, we dropped off our ATVs and immediately hit the water to grab our jet skis. I haven’t been on a jet ski since I was a kid so this was pretty epic. And thank god my husband was the one driving because I def didn’t want my own. (You can totally ride on your own though if you’d like. We just happened to be surrounded by couples in our group tour and every male immediately assumed the driver position).
From the main dock, we then proceeded to jet ski around the whole island passing by some of the clearest water I’ve ever experienced. At one point, we stopped near the Bora Bora Beach Club (a hotspot for locals) and I almost cried due to the sheer beauty around me. The waves were calm, the water was see-through, and it was dead silent since the engines of the jet skis were off.
I remember thinking to myself… “how is this place real? are you sure I’m not dreaming?”
It was getting to be lunchtime so we continued riding to a private island in the southeast of Bora Bora. There were tables in the water and food was set up on the beach! Lunch was delicious consisting of an authentic French Polynesian meal with fresh fish, chicken, mac salad, rice with corn, and more.
We hung around for a bit before riding back to the main dock where the tour started. We ended up getting back to our hotel around 4pm which was perfect. We laid around for a bit and then freshened up for Polynesian night at Tipanier at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
Tipanier at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa has different nightly-themed dinners so that guests can mix it up during their stay. Your options for food are pretty limited so most guests typically stay within their resort for dinner. We did venture out one night over to the St. Regis but more on that later.
Polynesian night at Tipanier at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa was so fun! It was a buffet dinner (which I looooove) and they were serving a ton of high-quality dishes including fresh tuna sashimi, yellowtail, and huuuuge cuts of steak and fish. Halfway through dinner, there are local Polynesian dancers that come and dance around the tables with song and dance.
It was such a fun way to end an action-packed day in Bora Bora during our French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary!
Day 8 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: After a full day of adventure, we wanted a day to just relax before our next day in Bora Bora. Plus, I’m a huge sucker for a luxury resort so I was in a special type of heaven.
And in case you didn’t know, The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa had just been recently remodeled so everything felt brand spankin’ new. So we actually just spent our entire day roaming around the entire resort. We started off with a buffet breakfast overlooking the lagoon, followed by an educational experience at the onsite Eco Center Bora Bora which is a rehab for injured turtles.
We paid a fee to learn more about the rehabilitation process and get to feed the turtles during mealtime. The fee is quite pricey but all proceeds go back to the Eco Center themselves to help the turtles.
After the Eco Center, we spent the entire day lounging around at the pool. I might be biased but I think The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa has the best pool out of all the other luxury resorts. There’s a HUUUGE beach area directly facing mount Otemanu so it never feels too crowded. There’s a swim-up bar and poolside service.
For dinner, we decided to get off property and head to The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (sister property to The Westin).
The hotels are technically right next to each other but the only way to get to/from is by water taxi! So we had the hotel call us one and we hopped over to 727 Bar for drinks and Farniente Ristorante for some delicious Italian food.
We had about ~2 hours total to explore The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort so after dinner, we took a stroll around their property before heading back in the water taxi!
Day 9 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Welcome to our second to last day in paradise! After a restful night, we set out for another busy day. This time we decided to book this exact private lagoon tour (on a traditional outrigger canoe) throughout Bora Bora.
A private lagoon tour is easily one of the top things to do in Bora Bora. Our beautifully decorated outrigger canoe picked us up directly from The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa at 9am sharp. While lunch was included, we also packed a few snacks and bottles of wine to take with us. Our canoe came with our main guide Max and his uncle who played music the whole time.
The private lagoon tour itinerary included a couple hours of snorkeling in the rainbow gardens, lunch on another private island (different than the one from the jet ski tour), swimming with manta rays and tiger sharks, and getting to learn about basket-weaving and how to make milk from coconuts.
If you want the full recap of our private lagoon tour in Bora Bora, head to my other blog post on the top 10 things to do and see in Bora Bora for couples!
Similar to the ATV & jet ski tour, we got back to our hotel around 4pm and got ready for the night. For dinner, we decided to treat ourselves to Maere, an upscale restaurant at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
Who knew there’d be a restaurant with a rotating tasting menu in Bora Bora? We ended up having a 6-course dinner with a champagne tasting. I’d be lying if I said the toasted coconut chips they brought out at the beginning weren’t so good that I immediately asked for more.
Curious what else we ate and whether The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa is worth it? I break it all down in my full honeymoon review on the blog.
Day 10 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Our last day in literal paradise 😭 We woke up and highly considered extending our trip but knew we’d have to get back to reality at some point.
So in order to soak up every last minute of our 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary goodness – we treated ourselves to a spa day at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa with a traditional Polynesian massage before packing up and saying goodbye to our overwater bungalow.
We left Bora Bora on a ~3pm flight back to Tahiti, then caught the red-eye home to San Francisco on United.
The post-honeymoon blues definitely hit once we landed back at SFO, but writing this blog post has been such a fun way to relive it all!
And that’s the full recap on our unforgettable 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary 🇵🇫
How was your 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary? Did we do any of the same things? Let me know in the comments below please so I can live vicariously through you!
Top-Rated Tours in French Polynesia
You might’ve noticed our honeymoon had a little bit of everything mixed in – adventure, relaxation, exploring on our own, and a few guided tours along the way.
I spent waaaaaay too many hours researching this trip so I’m linking some of the best and top-rated tours across French Polynesia to make honeymoon planning easier, including the ones we personally booked and loved 👇
Top-Rated ATV & Jet Ski Tours in Bora Bora
- Full Day Combo ATV & Jet Ski with a Polynesian BBQ on a Motu (the exact tour we booked)
- Combo Snorkeling + Motu Lunch + Jet Ski Group Tour
- Bora Bora Combo Jet Ski and ATV Quads Tour
Top-Rated Lagoon Tours in Bora Bora
- [Private] Half Day Private Lagoon Snorkeling Experience (the exact tour we booked)
- [Private]Bora Bora Lagoon & Water Lunch Experience
- [Shared] Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch
- [Shared] Bora Bora Full Day Manu Lagoon Excursion
Top-Rated Tahiti Tours
- 2-hour Papeete Guided Walking Tour (the exact tour we booked)
- Papeete Culinary Food Tour
- Papeete Food & City Tour
Top-Rated Snorkel Tours in Mo’orea
- [Private] 6 Hour Private Boat Activity with Snorkeling & Lunch
- [Private] Marine Excursion & Snorkeling in the Mo’orea Lagoon
- [Shared] Small Group Half Day Tour Lagoon Discovery
- [Shared] Mo’orea 6-Hour Snorkeling and Lunch Shared Tour
- [Shared] Unique Night Snorkeling Tour Mo’orea
Still deciding on a place to stay in Bora Bora?
Check out my full review of the Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa here.
Visiting other parts of French Polynesia?
Check out all my international travel guides here!
Looking for travel inspiration to somewhere else?
Last updated on January 25th, 2026 at 05:24 pm
If “I am Moana of Motunui” isn’t the first thing you think of when you think of French Polynesia…then you need to sign up for a Disney subscription ASAP before coming back to read this blog post. JK! You can totally still read this post without having seen Moana (although I swear it’s 10x better if you do). Either way it sounds like you got French Polynesia on the mind and you’re wondering what the perfect 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary could look like?
Well look no further! I’ve poured HOURS into writing the absolute BEST 10-day French Polynesia itinerary a human (not AI) could ask for. Even Moana & Maui would be proud. My complete travel guide has everything you need for a flawless adventure across Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora — including where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and how to maximize every ridiculous shade of turquoise blue.
Plus, it even comes with a complete 10-day sample French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary based on pretty much everything my husband and I did during our honeymoon!!! So you don’t need to stress about planning, you can just focus on being MARRIED 🕊️
So let’s go restore the heart of Te Fiti together and dive right into the perfect 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary together!!! 👇
Read more on French Polynesia 🇵🇫
- Top 10 Things to do in Bora Bora for Couples
- 12 Bucket List Things to Do in Mo’orea for First-Timers
- The Ultimate Bucket List Things to Do in Tahiti for First Time Visitors
- The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa Review: Overwater Luxury in French Polynesia
This site contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary at a Glance
🏝️ Total # of Islands: 3 (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora)
❤️ Ideal for: Couples, honeymooners, families, bucket-list travelers
✈️ Transportation: International flights, ferry, and optional rental car
☀️ Best Time to Visit: May – October
🏨 Best Hotels (where we stayed): Hilton Hotel Tahiti, Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort, Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
Best Time to Visit for Your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary
Okay before we get into alll the details and goodness of this French Polynesia itinerary… first let’s talk about the weather and when the best time might be to visit this country 🇵🇫
Spoiler alert – there’s actually no bad time per se to visit because it’s beautiful year-round but if you’re optimizing for sunshine and water activities like we were…there are some months that are definitely better than others.
The sweet spot for visiting French Polynesia is typically May through October, which is also the dry season and brings sunny days, lower humidity, and comfortable temps that are ideal for Bora Bora lagoon swims, snorkeling, and overwater bungalow life.
We went on our French Polynesia honeymoon during the first week of October and the weather was pretty perfect. I think it rained for a total of 2 hours while we were there and luckily it was in the evening so we used it as an excuse to order room service and stay in!
June to August is peak season, so expect higher prices (and more honeymooners) while May and September offer that nice balance of great weather with slightly fewer crowds.
November through April is the wetter season, but it also comes with fewer tourists, better deals, and still plenty of sunshine between short tropical showers.
Bottom line: there’s really no bad time to visit French Polynesia, it just depends on your tolerance with a little light tropical rain!
Days 1-2 of your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Main Island of Tahiti
Okay now let’s finally get into your magical and hopefully unforgettable 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary!!
So regardless of where you’re coming from, your first stop into French Polynesia will likely be via the main island of Tahiti. It’s where all major international flights arrive into.
A lot of travelers tend to skip Tahiti or limit their time on the island but I personally think you’re doing yourself a disservice by doing so. Why fly all the way to another country just to immediately head to the beach?
I totally get it if you’re strapped for time but for me, I really enjoy learning about the culture and history of a new place when I travel. And you’re mostly only going to experience that in Tahiti. (The other islands are 100000x more beautiful but they’re mostly just that. There’s not a ton of cultural experiences to partake in which is why I suggest spending a bit more time in Tahiti).
Once you arrive at Faa’a International Airport, you’ll find a small, easy-to-navigate airport. The only potential hiccup is customs, which can take a bit depending on when flights land, so a little patience goes a long way. And a portable fan from Amazon because it is HOOOOTTTT as soon as you land.
Getting from the airport to your hotel or Airbnb is also pretty simple. Uber is widely available, taxis are easy to grab, and renting a car is another solid option if you plan to explore. There are several rental car agencies just outside the airport, which is what we did for our day trip to Mo’orea.
When we first landed in Tahiti, we opted for a quick taxi to the Hilton Hotel Tahiti and were checked in before we knew it.
Most hotels in Tahiti are located within about 15 minutes of the airport, or closer to 20 with traffic, making arrivals and departures smooth and stress-free, especially for first-time visitors.
Ps. I’ll be honest in that we actually spend a few nights in Tahiti so our honeymoon actually ended up being a little closer to 12 days than 10. But I cut Tahiti down to 2 days in this French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary because like I said, the general population would rather spend more time in the islands. And also, taking a 3-week vacation isn’t always realistic 😂
Best Boutique Hotels & Places to Stay in Tahiti During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
The one thing you’ll immediately notice about Tahiti compared to everywhere else in French Polynesia is that it’s the most affordable.
It’s the capital of the country and also where 90% of the population lives. So it can’t be Bora Bora prices everywhere. Meaning there’s a ton of great accommodation options to choose from.
- Tahiti Airport Motel ($) – A simple, no-frills stay just minutes from the airport, ideal for short layovers or late-night arrivals before hopping to another island.
- Maitai Express Tahiti ($$) – A modern, budget-friendly hotel in central Papeete offering clean rooms and convenience for travelers prioritizing location and value.
- Boutique Hotel Kon Tiki Tahiti ($$) – A stylish boutique hotel with a retro-Polynesian vibe, perfect for travelers who want character, comfort, and an easy base in town.
- Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts ($$$) – A refined beachfront resort on Tahiti’s black-sand Lafayette Beach, offering upscale rooms, a tranquil setting, and a more secluded luxury experience.
- Hilton Hotel Tahiti ($$$) – Where we stayed!! A sleek, modern resort close to the airport with spacious rooms, a beautiful infinity pool, and an easy, stress-free start or end to your Tahiti stay.
- InterContinental Resort Tahiti ($$$$) – A classic beachfront resort featuring overwater bungalows, lush gardens, and lagoon views, ideal for travelers wanting a resort feel without leaving Tahiti.
Top Things to Do in Tahiti During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
Since we spent a few nights in Tahiti, we probably ended up doing more than most. But that’s good because now I’m here to tell you what’s worth doing and what you can skip during your first 2 days in Tahiti!
Day 1 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Arrive and check into your hotel. Like I said, we stayed at Hilton Hotel Tahiti and loved it. We were out of the airport and into our room within ~30 minutes! We arrived in the late afternoon so we didn’t have a ton of time to explore so we showered, freshened up for dinner, and asked the concierge where we should go!
They suggested we grab sunset drinks at Le Baroof and then head to Meherio Tahitian Bistro for dinner!
Both ended up being really solid spots that I’d happily go back to. Which honestly surprised me because I’m usually the person who spends waaaaay too many hours researching restaurants, but wedding planning had fully fried my brain in the days leading up to this trip. I put all my energy into researching excursions and things to do in French Polynesia, so we let most of the restaurant choices happen organically and somehow it worked out perfectly 🤷🏻♀️
Le Baroof had a fun and casual vibe (great music and sunset views) while Meherio was a bit more upscale. Also with epic views of the harbor and the most delicious seafood dishes!!!
Day 2 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: You’re gonna be heading to Mo’orea later today but that’s what’s so great about Mo’orea. It’s only a ~40min ferry ride away which means you basically have the whole day to spend in Tahiti.
We woke up bright and early (normally I’d say it’s jetlag but this was due to sheer excitement) and went on a morning walk to get coffee in downtown Papeete at Kaūa’a Tahiti – a cute lil coffee shop serving delicious iced coffee and yogurt bowls.
We know Papeete would be the only place we’d get to experience more “culture” so we also booked this 2-hour walking tour of Papeete through Get Your Guide. We had a local guide, Pauline, showing us all around famous Tahitian landmarks before ending at the famous Papeete Market.
I know walking tours aren’t for everyone but we loved this particular one. It was relatively short, started early (so we beat the heat), and really informative. You can tell that Pauline really knows her stuff and also gives an unbiased account of history in Tahiti. (I’ve been on plenty of walking tours where it’s clear where the guide stands politically and this was NOT that).
After the tour, we wanted to see a different part of Tahiti so we hired a driver so help us kill the remaining ~4 hours we had before our ferry to Mo’orea.
Our driver took us to see Fa’arumai Falls which was stunning! It was about a 30min drive from downtown Papeete but once we got there, it was only a 10min walk on a paved road to see these falls! They were pretty incredible to witness up close.
Then we got slightly hungry at this point so we also stopped in Punaʻauia to grab some food from a traditional Tahitian roulotte, which is basically just their way of saying food truck. (We ordered from Lani’s BBQ roulotte and it hit the spot for sure).
Lastly, our driver dropped us off at the ferry terminal and we said goodbye 👋
Make sure to keep reading for more info on Mo’orea including travel logistics, the best hotels in Mo’orea, and how we spent days 3-5 of our honeymoon in French Polynesia!
Not a fan of what we did? Head to my full guide on the best bucket-list things to do in Tahiti for first-time visitors!
Days 3-5 of your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Mo’orea
Okay now that you’ve got your cultural fix and late nights in Tahiti…it’s finally some island time for your French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary! And we’re headed to Mo’orea next!
You’ve probably already seen this island a few times from your time in Tahiti, especially on a clear sunny day! There’s a lot of different islands to choose from in French Polynesia but we picked Mo’orea due to its proximity to Tahiti and because of all the activities we wanted to do.
Getting from Papeete (the capital of Tahiti) to Moʻorea is surprisingly easy. The ferry ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes and runs multiple times a day, which makes it one of the easiest island transfers in all of French Polynesia.
‼️ While the actual journey is straightforward, buying the ferry tickets can be a little confusing. The websites definitely feels outdated, so turning on Google Translate and buying tickets in advance is a good idea. (I found it a lot easier to purchase tickets on my laptop than mobile).
There are two main ferry companies that operate between Papeete and Moʻorea: Terevau and Aremiti. Honestly, I didn’t see a huge difference between the two. Both are reliable, affordable, and run frequently.
- View the Terevau ferry schedule + timetable here (make sure to turn Google Translate on)
- View the Aremiti ferry schedule + timetable here (make sure to turn Google Translate on)
I personally booked with Terevau and even brought our rental car over to Mo’orea with zero issues. The only issue was that you have to DRIVE ON to the ferry which I’ve never done before in my entire freaking life and I’m not a very good driver buuuut thank god the workers helped me steer into the right spot lol.
You can buy tickets for the ferry online in advance or directly at the ferry terminal. If you’re not bringing a car, there’s usually no need to book ahead since tickets rarely sell out. But if you’re planning to take a car over? That’s when reserving in advance is a must.
My suggestion for your French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary would be to just rent a car once in Mo’orea. They’re slightly more expensive than in Tahiti but you’re going to be continuing onto Bora Bora directly from Mo’orea so it just makes things easier to pick up and return the car in Mo’orea.
Best Boutique Hotels & Places to Stay in Mo’orea During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
While Mo’orea isn’t as affordable as Tahiti, there are still so many great accommodation options on this island. AND there’s overwater bungalows in Mo’orea as well!
So you don’t technically NEED to go to Bora Bora (although of course, this honeymoon itinerary has you ending up there).
These are some of my favorite stays in Mo’orea for a wide variety of budgets:
- Hotel Hibiscus (Hauru area) – A simple, budget-friendly beachfront stay with tropical garden vibes, great for travelers who want an easy, relaxed base near Mo’orea’s lagoon without the frills.
- Niu Beach Hotel Mo’orea (Ha’apiti) – A modern, minimalist boutique hotel steps from a stunning stretch of white sand, ideal for guests looking for stylish comfort at a mid-range price point.
- Cook’s Bay Hotel and Suites (Cook’s Bay) – A contemporary, scenic hotel sitting right on the iconic bay, offering spacious suites and unbeatable mountain views for travelers who want convenience and calm.
- Manava Beach Resort & Spa Mo‘orea (Maharepa) – A polished, design-forward resort with charming overwater and garden bungalows, perfect for those seeking a classic French Polynesian vibe without luxury-resort pricing.
- Hôtel Fenua Mata’i’oa (PaoPao) – An intimate, artistic luxury hotel filled with eclectic décor and personalized touches, suited for travelers who want a boutique, one-of-a-kind stay with high-end comfort and service.
- Hilton Mo’orea Lagoon Resort and Spa (Papetoai) – A romantic, upscale resort with iconic overwater bungalows and a dramatic mountain backdrop, great for couples looking for a polished stay with plenty of amenities. Very centrally located to a lot of top things to do in Mo’orea.
- Sofitel Kia Ora Mo’orea Beach Resort (Temae Beach) – A refined, luxury beachfront escape set along one of Mo’orea’s most beautiful beaches, ideal for guests who want elegance, overwater villas, and a postcard-perfect lagoon.
Top Things to Do in Mo’orea During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
Okay so if Tahiti is where you go for culture, I’d say Mo’orea is where you go for adventure and a continued glimpse at local life. If you know anything about me, you might know that Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world. Or anywhere that combines sun, ocean, epic hikes, and good food.
And that is definitely Mo’orea to a T 🌺
Ps. Check out my other blog post for 12 bucket-list things to do in Mo’orea for first-time visitors!
Day 3 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: We arrived in Mo’orea from Tahiti in the evening. From the main ferry terminal, we picked up a rental car and headed to our hotel at Sofitel Kia Ora Mo’orea Beach Resort. After an action-packed day in Tahiti, we kept things simple – checked in, had dinner at the hotel, and called it an early night
Day 4 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Similar to Tahiti, we woke up with the sun and decided to grab coffee and breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a full day of adventure! I’m not normally an outdoor gal so I won’t even pretend to be a pro at hiking buuuuut I do love making the trek to epic viewpoints.
And that’s why I was so excited about visiting Mo’orea. I read that there are a ton of beautiful lookouts and hikes on the island so we decided to hit a couple in the early morning to beat the heat.
Our first stop was a ~90min roundtrip hike to the top of Magic Mountain. This hike is considered moderate and covers 2.1 mi, with an elevation gain of 597 ft. Once you get to the top, you’re instantly rewarded with 360 degree views of Opunohu Bay, turquoise lagoons, and even Tahiti in the distance.
After we came down the mountain, we treated ourselves to a nice ice cream smoothie at Fare Tutava, located at the foot of the mountain!
From there, we wanted to grab some food and lay on the beach for a bit before continuing to explore. So we got some takeout from North Shore Poke + Smoothie Bar and headed to Plage de Ta’ahiamanu.
Plage de Ta’ahiamanu is absolutely stunning. We saw the beach from above when we were at the top of Magic Mountain but it’s even more stunning at sea level. There’s a ton of amazing snorkeling and it’s really family-friendly with calm waves, white sand, and good facilities.
We probably saw over 50 different species of fish in the water! And my husband saw some type of eel he said too!!! (I didn’t see it but I’m glad I didn’t bc I probably would’ve freaked out)
After the beach, we headed to Manutea Tahiti Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery for a juice/rum tasting and to learn about how Rotui juices are made and packaged. (You’ll see this delicious tropical fruit juice EVERYWHERE in French Polynesia)
Both the factory tour and tastings are completely FREE! And if you’re not drinking (like I wasn’t), you’ll have more than enough juice to keep you full. There’s also a great gift shop which is where the tastings take place. We bought some pineapple champagne and pineapple wine to take home and they were DELICIOUS. Definitely not too sweet at all!!!!
Once the sun started to set, we headed back towards the Sofitel, grabbed a no-frills dinner from the food trucks at Roulotte le spot 64 Moorea near our hotel, and called it a night.
Day 5 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: I’ll be the first to say that we’re not young honeymooners lol so after 4 full days of traveling, we were tired. Plus, we paid all this money for luxury hotels so we wanted to experience more of it. So we actually spent our last day in Mo’orea just hanging out at the Sofitel and I had 0 complaints.
Since our flight to Bora Bora wasn’t until the afternoon, I started the day with a massage from the spa, followed by hanging out at the beach bar and laying around the pool before it was time to pack up and head to the airport 🧳
Make sure to keep reading for more info on Bora Bora including travel logistics, the best hotels in Bora Bora, and how we spent the remaining days of our honeymoon in French Polynesia!
Looking for more ideas on Mo’orea activities? Check out my other blog post for 12 bucket-list things to do in Mo’orea for first-time visitors!
Days 6-10 of your 10-Day French Polynesia Honeymoon Itinerary: Bora Bora
Annnndddddd you’ve finally made it to the most beautiful honeymoon destination in the world – Bora Bora! This is where you’ll spend the rest of your honeymoon soaking in all the newlywed bliss while coming down from the post-wedding blues. Literally, the blues.
The shades of turquoise and blue waters you’ll see in Bora Bora will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your life.
Since you’re already in Mo’orea – you’ll have essentially two options for getting to Bora Bora depending on what makes the most sense for your trip and budget.
Option 1: Take the ferry back to Tahiti first. This can be especially convenient if you picked up your rental car in Tahiti. You can simply drive it back onto the ferry, head straight to the airport in Papeete, and then catch the roughly 50-minute flight to Bora Bora.
It’s a clean, logical option and often the more budget-friendly route if you’re trying to avoid extra inter-island flight costs.
Option 2: Fly to Bora Bora with a quick connection through Tahit (PPT). There are no ferries between Moʻorea and Bora Bora, so flying is the only way to actually get between the two islands.
The Moʻorea to Tahiti flight is only about 15 minutes, followed by a roughly 50-minute flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora.
It might sound like a lot of steps on paper, but in reality it’s smooth, the airports are tiny, and everything moves pretty efficiently.
Pro tip: book both legs on the same ticket if you can to make connections easy and avoid rechecking bags. Also, grab a window seat on the LEFT HAND SIDE when flying to Bora Bora because the views are unreal. (And on the way back from Bora Bora to Tahiti, sit on the right hand side).
There are basically two airlines that handle these inter-island flights: Air Moana and Air Tahiti.
Both are small airlines with even smaller planes, and there’s not a clear winner between the two. I’ve seen travelers rave about both and also complain about both. Complaints were almost all related to being delayed departures because hey, everything runs on island time in French Polynesia 🤷🏻♀️
My advice is to optimize for flight timing and/or price!
Just a headsup – these inter-island flights in French Polynesia are definitely not cheap, so book early if you can. If you’re more budget-conscious, this is where taking the ferry back to Tahiti and flying from there can also make more sense.
Either way, all the islands are pretty close together, so it won’t be a long travel day at all.
And once you land in Bora Bora, most resorts offer boat transfers directly from the tiny airport to your hotel. You’ll grab your luggage, be greeted with a fresh lei, hop on a speedboat, and be on your merry way to honeymoon paradise!
Best Boutique Hotels & Places to Stay in Bora Bora During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
There’s a reason my French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary has you start in Tahiti and end in Bora Bora. And that’s simply because if you did it the other way around, you’d be sorely disappointed.
Your expectations would be so high from staying in Bora Bora that once you got to Mo’orea or Tahiti – you’d be depressed because you’d continue comparing everything to Bora Bora. And from accommodations, to the color of the water, to the service – Bora Bora is unmatched.
And that goes for their accommodation as well. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip so most of these hotels are absolute splurges. So get those credit card points ready well in advance.
I’m so thankful we were engaged for 18 months before deciding to get married because that gave us plenty of time to hoard our points. If you’re curious on how we booked our entire French Polynesia honeymoon on points – check out my TikTok here:
- Hotel Maitai Polynesia – A relaxed, budget-friendly escape with classic Polynesian charm, perfect for travelers who want lagoon access and overwater vibes without the luxury price tag.
- Hotel Royal Bora Bora – A simple and comfortable beachfront stay offering great value, ideal for guests looking for an easy, no-frills base on one of the island’s best beaches.
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts – A romantic, Polynesian-style resort with thatched overwater bungalows and lush tropical grounds, perfect for couples wanting an authentic island experience at a mid-range price.
- InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – A serene luxury resort known for its pristine overwater villas and world-class spa, ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, turquoise water, and high-end service.
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui – A modern, upscale resort tucked into a dramatic volcanic cove, perfect for guests who want spacious villas, sweeping views, and a more private luxury feel.
- The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa – A newly refreshed resort blending Westin’s wellness-forward style with Bora Bora’s lagoon scenery, ideal for visitors seeking stylish rooms and elevated comfort.
- The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort – An ultra-luxurious, expansive resort offering some of the island’s largest overwater villas and signature butler service, ideal for travelers seeking top-tier indulgence and unparalleled pampering.
- Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – A world-renowned luxury resort with exceptional service, stunning Mount Otemanu views, and spacious overwater bungalows, perfect for honeymooners and travelers wanting the ultimate Bora Bora experience.
Top Things to Do in Bora Bora During your 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary
Ps. Check out my other blog post for the top 10 things to do in Bora Bora for couples!
Day 6 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Similar to our last few arrivals, we arrived in Bora Bora in the evening. We were actually slightly delayed on arrival because it was so windy we had to go-around TWICE!
At one point, my husband and I thought we were going to die because of the turbulence and being in a plane the size of a sardine can. But hey! We made it through and a huge shoutout to the expertise of the pilots in Air Tahiti!
Once we landed, we got picked up in a speedboat and enjoyed a fun but bumpy ride to The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa. It was pretty late by the time we actually got into our room so we just headed to the onsite beach restaurant Varavara to grab drinks and dinner.
For the full breakdown of our honeymoon stay, head to my blog for a complete review of the Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
Day 7 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: I wish I could put into words how it felt when we finally woke up The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
We stayed in a King Overwater Bungalow but it was dark when we arrived so we didn’t get to see much. But when the sun came up the next day…it was unlike anything we’d ever seen. Crystal clear blue water all around us. Clear views of Mount Otemanu straight ahead. And little fishies swimming in the water directly below us.
Since today was our first full day in Bora Bora we knew we wanted to make the most of it. So we booked ourselves onto a full-day ATV 4×4 and jet ski tour around the entire island.
This full-day ATV 4×4 and jet ski tour around Bora Bora was easily one of the coolest experiences ever. I didn’t realize there’s actually a ton to see on the island of Bora Bora itself. The day started off with a direct speedboat pickup from The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa. We stopped at a few other hotels to pick up guests before arriving at a small dock near the north of the island.
The first part of the day was ATVs and lunch! I loved this tour because it was pretty small (only 9 people total, including us and our guide) and you got to see so much. We rode the ATVs directly on the road and then also into the jungle. We stopped at a couple viewpoints along the way where you could see all the luxury resorts below. (Highly recommend bringing a drone here for some epic shots)
We literally went around THE WHOLE ISLAND by ATV and made a big fat circle from where we started. Right before we hopped off the quads, we drove up to see these two remaining canons that were built by the Americans during WWII.
Fun fact – the Americans built a lot of the infrastructure in Bora Bora during the war including the airport, the roads, and towns because they were using it as a base in case of attack from the Japanese.
Some of you might know I’m a huge history nerd (particularly WWII) so this was incredibly fascinating for us. At the top, our guide treated us to some traditional French Polynesian snacks which included some Rotui pineapple juice (from Mo’orea), taro chips (yummm my fav), and a sticky sweet treat made from coconut and rice.
Once we came down the mountain, we dropped off our ATVs and immediately hit the water to grab our jet skis. I haven’t been on a jet ski since I was a kid so this was pretty epic. And thank god my husband was the one driving because I def didn’t want my own. (You can totally ride on your own though if you’d like. We just happened to be surrounded by couples in our group tour and every male immediately assumed the driver position).
From the main dock, we then proceeded to jet ski around the whole island passing by some of the clearest water I’ve ever experienced. At one point, we stopped near the Bora Bora Beach Club (a hotspot for locals) and I almost cried due to the sheer beauty around me. The waves were calm, the water was see-through, and it was dead silent since the engines of the jet skis were off.
I remember thinking to myself… “how is this place real? are you sure I’m not dreaming?”
It was getting to be lunchtime so we continued riding to a private island in the southeast of Bora Bora. There were tables in the water and food was set up on the beach! Lunch was delicious consisting of an authentic French Polynesian meal with fresh fish, chicken, mac salad, rice with corn, and more.
We hung around for a bit before riding back to the main dock where the tour started. We ended up getting back to our hotel around 4pm which was perfect. We laid around for a bit and then freshened up for Polynesian night at Tipanier at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
Tipanier at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa has different nightly-themed dinners so that guests can mix it up during their stay. Your options for food are pretty limited so most guests typically stay within their resort for dinner. We did venture out one night over to the St. Regis but more on that later.
Polynesian night at Tipanier at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa was so fun! It was a buffet dinner (which I looooove) and they were serving a ton of high-quality dishes including fresh tuna sashimi, yellowtail, and huuuuge cuts of steak and fish. Halfway through dinner, there are local Polynesian dancers that come and dance around the tables with song and dance.
It was such a fun way to end an action-packed day in Bora Bora during our French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary!
Day 8 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: After a full day of adventure, we wanted a day to just relax before our next day in Bora Bora. Plus, I’m a huge sucker for a luxury resort so I was in a special type of heaven.
And in case you didn’t know, The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa had just been recently remodeled so everything felt brand spankin’ new. So we actually just spent our entire day roaming around the entire resort. We started off with a buffet breakfast overlooking the lagoon, followed by an educational experience at the onsite Eco Center Bora Bora which is a rehab for injured turtles.
We paid a fee to learn more about the rehabilitation process and get to feed the turtles during mealtime. The fee is quite pricey but all proceeds go back to the Eco Center themselves to help the turtles.
After the Eco Center, we spent the entire day lounging around at the pool. I might be biased but I think The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa has the best pool out of all the other luxury resorts. There’s a HUUUGE beach area directly facing mount Otemanu so it never feels too crowded. There’s a swim-up bar and poolside service.
For dinner, we decided to get off property and head to The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (sister property to The Westin).
The hotels are technically right next to each other but the only way to get to/from is by water taxi! So we had the hotel call us one and we hopped over to 727 Bar for drinks and Farniente Ristorante for some delicious Italian food.
We had about ~2 hours total to explore The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort so after dinner, we took a stroll around their property before heading back in the water taxi!
Day 9 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Welcome to our second to last day in paradise! After a restful night, we set out for another busy day. This time we decided to book this exact private lagoon tour (on a traditional outrigger canoe) throughout Bora Bora.
A private lagoon tour is easily one of the top things to do in Bora Bora. Our beautifully decorated outrigger canoe picked us up directly from The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa at 9am sharp. While lunch was included, we also packed a few snacks and bottles of wine to take with us. Our canoe came with our main guide Max and his uncle who played music the whole time.
The private lagoon tour itinerary included a couple hours of snorkeling in the rainbow gardens, lunch on another private island (different than the one from the jet ski tour), swimming with manta rays and tiger sharks, and getting to learn about basket-weaving and how to make milk from coconuts.
If you want the full recap of our private lagoon tour in Bora Bora, head to my other blog post on the top 10 things to do and see in Bora Bora for couples!
Similar to the ATV & jet ski tour, we got back to our hotel around 4pm and got ready for the night. For dinner, we decided to treat ourselves to Maere, an upscale restaurant at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa.
Who knew there’d be a restaurant with a rotating tasting menu in Bora Bora? We ended up having a 6-course dinner with a champagne tasting. I’d be lying if I said the toasted coconut chips they brought out at the beginning weren’t so good that I immediately asked for more.
Curious what else we ate and whether The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa is worth it? I break it all down in my full honeymoon review on the blog.
Day 10 of your 10-day French Polynesia itinerary: Our last day in literal paradise 😭 We woke up and highly considered extending our trip but knew we’d have to get back to reality at some point.
So in order to soak up every last minute of our 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary goodness – we treated ourselves to a spa day at The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa with a traditional Polynesian massage before packing up and saying goodbye to our overwater bungalow.
We left Bora Bora on a ~3pm flight back to Tahiti, then caught the red-eye home to San Francisco on United.
The post-honeymoon blues definitely hit once we landed back at SFO, but writing this blog post has been such a fun way to relive it all!
And that’s the full recap on our unforgettable 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary 🇵🇫
How was your 10-day French Polynesia honeymoon itinerary? Did we do any of the same things? Let me know in the comments below please so I can live vicariously through you!
Top-Rated Tours in French Polynesia
You might’ve noticed our honeymoon had a little bit of everything mixed in – adventure, relaxation, exploring on our own, and a few guided tours along the way.
I spent waaaaaay too many hours researching this trip so I’m linking some of the best and top-rated tours across French Polynesia to make honeymoon planning easier, including the ones we personally booked and loved 👇
Top-Rated ATV & Jet Ski Tours in Bora Bora
- Full Day Combo ATV & Jet Ski with a Polynesian BBQ on a Motu (the exact tour we booked)
- Combo Snorkeling + Motu Lunch + Jet Ski Group Tour
- Bora Bora Combo Jet Ski and ATV Quads Tour
Top-Rated Lagoon Tours in Bora Bora
- [Private] Half Day Private Lagoon Snorkeling Experience (the exact tour we booked)
- [Private]Bora Bora Lagoon & Water Lunch Experience
- [Shared] Full Day Lagoon Group Tour in Bora Bora with Lunch
- [Shared] Bora Bora Full Day Manu Lagoon Excursion
Top-Rated Tahiti Tours
- 2-hour Papeete Guided Walking Tour (the exact tour we booked)
- Papeete Culinary Food Tour
- Papeete Food & City Tour
Top-Rated Snorkel Tours in Mo’orea
- [Private] 6 Hour Private Boat Activity with Snorkeling & Lunch
- [Private] Marine Excursion & Snorkeling in the Mo’orea Lagoon
- [Shared] Small Group Half Day Tour Lagoon Discovery
- [Shared] Mo’orea 6-Hour Snorkeling and Lunch Shared Tour
- [Shared] Unique Night Snorkeling Tour Mo’orea
Still deciding on a place to stay in Bora Bora?
Check out my full review of the Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa here.
Visiting other parts of French Polynesia?
Check out all my international travel guides here!
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