Honeymoon in Moorea or Bora Bora?

Hi!

So as of today i am officially one year out from my wedding date, and also my honeymoon. I am just starting to plan and have always dreamed of an Over Water Bungalo in Tahiti. I have a few questions for those of you that have had the pleasure of experiencing this magical place and I am hoping you can lead in me in one direction or another.

1. Moorea or Bora Bora? They seem to both have a phenomenal selection of resorts to choose from. What is the difference and why should i pick one over the other?

2. Is one easier to get to from the mainland airport? We will be flying from New York originally.

3. I don't mind being somewhere "touristy", but i would prefer more couples than families. Is one of these locations more family oriented than the other?

4. Any hotels to stay away from?

I appreciate the help. The honeymoon is the best trip i will ever take and i want it to be perfect!

I personally prefer Moorea myself because I find that there's much more to do, especially if you like to do a little hiking and exploring. As far as hotels go, I haven't stayed at any of the ones with the over water bungalows, but in terms of location the Hilton (formerly Sheraton) has perhaps the best location because it gives you easy access to both of the bays, is right near the trail head for Mt. Rotui (an excellent day hike if you're not afraid of heights), and you can easily get to places in Cook's Bay (Alfredo's, Club Bali Hai) and in the interior of the island (the marae, the belvedere view point, the ag school, other trails). The Sofitel Ia Ora is a bit isolated (although nothing is particularly far on Moorea, especially if you have a car), but they do have a nice swimming beach. The other hotels are clustered on the NW corner of the island - the advantage to these is the easy access to the motus for snorkeling and you have the highest concentration of restaurants in the area. It's hard to go too wrong with any of those choices, but it would be worth getting opinions from people that have stayed in the resorts.

Because Moorea is so close to Tahiti, you can take a ferry, but if you're looking for ultimate ease then a plane is the way to go because you don't have to get yourself into Papeete to the ferry terminal.

Anyway you could do both? I personally like Moorea more but there is such a "I've been to Bora Bora" attached to that island it's almost worth it to experience them both. I'm actually in Moorea right now and from where I'm sitting I can see the Intercontinental. I think it brings in a better crowd than the Sofitel although that seems to be a little nicer resort. Families aren't that big of an issue in these islands but of course, you'll run into a tad bit more of the family atmosphere in Moorea than you will in Bora Bora. One thing I can add is that if you visit Bora Bora, be sure to hit the B.B. Yacht Club on Friday nights. I was there two weeks ago and it's the best party on the island. It was filled with honeymooners from the states, australia, NZ, and France when I was there. If you do decide on BB I heard great things about the St Regis which is, of course, one of the most expensive. Just make sure you budget in all your meals while you're there....the hotel isn't the only thing that's expensive.

Drew
Get Lost On Purpose

Actually the best "standard" option for honeymooners has always been the Trifecta of Paradise which is Tahiti, Mo'orea and Bora Bora. Tahiti has one of the most amazing interiors I have ever seen on any island. Mo'orea gives you unparalleled vistas of its jagged cliffs and mountains from either the dreamy lagoon which you can enjoy on a cruise - or views can be had simply by hiking up to one of several vantage points.

But ultimately, Bora Bora is simply nonpareil. It is the Koh-i-Noor in this planet's treasure chest of island gems... its lagoon's turquoises and sapphire blues will mesmerize you for life and you will never forget the vision of massive Mount Otemanu rising straight out of the depths of the Pacific once you have experienced it.

I am not sure how long you intend to spend there in total... but if you had to choose just one place... make sure it's Bora Bora... but if you're taking the time and money to going somewhere half the world away, what's the point in NOT spending a day or two on the other two islands?

Best wishes and have fun :-)

Bora Bora would be my pick for a honeymoon, at least if you were staying at the Sofitel Motu, where there is almost no one and the overwater bungalows are heaven. It has a secluded feel to it that is hard to explain, and everything is wonderful... the food, the botanical gardens, the weather, taking a boat to dinner, the wonderful botanical gardens, the small white sand beach, snorkeling.

I am, however, partial overall to Moorea because there is more "to do." But that's such a relative term in the Society Islands, since there's not much "to do" beyond bask in the sun, snorkel, eat, relax.

In Moorea, there is an interior you can explore and more options for eating, shopping, etc...

But who cares about that on your honeymoon ;)

Bora Bora is romantic.

Moorea is a ten minute flight from Tahiti, or a ferry ride. Bora Bora is a bit over an hour by plane. Both are easy. Customs can take awhile in Tahiti (up to three hours, depending).

The Sheraton's overwater bungalows in Moorea were nice, but they were much more "touristy" if you're trying to avoid families. I really would normally suggest Moorea, but Bora Bora is so nice too and sounds more linked with your needs.

Happy honeymoon! It's a special place and very otherworldly. I've been to many tropical islands and the Society Islands are sublime (and the people are very nice).

Oh, and Bora Bora is a small island. You should probably get a little car to rent although I just hitchhiked (it's considered safe). Be careful on either island of walking at night. Small shoulders, people seem to drive very fast, many many dogs, and mosquitos galore.

My vote would be, reluctantly, for Bora Bora. The scenery is iconic because you have the lagoon with its motus PLUS a mountain. Essentially, Bora Bora is Rarotonga plus Aitutaki rolled into one, and ten times more expensive. Now, if only you could make all the French disappear and have the Fijians or Cook Islanders take over Bora Bora... :-)

It is worth checking where exactly you will stay. When I visited Bora Bora several years ago it was already on the verge of getting stangled by construction. Three or four more mega resorts and Bora Bora will be finished. Some motus had towering construction cranes on them and huge concrete structures that made the place look like Baghdad. (Okay, maybe not quite THAT bad yet!) Honeymooners want overwater bungalows, but must resorts really have a hundred of them with 200 square meters each!?!?

If I remember correctly, in the north of the island there is an easy hike up a ridge from which you have a fantastic view over a large part of Bora Bora. The view from there is so incredible it might make you cry.

Since there is still time until the OP's trip, let me comment. I haven't been to Moorea nor have I seen much of Tahiti but I have stayed on Bora Bora with my wife and based on that let me say that you should pick Bora Bora.

We stayed at the Intercontinental Thalasso and recommend this hotel. The key is that it is on one of the motus with a great view of the peak, Otemanu, on Bora Bora. As someone has said above, this is the reason d'etre of this island. Thalasso gives you what could be the best view of any hotel of Otemanu, which almost none of the hotels on the main island can give. While the main island may be close to overdeveloped, the motus on the eastern side of the island are not. There are only three resorts on this entire side and none are very big. I think a view of Otemanu from your room/bungalow is THE iconic image of Bora Bora.

We also stayed in an overwater bungalow and can recommend the ones at the Thalasso. They are very large but not needlessly so. There are roomy living room, bedroom and bathrooms. There is a glass table in the living room which lets you view the water underneath, frequently with fish in view. As for the fact that you are right over the water, well nothing more needs to be said. I can think of few, if any, resort experiences better than exiting your living room, going down the steps and ending up in the crystal clear, light turquoise waters of the Bora Bora lagoon.

Thalasso also has managed to attract abundant fish right in a small lagoon between the bungalows and the main part of the resort. We marveled every time we went for meals just how much fish, and different kinds of fish, you can see from the bridge and while snorkeling there.

You will be surrounded mostly by fellow honeymooners which is what you want. Most of them are from either the US or Japan. I would also argue that other activities are not that relevant on Bora Bora especially for honeymooners. Given how much you are paying for the stay, why would you want to spend so much time away from your room? That's how we operated and took no tours during our 3 night stay (neither of us dive). We took the shuttle boat to the mainland which if you stay at the Thalasso is free as it goes to the Moana, the other Intercontinental resort there. This is also a good way to eat elsewhere which is good because dining is certainly not the strong point of Thalasso.

We booked by calling the hotel directly. The high end Bora Bora resorts could not be found on any hotel booking sites and since we went in the low season, they gave us a free room upgrade. The only thing differrent about the rooms is the view but this is the key. Make sure that your villa faces Bora Bora and not the motu.

PM me if you have any questions.