Bora Bora and Beyond: A Guide to Romantic French Polynesia

This stunning Pacific Island has everything you need for an unforgettable honeymoon

Say "Tahiti," and chances are, minds will wander to images of Bora Bora—the unrealistically blue lagoon, dreamy sandy beaches and, of course, iconic overwater bungalows. We all know it’s essentially the picture of idyllic, but there is so much more to French Polynesia than that one island, spectacular as it truly is. Here, a guide to navigating and sorting through the paradisiacal 100-plus-island-strong French Republic that’s just an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui.

Tahiti, everyone’s first stop, is not really what people mean when they say they’re going to honeymoon in Tahiti—not really. It’s confusing, but go with it. All flights land and depart from the largish figure-eight–shaped island that was a favorite subject matter of famed artist Paul Gauguin. It’s not that Tahiti isn’t beautiful—it’s famed for its black-sand beaches (a product of a pair of extinct volcanoes), turquoise lagoons, waterfalls and world-class surf break Teahupo’o—but since it’s where a significant amount of French Polynesians actually live, it isn’t exactly that desert-island ideal.

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The island chain includes a standout archipelago called Tuamotu, of which the tiny and secluded atoll Tikehau, known for its pink sand, is part. Expect some of the most perfect palm trees, cerulean water and beaches in this casual destination with the sweetest smelling flower leis. With far less than 1,000 people it’s intimate, and the best hotel is decidedly Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, with breezy thatched-roof overwater bungalows that have a slew of sea life swimming beneath. If you love doing nothing you can do that here, in the most gorgeous surroundings imaginable, but there’s also the option to go kayak, fish, snorkel, dive, bocce ball or hop on a private boat for a day of swimming in unbelievable aquamarine lagoon water, beach hopping and fresh fish lunch.