The Best 10 Nights in the World: Tahiti, Moorea & Bora Bora

Land in Tahiti, pick up a rental car (the easiest hack in Tahiti) and drive to the Intercontinental Tahiti to check-in and drop off luggage.

I always start clients here (and stay here myself!) because it immediately feels like you’ve arrived somewhere extraordinary. Infinity pools look straight across the channel to Moorea, and the resort’s lush gardens and saltwater lagoonarium set the tone for the trip. I love it because it’s the perfect mix of resort polish and an authentic sense of place where you can shake off jet lag with a cocktail while watching Moorea glow at sunset.

If you have an early morning arrival, I would head straight to the Marché de Papeete, where the scent of vanilla fills the air and pareo stalls line the aisles. This is where I buy fresh pineapple juice to shake off the flight and pick up a locally-dyed sarong that I still wear years later. Dinner at the roulottes (food trucks) is my go-to for the first night—casual, authentic, and filled with locals. It’s not about luxury here—it’s about anchoring yourself in the heartbeat of Polynesia.

Hop in your rental car and head into the Papenoo Valley, where waterfalls tumble endlessly. I’ve pulled over at fruit stands here and had locals cut open papayas with a machete, handing them over like gifts. Loop the southern coast to the Arahoho blowhole and black-sand beaches, where the wildness of Tahiti shines through. Tonight, return to the InterContinental for a night swim under the stars, the sound of drums carrying from a nearby Polynesian show.

Drive your car onto the ferry, the smartest move you’ll make, and in under an hour you’re docking in Moorea. The arrival is cinematic: jagged peaks rise from the sea, framed by that impossibly blue lagoon.

Check into Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, my go-to on the island. The beach here is Moorea’s best—soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and reef fish swirling right offshore.

Take your car and do the full loop road drive. Stop at pineapple plantations, take in the panoramic sweep from Belvedere Lookout, and sample homemade jams at roadside stands. On one trip, I ended up in a tiny family-run distillery tasting pineapple wine with the owner—exactly the kind of unplanned moment Moorea serves up. In the afternoon, head back to the Sofitel beach and snorkel straight from shore, rays gliding past as the sun begins to dip.

Finish the day with dinner at Rudy’s, a beloved island restaurant where the French-Polynesian flavors are as memorable as the hospitality.

Today’s about Moorea’s wild interior and coastline. Start with a ridgeline hike or 4×4 into the valleys, then pick up a few essentials at the little local stores—I always grab fresh bread, cheese, and fruit for easy lunch and snacks (also saves money!).

In the afternoon, hop on a bicycle from the hotel and ride down to Opunohu Bay, one of the most scenic stretches of water in French Polynesia. I love the feeling of pedaling along with the mountains at your back and the lagoon glittering ahead—it’s a perspective of Moorea that few visitors experience.

Reward yourself with a cocktail right on the water at the laid-back bar at the bay’s edge (Snack Mahana is my go-to).

The short flight from Moorea to Bora Bora builds anticipation with every mile and is the moment the trip crescendos. Always book a window seat on this flight—the aerial view is unforgettable and worth every bit of planning ahead.

From the dock, the Four Seasons boat sweeps you across the lagoon to what I believe is the pinnacle of island luxury. Checking into the resort feels like stepping into a dream—the overwater bungalows aren’t just rooms, they are sanctuaries that are both indulgent and serene. This is the moment to splurge: Bora Bora is already iconic, but at the Four Seasons it becomes the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Why I love this day: Because there’s nothing else like it—the Four Seasons doesn’t just deliver a check-in, it provides the grand reveal of Bora Bora itself, wrapping you in the exact mix of luxury, privacy, and jaw-dropping scenery that makes this island the finale of all finales.

If there’s one experience you cannot skip in Bora Bora, it’s a full lagoon tour. Spend the day drifting through coral gardens, snorkeling with reef sharks and rays, and pulling up to a private motu where lunch is laid out picnic-style, toes in the sand. The water here is so clear it feels like you’re floating in liquid glass, and the marine life is as close and curious as you’ll ever experience. I still remember snorkeling here for the first time—jumping into the lagoon and suddenly being surrounded by a kaleidoscope of fish. It set the bar impossibly high, and even after years of traveling, nothing else has quite compared. Once, I even spotted a bright Napoleon wrasse—a rare, almost comical-looking fish you’ll only find in these waters. It’s a memory I still talk about with clients today.

This is another moment to splurge—go private and linger longer, making the lagoon yours for the day.

Bora Bora gives you the freedom to decide how to spend your day, and sometimes, the best choice is to do nothing at all. One client’s highlight on their recent stay was enjoying a luxurious day in a poolside cabana, drifting between naps, swims, and cocktails, and ordering pizza and fries just because they could. All without lifting a finger—now that is luxury to me!

Ease into the day with breakfast on your deck (included as a Preferred Partner perk when booked through me!). Spend the early hours swimming or lounging, then head into the main island late afternoon to wander markets and browse for pareos and pearls.

The highlight comes at La Villa Mahana, Bora Bora’s legendary six-table restaurant, where French artistry meets Polynesian flavor. I will never forget my first dinner here. We sat outside surrounded by fairy lights, drinking wine, and enjoying the most insane meal. Bucket list moment I can help you create!

Savor your last full day in Bora Bora with no agenda other than being present. Sleep in, take one more swim straight off your deck, and let the lagoon views etch themselves into memory. I often tell clients to indulge in the spa today—the Four Seasons’ open-air treatment rooms let the sound of the waves become part of the therapy, and it’s as restorative as it is indulgent.

Take a paddleboard out to the little sand island just offshore for a final adventure. Standing there with 360° views of the lagoon is one of the most breathtaking experiences in the world, and one that will stay with you long after you leave this paradise. Trust me!