One Day on Honeymoon in The Islands of Tahiti

You’ve seen the Instagram posts, the idyllic visions of overwater bungalows and sparkling waters, warm sunshine on chiseled bodies relaxing on the white sands. But what is it actually like to go on a romantic vacation to The Islands of Tahiti? You’re about to find out. Let’s take you on a hypothetical journey through a single day in The Islands of Tahiti, where romance and relaxation and sensual bliss await you.

9AM

You wake up and hear the gentle crash of the surf. You get up and take three steps to the door. You pull back the shades and throw open the door and step onto your private patio right over the lagoon. The sun warms you and the water stretches out endlessly towards the horizon. The blue of the water and the sky seems to match, a perfect blend. You and your special someone retire to the lounge chairs on the patio and watch as an outrigger canoe slices through the water en route to your bungalow. They paddle up to the patio and deliver a feast: fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, croissants, some bacon, coffee, and tea. You thank them and they return to the water and you dig into the hearty meal in the most enviable al fresco environment imaginable. You’re in paradise.

11AM

Armed with flippers and a snorkel, you wade into the house reef and peer beneath the waves. The colours are astounding. The soft pink and white of the coral; the yellow of a pygmy angelfish darting beside a sea anemone; the blue of a female parrotfish with her distinct beak. There’s so much movement, like an underwater dance. You catch the faintest glimpse of a stingray 20 metres to your right, the quick dart of a reef shark venturing left (don’t worry, they’re harmless). You doggy paddle and surface for a moment and dive back under only for a friendly giant to surprise you: a green sea turtle is patiently swimming by. You look at your partner and their eyes say what you’re thinking: is this for real?

1PM

You board a small boat and the staff member drops you off on the white-sand beach of a private motu. A dining table sits out a few metres into the surf, the water lapping the legs of the table. You sit under the shade of the umbrella and dine on the barbeque lunch. There’s no one else in sight, except for the single staff member who waits patiently for your drink order. Cheers!

3PM

You head to the resort spa for a couples massage. You lay down on parallel tables and listen to the calm music and smell the sweet scent of coconut and vanilla. You relax and close your eyes. The expert masseurs work vanilla and coconut oil into your skin, loosening your muscles. They start gently and then work harder, focusing on the knot in your shoulder blade, the ache in your knee, the sore spot on the sole of your right foot. You feel like you’re melting. You could get used to this.

6PM

You’re aboard a cruise vessel to watch the sunset on the water—a daily ritual in The Islands of Tahiti. As the sun dips towards the horizon, you start to understand why the locals never miss a sunset. The colour explodes across the sky, bold pinks and reds and oranges blanketing the dark blue waters. You’re handed a champagne flute and sip on sparkling wine while you snuggle up to your partner. Together, you watch the sun touch the water and eventually pass beneath the waves.

9PM

You walk across the sands of the beach. The air is cool. The noise of the resort is a distant murmur in the background. You’ve come far enough and your partner taps you on the shoulder and points up. You follow their hand and gaze into the sky to see the billions of lights of the Milky Way. The entire sky is alive. A meteor zooms past. You hear the waves hit the shore. You watch the universe come to life and take in this symphony of light. 

You’ll never forget this day and the magic of The Islands of Tahiti.

This article was originally published in Vol. 30 of Globetrotting Magazine.