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Laurel’s Tahiti Honeymoon Picks

This is where the best excursions, restaurants, shopping, can be found for your Tahiti honeymoon

TAHITI
Le Marche is an open-air market and sells everything from fresh fish to pareos (sarongs), hand-woven baskets, grass skirts, Tahitian Vanilla and wood carvings. You can also pick up some homemade Monoi de Tahiti Oil. It’s made completely by hand, usually by the woman selling it, in the tradition specific to her family’s island heritage. Different islands of French Polynesia have slightly different variations in the way they make their monoi. Homemade monoi is generally sold in a variety of glass bottles depending on what’s around their home and makes a wonderfully authentic souvenir to bring back with you. It comes in different fragrances (vanilla, sandalwood, tiare etc), so do some sampling before you buy.

Roulottes
At about 6pm, right along the water’s edge at Place Toata, all the cars leave the parking lot and all the roulottes (mobile food vans) move in. The place is lit up like a football stadium. You can get everything from Chinese food to crepes to pizza or steak & fries. It is a uniquely Tahitian experience and a must do.

Dance Show
Another great way to kill time before your international flight is to head over to the Tahiti InterContinental. The best dance group in Tahiti (Le Grande Ballet de Tahiti) performs there during a dinner/dance show on Friday and Saturday nights. The show starts around 7pm.
Price: approximately 180 euros/couple.

Restaurant Dining
There are many great restaurants in Tahiti and here is a list of my personal favorites:

• Le Lotus at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti
• Le Coco’s, PK 13,200 coté mer, Punaauia
• Blue Banana, PK 11.2, Punaauia
• Pink Coconut, PK 9, Punaauia, at Marina Taina
• La Corbeille d’eau, Boulevard Pomare immeuble Te Ava - Papeete
• L’O a la Bouche, Passage Cardella - Papeete
• Casa Bianca, PK 9, Punaauia, at Marina Taina
• Café Verde, 477 Boulevard Pomare, Papeete

MOOREA
Take home the ultimate Tahitian souvenir with a tattoo from my husband, James Samuela of Moorea Tattoo. Celebrate a new relationship or milestone. Tahitian tattoos are both beautiful and loaded with symbolism. In addition to machine tattoos, James is the only tattoo artist in French Polynesia still practicing the traditional method of tatau. His tattoo fare is located at PK32, Mountain Side, Haapiti-Varari. Between Tiki Village and Painapo Beach. You can see more of his work at http://www.mooreatattoo.com

Villa de Sens offers wonderful fusion cuisine in a lovely setting. They have an impressive wine cellar showcasing a selection of vintage wines with over 120 references. You might want to think about the Chef’s Table which allows you to dine in privacy while enjoying a view of the kitchen through a special window.

Te Honu Iti is an excellent French restaurant on Cook’s Bay. The chef is award winning. You’ll dine above the lagoon and will see sting rays swimming up to the light of the restaurant.

Snack Mahana is the go to place for lunch. They’re open everyday except Sunday. Located in Papetoai, you’ll dine outside in her back yard on tables set up on the lagoon’s edge. My recommendation is the Mahi Mahi in coconut milk. Also delicious are the tuna carpaccio, tuna tartare and poisson cru.

If you want to do some exploring on your own, one of the most beautiful places in Moorea is the two motus across from the old Club Med. The hotels InterContinental & Les Tipaniers have transfers every 2-hours to the motu. The setting is unbelievable. Pure pristine beauty. If you like to snorkel, be sure to bring your mask and snorkel as the snorkeling between the two motus is wonderful.

A must visit on Moorea is the look out point at the Belvedere. This is actually the center of what was the old volcanic crater. You will have a breathtaking view of the two bays - Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay. You can rent a car and do this on your own, or you can go via an organized tour such as the 4x4 Safari or the ATV Quad.

The ATV/Quad is a great way to see the interior. While taking in amazing panoramas, you’ll also learn a bit of the local history and culture. I recommend the 3 hour Raid Adventure.
Price: 183 euros/couple

A great place to shop on Moorea is the Jus de Fruits de Moorea (Moorea Fruit Juice Factory). Located along Cook’s Bay, you’ll be able to partake in free tastings of all the locally made juices and liquors. Try the pineapple rum or the Vahine Liquor. It’s a lot like Bailey’s Irish Cream and comes in two flavors (vanilla and coconut). Delicious straight up or over the rocks. You’ll also be able to buy all sorts of souvenirs at the Fruit Juice Factory. Everything from pareos to playing cards and vanilla.

Right on the road to the Fruit Juice Factory, you’ll pass a little jewelry store called Eimeo Fine Jewelry. Stop by. The owner/designer is a really talented American woman named Beth. She has lived on the island since 1988. You’ll find she has some beautiful and unique pieces in a range of price points.

Private Day on the Lagoon w/ a Private Motu Lunch
I realize this is expensive, but if you’re up for a unique and personalized experience, this is it. I promise it will be a highlight of your trip. You’ll be picked up by a 30-foot motorized outrigger canoe and start your cruise in the lagoon. You’ll have the opportunity to feed sting rays and snorkel with back tip sharks. You’ll visit the underwater carvings of Tihoti Guy. You’ll fish for pahua (Tahitian clams). Frozen coconuts will be at your disposal. You’ll take part in the preparation of the “poisson cru” or raw fish salad served with coconut milk. Lunch will be served on the beach. You’ll enjoy seafood, salads, exotic fruit; beverages include wine, beer, soft drinks and water. After lunch you can relax and enjoy the motu at your leisure — explore the reef, snorkel, swim, or if you wish, feed a family of white moray eels that lives in the coral garden at the edge of the beach, before returning to your hotel. This is a full day excursion (9am – 4pm).
Price: 629 Euros/couple

Circle Island Lagoon Cruise & Motu Picnic
OK, I normally don't like big excursions but this is the best of the big operators and I promise the food is delicious. If you can’t afford the private day detailed above, this is your best option.
Maximum 120 persons.
Price: 130 euros/couple

The Tropical Garden is a great place to visit  while you’re on Moorea. Most of the 4x4 Tours will take you there but you can also visit on your own. They’re located on Opunohu Bay in Vaihere. Just look for the sign at PK 16 along the mountain side. Here you can visit a vanilla plantation and enjoy fresh juice while taking in an amazing view and exploring a truly wonderful garden. You can also buy locally made jams and dried fruit and try some delicious locally made ice cream! If you would like to experience a great local meal, every Friday they serve lunch at 11:30am. You’ll need to call the night before for reservations.

BORA BORA
La Villa Mahana is absolutely my favorite restaurant in all of French Polynesia. They are only open for dinner. You may order a la carte or there are two fixed menus. My advice is to each order one of the fixed menus with the wine pairing.

St. James is a fantastic little restaurant located right over the water. They have a great bar, excellent food and fantastic ambiance.

Kaina Hut is a great casual restaurant with wonderful ambiance. Be sure to try their breadfruit gnocchi.

Private Keishi Motu Picnic
I know this is pricey but really, everyone who has done it, tells me it was the highlight of their trip! You will have a private lagoon tour, see rays and sharks and end with a private table set up in the lagoon where you’ll dine on BBQ lobster, fish, steak, fresh fruit and Champagne.
Price: 641 euros/couple

Semi-Private Motu Picnic You’ll get to snorkel in a coral garden, watch sharks and feed rays. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional picnic on a motu. Maximum 8 persons.
Price: 342 euros/couple

Reef Discovery is another way to discover the nature of Bora Bora! Follow your professional guide while snorkeling through coral gardens and a walk along a motu beach and barrier reef. This tour has a maximum of 8 people.
Price: 170 euros/couple

Sunset & Romantic Dinner. Here you’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset and a romantic dinner with your partner on a private motu in Bora Bora. Maximum 3 couples.
Price: 428 euros/couple

Vavau 4x4 Mountain Safari will introduce you to the culture and history of the island while taking you to breathtaking lookout points. Maximum 18 persons.
Price: 133 euros/couple. Supplement for guests staying at the Four Seasons.

Vavau Sunset 4x4 Tour w/Champagne Enjoy a 4x4 tour including a visit to an ancietn temple (marae). Stop and relax in front of a romantic sunset with a glass of Champagne. Maximum 18 persons.
Price: 111 euros/couple. Supplement for guests staying at the Four Seasons.

TAHA'A
Located on the main wharf of Tapuamu, on the lagoon side, is a little restaurant called Chez Louise. Well known for her delicious lobster, you’ll also find wonderful local food here.

Vanilla Island Tour is the must do excursion on Taha'a. You’ll have an opportunity to discover Taha'a via 4x4 and boat.  You’ll end with picnic on a motu. Maximum 22 persons.
Price: 280 euros/couple

HUAHINE
If you’re looking for a good restaurant in Hauhine, be sure to try New Te Marara. Another good restaurant is Chez Mahi Mahi. Both restaurants are located in Fare.

POE 4x4 Safari with Picnic on the Beach is my preferred excursion in Huahine. I like that they only allow a maximum of 6 persons. It’s a comprehensive tour of Huahine by air-conditioned 4x4 and includes stops at most renowned places of the island - from the main village of Fare, through the archaeological village of Maeva to the sacred blue-eyes eel river and includes visits to meet local artists willing to share their knowledge. A local fish lunch is organized on the beach leaving time for snorkeling before continuing the island discovery through legends and history. Maximum 6 persons.
Price: 161 euros/couple

RANGIROA
The Blue Lagoon Tour is the “must do” excursion in Rangiroa. The Blue Lagoon is actually a lagoon within the lagoon of Bora Bora. You’ll feed friendly lagoon fish, watch the birds, and swim in turquoise waters. You’ll enjoy a BBQ picnic and afterwards have the thrill of some impressive shark encounters! The tour ends with snorkeling in Avatoru Pass. Maximum of 20 persons.
Price: 145 euros/couple

MANIHI
Robinson Motu Picnic. A wild little corner of paradise between sky and ocean: the idea of being lost on a deserted island dependent only on the fruits of nature is not so far removed. Our team will let you play latter-day Robinson Crusoe on your own little motu. You’ll enjoy line fishing and learn how to prepare poisson cru. Afterwards, a barbecue lunch, swimming, snorkeling and observing rays and sharks. Maximum 4 persons.
Price: 154 euros/couple

TIKEHAU
Private Picnic on a Motu Play castaway on your own private pink-sand motu. Swim with colorful tropical fish and explore this secluded natural paradise. Only a 30-minute boat ride away to your own private island where you will enjoy a picnic lunch artfully prepared by the hotel chef.
Price: 260 euros/couple