Real Honeymoons

Real Honeymoon: Elizabeth and Cameron in Moorea and Bora Bora

One real couple's romantic South Pacific getaway.

By —Cameron Connors |

Photos by courtesy of the couple

Disappearing Act

After months of planning our elaborate New York City wedding, Elizabeth and I knew we'd need to unwind afterward. So we pulled out a world map and pointed at the most remote patch of blue we could find: French Polynesia. We booked a two-week honeymoon to Moorea and Bora Bora, worlds away from the commotion of the Big Apple.

Blinded by the Bling

We landed in Tahiti and realized we weren't the only couple who'd had this bright idea: The airport in Papeete was jammed with jet-lagged grooms and beaming brides sporting what looked like 1,000 carats of diamonds. It was like a living, breathing De Beers ad!

Flower Power

We still had one more flight, so we boarded a prop plane for the short hop to Moorea. When we finally arrived at the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, the staff met us with floral leis and cool cocktails, then whisked us off to our bungalow, adorned with fresh orchids and hibiscus. That little blue patch on the map had blossomed into our own delicious tropical paradise.

A View to a Thrill

On our first morning the sun was a no-show, so we opted to skip the beach and get the lay of the land in a rental car. A quick drive up a winding road led us to Belvedere Lookout high above Cook and Opunohu bays, where we took in the view of the twin aqua inlets (and our resort, between them).

Our Kind of Rush Hour

Over the next few days, our morning commute consisted of a short walk from our bungalow to the spa, where we enjoyed Tahitian massages that were as rigorous as they were relaxing. Afterward, we basked in the sun, taking breaks to snorkel in the lagoon. Evenings were spent sipping Champagne as we snuggled in a hammock, watching the sun dive into the ocean and stargazing in the quiet of the South Pacific night.

The Life Aquatic

Elizabeth and I couldn't leave Moorea without seeing its lagoon by boat. As our captain navigated waters that ranged from lullaby calm to hip-hop choppy, we tailed a pod of playful dolphins and rode teal-hued waves to a small satellite island, which Tahitians call a motu. Welcomed by its friendly residents, we joined a group of equally friendly stingrays for a lunch break. Then it was time for one last Moorea sunset.

Motu Madness

We knew we were in for a treat when we were picked up from Bora Bora's airport by a yacht that sped across the translucent water to the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort. It sits on its own motu and its overwater bungalows face towering Mt. Otemanu. This would be our private oasis for a week.

Taking the Plunge

A visit to the resort's spa for more pampering lulled us into a calm that was the perfect prelude to one of Bora Bora's more, hmm, exciting adventures: shark-feeding. Guides invited us to jump right into a sea of fish, rays, and sharks. And we actually swam with them! Okay, so they weren't Jaws, just harmless three-foot black-tipped reef sharks that tugged playfully at bits of fish doled out by the wranglers.