Hi Fodorites -

I was on the Australia/South Pacific Forum, and saw a post by someone who was planning to do a honeymoon for one week in Maui, and then one week split up on Bora Bora and Moorea.

That sounds incredible, but I am wondering if that is too much to do in two weeks.

We have been toying with the idea of two weeks in French Polynesia (one week Bora Bora, one Moorea), but we feel like we may get a little bored. However, it looks like the beauty and water there are unparalleled...

What would you do if it were up to you - we are coming from the East Coast.

Oh what horrible decisions

By the way, for Hawaii, we are considering Maui and Kauai if we don't do the other week in French Polynesia.

Thanks a bunch!! Mike and Kate in CT

It's been ten years, but we spent our honeymoon in Tahiti as follows:

night 1 - Tahiti
night 2-5 - Moorea Sofitel
night 6-8 - Huahine
night 9-10 - Hotel Bora Bora - over water bungalow
night 11 - Tahiti

The nights in Tahiti were due to flight schedules from Chicago.

It was wonderful!! But it is a definitely a quieter vacation compared to Hawaii. We snorkled, swam, rode mopeds, biked, sailed, fished, took jeep tour and relaxed. I like to run around and tour, so at first, I was shocked at how quiet it was. In Huahine, there was only the hotel restaurant.

Since my honeymoon in Tahiti, I have been to Maui and Kauai a couple of times. Tahiti was a trip of a lifetime.

Go to Bora Bora for one full week, Do not split Bora Bora/moorea in one week, you will be VERY disappointed in Moorea in my opinion. I will write more when I have time tomorrow. Been to FP 3 times in two years. Questions?

No practical experience in French Polynesia YET(!!!). But a friend of mine who grew up on the big Island and lives on Oahu familar with all of the islands tells me she never thought she would see a place more beautiful than Hawaii but she saw this place in Tahiti. PS this frend has traveled thoughout Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, West and East Coast of U.S so it was not a there is no place like home comment.

I know from 2 decades of world travel that less is more when planning a trip. Unless you miss Hawaii as I do each year I would advise you to take that week you have disignated for Maui and apply it to your French Polynesian travel. Think you will get bored, plan some hiking find different trails explore all the different outdoor activities and don't think of this as a lounging at the beach vacation. That is what I have done to keep myself from getting bored with Hawaiian Island stays when my earlier travel consisted of city tours in Europe and the Middle East.

I see no problem splitting the two weeks between Hawaii and FP. I would do Maui first (maybe 5 days), then Moorea or Bora Bora (overwater) for the duration. I think two weeks in FP is too long--the food is very expensive and there is not too much to do (the beauty is unsurpassed, however!) Good luck!!

I love Hawaii, but if I had the $ again to go to Bora Bora, I would spend every minute there! You can go to Hawaii for your next anniversary! sure it is quiet, but it is not boring. It is incredible. Make sure to get an OW bungalow. It is worth it! I really did not enjoy Moorea or Tahiti s much as BB (with two weeks I would take some day trips by ferry or inter island flight.

Just a reminder. 2 hrs early at the east coast airport. 5 & 1/2 hrs to L.A. and then on to Hawaii. Or direct about 10 hours. Tahiti is another 6 hours from Hawaii (3hrs early at the airport for international flight) and then another airport wait for the hopper plane to Bora Bora. This is your honeymoon. Do you really want to spend it in an airport & packing & unpacking? You are going from beach to beach. Pick one or the other and go for 10 days + 1 travel day instead of 2 weeks if you think you'll get bored. Everything is very expensive at these locations and there isn't a whole lot of nightlife. You may get bored sooner than you think.

Hey everyone -

Thanks so much for the help. I think we're going to go with one week on Bora Bora, then split one week on Moorea and either Rangiroa or another of the outer atolls.

I know Hawaii is amazing, but the Tahitian islands sounds like a dream. We're big snorkelers and nature people, so I'm sure we'll find enough to keep us busy, especially after recooperating from the horrible flight the day after the wedding!!

We talked it over, and we are going to be sure to go to Hawaii for our 1st Anniversary. It just sounds like Tahiti is a real storybook honeymoon.

Thanks again and we'll keep you posted!!

For reasons some have mentioned, FP is not for everyone. You will really need a different set of expectations than those you would have for Hawaii.

But if you're looking for a secluded, romantic, south sea island paradise, you will find it there. For the ultimate, check out the Kia Ora Sauvage, on a motu in Rangiroa's lagoon.

A good planning web-site is www.tahiti-explorer.com

Not sure when you are going but I was there over a year ago in Feb and I cannot stress enough to wear a TON of sunscreen and be sure to take aloe vera with. I got sun poisioning from just one day of snorkeling. My eyes almost swelled shut. Believe me, you do not want to wear sunglasses to dinner. Have a great time, it is beautiful and romantic!

Yes, be sure to give us a report -- especially about the LOUSY accommodations, service, bugs, food, poverty, etc., etc.! These people have on rose colored glasses as far as I'm concerned! Just like St. John in the USVI, these islands are very OVERRATED, too primitive, etc. However, the lagoon is gorgeous on Bora-Bora, but that's about it! If you're looking for "civilization" and a good standard of living as you know it, I think you better stick with Hawaii (Both Four Seasons on Maui and the Big Island will do just fine)!