Ia Orana ("hello" in Tahitian)! Glacier blue waters, colorful coral, and lush mountainous landscapes-- Bora Bora is heaven on Earth. This is the perfect place for a romantic luxurious getaway. My stay at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort was amazing. I have recommended this resort to family and friends and they have all said that their stay was literally worth every penny. The hotel has great amenities, such as water sports equipment free of charge (paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking) and bikes to ride around the beautiful hotel grounds. At dinner time, there are St. Regis boats that take you to the main island and drop you off at any restaurants you make reservations at.

Our overwater bungalow was spacious with scattered glass panels to see the water below. From the backyard, the water is deep enough for you to jump right in (whereas in Maldives, the water is too shallow to jump in). The water immediately off of the deck does not contain any significant amounts of fish or live coral, but still serves as a massive natural pool. However, you can arrange a snorkeling excursion to the main snorkel spot called Coral Gardens, which contains an abundance of pastel colored corals, occasional manta rays, and a ton of fish.

Another popular activity is swimming with sting rays and sharks. There are two options-- an open water experience or in a confined environment at the Lagoonarium. Swimming in open water allows you to see them in their natural habitat, but for those of you who are a bit squeamish about swimming with such creatures in the ocean, then the Lagoonarium is a very safe option to experience it. We opted for the latter and had a great time. The Lagoonarium is a private island with enclosed areas to swim with the various marine life. There were a ton of black tip and lemon sharks and sting rays everywhere, but they all minded their own business and didn't give anyone trouble.