My first over-the-water bungalow experience was in Bora Bora and it did not disappoint. The abundant shades of blue and turquoise waters and the beautiful Mount Otemanu landscape were jaw droopingly beautiful that I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

I stayed at the St. Regis resort (for more information, check out my blog post on St. Regis Bora Bora) and would definitely recommend it. From the moment you arrive to your hotel, you are greeted with refreshments at check in and your personal butler provides you with a tour of the property and then a ride to your bungalow. The room has glass panels on the floor so you can see the water below. From your deck, you can actually jump into the water because it is deep enough. Unfortunately though, there is no coral or much to see from your "backyard." For snorkeling, you would actually have to book an excursion to take you to the snorkeling site called "coral gardens," which is the main snorkel spot that is a boat ride away, shared with guests from other hotels. The coral was neon colorful and the visibility was amazing. There wasn't a ton of fish species variety, but there were a good number of fish. Another must do excursion is snorkeling with stingrays and sharks. We went to the Lagoonarium, but there is an option to snorkel with them in open water as well. At the Lagoonarium, you snorkel in a confined area with a large number of sharks and stingrays. It felt very safe and the water was not deep. At the hotel, they had various water activities free of charge to use, such as kayaks, sailing, water bikes, and paddle boards. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike up Mount Otemanu for a view of the entire island. In the evening, look up to the sky and you will see a million stars.

Lastly, another question I get asked a lot is whether or not to go to Moorea along with Bora Bora. I've never been to Moorea, but I have had several friends go there and say that they had a good time there, but what I consistently hear is that it is not as beautiful as Bora Bora. If you are looking for more variety in your trip rather than staying a week straight at the same hotel, adding Moorea would be an option or you could check out other lesser known islands in Tahiti for a more off the beaten path experience. Many agree though that Bora Bora is ultimate luxury and hard to beat.

when to go

High season is from May to October when rain is sparse. Shoulder months like November and April are good months to consider when resorts are not as crowded and rain not as prevalent as during low season.