Tahiti, Bora Bora and Tetiaroa

11 nights in French Polynesia, moving between islands by private plane. Six nights on Bora Bora's lagoon beneath Mount Otemanu, with a day across the water on Taha'a for a pearl farm, a rum distillery and a vanilla plantation, then five on Tetiaroa, where Tetiaroa Society guides lead the way to Marlon Brando's own islet and the atoll's research station.

Length: 11 nights
Pace: Two stays
Style: Islands, beach, honeymoon, private flights
Route: Bora Bora to Tetiaroa
Best time: May to Oct

Bora BoraSix nights
TetiaroaFive nights

A green island with a jagged central peak across a calm turquoise lagoon.

Days 1 to 7 · six nights

Bora Bora

Met on arrival at Papeete for a private plane to Bora Bora and a boat across the lagoon. A full day on a private catamaran with snorkelling and lunch on a motu, a day with a guide to the island's culture, a spa treatment and a day kept free. A day island hopping to Taha'a, with stops at a traditional pearl farm, a local rum distillery and a vanilla plantation, and a private sunset cruise with Polynesian legends told on board.

Where you stay

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora sits on Motu Tehotu, a private islet in the ring of coral around the main island, facing Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia. Overwater bungalows step straight into the lagoon, and raised walkways above pandanus trees lead to the spa and its overwater suite for couples.

Days 7 to 12 · five nights

Tetiaroa

A private plane to Tetiaroa. Each day brings one excursion and a spa treatment: the boat to Rimatu'u, the islet that was once Marlon Brando's private refuge, a bicycle through the ritual sites of Onetahi, birdwatching on Tahuna Iti, and the research station where Tetiaroa Society carries out its studies, with coral gardens, outrigger canoes and paddleboards between. Turtle nesting in season, and from August to October humpback whales off the atoll, sometimes close enough for the guide to arrange a swim. A torchlit dinner on the lagoon, then a private plane back to Tahiti for the flight home.

Where you stay

The Brando

The Brando spreads 35 private villas and a residence across the motu of Onetahi on Tetiaroa, a 20-minute flight from Tahiti. Tetiaroa Society guides lead excursions across the atoll, and the resort cools its buildings with seawater and lights its paths with solar power.

Arranged on request

Rimatu'u, Brando's islet

A boat to Rimatu'u, once Marlon Brando's private refuge on Tetiaroa, with a Tetiaroa Society guide.

The research station

The Green Tour ends at the station where Tetiaroa Society runs its research and scientific studies on the atoll.

Humpbacks off Tetiaroa

From August to October, humpbacks come to mate and calve off the atoll; when whales and calves are close, the guide may arrange a snorkel at a respectful distance, for strong swimmers of 12 and over.

The ritual sites of Onetahi

A bicycle tour through the archaeological and ritual sites of Polynesia on Onetahi.

Taha'a by boat

From Bora Bora, a day to Taha'a with stops at a traditional pearl farm, a local rum distillery and a vanilla plantation.

Subject to availability.

Ways to make it yours

Private stargazing, or a private workshop in pareo painting or palm weaving, at Four Seasons Bora Bora.
A longer stay on Tetiaroa, for the full set of Tetiaroa Society excursions.
For a larger family or a celebration, Nukutepipi, an atoll in the Tuamotus about two hours from Tahiti by private charter, taken whole for up to 52 guests, with whale swims, diving, kite surfing and deep-sea fishing.

This is a sample. The hotels, the pace and the order are where we start, not where we finish: every journey is designed around the people taking it.

Made around you

Most travel is bought. This is designed.

Before anything is booked, we talk: who is travelling, how you like to spend a morning, and the hotel preferences below the obvious, from the kind of bath you like to the time you wake and how much daylight you need in a room. You see options where options matter and clean recommendations where they don't.

The same person remains your point of contact from the first reply to the trip after next. No handovers. No team.