Ultimate Luxury Vacation on Marlon Brando's Private Atoll: Tetiaroa

The most famous island of French Polynesia shines with a turquoise lagoon fringed with budding coral and emerald rainforest that drape over the central hills and valleys. Secluded islets are fringed with white sand that glistens in the backdrop against the iconic thatched roofs of the overwater bungalows. Your flight will land at Bora Bora Airport and your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival. The scent of coconut drifts through the air and blends with the prevalent aroma of the South Pacific Sea.

The central market in the main town of Vaitape overflows with vibrant tropical fruits. Pyramids of oranges and lychee, pineapples and guavas add a bright luster to the aisles. Fishers showcase the delightful selection of mahi-mahi and tuna that were caught in the deep waters earlier that morning. After a short wander of the market, you will travel by boat across the picturesque lagoon to reach the comforts of your luxury resort, famous for its view over the immaculate and expansive South Pacific. Your private plunge pool trickles above the gentle lull of the sea as it splashes against the posts of your overwater bungalow. Sergeant majors swim in the crystal clear water visible from your private deck and through the glass floor panel in your suite.

In the evening, the traditions of French Polynesia will enrapture you during a spellbinding dinner and dance performance where the ancient rhythm of the Toere drumbeats will captivate. The dancers move gracefully onto the floor and swish their hips to make their woven grass skirts to whirl. The dancers move their hands in the air, telling stories with their movements that correlate to the deep drumming.

The vibrant aroma of pineapple will remind you of the balance of sweet citrus and savory flavors that were highlighted during the traditional Polynesian dinner you enjoyed the previous evening. At breakfast, you will be delighted to find banana pancakes accompanying the refreshing fragrance of freshly brewed coffee made from beans sourced around French Polynesia. As you finish, step aboard a boat that has been anchored and waiting for you at the dock of your resort. Weigh anchor and cruise along the crystal clear turquoise waters of the famous lagoon.

The silver basalt summit of Mount Otemanu will crown your view of the island at nearly 2,400 feet above sea level. The sporadic mist will rise from the hull of the boat bringing droplets of the South Pacific to your shoulders. The tropical sunlight casts a gorgeous and warm glow over the land and sea, and you can jump into the water and find it just more than waist-high. The warm water will feel refreshing against the hot sunlight, and you will find a coral garden below blossoming with large colorful branches of stag coral and waving sea fans.

Butterflyfish swim around the mounds of rainbow calcite and can grow to nearly nine inches long with rounded dorsal fins that resemble streamers. A fascinating lagoon trigger passes beneath you, often referred to as Picasso triggerfish due to the way the colors create a modernist, asymmetrical design across the scales. Outside of the water, you can feel the salt-forming crystals on your skin while back in the water, you can look down to find giant manta rays as they glide along the seafloor.

Hibiscus and orchids thrive in the tropical climate of Bora Bora. The flowers blossom and overtake the coconut aroma that drifts from the coconut palms that fringe the shoreline. You will have a view of the open cobalt waters of the South Pacific from your private deck, and the panorama will guide your eyes back to the ridges of the inner island and the basalt peak of Mount Otemanu. After breakfast, you will meet your guide and board your jet ski to explore the lagoon with thrilling speed and remarkable views.

You can take your time to get comfortable with the Jet Ski before heading out onto the lagoon with your guide. The wind will rush through your hair and water will spray from the back of the Jet Ski as you fly across the water.  The crystal clear lagoon shimmers with turquoise hues as you rush parallel to the island shores, and you can pull the Jet Ski up to the sand for a break. Your guide will climb a palm to grab a coconut and secure a post into the ground and use the sharp edge to tear away the coconut husk.

The scent of coconut milk will immediately fill the air, and you can take a sample of the meat inside the shell to find the familiar tropical flavor. Take to the water once more to relish the exhilarating speed, open-air, and views of the verdant rainforest that stretches between the pearlescent shores and basalt mountain peaks.

Bora Bora embodies the legendary beauty of French Polynesia and incorporates the cultural myths of island life into the captivating charms of your 4x4 island excursion. The morning fills with the scent of jasmine and hibiscus, which lures you to the rainforest terrain. Your guide will greet you on the shores of mainland Bora Bora and you can board an open-air 4x4 jeep in search of the natural beauty of the island and the authentic history hidden in the rainforest. You will exit the paved road that circles the shores and then travels along the unpaved roads that wind beneath the lush canopy. Tahitian gardenias blossom with seven white petals around the underbrush and have become synonymous with the flowers of French Polynesia.

Frangipanis glisten with pinkish and orange hues, and you can stop along the road to touch one of the blooming flowers to notice the waxy, plump texture of the petal. The frangipani leaves a sweet fragrance that emanates from your fingertips. You will soon discover the remains of an ancient marae, a Polynesian stone temple with roots that date back more than a millennium. A turtle petroglyph stands out as a sacred image and celebrates the turtle as a former source of food. As the sun begins to set, you will arrive at a vista to take in the view over Matira Beach. The orange and red will streak across the sky and cast hints of the deep sunset over the white sands that fringe the turquoise water.

At breakfast, you will bask in the aroma of passion fruit and coconut for a delectable flavor combination that balances sweet citrus and creamy texture. You will indulge in the view of the South Pacific and the glinting summit of Mount Otemanu before meeting your private transfer at the dock. Return to the Bora Bora Airport for your flight to Papeete in Tahiti where you will continue with your short flight to Tetiaroa. Your brief transfer will overlook the mixture of cobalt, indigo, and turquoise colors of the South Pacific Sea.

Your plane will descend into the dreamscape of the secluded island set more than 120 miles away from Tahiti. Tetiaroa was once the home of acting legend Marlon Brando, and the paradisiacal ambiance of the rustling coconut palms, ivory sand beaches, and the sparkling lagoon charmed both the actor and his visitors alike from all around the world. Your flight will land at Tetiaroa Airport and your private transfer will meet you upon arrival.

The aroma of beach hibiscus will swirl in the gentle breeze while the island walnut trees blossom with their light and fragrant flowers. The neighboring atolls disappear behind the beauty of your private resort, and you will settle into the comforts of your villa with its views to the South Pacific. Relax in the tranquility of the celebrated spa for a restful and rejuvenating experience, and then be ready to indulge in the combination of lush vegetation, the sounds of trickling water, and the rich minerals of the island over the next several days.

Water drips from a paddle before the oar dips back into the lagoon to propel the sunrise paddle boarder across the crystal clear turquoise waters around Tetiaroa. Reef bodies cast silhouettes around the secluded lagoon while the aroma of hibiscus blends with the sweet scent of coconut. After breakfast, you will meet your guide for an adventure around the atolls to float along with the ebb and flow of the South Pacific, as protected by the barrier reefs. 12 islets frame the lagoon near Tetiaroa, with large palms that rustle on the water to reach heights of up to 65 feet tall.

The water will welcome you with a warm and gentle current as the coral protrudes from the seafloor with branches that reach out like trees. The ridges of the Acropora coral have wavy edges as a moray eel peeks its head out from a hidden cave in search of passing fish. The white-tailed damselfish resemble zebras with their black and white stripes that contrast with the vibrant pink and orange hues of the coral stems. A spotted eagle ray passes along the seafloor, and the sunlight will shine over the glossy polka dots along its back. They will flap their wings with the current as they grow to nearly 30 feet wide to utilize the strength in their wingspan to glide through the water.

The sea breeze carries the aroma of mangoes, breadfruit, and limes through the open windows of your private villa. You will find delightful banana pancakes at breakfast that balance the decadent flavor of freshly made coffee. The rainbow colors of the tropical fruit remind you of the variety of hues you found decorating the coral and fish the previous day. After your meal, you will meet your guide in the lobby eager to set out on a private island tour of Tetiaroa across the naturalist trail. The sounds of the ukulele in the resort fade as you traverse the trails that crisscross the islands more than two square miles.

Terns fly over the water and perch in the trees to wait for a sign of accessible aquatic life at the surface of the sea. Coconut crabs linger on the sands as you will follow your guide through the trees to find traces of red-footed boobies. The birds are known for the crimson hue of their webbed feet and the bright, sky blue hue of their bills. They can grow to nearly three and a half feet tall and perch on tall rocks or small branches for views over the beach.  Golden plovers chase the lapping waters of the lagoon, using the ebb and flow of the sea to uncover mollusks or insects. Return to the soothing sounds of the resort for a cooking demonstration and learn to harness the pleasurable flavors of the tropical island.

The sunrise will bring the tropical colors of the coconut palms and blossoming Tahitian gardenias to life as you enjoy one last quiet morning on the islands. At breakfast, you can enjoy the subtle, enriching flavors of the breadfruit and the guava, both enhanced by the decadent aroma of strong coffee. The sound of ukulele offers a soothing ambiance amongst the rustling palm trees and pristine white sands. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel when you are ready to escort you to the airport for your flight to Papeete, Tahiti.  From there, you will continue home on your international flight.