TAHITI
found a secret beach so relaxing, even the resident sharks were laid-back
Where on earth? Slap-bang in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean – 10,000 miles away, AKA one of the furthest places from the UK. To get there, you need to navigate your way to Paris, then make yourself comfy on the 22-hour flight to Tahiti (there’s a two-hour refuel in LA so you can stretch your legs and stock up on peanutbutter M&Ms). Jump on another plane and fly 200 miles north to Rangiroa, the second largest atoll (basically a ring-shaped coral reef) in the world. Then, finally, sail an hour west until you arrive at the Blue Lagoon.
Sounds like a mission. It is, but this beach is more than worth the epic pilgrimage: the sand is a perfect shade of gold, and the water so blue and so clear that you’ll have a hard time believing it’s real. Plus you can’t get wi-fi in the middle of the ocean, and you definitely won’t see another human being while you’re there. Apart from your personal, ukuleleplaying boat captain and chief BBQ-er (and maybe one of his pals, if he comes along for the ride).
Top spot: Right in the water itself. There are sunloungers that you can move into the sea – it’s a lagoon so it’s shallow enough. You’ll probably end up surrounded by (friendly) blacktip reef sharks, but that’s part of the fun. Right?
Can I stay? Sort of. You can rest your weary head at Kia Ora Resort & Spa, one of only two hotels on Rangiroa, and they’ll organise your day trip to the Blue Lagoon with Oviri Excursions. Stay in one of Kia Ora’s dreamy over-water bungalows. Even the standard double rooms come with a not-so-standard private pool. Instagram picture opportunities are everywhere (#nofilter necessary), and make sure you grab a scoop (or 12) of coconut ice-cream: the version in French Polynesia (the group of islands where Tahiti is located) is like nowhere else in the world.