Tag Archives: Islands

Whale Sharks Isla Contoy
Belize, Cancun, Caribbean, Central America, Islands, Maldives, Mexico, Oceania, Play, Trip Ideas

The World’s Best Whale Shark Encounters

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Imagine coming face-to-face with a 40-foot-long shark in open water. Don’t worry; this is one shark that won’t bite. Instead, these ten-ton animals are hungry for some of the smallest creatures in the sea, and they open wide to scoop up large helpings of plankton. Whale sharks are the largest members of the shark family, and they have become one of the most sought after marine animal encounters in the world. Here are six prime destinations where you can swim with these gentle giants.

Isla Contoy, Mexico

A boat ride from Cancun or Isla Mujeres brings snorkelers to an almost guaranteed encounter with whales sharks. The big fish show up each summer to feed on rich clouds of plankton washed up by Caribbean currents. The season runs from May to September, and during the peak months of July and August, as many as 30 to 40 animals will gather in one location.

Gladden Spit, Belize

Twenty miles off the coast of Belize, the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve is visited by migrating whale sharks each spring. Because these big fish are filter feeders that eat small things, they come for the annual snapper and grouper spawns, when these fish release millions of eggs into the water, creating a floating caviar buffet. These encounters take place each April and May, and are said to be best on the three days either side of the full moon.

La Paz, Mexico

Each winter, the Bay of La Paz provides a seasonal home for roving whale sharks, which gather from all parts of the Sea of Cortez and beyond to feed in the bay’s plankton rich waters. In addition to stops at the spit of land where the sharks gather, tours may also include a visit to the sea lion colonies at Los Islotes. The season runs from November to April, with cooler waters wetsuits are advised.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The volcanic islands made famous by Charles Darwin are washed by three colliding ocean currents that create a rich environment for all types of marine life—including whale sharks. Encounters can take place around all of the islands, but many sites can only be reached by multi-day cruises aboard live aboard tour boats. Whale sharks can be found year-round, but their numbers swell during annual migrations between July and October, when pregnant females often use island waters as a rest stop.

Cebu, Philippines

There are several reasons why the coastal town of Oslob has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for whale shark encounters. Attracted by scraps from local fishermen, the fish remain in the area year-round. Encounters take place within a few hundred yards of the beach in warm, clear water, and there are dozens of tour operators who provide fast, inexpensive access to the site.

South Ari Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives offers a wealth of snorkeling and diving diversity, including year-round sightings of whales sharks around most all of the 26 atolls that make up this nation of islands. Unique encounters take place along the southern edge of South Ari Atoll, where juvenile whale sharks of 10 to 20 feet in size feed in the sheltered waters of a marine preserve. The best time to visit is during the dry season between October and April, when seas are calmer and winds are light.

Maldives Park Hyatt Aerial
Islands, Maldives, Oceania, Stay, Trip Ideas

The Maldive’s Best Private Island Resorts

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The Maldives is a nation of more than a thousand small islands. These dollops of dry land are spaced around the edges of coral reef lagoons known as atolls, and typically ringed by dazzling white sand beaches. It’s an ideal setting for a beach resort, and this fact hasn’t escaped hoteliers.

Many of the world’s top hospitality brands introduce increasingly lavish and exotic properties, each set on a private island and offering the ultimate in services and indulgences. Here are three that are at the top of the list.

Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Set within the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve on Baa Atoll, Landaa Giraavaru showcases a garden like setting, spectacular beaches and one of the largest natural lagoons in the Maldives. Each of the 103 thatched bungalows scattered around the 44-acre private island is inspired by traditional regional architectural styles, and uses sustainable and recycled native materials to create spaces that deliver serene privacy while also framing views of island and ocean.

Maldives Four Seasons

Coral reefs thrive close to the white sand beach at the Four Seasons resort on Landaa Giraavaru Island. This property lies within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Four Seasons

All land-based accommodations have their own beach access, pool and lush genuinely private gardens. Some offer sand floor living areas with sofas and toes-in-the-sand dining, and sea gazing lofts. Water villas are perched on stilts over the lagoon, providing panoramic ocean views through floor to ceiling windows, and incorporate spacious sundecks, pools and outdoor showers.

Maldives Four Seasons Bungalow

Garden villas at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru resort feature open floor plans that flow into private outdoor spaces with pools, decks and beach access. Photo: Four Seasons

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

A swath of green ringed by white sand, sitting in a blue lagoon. This is Hadahaa, and it epitomizes the idyllic image of the deserted tropical island—save for the fact that it is not deserted, and instead harbors a five- star resort dedicated to barefoot luxury. This Park Hyatt property tastefully integrates modern design into the island’s natural landscape. It sits within the calm interior waters of Huvadhoo Atoll, which is one of the more remote and least visited areas of the Maldives.

Park Hyatt Maldives

The Park Hyatt Hadahaa offers a limited number of over-water villas, and each is oriented to take in expansive water views while also providing privacy. Photo: Park Hyatt

The resort includes just 50 villas, either nestled within the island’s lush tropical greenery or elevated above the water. All villas have floor-to-ceiling windows and large decks to take in ocean views, and are just steps away from the beach and the coral reefs that surround the island. Amenities include outdoor garden showers, plunge pools, a full suite of electronics and 24-hour on-call services such as dining and in-room massage.

Park Hyatt Maldives

High rooflines and floor-to ceiling windows frame infinity pools and expansive waterfront views at Park Hyatt Hadahaa. Coral reefs are a short swim away. Photo: Park Hyatt

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

When the St. Regis group opened this ultra luxe property in the fall of 2016 it was with one simple goal: to be the finest resort destination in the Maldives, both in terms of service and amenities. This commitment begins at the Malé International Airport where guests are met at the gate by a St. Regis airport butler. The resort staff handles all details of arrival and transfer while guests relax in a private lounge before boarding a seaplane for a direct flight to the island of Vommuli on Dhaalu Atoll. This exclusive and lushly landscaped 22-acre reserve is the setting for 77 guest accommodations that redefine the boundaries of vacation luxury.

Maldives St Regis

The spa complex at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is set over the water, and includes private treatment areas and the Blue Hole hydrotherapy pool. Photo: St. Regis

All garden and beach villas feature private pools, gazebos, decks and gardens. Floor plans of more than 1,500 square feet allow for ample indulgences such as soak tubs, outdoor shower rooms, lounge areas and state-of-the-art entertainment suites. Floor to ceiling windows highlight garden or water views. Even more opulent are the over-water villas and suites, which are designed to blend panoramic views with total privacy. Each faces the lagoon, with coral reefs just a short swim away from waterfront decks.

St Regis Maldives Suite

The view from an over-water suite at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, with floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a plunge pool and private deck. Photo: St. Regis

 

St. Lucia Sugar Beach
Bahamas-Out Islands, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Islands, Maui, Mexico, Oceania, Play, Playa del Carmen, St. Lucia, Tahiti, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Supermodels and Sand: 10 Top Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Locations

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Sports Illustrated invented the swimsuit issue more than 50 years ago, tempting readers with images of bathing beauties vamping in some of the most scenic locations on earth. The supermodels may take center stage, but the resorts and beaches that provide the backdrop also draw oohs and aahs from readers and viewers. Here are some of the featured locations where you can indulge in an amazing beach vacation and maybe convince your mate to help recreate a few iconic poses from spots like the Pitons on St. Lucia. Photo: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Tahiti Mooriea Hiking
Islands, Oceania, Play, Tahiti

Tahiti’s Best Hikes

 

Truth is, no one comes to Tahiti just to hike. They come for white sand beaches, sparkling lagoons and kaleidoscopic reefs. But there are still good reasons to pack the walking shoes along with the flip-flops, and those who take to the trails are rewarded with lush landscapes and magnificent views. Some routes are easy, well maintained and marked. Others not so much. Fortunately, guides are available at reasonable rates, and many are fonts of wisdom on island flora, fauna and history. Here are some of our favorite hikes on the three major islands of the Tahiti group.

Banyan Trees Tahiti

A grove of banyan trees provides shade on a footpath through Moorea’s Opunohu Valley. This popular hiking route leads to an elevated overlook known as Three Coconut Trees Pass. Photo: Xavier Lancry/Tahiti Tourisme

Tahiti

One of the best ways to discover Tahiti’s interior beauty is on the Fautaua Valley trail. The walk starts at Papeete Town Hall, and follows a marked route along a jungle stream framed by lush groves where mango, guava, and banana trees grow wild. Three miles later, you will reach the base of 450- foot-high Fautaua Falls. Stop and enjoy or continue on for a steep half-hour climb to the top of the cascade.

More adventurous hikers can hire a guide for a trip through the Hitiaa Lava Tubes. A two-mile walk leads to a series of giant tunnels formed by cooling lava. A river runs through these passages, which are up to 900 feet long. Exploring the tubes will require some wading and scrambles down small waterfalls and across boulders, so plan on getting wet. Tahiti’s most challenging hike is an ascent of the island’s second highest peak, 6,88-foot Mt. Aorai. This demanding 12-mile round trip is an all day adventure that passes by some steep cliffs, and is best done with a guide, and during the dry season.

Bora Bora

A must-do hike on the island of Bora Bora is a visit to the Valley of the Kings. An easy three-hour walk into a lush interior basis that holds the recently- discovered remains of ancient Polynesian homes and temples, and a huge banyan tree that is a living mausoleum. Along the way, guides share stories of island geology, ancestral plants, medicine, Polynesian legends and sacred trees. They may also share wild island fruits and coconuts plucked straight from the trees.

Other walks in the valley include the Ancestors Road and the Track of the Past, which delve deeper into the historic secrets of the valley. More ambitious hikers can make the uphill trek to the sacred Cave of Anau, or make a six-hour round trip climb to the 2,100-foot summit of Mt. Pahia for 360-degree views of the island.

Moorea

For an easy and rewarding walk, follow a trail from the village of Afareaitu through a green landscape of mango trees, past coffee plants, wild orchids and vanilla. An easy half-hour ramble brings you to a pair of waterfalls that tumble 200 feet into pools that are ideal for a cooling swim. Moorea’s most popular hike is the loop through the Opunohu Valley, which follows a well- maintained trail as it climbs some 500 feet to the high point known as Three Coconut Trees Pass. From this elevated saddle hikers can enjoy open vistas of the north and south coasts of the island, plus up-close views of Mt. Mouaroa and Mt. Tohiea.

A slightly more strenuous route is the two-hour walk from the village of Vaiare to Pao Pao on Cook’s Bay. The route ascends to a ridge that delivers grand views of 7,300-foot Mt. Orohena, as well as the whole interior of Moorea. The island’s most challenging trek is a climb to the summit of Mt. Rotui, which holds a special place in Polynesian mythology, and provides a glimpse into the interior of an extinct volcanic crater.

InterContinental Bora Bora
Islands, Oceania, Stay, Tahiti

Bora Bora’s Best Over-the-Water Bungalows

 

It’s the ultimate tropical island fantasy. You are ensconced in a thatch- roofed bungalow perched above turquoise waters. Colorful tropical fish flit among the pilings, while across the lagoon an emerald peak is lit by the setting sun. Over-water accommodations are a signature offering in the islands of Tahiti, and no place on earth can equal the magnificent collection that graces the lagoons of Bora Bora. For the ultimate island escape, these prime properties have no equal.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

The bungalows at the Four Seasons Resort epitomize the over-water experience. Glass floor panels provide provocative peaks at what lies below, verandas and gazebos command unobstructed views of iconic Mount Otemanu, and infinity edge plunge pools and soak tubs blur the boundaries between water and sky. Mornings begin with breakfasts delivered by ceremonial Polynesian canoe; 24-7 butler service provides for every need throughout the day; and intimate personally catered sunset dinners can be enjoyed on private decks or on a remote beach.

Bora Bora Four Seasons OVerwater Bungalows

The over-water bungalows at the Four Seasons Bora Bora include private infinity edge plunge pools and soak tubs, plus direct access to the waters of the lagoon. Photo: Moevea de Rosemont/Four Seasons

A stroll down a connecting boardwalk leads to Four Season’s private 54-acre island, where four restaurants and beach bars offer a range of cuisines and unsurpassed views of lagoon and reef. Equally stunning is the view from the relaxation spaces of the signature spa, which features a number of treatments that incorporate traditional Polynesian ingredients. Guests have exclusive access to an over-water yoga platform and the Ruahatu Lagoon Sanctuary, where snorkel excursions are supervised by the resort’s in-house marine biologist. At night, bedrooms can be opened to the lagoon to invite sea breezes and the gentle sound of lapping waves.

Bora Bora Four Seasons Launch

A complementary shuttle boat brings guests from the airport to the Four Season’s private 54-acre island. Snorkelers enjoy exclusive access to the Ruahatu Lagoon Sanctuary. Photo: Barbara Kraft/Four Seasons

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort

Tucked between an aquamarine lagoon and the sapphire blue water of the Pacific Ocean, Motu Piti Aau deserves its nickname: the islet of two hearts. This small strip of land is home to the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort, where water lovers will indeed have much to take to heart. Here, bungalows don’t just sit over the water; they embrace the aquatic realm in every way possible. Floor to ceiling glass walls bring panoramic views of the lagoon into every room. Glass topped coffee tables give unique views of tropical fish, and even the bathtub offers a picture perfect view of the water.

Bora Bora InterContinental Bungalow Overhead

An aerial view of an over-water bungalow at the InterContinental Bora Bora. Steps lead from the shaded verandah to a sun deck where guests can plunge into the sparkling lagoon. Photo: Tim Mckenna/InterContinental

The décor is a blend of sleek contemporary and traditional Polynesian design touches, leading seamlessly from inside to waterfront verandahs that offer both shaded porches and warm sundecks. The property includes an array of casually elegant restaurants and bars, and the Deep Ocean Spa – is the first seawater therapy spa in French Polynesia. In over-water treatment rooms fitted with glass floors, guests can experience thalassotherapy, which blends modern wellness techniques with ancient Polynesian healing rituals, making use of essential elements exacted from cool, nutrient rich waters pumped from ocean depths of 3,000 feet.

InterContinental Bora Bora Lagoon At Night

Spectacular sunset views of the lagoon and Mount Otemanu come standard with every over-water bungalow at the InterContinental Bora Bora. The resort’s spa also faces the water. Photo: InterContinental

St. Regis Resort Bora Bora

The views may draw your attention outward, but at the St. Regis, inner spaces are equally spectacular. Sprawling over four private islands defined by white sand beaches, lagoons and tidal channels, this resort offers the most spacious and luxurious overwater accommodations in the South Pacific. One-bedroom units offer up to 2,000 square feet of private living space, while the premier two-bedroom Royal Overwater Villa is one of the largest overwater hotel rooms in the world. Waterfront decks and private gazebos flank plunge pools where cantilevered lights hang over the bright waters of the lagoon. Sun beds and heated whirlpools provide additional opportunities for relaxation, while interiors are adorned with custom Polynesian sculptures and scenic paintings by local artists.

St Regis Bora Bora Private Whirlpool Villa

Over-water villas at the St. Regis Bora Bora include shaded gazebos and heated whirlpools. Interiors are adorned with Polynesian sculptures and original works by local artists. Photo: Eric Pinel/St. Regis

Though expansive, the immaculate landscaped resort grounds maintain an intimate feel, and include all the amenities and luxuries associated with the St. Regis brand, including their legendary butler service and a signature over-water restaurant by star chef Jean-Georges. Sitting on its own island is the Clarins spa, which features luxurious Polynesian, Asian and proprietary Clarins Touch treatments.

Bora Bora St Regis

The over-water villas at the St. Regis Bora Bora are the largest and most luxurious of any resort in Polynesia. The property stretches across four immaculately landscaped private islands. Photo: Eric Pinel/St. Regis

Mt Otemanu Bora Bora
Islands, Oceania, Plan, Tahiti

Island Snapshots: Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora

 

The jagged spire of Mount Otemanu rises more than 2,000 above the blue waters of Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoon. This jagged remnant of an ancient volcano dominates the view from all corners of the island and its surrounding ring of coral reefs and motus—the local name for small barrier islands.

The upscale resorts that surround the lagoon place their iconic over-water bungalows to face the mountain, providing guests with panoramic views of water, forest and rock that change color throughout the day as the sun moves from east to west. Hikers can ascend to the halfway point, but not the summit.