Ninamu Resort

Hidden away on its own private motu in the southwest corner of Tikehau atoll, Ninamu (Nee-Nah-Moo) Resort is a barefoot retreat for couples who love the water. Surfers, divers, fishermen, kitesurfers and paddlers come here for warm, clear lagoon waters that are full of life, and for the rare feeling of having a South Pacific atoll almost to themselves.

Tikehau is about an hour’s flight from Tahiti. From the airport, a short drive and boat ride bring you to the island, where the bungalows are built by hand from local materials and the days are shaped by the wind, the tide and whatever you feel like doing next.

Ninamu Resort has eight handcrafted bungalows with ten rooms in total, each one different in design and character and built from natural local materials. With so few guests on the island, it never feels busy.

Most of the bungalows sit right on the waterfront. Oaha, Kaveka and Kahaia are two-story Waterfront Superior bungalows that sleep up to four, and Tamanu is a three-level garden bungalow for up to six. Most are cooled the island way, with natural ventilation and fans. For a honeymoon, we recommend:

•  Teahupoo – The Waterfront Grand Deluxe bungalow for two, on a single level and air-conditioned.

•  Miki Miki – A two-story Waterfront Superior bungalow for two, right at the water’s edge.

•  Vini Vini – Air-conditioned Garden Deluxe rooms for two, set back among the palms.

Meals at Ninamu are shared around the table, with sweeping views of the lagoon, the reef and the sea. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your stay, along with drinking water.

The day starts with a breakfast buffet and eggs cooked to order. Lunches and dinners are prepared from fresh, local, organic ingredients, and the fish is caught daily, often by the guests themselves. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks from the bar are charged separately. If you have dietary needs, let us know in advance and the kitchen will plan for them.

Ninamu is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and outrigger canoes are waiting on the beach, and there are dozens of empty motu, sand spits and bird islands to explore around the atoll.

The shallow water in front of the resort is ideal for snorkeling, and manta rays, sea turtles and dolphins are only a short boat ride away. Divers are collected from the island by certified guides for dives in Tuheiava Pass and along the outer wall, where reef sharks and hammerheads are often seen. Fishing ranges from casting in the shallows to trolling offshore for tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi, and you get to eat what you catch.

Steady trade winds make Tikehau a favorite for kitesurfing and windsurfing, launching straight from the resort beach. Please bring your own kite or windsurf equipment. When you are ready to slow down, book an oceanfront massage or simply find a hammock.

When you book with Remarkable Honeymoons, your package includes a fresh flower lei greeting on arrival, your choice of accommodations and a farewell shell lei.

Ninamu’s nightly rate is charged per guest and includes:

•  Three meals a day – Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus drinking water.

•  Airport transfers – Round trip between Tikehau Airport and the resort, by car and boat.

Drinks from the bar, scuba diving and outside excursions are charged separately. Infants under 2 stay free, and child rates apply from ages 2 to 14.