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  We were on the first international flight to land in Tahiti since the Covid19 lockdown began. I can honestly say, before we left the U.S., we were initially very worried... read more about our decision to travel. However, our fears were eased the moment we boarded the immaculate plane (Air Tahiti Nui) in LAX. We were incredibly impressed with the care and accommodations taken by the Tahitian Government, the Airlines and Resorts to adjust to traveling during this challenging time. To begin, we were required to complete a Covid Test at the urgent care adjacent to LAX prior to leaving the U.S. which was uploaded electronically to our tickets. This was a painless process and honestly, very reassuring to know that everyone on the completely sanitized plane was also required to submit a negative test result as a condition to board. As well, we were required to fill out our complete itinerary electronically to ensure traceability while we travelled inner island. Upon boarding the aircraft, we were provided with masks, wipes and hand sanitizer in a tidy little package. Masks were required throughout the entirety of the flight. The crew was completely meticulous with their cleanliness. This was the most pristine plane I have ever flown on...it was brand new. And from my understanding, Air Tahiti Nui has completely upgraded their air filtration systems as well. Upon landing, as we went through customs, we were each provided with a discreet little envelope... We were on the first international flight to land in Tahiti since the Covid19 lockdown began. I can honestly say, before we left the U.S., we were initially very worried about our decision to travel. However, our fears were eased the moment we boarded the immaculate plane (Air Tahiti Nui) in LAX. We were incredibly impressed with the care and accommodations taken by the Tahitian Government, the Airlines and Resorts to adjust to traveling during this challenging time.

To begin, we were required to complete a Covid Test at the urgent care adjacent to LAX prior to leaving the U.S. which was uploaded electronically to our tickets. This was a painless process and honestly, very reassuring to know that everyone on the completely sanitized plane was also required to submit a negative test result as a condition to board. As well, we were required to fill out our complete itinerary electronically to ensure traceability while we travelled inner island.
Upon boarding the aircraft, we were provided with masks, wipes and hand sanitizer in a tidy little package. Masks were required throughout the entirety of the flight. The crew was completely meticulous with their cleanliness. This was the most pristine plane I have ever flown on...it was brand new. And from my understanding, Air Tahiti Nui has completely upgraded their air filtration systems as well.

Upon landing, as we went through customs, we were each provided with a discreet little envelope containing another Covid Test Kit which we were instructed to self-perform 4 days into our trip. The instructions were clear, concise and the test was very easy to perform on ourselves. Even our children performed their own tests easily. We provided the sealed samples to our hotel on day four of our stay as instructed.

The airport was also immaculate. We watched every single surface being repeatedly cleaned as travelers moved on. Hand Sanitizer stations were plentiful and placed everywhere you looked. On our inner island flight to Tikehau, we were all, again, given sanitizer and masks were required throughout.

Upon arrival at our final destination , Ninamu Resort, we were greeted by a masked and extremely friendly staff. And this is where the trip became completely worth all of the extra hoops. IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!

Chris, Greta, Melanie, Cheffy and the ENTIRE staff at Ninamu Resort helped us COMPLETELY FORGET ABOUT COVID for 6 whole days. It was exactly the break we needed to be able to recharge, regroup and re-center.

The food was incredible......every single calorie was divine. Fish does not get any more fresh. The service was impeccable. Melanie made us feel like we were guests in her home. I have been in the service industry for 30 years and can assure, it does not get better than this.

The excursions were out of this world. Chris went out of his way to make sure all of our wishes were granted. We swam with Manta Rays, among the one of a kind Coral Garden, and snorkeled among every single electric color of tropical fish you can imagine. It was sublime to say the least. We went fishing and caught more than our share of fresh fish. We saw more stars than one could comprehend. We walked, kayaked and paddle boarded around the island. We relaxed in the cabanas while napping to the sound of lapping waves while the kids played games in the billiard room. The blues and greens of the water are almost impossible to describe with words.

But the absolute best part of our trip was this...........this was supposed to be our honeymoon. Unfortunately, our wedding in the U.S was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. When Chris and his staff heard this...they went completely above and beyond to surprise us and provided a wedding beyond our wildest dreams. They took us to the most beautiful blue lagoon I have ever seen. As a Captain, Chris is able to legally perform weddings, and he gave us the gift of a ceremony we will never forget.
They prepared a barbeque on the beach and set the most beautiful tropical island table. The feast was divine. We felt like royalty and our gratitude overflows.

My husband (I get to say that now!) and I have both travelled A LOT. We can hands down say, that this was our best trip ever.

Travelling during a pandemic is understandably nerve-wracking; however, we felt completely safe, both for our family, and more importantly, for the people of French Polynesia with our choice to join them as they reopen. We are bringing our freshly charged batteries back to the U.S. and are counting down the days until we can go back.

Mauruuru and La Orana!
Shannon, Jason, Ruth and Sara More

  We had a lovely time at the Ninamu resort in Tikehau. The staff were so nice. The food was incredible and we loved our bungalow! Happy hour was a lot... read more of fun. Wish we could of stayed longer, but such good memories. We will be...More

  Ninamu, although expensive like a 5 star hotel in Bora Bora, does not provide the same level of services but it gives you so much more that you will... read more never want to go back to the "water villa metropolis" as most resorts in Polinesia essentially are. The following aspects of the Ninamu merit 6 stars: - The atmosphere of the restaurant and bar, that especially in the evening brings the few guests together drinking a Mohito while knowing each other, commenting the day and planning for tomorrow escusrions - Chris, the owner and soul of the resort, having a strong Australian character - The daily excursions, included in the price of the room, when Chris takes you with passion and knowledge on its boat around Tikehau . - The beach on front of the restaurant for the colors of the water - The beach bungalows that guests can use to repair themselves from the sun while continuing to enjoy the view of the sea under the shadow with a good nook in hand The following other aspects are in line with expectations: - The food is very good, healty and simple. However someone may found the quantities of food not enough or could desire more choices. - The availability, at no extra costs, of paddles and canoas as well of palms and mask There are aspects that could be improved as: - The confort of the bungalows it is not... Ninamu, although expensive like a 5 star hotel in Bora Bora, does not provide the same level of services but it gives you so much more that you will never want to go back to the "water villa metropolis" as most resorts in Polinesia essentially are.
The following aspects of the Ninamu merit 6 stars:
- The atmosphere of the restaurant and bar, that especially in the evening brings the few guests together drinking a Mohito while knowing each other, commenting the day and planning for tomorrow escusrions
- Chris, the owner and soul of the resort, having a strong Australian character
- The daily excursions, included in the price of the room, when Chris takes you with passion and knowledge on its boat around Tikehau .
- The beach on front of the restaurant for the colors of the water
- The beach bungalows that guests can use to repair themselves from the sun while continuing to enjoy the view of the sea under the shadow with a good nook in hand

The following other aspects are in line with expectations:
- The food is very good, healty and simple. However someone may found the quantities of food not enough or could desire more choices.
- The availability, at no extra costs, of paddles and canoas as well of palms and mask

There are aspects that could be improved as:
- The confort of the bungalows it is not at top and varies depending thet bangalows.
- A more frequent treatment against mosquitos would be recommended
- The room services is basic, with room keeping once per day

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  We recently returned from a trip to Ninamu and had the best time! Chris, Greta, and their staff were incredibly gracious and kind. They always asked if we needed anything.... read more The food was delicious and always 5 star. We felt like we were part of their family, living their adventurous life. We saw huge Mantas, sharks, and even went fishing where we caught a giant tuna! Taking Chris’ trimaran to a private BBQ lunch was a particular highlight. Our bungalow was beautiful and clean; the island, with it’s pink sand, is simply paradise. We weren’t sure what this adventure would be like, traveling in the middle of the pandemic, but we would go again in a heartbeat. They handled the situation very professionally yet we felt completely comfortable and far removed from the hectic covid-19 stress of everyday life. We cannot wait to return! More

  The stark landscape, solitude, and infinite horizons refocus your universe inward. Relax and reflect whilst you unwind in one of their our private beachfront day beds or float in the... read more lagoon in an acquatic landscape.
Surrounded by pink sand beaches, abundant marine life, impeccable waves and prevailing trade winds, this secluded retreat is the ultimate paradise for every type of water sports enthusiast. It caters to divers, surfers, fishermen, stand up paddlers and kite boarders. In fact,Chris the owner told us that the name Ninamu, which means 'blue' in Tahitian, was inspired by the surrounding sapphire lagoon.There are only eight unique bungalows at the Ninamu Resort, all handcrafted from natural, locally sourced materials.

Ninamu owner, Chris O'Callaghan, is a man with a back story. Variously a tradie, air steward, yachtie, surf competition founder (not just any surf comp, but Teahupo'o)
Chris is a very sociable and accommodating Australian native who will keep you entertained and pours a stiff drink at the bar.Ninam is just the place to live out your fantasy of a remote island escape. More

  I had the most wonderful experience at Ninamu. There was a large group of us (14 people) booked there to celebrate a birthday. The owner and his wife could not... read more have been better hosts. We were taken on excursions to explore the surrounding islands and...More

  We throughly enjoyed our 8 day stay at Ninamu, the daily excursions were exactly why I chose Ninamu Resort. The snorkeling on the reef outside the passage way contained the... read more highest concentration of tropical fish I have ever seen in a lifetime of freediving. All the meals prepared by Cheffy were excellent!! Breakfast consisted of fresh baked bread, tropical fruit and juice plus eggs cooked to order. Lunch and dinner was excellent tasting local fish plus a French dessert and espresso and Cheffy would come out of the kitchen and converse with us about his life and the dishes he prepared. Where else could you ever experience this type of interaction. Our Miki Miki room was an awesome open air benchfront treefort style room built with island wood and coral. The owner Chris was the most down to earth, interersting, entertaining, one of a kind personalities that we couldn't get enough of. His stories and comments were hilarious. I appreciated he was always in the dining room each evening to talk with guests and joined us for dinner at our table one night. If you are looking for a St. Regis/Four Seasons style resort Ninamu is not for you. But if you want the freedom to explore the surrounding reefs on your own and create adventures and unforgettable memories then this island is spot on. Note to self: be sure not to bring sand onto the captain's boat unless I... We throughly enjoyed our 8 day stay at Ninamu, the daily excursions were exactly why I chose Ninamu Resort. The snorkeling on the reef outside the passage way contained the highest concentration of tropical fish I have ever seen in a lifetime of freediving.
All the meals prepared by Cheffy were excellent!! Breakfast consisted of fresh baked bread, tropical fruit and juice plus eggs cooked to order. Lunch and dinner was excellent tasting local fish plus a French dessert and espresso and Cheffy would come out of the kitchen and converse with us about his life and the dishes he prepared. Where else could you ever experience this type of interaction. Our Miki Miki room was an awesome open air benchfront treefort style room built with island wood and coral.
The owner Chris was the most down to earth, interersting, entertaining, one of a kind personalities that we couldn't get enough of. His stories and comments were hilarious. I appreciated he was always in the dining room each evening to talk with guests and joined us for dinner at our table one night. If you are looking for a St. Regis/Four Seasons style resort Ninamu is not for you. But if you want the freedom to explore the surrounding reefs on your own and create adventures and unforgettable memories then this island is spot on. Note to self: be sure not to bring sand onto the captain's boat unless I want to swab the decks. In closing the staff became as close as family members with their interesting and fun conversations and we learned some French, "Vola". We actually shed tears and exerienced emotion separation when we departed. Can't wait to return to the most special place on Earth. Chris and Colleen Machado
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  My husband and I visited French Polynesia for 2 weeks, and wanted an unique, off-the-beaten path experience during our trip and our travel agent, John from Venture Tahiti /Venture Destinations... read more recommenced Ninamu and it definitely fit the bill! Our stay at Ninamu provided us such memorable experiences, and was a nice departure from the typical resorts! We stayed at Ninamu for 3 nights in the Oahu bungalow. The bungalow has such a cool, tree house design to it! It’s two stories, with a large king bed on the 2nd floor and two double beds on the main floor. There is also a seating area in the main room which connects to a large outdoor deck — you can step out your bungalow and within a few steps be at the ocean! Be prepared to have geckos in your room at night, and there is no AC. There are large fans to help with air circulation. Chris gave us a great tip to put the fan inside the mosquito net! Lighting is also very limited in the bungalow in the evening. I also experienced a theft of one of my earrings, which we believe was at the hands of a burglarizing gecko! Quite the story to tell friends back home (a word of wisdom - keep your jewelry in a bag, not set out of the dresser!) Chris really wants his guests to have an amazing experience - he took us... My husband and I visited French Polynesia for 2 weeks, and wanted an unique, off-the-beaten path experience during our trip and our travel agent, John from Venture Tahiti /Venture Destinations recommenced Ninamu and it definitely fit the bill! Our stay at Ninamu provided us such memorable experiences, and was a nice departure from the typical resorts!

We stayed at Ninamu for 3 nights in the Oahu bungalow. The bungalow has such a cool, tree house design to it! It’s two stories, with a large king bed on the 2nd floor and two double beds on the main floor. There is also a seating area in the main room which connects to a large outdoor deck — you can step out your bungalow and within a few steps be at the ocean! Be prepared to have geckos in your room at night, and there is no AC. There are large fans to help with air circulation. Chris gave us a great tip to put the fan inside the mosquito net! Lighting is also very limited in the bungalow in the evening. I also experienced a theft of one of my earrings, which we believe was at the hands of a burglarizing gecko! Quite the story to tell friends back home (a word of wisdom - keep your jewelry in a bag, not set out of the dresser!)

Chris really wants his guests to have an amazing experience - he took us out snorkeling and provided recommendations on how best to explore the little island. My husband really wanted to deep sea fish, so Chris made it a point to go fishing during our stay. We catcher snapper, wahoo, and tuna — it was unbelievable to see these fish! There is also kayaking equipment, which is a fun way to get some exercise each morning.

The Chef (Cheffie!) is a great guy and makes delicious food. The breakfast spread was delicious, and I highly recommend the made to order omelette! Lunch each day consisted of a small side salad, rice and some sort of fresh fish! Plus ice cream for dessert! For dinner, we all pushed our tables together and had a big communal table to meet our fellow travelers and gave great conversation. Dinners consisted of an appetizer, main course (usually a beautifully plated fish and potatos) and dessert. My favorite meal was the fish stew appetizer, a unique baked entree of layered fish, potatoes and tomatoes, and a chocolate molten cake!

Upon arrival at the Tikehau airport, you are transported via van to the boat launch. Via boat, it’s a short 10 minute ride to Ninamu. We were greeted with fresh coconuts. The check-in process was a little confusing since we arrived as a storm rolled in! Most of the guests were in the lobby waiting out the storm and us new arrivals were awaiting instruction or details on how long until our rooms would be ready. We arrived quite early in the day, so didn’t expect our rooms to be promptly ready — but some extra communication on what to expect and what to do while we waited would have been helpful! Again, a small hiccup in an otherwise great stay!

I would recommend Ninamu for travelers looking for a unique, unforgettable experience— but willing to forgo some comforts like AC, television and lux room commodities like extra evening lighting and bath products. You will meet interesting travelers and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience on a remote private island in the South Pacific! More

  What a gem! Just back from Ninamu with a group of 13 friends and it was quite a magical experience. Chris and Greta are lovely hosts, eager to help make... read more the most of your time at their home, arranging activities as frequent or infrequently as...More

  Ninamu was the highlight of our honeymoon to French Polynesia. We found it originally in the Lonely Planet, then after looking on Tripadvisor knew it was for us. No Pool,... read more no aircon, limited internet, bungalows that are created out of drift wood and coral and...More