Honeymooning in an overwater bungalow – one of those traditional thatched-roof structures raised on stilts above brilliant, turquoise waters – is everyone’s dream. It’s also a growing trend in luxury travel.

With more than 100 resorts around the world offering these dreamy lodgings, the best place to experience one is in the South Pacific. Specifically, Bora Bora.

Bora Bora

This 11.3 square mile island, known as “The Pearl of the Pacific”, is the perfect place for overwater bungalows. Its natural, volcanic reef blocks the sea, allowing a huge, tranquil lagoon teeming with vibrant fish. And while you’re probably thinking that this is the stuff of dreams, it’s too far away, you may be surprised to learn that French Polynesia is only an 8-hour flight from Los Angeles.

Imagine this: you wake in the morning to a breakfast of fresh, just-picked fruits, pastries, and juice, delivered to your bungalow by flower-laden outrigger canoes. As you sip your juice, the sun rises over glimmering waters, painting the sky in shades of salmon, pink, and orange.

There’s no rush to go anywhere. You don your swimsuit and step off your private sun deck into the warm, iridescent sea, wondering at the myriad varieties of sealife dancing around you. If you prefer to stay in your bungalow, you can also enjoy the view through your bungalow’s glass floor panels.

To further explore the lagoon’s dizzying array of richly-colored fish, arrange a boat tour to watch schools of sharks fed by guides as you snorkel behind a secure rope. Or stand in the luminous water, feeding stingrays as they waft in circles around your legs.

Another option is to explore the lagoon by jet-ski, making stops at various beaches or tiny motus for a picnic. Hikers will enjoy hiking Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia, must-sees replete with lush vegetation, thanks to an extinct volcano.

Overwater spas

Another growing trend, in addition to overwater bungalows, is overwater spas, from which you can view the multihued sealife from glass-bottomed treatment rooms, enjoying blissful treatments that combine Polynesian healing rituals with modern wellness treatments.

Honeymooning in an overwater bungalow on a remote, tropical island like Bora Bora is one of the best ways to escape from the hectic pace of daily life I know of. It may be the stuff dreams are made of, but remember, it’s a dream that can come true.