The best things to do at The Brando

Guests can indulge in luxury activities including a wonderful spa, fine dining, thrilling water sports, the ultimate in relaxation, plus unique experiences to enjoy. Let’s dive right into The Brando Resort activities – each sure to inspire your trip. 

Fancy an afternoon of scuba at the Brando? Scuba lessons are available in the calm, flat waters of the lagoon, and you can enjoy open ocean scuba diving outside the reef. The coral gardens are a beautiful addition, too. Bear in mind that scuba lessons aren’t on the menu during the whale watching season, which runs from mid-July to mid-October. 

Bob’s Bar is where Brando himself and his good friend Bob used to drink and laugh. It’s the bar from Brando’s original lodge. Casual fun with comfy armchairs is yours, together with awe-inspiring sunsets and great cocktails. There’s live music at Bob’s Bar outdoor lounge on the beach as well as at the Te Manu Bar.

The incredibly comfortable and welcoming Te Manu bar sits on the second floor of a delightful building with great views of the ocean, the lagoon, and the sunsets over Moorea. You can even take your drinks and cocktails down to the beach, if you like. 

The resort’s delectable eateries are both supplied by the organic fruit orchard and vegetable garden, offering the ultimate in fresh cuisine. The Beachcomber Cafe offers indoor and outdoor dining with stunning views of the lagoon. This venue is cooled by sea breezes and casual but elegant dining is the name of the game. The food blends Polynesian dishes with top class French cuisine.

Les Mutinés is your exclusive destination for more fine dining, an elegant setting with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and a pretty moat outside. The chef Guy Martin is Michelin-starred and the flavours are French Polynesian. The wine cellar is a big highlight, too.   

For something different, you can organise romantic private dinners on the beach or catch the weekly dinner show, involving traditional Tahitian dancing!

If nature is your thing, you’ll want to catch the whale watching season which runs from mid-July to mid-October. Have the chance to observe these enchanting creatures in their natural habitat, as they migrate elegantly past the atoll. The resort works alongside the Tetiaroa Society to let holidaymakers interact with the whales in a respectful way. Tours take place throughout the season and are accompanied by an expert guide and a skilled scuba diver.

The Varua Polynesian Spa is quite simply gorgeous. A natural haven of serenity, it’s sited on the banks of a lovely pool, very private, and was once a retreat for the Tahitian Royal Family. The holistic treatments are inspired by ancient Polynesian traditions as well as contemporary treats from around the world. It offers steam baths, a superb tea and relaxation lounge, steam bath, waterfall and yoga shelter. Varua means ‘the soul’, the perfect name for a luxury spa with such beautiful views, such a calming vibe, and so many spaces for quiet relaxation.

The resort’s unique Library and Explorer Centre is home to numerous excellent books about the region. You can enjoy talks, lectures and demonstrations covering Polynesian culture, history, and the local lifestyle. The on-site research scientists are always happy to talk about their research and the amazing wildlife on and around the atoll.

There are a few ways to explore the spectacular lagoon. Hop on a Polynesian outrigger canoe, take a kayak, or travel by paddleboard. Your reward? Enjoy a calm swim at Mermaid Bay, which is quite simply heavenly.

Tennis, anyone? The resort has courts for you to hone your game or learn from scratch.

Cycling is one of the best ways to discover the dry land. The wildlife is amazing, so be sure to look out for incredibly colourful and exotic birds. 

Take to the ocean on a luxury fishing vessel and enjoy the finest deep sea fishing in the area.

Lagoon School is designed with children aged 6-12 in mind, a fascinating experience they’ll adore.

Get involved in top class fitness coaching and fitness classes including joys like aquafitness, circuit training, body sculpting, body dance, and body attitude. You can arrange private classes if you wish.

The resort’s beautiful boutique is stacked with gorgeous things to buy, including exclusive jewellery set with Tahitian pearls, sustainable fashion, island honey from the bee colony here, plus lovely accessories and all the best travel essentials.

There’s lots to discover here thanks to a collection of superb tours, including Biologist of the Day Excursions with Naturalist Guides. There’s a popular bird discovery tour and a reef quest to enjoy, and you can explore Motu Onetahi on a gorgeous naturalist trail. The Tetiaroa ultimate tour offers an experience to remember, a tour of the atoll on a lovely roofed boat with a naturalist guide on board. Last but not least there’s a guided tour of the Research Station.

Polynesian dance lessons join Polynesian music lessons on the ukulele, pahu, or toere to provide an insight into the way people live in this extraordinary place. You can learn Polynesian weaving, master Pareu dyeing and tying, and join in with Tahitian cuisine demonstrations.

The resort runs special events throughout the year, so you'll be entertained whenever you decide to stay. For example, it hosts an exciting Easter programme and Wellness Retreats, too.

This amazing luxury holiday destination is very remote, which means most of the activities and experiences take place on or near the resort. Take a look at our fantastic offers at the Brando Resort and see what inspires you.

One of the activities you can do nearby is a day tour. Book your place 24 hours in advance for a brilliant trip to either Tahiti or Moorea via private transport.

The Brando lies just 20-minutes via private plane journey from Papeete.

It depends on your holiday style, and whether or not you’re bringing youngsters with you. There’s a choice of One-Bedroom Villas, Two and Three-Bedroom Villas, and extraordinary Residences for the ultimate in luxurious seclusion.

The Brando is on land with a 99 year lease contracted by the actor himself. The island is owned by the Brando family and the resort is managed by Brando’s old friend Richard Bailey.