Colton Dixon Honeymoon Photos

PEOPLE Exclusive: Colton Dixon's Honeymoon Album

The American Idol alum and his new wife share favorite moments from their romantic Polynesian escape

Published on January 21, 2016 06:00PM EST

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ISLAND GETAWAY

Colton and Annie Dixon, who were married on Jan. 8 in Nashville, spent a week and a half on Moorea, an island in French Polynesia. "The entire island just looks like a screen saver – it's unbelievable," Colton tells PEOPLE. "The island is actually a volcano. If you go to the center, you're in a crater, where the volcano erupted on itself and surrounding you are four distinct mountains."

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ROCK ON

"It was the off-season – they called it rainy season and it rained a few times – but it was nice and so private," Colton says. "It was really cool to take in a different culture. A beautiful culture."

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PRIVATE PARADISE

"We stayed at the Moorea Pearl Resort amp Spa in a bungalow over the water," says Annie. "It was really peaceful. We could literally jump off our back balcony into the ocean."

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BEACH BUMS

"The first three days, we were so exhausted from the wedding and traveling, we hardly did anything," Annie says. "We were both game to chill and sit by the water." Adds Colton: "There were coconuts all over this beach and you walk into the water and before you get waist deep the coral begins. It was gorgeous."

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SWEET SMOOCH

"It didn't feel overly touristy and it was really romantic," says Annie. "Just the beauty of the scenery, being in God's creation. And yes, there was a lot of kissing!"

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FOUR WHEELING

"We thought about renting a car but I'm so glad we took the ATV tour instead," says Colton. "We wouldn't have known where to look. This was more hands-on." The couple took turns driving, but Annie took the wheel through mud and water. "She got all the fun driving," he says.

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LOCKS OF LOVE

"This is one of the places we stopped on the ATV tour," Colton says. "The fence is like the famous one in Paris where two people who have given their life to each other put a lock on it. We probably should have brought a padlock with us! It was such a beautiful view we couldn't not take a picture."

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DIRTY LOOKS

"That was after off-roading on the ATVs – dirt was flying!" says Annie. The couple turned down the offer to use helmets – "We didn't really want helmet hair!" Colton says – "but we didn't realize that the shield would have helped. When we got done and took our sunglasses off, we just busted out laughing. We were filthy."

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SWEET TREAT

"The island is known for pineapples," Colton says. "I never liked pineapple but I could go on and on about their pineapples. It was the sweetest fruit I ever tried. I could have eaten my weight in it!"

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SCENIC VIEW

"That was our last day," Colton says of the day spent paddling to the coral reefs near their bungalow resort. "It was cool to escape from the island but see where we were staying. It was a cool way to wrap up the trip." Adds Annie: "It gave us a new perspective and a chance to reminisce."