French Polynesia travel guide

French Polynesia Tourism | French Polynesia Guide

You're Going to Love French Polynesia

This country is composed of 118 different islands, which are divided into 6 archipelagos. Be prepared to be stunned by turquoise colored water and lush green nature as you slow down the pace and adapt to the island's laidback culture.

What to do in French Polynesia

1. Go Diving and Snorkeling

Expect to see and swim with turtles, barracuda, dolphins, sharks and manta rays, among other sea creatures.

2. Swim in Bora Bora's Blue Lagoon

This is French Polynesia's most popular island and is a paradisiacal destination for honeymooners. Aside from its blue lagoon, which offers the possibility to undertake a range of waterbased activities, don't miss the chance to go for a jungle hike.

3. Explore Tahiti

The largest island of French Polynesia, Tahiti offers a lot to see, such as the Waterfall Valley, Point Venus, and the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands to learn more about the archipelagos.

4. Eat Exotic Fruits at Papeete Market

Head to this market for a true island experience. You will find fruits, vegetables and other produce that might be exotic to you, but also locally made crafts, such as souvenirs and handbags.

5. Visit Marae Taputapuatea in Raiatea

This once religious center and temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 and features a number of stone structures, including Tikis.

1. Go Diving and Snorkeling

Expect to see and swim with turtles, barracuda, dolphins, sharks and manta rays, among other sea creatures.

2. Swim in Bora Bora's Blue Lagoon

This is French Polynesia's most popular island and is a paradisiacal destination for honeymooners. Aside from its blue lagoon, which offers the possibility to undertake a range of waterbased activities, don't miss the chance to go for a jungle hike.

3. Explore Tahiti

The largest island of French Polynesia, Tahiti offers a lot to see, such as the Waterfall Valley, Point Venus, and the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands to learn more about the archipelagos.

4. Eat Exotic Fruits at Papeete Market

Head to this market for a true island experience. You will find fruits, vegetables and other produce that might be exotic to you, but also locally made crafts, such as souvenirs and handbags.

5. Visit Marae Taputapuatea in Raiatea

This once religious center and temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 and features a number of stone structures, including Tikis.

When to visit French Polynesia

The best time to visit French Polynesia is during its driest months, which are between June and August. However, this is also the busiest period, so if you prefer avoiding the crowds and still want to take advantage of pleasant temperatures, consider heading there in the months of May or September.

How to Get to French Polynesia

Entry requirements

Citizens of a number of countries, including those in the EU, are able to enter French Polynesia without a visa and can simply present a valid passport or even an ID card on arrival. For any other country, a visa is required and some can get it on arrival at the airport.

Plane

The most convenient way of getting to French Polynesia is by flying. The local airline is Air Tahiti Nui, which operates nonstop flights to 5 destinations, including Los Angeles, Paris, Auckland and Tokyo. They collaborate with a number of other airlines to offer convenient connections with further destinations. Another local airline, Air Tahiti, operates one international service to and from the Cook Islands.

Boat

There are no regular ferries that travel to French Polynesia. However, cruise ships stop there on an irregular basis.

Entry requirements

Citizens of a number of countries, including those in the EU, are able to enter French Polynesia without a visa and can simply present a valid passport or even an ID card on arrival. For any other country, a visa is required and some can get it on arrival at the airport.

Plane

The most convenient way of getting to French Polynesia is by flying. The local airline is Air Tahiti Nui, which operates nonstop flights to 5 destinations, including Los Angeles, Paris, Auckland and Tokyo. They collaborate with a number of other airlines to offer convenient connections with further destinations. Another local airline, Air Tahiti, operates one international service to and from the Cook Islands.

Boat

There are no regular ferries that travel to French Polynesia. However, cruise ships stop there on an irregular basis.

Popular airlines serving French Polynesia

KLM
Good (1,347 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,657 reviews)
United Airlines
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Air France
Good (1,512 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,523 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,022 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,442 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,951 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (804 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (11,896 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (667 reviews)
Air New Zealand
Good (514 reviews)
Hawaiian Airlines
Good (2,288 reviews)
Air Tahiti Nui
Excellent (65 reviews)
French Bee
Good (62 reviews)
Air Caraïbes
Good (43 reviews)
Aircalin
Good (9 reviews)
Air Tahiti
Good (9 reviews)
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Where to stay in French Polynesia

Hotels are a very common option for accommodation, with all international names available on the main islands. If you are looking for something simpler, you can rent a room or a whole furnished bungalow from a local family, some of which include a dinner service.

Where to stay in popular areas of French Polynesia

How to Get Around French Polynesia

Public Transportation

The only island with public transport is Tahiti, with 3 routes of buses providing transport around the island.

Bus

Buses around Tahiti are now all modern and air conditioned, and while they have designated stops and timetables, you can probably still flag one by waving at them if you're in between stops. Services run as frequently as every 15m on weekdays during the day, with some buses stopping for the day at 5:30 pm and reduced services on the weekend. The Greater Pape'ete bus route goes through the airport.

Car

Car rental is possible with various agencies available on the main islands, and rental options include the ability to rent a car for as little as 4h on smaller islands.

Plane

Flying is the most common way of getting around the islands, with flights offered by Air Tahiti. Special passes are available for those wishing to visit a few islands, such as the Bora Bora pass, which covers Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine and Maupiti. Charter flights are also available with Air Archipel.

Boat

Ferry travel is available between most islands, with connections between Moorea and Tahiti multiple times a day. Cargo boats are also available for those wishing to take their car.

Public Transportation

The only island with public transport is Tahiti, with 3 routes of buses providing transport around the island.

Bus

Buses around Tahiti are now all modern and air conditioned, and while they have designated stops and timetables, you can probably still flag one by waving at them if you're in between stops. Services run as frequently as every 15m on weekdays during the day, with some buses stopping for the day at 5:30 pm and reduced services on the weekend. The Greater Pape'ete bus route goes through the airport.

Car

Car rental is possible with various agencies available on the main islands, and rental options include the ability to rent a car for as little as 4h on smaller islands.

Plane

Flying is the most common way of getting around the islands, with flights offered by Air Tahiti. Special passes are available for those wishing to visit a few islands, such as the Bora Bora pass, which covers Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine and Maupiti. Charter flights are also available with Air Archipel.

Boat

Ferry travel is available between most islands, with connections between Moorea and Tahiti multiple times a day. Cargo boats are also available for those wishing to take their car.

The Cost of Living in French Polynesia

The cost of an inexpensive meal in French Polynesia is around 1,100 XPF (10.20 USD), while a mid-range meal will cost around 5,000 XPF (46.50 USD) per person. If you are staying on the main islands, you will easily be able to use credit or debit cards for payments, while cash is the preferred method of payment on smaller islands.

Popular cities in French Polynesia