French Polynesia
French Polynesia's classic first trip strings together three islands that each do something different.
Tahiti is the gateway, with Papeete's covered market, the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles and the wild surf of Teahupo'o on its south coast. Moorea is the easy escape across the water, with jagged green peaks, a 4WD loop to the Belvedere lookout and Magic Mountain, a calm lagoon of stingrays and blacktip sharks, and humpback whales from July to November. Bora Bora is the postcard, a lagoon ringed by sandy motus under Mount Otemanu, best seen on a shark and stingray snorkel cruise, a jet ski tour or a jeep safari, then from the free, easy sand of Matira Beach. The islands are linked by a ferry between Papeete and Moorea and by short domestic flights to Bora Bora, and this guide explains how to join them. It then matches you to a base on each island, from a practical Papeete hotel by the ferry to a Moorea lagoon resort and Bora Bora stays from a mid-range overwater bungalow to the Four Seasons.
Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise with Shark and Stingray Snorkeling
The classic Bora Bora day on the water: a boat around the lagoon with stops to snorkel among tame stingrays, blacktip reef sharks and a coral garden, then lunch on a private motu. It is the single best way to see why this lagoon is famous.
Moorea 4WD Tour: Belvedere, Magic Mountain and Pineapple Road
The best-reviewed way to see Moorea's heights: a four-hour 4WD loop to the Belvedere lookout, the Magic Mountain overlook, the pineapple fields and Mount Rotui, with food tasting and hotel pickup. Moorea at its most scenic in half a day.
Bora Bora Guided Jet Ski Lagoon Tour
A two-hour guided ride across the Bora Bora lagoon, past overwater bungalows, yachts and the spire of Mount Otemanu, with a swim stop and a coconut-husking demonstration. The fastest way to cover the lagoon and the most fun for anyone who likes speed.
Bora Bora 4x4 Island Safari and Mont Popoti Lookout
A three-and-a-half-hour jeep safari that climbs from the coast into Bora Bora's hills for the best views of the lagoon and the island's rugged green interior. A dry-land half day that shows the island behind the resorts.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The classic Bora Bora day on the water: a boat around the lagoon with stops to snorkel among tame stingrays, blacktip reef sharks and a coral garden, then lunch on a private motu. It is the single best way to see why this lagoon is famous.
A two-hour guided ride across the Bora Bora lagoon, past overwater bungalows, yachts and the spire of Mount Otemanu, with a swim stop and a coconut-husking demonstration. The fastest way to cover the lagoon and the most fun for anyone who likes speed.
A three-and-a-half-hour jeep safari that climbs from the coast into Bora Bora's hills for the best views of the lagoon and the island's rugged green interior. A dry-land half day that shows the island behind the resorts.
Bora Bora's best-known public beach, a long arc of white sand and shallow turquoise water on the island's southern tip, free to visit and open to everyone. Come for a swim, a snorkel and the sunset.
A three-hour small-group boat trip in Moorea's lagoon, with snorkeling among stingrays and blacktip reef sharks and a stop at a coral garden. A relaxed, good-value half day on the water.
The best-reviewed way to see Moorea's heights: a four-hour 4WD loop to the Belvedere lookout, the Magic Mountain overlook, the pineapple fields and Mount Rotui, with food tasting and hotel pickup. Moorea at its most scenic in half a day.
A four-hour small-group boat trip off Moorea to find humpback whales during their winter migration, with a chance to swim with them if conditions allow. A seasonal highlight, running from July to November.
Tahiti's central covered market, open every day, where fishermen, farmers and artisans sell fresh produce, local food and souvenirs. Free to wander, best early, and a taste of Polynesian daily life in the middle of Papeete.
A one-hour boat trip to watch the legendary Teahupo’o wave from the channel, close to the surfers when it breaks. The southwest tip of Tahiti Iti, a wild contrast to the resort islands, and the Olympic surfing venue of 2024.
Polynesia's main museum, set in a three-hectare park on the Punaauia coast, tracing the shared heritage of the islands through ethnographic objects, art and photographs. The best rainy-day culture stop on Tahiti.
An evening on the lagoon in a small group: a sunset sail with Mount Otemanu turning gold behind you, followed by a guided look at the southern night sky from the water. A gentle, romantic end to a busy day of snorkeling or safari.
A guided quad bike ride into Bora Bora's green interior, with viewpoints over the lagoon, remnants of the island's wartime past and a taste of Polynesian vanilla. The adventurous way to see the island on land.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Motu Tehotu, Bora Bora
The splurge: a private-motu resort on Bora Bora's outer reef with overwater bungalow suites, a beach villa estate, four restaurants and a spa, all facing Mount Otemanu across the lagoon.
Check rates →Papetoai, Moorea
A four-star lagoon resort on Moorea's north coast with overwater bungalows, garden and beachfront rooms, the island's only overwater restaurant, a spa and tennis courts, near Opunohu and Cook's Bay.
Check rates →Matira, Bora Bora
A friendly mid-range resort at the southern tip of Bora Bora near Matira Beach, with overwater, beachfront and garden rooms at far lower prices than the motu resorts. The best-value way to stay on the lagoon.
Check rates →Papeete Waterfront
A practical three-star hotel on the Papeete waterfront, two minutes' walk from the Moorea ferry terminal and a short stroll from the market. The easy base for a night before or after your island flights and ferries.
Check rates →Arue, east of Papeete
A four-star beachfront hotel at Arue, east of Papeete, with ocean-view rooms, suites with hot tubs or private pools, a pool and spa, and a restaurant. A comfortable Tahiti base with space and sea views, also known as Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort.
Check rates →Nui Beach, Bora Bora
A five-star resort of overwater and beach villas on a private beach, with a swim-up pool bar, the Hina Spa, several restaurants and a sushi lounge. A luxury Bora Bora stay with a slightly easier price curve than the very top of the market.
Check rates →Maharepa, Moorea
A four-star beachfront resort near Moorea's airport and ferry, with overwater, beach and garden villas, two restaurants, a spa and a free infant-bed policy. The most convenient resort on the island for arrivals and departures.
Check rates →Beachfront, Moorea
A four-star beachfront resort on Moorea with overwater bungalows, garden pool bungalows and suites, two restaurants, a rum bar and a full-service spa. A relaxed, well-equipped base with a coral nursery for snorkelers.
Check rates →How to link Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora in one trip: the ferry and flights, how many days each island needs, what to book ahead and when to go.
Choosing a base on each island: a Papeete hotel by the ferry, a Tahiti beachfront stay, a Moorea lagoon resort and Bora Bora options from mid-range to splurge.
When to go to Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora: the dry and wet seasons, whale watching, festivals, crowds and prices, with month-by-month advice for planning.
A food guide to Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora: raw fish in coconut milk, roulottes, market breakfasts, vanilla, pineapple and tips for eating well without overspending.
The best day trips around Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora: Point Venus, Teahupo'o, Tetiaroa, the Moorea ferry, waterfall hikes and lagoon outings, with timing and logistics.
Plan a honeymoon in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora: how to split your stay, choosing overwater bungalows, sunset cruises, scenic flights and romantic dinners.
