Highlights
Bora Bora
A lagoon of many shades of blue around the volcanic peak of Mount Otemanu, ringed by small islets called motus. Snorkelling with rays and reef sharks, lagoon boat tours and overwater bungalows are what draw most visitors.
Moorea
A short ferry ride from Tahiti, with jagged green peaks, pineapple fields and two bays, Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay. The Belvédère lookout has views over both, and humpback whales visit offshore from roughly July to November.
Tahiti
The largest island has the capital Papeete, with its covered market and roulottes (food trucks) on the waterfront. Inland valleys offer waterfalls and hikes, and Teahupo'o on the peninsula is one of the world's most famous surf breaks.
Rangiroa
One of the largest atolls in the world, in the Tuamotus, with a lagoon so large it looks like the open sea. Drift dives in the Tiputa Pass bring encounters with dolphins, sharks and manta rays.
Fakarava
An atoll in the Tuamotus, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, known for its south pass, where divers see large numbers of grey reef sharks, and for quiet beaches with pink-tinged sand.
Taputapuātea, Raiatea
A complex of stone ceremonial platforms, or marae, on Raiatea, a UNESCO World Heritage site and once a centre of Polynesian religious and navigational life. Raiatea and neighbouring Taha'a are also known for vanilla farms.
Huahine
A quieter island with traditional villages, ancient marae and fish traps, and sacred freshwater eels with blue eyes in a stream at Faie.
The Marquesas Islands
Remote, mountainous islands far to the north-east, with stone tiki sculptures and a deep tradition of tattooing. The painter Paul Gauguin and the singer Jacques Brel are buried on Hiva Oa.
Interesting facts about French Polynesia
- French Polynesia's 118 islands are spread over an area of ocean roughly the size of Western Europe.
- The modern word 'tattoo' comes from the Polynesian word 'tatau', and the art remains central to Polynesian culture.
- Teahupo'o in Tahiti hosted the surfing competition of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, thousands of kilometres from Paris.
- The Marquesas Islands were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2024 for both their nature and culture.
- The tiare, a fragrant white gardenia, is the national flower, and visitors are often welcomed with a garland of it.
Best time to visit
The drier, cooler season from roughly May to October is the most popular time to visit, with sunny days, lower humidity and good diving visibility. July is busy with the Heiva festival of dance, music and traditional sports in Papeete. November to April is warmer and wetter, with short tropical downpours and occasional cyclones, but fewer visitors. Humpback whales can be seen from around July to November.
Practical information
| Capital | Papeete |
|---|---|
| Currency | CFP franc (XPF) |
| Languages | French |
| Plugs | Type A, B, C, E |
| Voltage | 220 V, 60 Hz; some hotels also have 110 V sockets |
| Emergency | 15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not customary in Polynesian culture, but appreciated for exceptional service, especially by guides and boat crews. |
Getting around
Domestic flights operated by the regional airline connect Tahiti with most inhabited islands, and island-hopping passes are a common way to combine several islands. Ferries link Tahiti and Moorea many times a day, and inter-island cargo ships carry passengers to more remote archipelagos such as the Marquesas. On the islands, rental cars, scooters and bicycles are the usual ways around, and boat transfers reach resorts on the motus.
Staying connected in French Polynesia
Mobile coverage is good in Papeete and across most of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, and available in the main villages of other populated islands. On smaller atolls, remote motus, in the mountainous interiors and at sea, coverage is patchy or absent. Many hotels offer Wi-Fi, though on remote islands it can be slow. French Polynesia is outside the EU, so EU roaming allowances usually don't apply. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See French Polynesia eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for French Polynesia
- Air Tahiti: Book and manage inter-island flights and island-hopping passes.
- Google Maps: Driving and walking directions on the islands; download offline maps before travelling.
- XE Currency: Convert CFP franc prices, which can look high in number, to your home currency.
- WhatsApp: Used by guesthouses, dive centres and tour operators to confirm bookings.