FRENCH POLYNESIA TRAVEL GUIDE (2025) | How to travel French Polynesia (Itinerary & Tips)

FRENCH POLYNESIA TRAVEL GUIDE (2025) | How to travel French Polynesia (Itinerary & Tips)

What’s up, guys? We’re here in French Polynesia, and in this video, we’re going to give you a travel guide for how to visit some of the most beautiful islands here. So, hope you enjoy it. French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It includes 118 islands and atolls, which are 
grouped into five beautiful archipelagos. For ease of travel and to see some of the most iconic sites, we focused our trip on the Society Islands. These are known for their volcanic peaks, lush interiors, and pristine turquoise lagoons. We spent about 3.5 weeks exploring four different 
islands in the archipelago. In this video, we’ll first outline our itinerary and show the highlights of each island. Then we’ll share some essential travel 
and budget tips. Now, let’s dive in. We are Zac and Ine. We make helpful videos about destinations around the world so you can easily plan your own adventures. Tahiti is the largest and busiest island in French Polynesia. Home to nearly 70% of the total population, the only international airport is located here, making it the gateway to all the other islands and archipelagos. As such, nearly every visitor begins their trip into Tahiti before transferring to another tropical paradise. The 
island itself consists of jagged volcanic peaks, lush green valleys, and a variety of stunning beaches. It’s worth spending 2 to 3 days exploring its top sights. These include the striking black sand beaches, the wild jungle of the Papeno’o Valley, the hiking trails to the Fa’aruma’i waterfalls, the legendary Teahupo’o wave on the south coast, and Vaiava’s white sand beach. At the latter, we were lucky to observe humpback 
whales breaching behind the reef. The best way to see everything the island has to offer is to rent a car from Papeete and drive around. While the north coast can get very busy near the capital city, the traffic quickly dissipates as you head southward. Check out our full Tahiti video for more things to do here. Your next stop is the authentic and laid-back island of Huahine. You can reach it with a 40-minute direct flight from Tahiti with multiple daily departures. Often referred to as “the garden island”, Huahine maintains a very local feel with fewer inhabitants and a slower pace. The main town of Fare is conveniently located near 
the airport and acts as the island’s hub. You’ll find most of the accommodations here, as well as restaurants, a grocery store, tour companies, and rental services. To fully experience Huahine, there are two activities you definitely can’t miss. The first one is exploring the island from 
the water with a lagoon tour. This full day trip includes swimming, a few different snorkeling stops, and a delicious lunch on a secluded motu. The other thing you must do here 
is explore the island by land. You’ll come across breathtaking viewpoints, ancient archaeological Marae sites, pristine beaches, and the sacred blue-eyed eels in the streams. Similar to Tahiti, you’ll need a vehicle to get around the island. It’s also small enough to rent a bike to reach some of the destinations, but if you want to see all the viewpoints on the road, an e-bike would be a better option. Beyond activities, Huahine is a place for pure 
relaxation, so be sure to allocate a day or two to simply soak in its untouched beauty and enjoy the quiet pace of island life. We really enjoyed the old Sofitel Beach and the Fare Town Center for that. We also loved the sunset views from our accommodation where we again spotted humpback whales swimming right off the shore. Next, catch the 25-minute flight directly from Huahine to Bora Bora. This world-famous island is synonymous with romance and luxury. It’s known for its breathtaking lagoon, towering Mount Otemanu, and the iconic overwater bungalows that line the surrounding motus. While many resorts are located on these secluded islands, we recommend splitting your stay. Spend a couple days in a bungalow and enjoy relaxing at the exclusive facilities if you have the budget for it. But make sure you dedicate at least 2 to 3 days for exploring the main island. Here you can hike the volcanic peaks, drive around the island’s scenic road, relax at Matira Beach, and try spotting manta rays at Takutaku Point. No Bora Bora trip is complete without exploring the lagoon itself, whether it’s on a jet ski or boat tour. If you love seeing a variety of marine life, we definitely recommend doing the boat tour. You’ll get the chance to swim among colorful fish, different types of rays, and even blacktip reef sharks. Watch our full Bora Bora video 
for more information on this special island. The final stop is Mo’orea, which is reachable by a 45-minute flight from Bora Bora. This stunning island offers the most varied activities in all of French Polynesia, which is why we recommend spending 5 to 7 days here. Much of the beauty and action is concentrated in the north, particularly around the dramatic twin bays. This area is home to amazing beaches like Temae and Ta’ahiamanu, both of which are excellent for snorkeling. For land exploration, there are numerous hiking trails to choose from. Magic Mountain offers an easy climb to a panoramic view, while the trails starting from the Belvédère are more challenging and rugged. We love both the Three Coconuts Pass and the Three Pines Trail. Of all the hikes we’ve done on this trip, this one has by far the best view. While the hiking on Mo’orea was amazing, our absolute favorite memory from this island was swimming with migrating humpback whales, which are typically present from July to November. This 4-hour boat tour takes you beyond the reef for an intimate encounter in their natural habitat. There are some strict local regulations in place to ensure the animals protection, which you can learn more about in our full Mo’orea video. Two of the whales even swam towards us, making for a moment we’ll never forget. One of Mo’orea’s greatest conveniences is the easy 30 to 45 minute ferry ride that takes you directly back to the main hub of Tahiti. The prices are reasonable and you’ll have great views of both islands during the crossing. The ferry will drop you off at Papeete’s main port and from there you can catch a taxi or bus to Tahiti’s international airport. French Polynesia requires a bit of planning to navigate, so here are five essential travel tips to help guide your own trip here. First, island hopping is done by either ferry boat or airplane. Ferries offer a more budget-friendly way to travel between the Society Islands and we definitely recommend it between Tahiti and Mo’orea since it has many ferry options each hour. You don’t need to book these in advance. For any of the other islands, the ferries are slower and less frequent with only a few sailings per week going between Huahine, Bora Bora, and Tahiti. We’ll leave a link to the ferry schedule in the description below the video. For islands that are farther apart, flying is the most convenient option. Air Tahiti and Air Moana are the main domestic carriers. Just be prepared 
for this to be a significant expense. For example, we paid around $600 total per person for the three short flights that we took. We landed in Bora Bora now. This is the airport behind us. It’s got to be one of the prettiest airports we’ve been to in the world. It’s tucked right on the edge of the lagoon. The best time to visit French Polynesia is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. This period offers less rain, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures. We visited from the end of July to mid August and had a mix of sunny, windy, cloudy, and even a few rainy days. The weather can be unpredictable at any time. July and August are the busiest and most expensive times, so if you want to save money, then we recommend the shoulder months of September and October. These also have the added 
bonus of being prime months for whale watching. To manage costs, prioritize cooking your own meals by stocking up at local supermarkets. For affordable and delicious cuisine, we recommend going to the local food trucks, which operate primarily in the evenings. Since French Polynesia also has a high cost of living, you should choose your accommodations carefully. Opt for guest houses or Airbnbs on the main islands since this can provide significant savings compared to resort-style accommodations. If you’re craving the overwater bungalow experience, then choose that option for a few days of your trip and really enjoy the facilities while you’re staying there. To truly explore everything the islands have 
to offer, you’ll need independent transport on each one. For large islands like Mo’orea and Tahiti, renting a vehicle is the most flexible and recommended option. But remember that rental availability is limited, so you need to book far in advance. This is especially true on Mo’orea. On smaller and quieter islands such as Bora Bora and Huahine, it’s possible to rent an electric bicycle or scooter to get around as well, which are cheaper 
to rent compared to a car. Alternatively, you can book organized tours on each island if you don’t feel comfortable driving. French Polynesia is a spectacular destination for snorkeling, with vibrant reef systems accessible directly from the shore on many of the islands. If you have room in your luggage, we highly recommend bringing your own snorkel, mask, and flippers. While some resorts and local shops offer rentals, having your own gear ensures a perfect fit and allows you to jump into the water anytime you want. Plus, you don’t have to pay daily rates or worry about return times. Also, make sure to bring enough supply of reef safe mineral-based sunscreen. While the Society Islands are famous for their stunning beauty and turquoise lagoons, remember that every island in this group is a 
true piece of paradise. We only highlighted the four that we visited, but islands like Maupiti and Raiatea are equally stunning and offer their own unique charms. It’s best to choose a few based on what resonates with your travel style and the time that you have. If you have a long vacation and want to experience more diversity, consider venturing beyond the Society 
Islands to the Outer Archipelagos. We’ve also heard excellent things 
about the atolls of the Tuamotus, where you can find world-class diving. The remote Marquesas Islands are also very high on our list to visit. Just know that to reach these outer archipelagos, you’ll usually need to fly back to Tahiti before getting on the connecting flight. Thanks for watching and we hope you enjoyed it. You can find individual videos about Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Mo’orea on our channel as well. These include more things 
to do on each island and additional tips. We also included all the important links you’ll need for your own trip in the description below the video. So, make sure to check those out. We’ll catch you on the next adventure.

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It includes 118 islands and atolls, which are grouped into five beautiful archipelagos (the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Marquesas Islands, the Austral Islands, and the Gambier Islands). For ease of travel and to see the most iconic sites, we focused our trip on the Society Islands. These are renowned for their volcanic peaks, lush interiors, and pristine turquoise lagoons. We spent about three-and-a-half weeks exploring four different islands in the archipelago. In this video, we’ll first outline our itinerary and show the highlights of each island. Then we’ll share some essential travel-and-budget-tips.

1. TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA:
🚗 Tahiti car rental: https://hertz.pf/en/
☑️ Papeno’o Valley 4×4 Full Day Tour: https://www.moanavoyages.com/en/activity/4wd-safari-in-the-papenoo-valley/
😴 Where to stay near Papeete – Lodge Tahiti ($$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/lodge-waterfront-tahiti.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
😴 Where to stay in Teahupoo: TeHava’e Lodge TEAHUPOO ($): https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/hava-e-lodge-teahupoo.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

2. HUAHINE, FRENCH POLYNESIA:
🚗 Huahine car & motorbike rental: https://europcarhuahine.com/
☑️ Huahine Lagoon Boat Tour: https://huahinenautique.com/
😴 Stay in Airbnb ($$): https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1049463084398597239
😴 Stay in hotel: Maitai Lapita Village Huahine ($$$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/maitai-lapita-village-huahine.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

3. BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA:
🛵 Bora Bora motorbike/bike rental: https://www.avis-borabora.com/
☑️ Full day lagoon boat tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/bora-bora-l32139/bora-bora-full-day-lagoon-safari-lunch-on-a-motu-gt-t516522/?partner_id=57UJ5GF&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=FrenchPolynesia_video
☑️ Jet ski tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/bora-bora-l32139/bora-bora-jet-ski-tour-t61349/?partner_id=57UJ5GF&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=FrenchPolynesia_video
😴 Stay in an overwater bungalow – Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa: https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/le-meridien-bora-bora.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
😴 Stay on the main island – Vaitape Te Fare Taraoi: https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/te-fare-taraoi.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

4. MO’OREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA:
🚗 Mo’orea car rental (pick up Airport or Vaiare Ferry Terminal): https://www.avis.com/en/locations/ta/moorea
🚗 Mo’orea car rental we used (a bit more underground but equally good): https://www.mooreacarrental.com/
☑️ Three Pines Lookout Hiking Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/french-polynesia/moorea/les-trois-sapins-via-col-des-trois-pinus
☑️ Humpback whales swimming boat trip: https://www.getyourguide.com/moorea-l32138/moorea-whale-swimming-boat-trip-t412282/?partner_id=57UJ5GF&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=FrenchPolynesia_video
😴 Villa Sunrise Moorea ($$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/villa-sunrise-moorea-papetoai.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
😴 Overwater bungalow – Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort ($$$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/pf/sofitel-moorea-beach-resort.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

5. GENERAL FRENCH POLYNESIA LINKS:
🚢 Ferry schedule between islands: https://tuateaferries.com/en/schedules/
✈️ Air Tahiti website: https://www.airtahiti.com/en/

🎥 MORE FRENCH POLYNESIA VIDEOS:
– Bora Bora, French Polynesia: https://youtu.be/cjqxDIzbhR4
– Mo’orea, French Polynesia: https://youtu.be/-QVCZovMpMk
– Tahiti, French Polynesia: https://youtu.be/XsnLvVdi24w
– French Polynesia Travel Guide: coming soon!

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https://www.worldwildhearts.com/product-page/comprehensive-travel-planner

💰 SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRIP & PLATFORMS WE USE:
– Book cheap flights: https://skyscanner.pxf.io/c/3559813/1027991/13416?associateid=AFF_TRA_19354_00001
– Book accommodation: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=7936148
– Book rental car: https://tidd.ly/4hF1egq
– Get ESIM at 15% discount with code WWH15: https://saily.com/worldwildhearts
– Find the best hiking trails: https://alltrails.pxf.io/c/3559813/1865884/22353

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🎵 MUSIC CREDITS:
Sister by Elad Perez
Rejoice In The Morning by The David Roy Collective
Like A Glove Instrumental Version by Dan Pundak
The Breeze Instrumental Version by Rodellos Machine
In All Things by Campagna
Heart And Soul by Evert Z

🎥 VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
1:14 Tahiti
2:47 Huahine
5:04 Bora Bora
6:39 Mo’orea
9:02 Getting back to Tahiti
9:35 French Polynesia Travel Tips

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