French Polynesia, with its 118 islands and tiny atolls, is a tropical paradise in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Despite being a remote destination, it is surprisingly accessible, especially from the US. If you’re flying from the US, you’ll only need to add two more hours to your flight from Hawaii to reach French Polynesia. It’s that easy!
We visited French Polynesia last year, and these are the steps we took in organizing our trip, so read below a list of 5 easy steps about how to plan a trip to French Polynesia:
1. Decide on which islands you want to visit
Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, and this is where all the flights will take you. You can explore the island for a couple of days (read my Tahiti Travel Guide and find out what it offers) or use it as a gateway to visiting other islands. We chose the first option and spent three nights in Tahiti, and we don’t regret it! From here, you can go to Moorea for another couple of days. Moorea is the neighboring island, a short ferry ride away from Tahiti. It can also be a perfect family destination, with beautiful beaches and many other things to do so you won’t get bored. Add Bora-Bora to your itinerary and be amazed by its famous blue lagoon, over-water bungalows, and luxury accommodations. If you still have time and want to explore more, go farther to Raiatea and Huahine for cultural experiences and hikes. And even farther away are the Marquesas Islands, renowned for their rugged beauty and breathtaking landscape.
READ MORE: The 10 best things to do in Tahiti – a short guide for first-time travelers to French Polynesia
Being there for the first time, we chose a shorter itinerary, and we visited the big island, Tahiti, and then we took the ferry to Moorea, where we spent the rest of our vacation. We prefer to have more time on each island and get a good feeling for both islands and next time, we plan to add Bora-Bora or the Marquesas to our itinerary.
So, choosing the island or islands you want to visit mainly depends on your time, travel style, and what you want to see and do.
2. When to go to French Polynesia
The best time to travel to French Polynesia is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. You will experience less humidity (though there are still chances of rain in the afternoons) and mild, warm temperatures, perfect for going to the beach or exploring the islands. We were there in August, and we had perfect weather, with only one or two rainy evenings.
READ MORE: Where to Travel this Winter – 10 Tropical Island Destinations
3. Book your flight and accommodation
Air Tahiti, Air France, and Hawaiian Airlines offer direct flights to Tahiti. Book your flight in advance for a better price. You can also find better deals on resorts if you book with some time ahead. Both Tahiti and Moorea offer different types of accommodation for every budget but be prepared to pay more when you go to Bora Bora.
This is where we stayed in French Polynesia:
Hilton Tahiti was recently opened, and only staying at this hotel felt like a vacation itself! Amazing pool and five-star services!
Cooks Bay Moorea is a smaller hotel with a very tropical feel. It has an incredible location and a great restaurant with a delicious mix of French and Tahitian cuisine.
Hilton Moorea—we loved staying in our bungalow and enjoyed our overall experience. But Cooks Bay definitely suited us better!
4. Transportation between islands
If you decide to visit more islands in French Polynesia, you should know there are more ways of going between islands. You can choose to go island hopping by plane or ferry. Air Tahiti and Air Moana offer daily flights between Tahiti and most French Polynesia islands. If you have more time and like traveling on the water, ferries leave from Tahiti to Moorea, Bora Bora, or even farther away. Two companies, Aremiti and Terevau, offer ferry services between islands.
READ MORE: What to know before traveling to Fiji
We traveled by ferry to and from Moorea many times, and I also got the chance to spot a group of whales one day!
5. What to pack for your vacation in French Polynesia
Pack lightweight and breathable clothing, swimwear, and comfortable shoes. Don’t forget about an insect repellant; there will be plenty of mosquitos there. One important thing I didn’t read about in many places was the water shoes! Water shoes can protect your feet when swimming, snorkeling, or walking in shallow waters. They really can protect your feet from the sharp corals and stonefish. Stonefish are one of the world’s most venomous fish, and stepping on it requires immediate medical attention. So it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Have you been to French Polynesia? Tell us in the comments how was your experience there!
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