FrenchPolynesia.co.uk

Five Archipelagos and One Polynesian Spirit

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific, known for lagoons, overwater bungalows, black pearls and living Polynesian culture. It comprises 118 islands and atolls in five archipelagos: the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambiers and Australs. Tahiti, in the Society Islands, is the largest island, and Papeete its capital and main gateway. Bora-Bora and Moorea are world-famous for lagoons in colours ranging from jade to deep sapphire, set beneath dramatic volcanic peaks.

Culture is vivid and proud. Tahitian dance, with its swaying hip movements and thundering drums, is celebrated at the Heiva i Tahiti festival each July, and traditional tattooing, tiare flower garlands and outrigger canoe racing are part of everyday life. Cuisine brings together French technique and Polynesian ingredients: poisson cru, raw tuna in coconut milk and lime, is the signature dish, and vanilla from Taha'a and black pearls from the Tuamotus are famed exports.

Moorea, Bora-Bora and the Tuamotus

Island variety is the great pleasure. Bora-Bora is the glamour name, with overwater villas ringed by a lagoon and Mount Otemanu above. Moorea, a short ferry from Papeete, offers hiking, pineapple fields and dolphin watching. The Tuamotus, including Rangiroa and Fakarava, are coral atolls with some of the Pacific's finest diving, while the Marquesas, with their dramatic ridges and archaeological sites, appeal to adventurous travellers and followers of Gauguin and Jacques Brel.

Stays range from family guesthouses to some of the Pacific's most recognised resorts, giving a hotel group or cruise operator plenty to promote. Visitors often combine Tahiti with a week in the Cook Islands or Fiji, and some link a West Coast stopover or a stay in Hawaii on the way from the UK. Sailing and small-ship cruises thread the islands together in a way that suits honeymooners and families alike.

Dry Season Sun and the Journey from London

The drier season from May to October brings cooler, sunnier days, calm lagoons and the best conditions for diving. November to April is warmer and more humid, with greener scenery, and the Heiva season falls in July. Whales visit the waters around Moorea and Rurutu from roughly July to October, adding a seasonal highlight to the diary.

Faa'a International Airport near Papeete is the gateway, with flights from Paris, Los Angeles, Auckland and Tokyo. From the UK, most journeys connect via Paris or the United States, taking about a day in total. Inter-island flights and ferries then reach the other islands. For airline and tourism partners, FrenchPolynesia.co.uk gives a clear showcase for this vast and varied island chain.

Choosing Between Lagoons, Atolls and Peaks

Each island group in French Polynesia suits a different traveller. Tahiti is the practical gateway, with city hotels in Papeete and beachfront resorts along the west coast. Moorea, a short ferry or flight away, suits couples and families with its jagged peaks, pineapple fields and calm lagoon. Bora-Bora is the glamour island for honeymooners, Taha'a and Raiatea suit sailors and vanilla lovers, and Huahine is prized for quiet villages and a rural calm. Rangiroa and Fakarava in the Tuamotus are the divers' choice, with pink sand beaches and drift dives through coral passes. The Marquesas are for the adventurous, with ridges, valleys and ancient stone sites.

Styles of stay are equally varied. Overwater bungalows, which started here, are the signature, while beach villas and garden bungalows give more space for families. Family-run pensions, called pensions de famille, offer home cooking, lagoon excursions and a chance to meet island hosts at modest prices. Small-ship cruises and sailing charters link several islands without repacking, and pearl farm stays in the Tuamotus give a rare view of a traditional industry. Many travellers choose two or three islands in one trip, pairing a lively base such as Moorea with a remote atoll and a final night in Papeete for shopping and markets.

Poisson Cru, Pearls and Polynesian Rhythm

Polynesian and French traditions meet on the plate. Poisson cru, raw tuna in coconut milk and lime, is a national favourite, and fresh baguettes, croissants and crepes show the French influence. Other dishes include chevrettes, freshwater prawns, mahi mahi with vanilla sauce and firi firi doughnuts. A traditional ahima'a feast is cooked in an earth oven with pork, breadfruit and taro. Tropical fruits such as pineapple from Moorea, papaya and mango are served at breakfast, and monoi, coconut oil scented with tiare flowers, is used in spas and skincare. Roulottes, mobile food vans, serve dinner on the Papeete waterfront.

Craft and performance carry deep meaning. Tahitian pearls, grown in Tuamotu lagoons, are the best-known export, while pareos, woodcarving and tapa cloth are sold at markets and in the Marquesas. Dance, ukulele and drumming are heard at hotel evenings, and the Heiva i Tahiti competition in July is the main cultural event. Tattooing, practised for centuries and revived in recent decades, is a living art. Festivals in other months include the Tahiti Pearl Regatta in May and Hawaiki Nui Va'a, a long outrigger canoe race between islands, usually in late October or November. The dry season from May to October is popular for events.

Sharks, Whales and Sail-and-Stay Itineraries

Water-based activity is the heart of any trip. Rangiroa and Fakarava rank among the Pacific's great dive destinations, with grey reef sharks and dolphins at the passes, and Moorea and Bora-Bora add manta ray and lemon shark snorkelling. Humpback whales visit between July and October, with swim-with-whale outings on Moorea. Paddleboarders and kayakers explore the lagoons, surfers visit Teahupo'o on Tahiti, and kitesurfers favour the Tuamotus. On land, 4x4 safaris climb Moorea's Belvedere Lookout, hikers reach Mount Rotui, and archaeologists enjoy the marae platforms of Raiatea's Taputapuatea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itineraries can be arranged around a theme: a dive-centred ten days across Tahiti, Rangiroa and Fakarava, a honeymoon between Moorea and Bora-Bora, or a catamaran voyage through Raiatea, Taha'a and Huahine. A booking platform could package these island combinations clearly. Add-ons include Los Angeles or Hawaii as an outbound stopover, the Cook Islands or Fiji as a Pacific extension, and New Zealand as a longer circuit. For guests starting their journey with Bora-Bora in mind, adding a quieter island first helps them see the full range.

Planning your stay

Most visitors fly into Papeete on Tahiti, the largest island, and then continue to the Society Islands. Moorea is a short ferry or flight from Tahiti, Huahine and Raiatea are quieter, and Bora Bora is the famous lagoon with overwater bungalows beneath Mount Otemanu. The Tuamotus offer atolls and diving, and the Marquesas lie further north-east.

French is the official language alongside Tahitian, and the currency is the CFP franc. The Pacific neighbours that pair naturally with it are the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa, and many itineraries run through New Zealand or the United States.

When to go

The drier season runs from roughly May to October, with lower humidity and more settled weather, and it is the most popular period for honeymooners and divers. The wetter, hotter season from November to April brings more rain and humidity.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says tropical storms, including cyclones, can happen from November to April, and advises monitoring local news and World Meteorological Organization reports for French Polynesia.

Entry rules

Entry also needs a passport that is still valid three months after you plan to depart. UK visitors can visit without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business, and need permission from the French Consulate General before working.

Travellers arriving from a country on the yellow fever transmission list must show a vaccination certificate. The rules are published in French, so ask your operator to check them for you.

Diving and the water

If you have not had any previous diving experience, check what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.

Before you travel

Entry requirements and official travel guidance are updated regularly, so check the latest position with your government before booking. The sources we used are listed at the foot of this page.

Why French Polynesia matters to the industry

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