country
French PolynesiaPolynésie française
First trip of 10 days: one night on Tahiti, then two islands of the Society group (Moorea by ferry and Bora Bora or Huahine by Air Tahiti) for 4–5 nights each; add a Tuamotu atoll for diving only with two weeks, and leave the Marquesas for a separate trip.
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity of 118 islands spread over an area the size of Western Europe. France sets the entry rules, but it is outside the Schengen area and a Schengen visa does not by itself cover it. Everything starts at Faa'a on Tahiti; Moorea is a short ferry ride, and other islands are Air Tahiti flights. Island count, not distance, is the budget: each hop costs half a day.
All regions, cities and parks in French Polynesia (Atlas) →
Regions
Arrival night on Tahiti; Moorea by 30–45 minute ferry for lagoon and hiking
3–5 nights
Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a; lagoon bases by Air Tahiti
4–7 nights
Rangiroa and Fakarava for drift diving and pass snorkelling
3–5 nights
Mountainous, remote islands; long flights or the Aranui cargo-passenger ship
5–10 nights
Arrive
PPT
Faa'a International (Tahiti)
Only long-haul gateway; about 15 minutes to Papeete and the Moorea ferry terminal
BOB
Bora Bora (Motu Mute)
Domestic; airport on a motu, boat transfer to the main island or resort
Time math
- 7 days
- Tahiti 1 + Moorea 3 + Bora Bora or Huahine 3
- 10 days
- Tahiti 1 + Moorea 3 + Huahine 3 + Bora Bora 3
- 14 days
- Tahiti 1 + Moorea 3 + Huahine or Raiatea 3 + Bora Bora 3 + Rangiroa or Fakarava 4
Country rules
- Entry rules are set by France but separately from Schengen: EU citizens enter freely, other passports should check the French government's rules for French Polynesia, and an onward ticket is required.
- Declare food, plants and animal products on arrival; moving plants and soil between islands is also restricted.
- Drive on the right, as in France; scooters and cars can be hired on the main islands.
Etiquette
- Ia ora na is the Tahitian greeting; French is the official language.
- Ask before entering a marae (sacred site) or photographing people.
- Topless bathing is not accepted on public beaches outside resorts; dress modestly in villages and churches.
- Sunday is quiet: many shops close, and church services with hymn singing are open to respectful visitors.
- Heiva i Tahiti (July)
- Dance, song and sports festival; Papeete and flights busy.
- July–August and Christmas–New Year
- European and local holiday peaks; overwater bungalows and inter-island flights sell out.
- Cyclone and wet season (Nov–Apr)
- Heavy rain and occasional cyclones can cancel flights and boats.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 2/5
- Currency is the CFP franc (XPF), also used in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna; euros are sometimes taken at poor rates.
- Cards work in hotels, resorts and larger shops; family guesthouses (pensions), roulottes (food trucks) and small islands may be cash only.
- ATMs are on the main islands; some atolls have none, so carry cash.
- Air Tahiti sells multi-island passes; compare them with single tickets for your route.
- Tipping is not expected.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Safety
- Lagoon passes have strong currents; swim and snorkel with operators or at known spots.
- Sun: strong UV; rash vest and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Dengue occurs; use repellent.
- Falling coconuts and stonefish are real hazards: do not sit under palms, and wear reef shoes.
- Petty theft from cars and beaches happens on Tahiti; leave nothing in view.
Tahiti links to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, Auckland and Tokyo; the Cook Islands are the nearest western neighbour.
Sources
- UK FCDO travel advice — French Polynesia (official)
- Wikivoyage — French Polynesia (secondary)