Oceania · Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora & Rangiroa
Swim with rays and sharks in Moorea's lagoon, bike past ancient temples on Huahine, snorkel with mantas in Bora Bora and drift-dive with dolphins at Rangiroa.
Overview
French Polynesia is the South Seas of the imagination: volcanic islands covered in jungle, lagoons of every shade of blue, overwater bungalows and a warm Polynesian culture of flowers, dance and tattoos. Moorea, a ferry ride from Tahiti, has dramatic peaks and easy wildlife snorkelling. Huahine is wild and authentic. Bora Bora has the world's most famous lagoon, and the Rangiroa atoll offers some of the best diving on the planet. It's French-speaking and very safe, and no car is needed: ferries and Air Tahiti's small planes link the islands, and hotels and tour boats pick you up. The catches are the journey (22–26 h via Paris and Los Angeles, which needs a US ESTA) and the prices, which are among the highest on this list.
Scorecard
Tap a criterion to see why it got that score.
Average of 20 criteria
Poisson cru, fresh tuna and French bakeries; restaurants are expensive, roulottes are fun.
Marae temples and Polynesian culture; few monuments.
Volcanic peaks, lagoons and atolls.
Some of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.
Rays, sharks, mantas, turtles, dolphins and humpback whales.
World-class diving, snorkelling, hiking, surfing and paddling.
Very quiet; Papeete has a few bars.
The ultimate relaxing island holiday.
Different islands, but a similar lagoon-and-peak rhythm.
22–26 h via Paris and Los Angeles (US ESTA needed), very expensive.
Ferries and Air Tahiti flights link the islands; limited buses on the islands themselves.
French-speaking, no visa for Swiss; Air Tahiti bookings need planning.
−11 h (winter) / −12 h (summer): the day is completely flipped.
The long journey makes 2+ weeks better; 10–14 days works with 2–3 islands.
Among the most expensive destinations: flights, Air Tahiti and hotels add up.
Warm all year (26–30°C); the dry season (May–Oct) is sunnier and less humid.
Very safe and welcoming.
Dengue and occasional ciguatera; good medical care in Papeete only.
Charming family pensions or very expensive resorts; little in between.
Busy only at Bora Bora's resorts; the other islands are quiet.
When to go
May to October is best, with September–October ideal (whales, sun, fewer people). The wet season is still warm and cheaper, with short tropical showers.
Getting there
Fly to Papeete (PPT) via Paris and Los Angeles (Air Tahiti Nui, Air France) or San Francisco (French Bee), 22–26 h in total. Transiting the US needs an ESTA, even without leaving the airport. There's also a route via Tokyo with Air Tahiti Nui.
| Routing | Airline | Stops | Travel time | Return, economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVA → CDG → LAX → PPT US ESTA required for the Los Angeles stop. | Air France / Air Tahiti Nui | 2 | 22h–26h | CHF 1600–2800 |
| GVA → ORY → SFO → PPT US ESTA required; separate tickets from Geneva. | easyJet / SWISS + French Bee | 2 | 24h–28h | CHF 1200–1900 |
| GVA → ZRH → NRT → PPT Avoids the US; limited days. | SWISS + Air Tahiti Nui | 2 | 26h–30h | CHF 1800–3000 |
Itinerary
Pick a trip length. Day 1 is arrival day and the last day is departure day; the overnight flights are extra. Each transfer lists every option, with the recommended one first.
Island-hopping across the Society Islands.
🧭 Explorer 4 bases · 3 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
Two islands, one move: peaks and rays, then the famous lagoon.
🌴 Relaxed 3 bases · 2 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Ferry to Tahiti, then a flight to Bora Bora, landing on a motu with the lagoon all around.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
Pearl farm and coral garden.
🧭 Explorer 4 bases · 3 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A lagoon tour with a pearl farm and snorkelling at the Avea coral garden, or a lazy beach day.
Snorkelling, pearl farm visit and a motu lunch.
Long white beach in the south.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
Paddle, beach and a dance show.
🌴 Relaxed 3 bases · 2 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Ferry to Tahiti, then a flight to Bora Bora, landing on a motu with the lagoon all around.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
Finish with drift diving in the Tuamotus.
🧭 Explorer 5 bases · 4 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A direct flight north-east to Rangiroa, an atoll so big you can't see the other side.
Watch dolphins surf the waves from the shore.
One of the world's great dives: drift in with the current among grey reef sharks, hammerheads (Dec–Mar), mantas and dolphins; or snorkel the pass.
Two drift dives; the snorkel drift is great too.
Black pearl farming on the atoll.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
One last look at the lagoon.
Five nights on the lagoon.
🌴 Relaxed 3 bases · 2 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Ferry to Tahiti, then a flight to Bora Bora, landing on a motu with the lagoon all around.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
A lagoon inside the atoll.
🧭 Explorer 5 bases · 4 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A direct flight north-east to Rangiroa, an atoll so big you can't see the other side.
Watch dolphins surf the waves from the shore.
One of the world's great dives: drift in with the current among grey reef sharks, hammerheads (Dec–Mar), mantas and dolphins; or snorkel the pass.
Two drift dives; the snorkel drift is great too.
Black pearl farming on the atoll.
A boat across the atoll to the Blue Lagoon, a lagoon inside the lagoon with baby sharks, white sand and a grilled-fish lunch.
1 h by boat; lunch on a motu.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
One last look at the lagoon.
Three long stays of four nights.
🌴 Relaxed 4 bases · 3 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A lagoon tour with a pearl farm and snorkelling at the Avea coral garden, or a lazy beach day.
Snorkelling, pearl farm visit and a motu lunch.
Long white beach in the south.
A lagoon tour with a pearl farm and snorkelling at the Avea coral garden, or a lazy beach day.
Snorkelling, pearl farm visit and a motu lunch.
Long white beach in the south.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora and Rangiroa.
🧭 Explorer 5 bases · 4 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A lagoon tour with a pearl farm and snorkelling at the Avea coral garden, or a lazy beach day.
Snorkelling, pearl farm visit and a motu lunch.
Long white beach in the south.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A direct flight north-east to Rangiroa, an atoll so big you can't see the other side.
Watch dolphins surf the waves from the shore.
One of the world's great dives: drift in with the current among grey reef sharks, hammerheads (Dec–Mar), mantas and dolphins; or snorkel the pass.
Two drift dives; the snorkel drift is great too.
Black pearl farming on the atoll.
A boat across the atoll to the Blue Lagoon, a lagoon inside the lagoon with baby sharks, white sand and a grilled-fish lunch.
1 h by boat; lunch on a motu.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
One last look at the lagoon.
Three islands at island pace.
🌴 Relaxed 4 bases · 3 moves
Land at Faa'a airport (often at night), a flower lei welcome, and a short transfer to your hotel.
Food trucks with poisson cru, steak frites and chow mein.
The Papeete market in the morning, then the 30-min ferry to Moorea.
Flowers, vanilla, pareos and fruit.
Moorea's west coast has the best sunsets.
A boat tour to snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks in waist-deep water, the coral garden, and a picnic on a motu.
Stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles; lunch on a motu.
Humpback whales come to breed around the island.
The Belvedere lookout over both bays, the Three Coconuts pass hike, and a juice at the Rotui pineapple factory.
3–4 h through the forest to a ridge between the peaks.
Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay below Mount Rotui.
Pineapple juice and liqueurs.
Kayak or paddle in the lagoon, Temae beach, and a Polynesian dance show.
The island's best public beach.
Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Ferry back to Tahiti, then a short flight west to wild Huahine.
A sleepy waterfront village with a few cafés.
A bike (or e-bike) loop around the north: the marae of Maeva, stone fish traps, the sacred blue-eyed eels, and a vanilla farm.
One of the largest groups of ancient temples in Polynesia.
Giant blue-eyed eels in the river.
Tahitian vanilla, pollinated by hand.
A lagoon tour with a pearl farm and snorkelling at the Avea coral garden, or a lazy beach day.
Snorkelling, pearl farm visit and a motu lunch.
Long white beach in the south.
A lagoon tour with a pearl farm and snorkelling at the Avea coral garden, or a lazy beach day.
Snorkelling, pearl farm visit and a motu lunch.
Long white beach in the south.
A short flight (sometimes via Raiatea) with the famous view of the lagoon on landing; a free boat takes you to the main island.
The island's best public beach, at sunset.
A full-day boat or outrigger tour: snorkelling with manta rays, sharks and rays, the coral garden, and lunch on a motu.
Mantas at Anau, sharks and rays, and the coral garden.
Lemon sharks and mantas.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
Paddle or kayak around Matira point, a 4×4 tour to the WWII cannons, or the resort pool.
Viewpoints, WWII cannons and pareo painting.
Around Matira point in turquoise water.
A flight to Papeete and the evening or night flight home.
Before the long journey home.
Skip a region, add beach days, change the pace… Suggest changes and a new version of this trip will be created.
Getting around
Ferry to Moorea, Air Tahiti flights between the other islands, and hotel boats, bikes and tours on each island.
Tahiti ⇄ Moorea ferries are frequent, fast and cheap.
Air Tahiti's ATR planes: reliable, scenic, expensive and sometimes infrequent.
Lagoon tours and 4×4 tours with pick-up on every island.
Bikes and e-bikes: perfect on the flat ring roads.
Few and expensive; book through your hotel.
Where to stay & budget
Per person per day, excluding international flights, sharing a room. Budget = family pensions with half board; mid-range = beach-bungalow hotels; comfort = overwater bungalows. Inter-island flights (CHF 100–320 each) are extra.
The capital on Tahiti: an international airport, a bustling covered market, food trucks (roulottes) on the waterfront and black-sand beaches.
Where: Near the airport or the waterfront.
Tahiti's dramatic sister island: jagged green peaks above two bays, a turquoise lagoon with rays and sharks, pineapple fields and hikes.
Where: Near Cook’s Bay, Haapiti (west) or Temae (beach).
The 'garden island': wild, authentic and quiet, with ancient marae temples, sacred blue-eyed eels, vanilla farms and empty beaches.
Where: Fare (the village) or on the south coast.
The most famous lagoon in the world, around the basalt peak of Mount Otemanu, with overwater bungalows on the motus and manta rays in the channels.
Where: A pension on Matira beach (budget) or a resort on a motu.
One of the largest atolls in the world, a ring of coral around an inland sea, famous for drift dives with sharks and dolphins in the Tiputa pass.
Where: Avatoru or Tiputa, near the passes.
Practical
Information last checked: September 2026. Visa rules, prices and timetables change, so always check before booking.
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