Lagoons, overwater bungalows and Polynesian culture
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity of 118 islands spread across a vast area of the South Pacific. It is famous for turquoise lagoons, overwater bungalows on Bora Bora and Moorea, and world class diving in the Tuamotus. Tahiti, the main island, has the capital Papeete, markets and black sand beaches. It suits honeymooners, divers and travellers happy to pay for remote beauty.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A famous lagoon of every shade of blue around the jagged peak of Mount Otemanu. Overwater bungalows, snorkelling and boat trips are the main draws.
A dramatic green island a short ferry ride from Tahiti, with jagged peaks and two bays. It is great for hiking, snorkelling and whale watching in season.
One of the largest atolls in the world, with a lagoon big enough to swallow Tahiti. The Tiputa Pass is famous for drift dives with dolphins and sharks.
A quiet atoll and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its south pass shark wall. Life here is slow and simple.
A sacred stone ceremonial complex on Raiatea, once a centre of Polynesian religion and navigation. It is the islands' UNESCO World Heritage site.
The covered municipal market in the capital, selling fruit, fish, flowers and crafts. It is a lively first stop on Tahiti.
A village at the end of the road on Tahiti Iti, home to one of the world's heaviest surf waves. Boat trips go out to watch the surf when it is breaking.
A loop around Tahiti Nui passes black sand beaches, blowholes, waterfalls and the Arahoho area. It shows a very different side from the resort islands.
The main museum of Polynesian history and culture, on the coast of Tahiti. It explains navigation, art and island life.
A low key island with archaeological marae sites, sacred blue eyed eels and few big resorts. It feels like an older Polynesia.
An island sharing a lagoon with Raiatea, known for vanilla farms and pearl farms. Its coral garden is a famous drift snorkel.
Remote rugged islands with cliffs, carved stone tiki and strong cultural traditions. Many visitors arrive on the Aranui supply ship.
Humpback whales visit French Polynesia from roughly July to October to breed and calve. Licensed boats run trips from Moorea and Tahiti.
A small atoll famed for pink sand beaches and calm lagoon swimming. It is quieter and cheaper than Bora Bora.
Bora Bora's best public beach, with white sand and shallow turquoise water. It is free and open to everyone.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
The capital and arrival point on Tahiti.
gateway, markets · Open the city guideThe iconic lagoon and overwater stays.
honeymoon, beach · Open the city guideClose to Tahiti, with hiking and lagoons.
nature, families · Guide comingAtoll diving and drift snorkelling.
diving · Guide comingSacred marae and sailing hub.
culture, sailing · Guide comingQuiet traditional island.
culture, relaxing · Guide comingAtoll with shark passes and calm beaches.
diving, quiet · Guide comingRemote Marquesan island for culture and hiking.
culture, hiking · Guide comingA village base on Bora Bora for the lagoon and island excursions.
honeymoon, beach · Guide comingA village base on Moorea for the lagoon and surrounding island.
nature, families · Guide comingA village base on Rangiroa for diving and lagoon outings.
diving · Guide comingA town and port base on Raiatea for cultural sites and sailing.
culture, sailing · Guide comingTahiti and Moorea, the busiest and most accessible islands.
Papeete, Moorea, Teahupo'o
Classic high islands with lagoons and resorts.
Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine
Flat coral atolls with famous diving.
Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau
Remote mountainous islands with strong traditions.
Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa
The most visited group, with Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.
Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine
Remote, quieter and less visited.
Rurutu, Gambier
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: May to October. The drier, slightly cooler season brings lower humidity and good diving visibility.
November to April is warmer and wetter with occasional cyclones; the Marquesas and Tuamotus have slightly different patterns.
January. Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
82°F daily high, 81°F average, 7.5 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates French Polynesia Level 1 (exercise normal precautions), with ocean conditions and sun the main risks.
Air Tahiti flights and ferries connect the islands, but schedules are limited and remote islands need planning.
It is one of the most expensive destinations in the world, especially resorts and food.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and entry rules on the official France-Visas website, which also covers French overseas territories (https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/) and on your own government's travel advice before you go, as rules can change. |
| Plugs | Type E; 220 V |
| Tap water | varies |
| Tipping | Tipping is not part of local culture, though it is welcome for great service. |
| Payments | Cards are accepted at resorts and larger businesses, but carry cash in Pacific francs on small islands. |
| Emergency | 17 police, 15 ambulance, 18 fire |
| Etiquette | Greet people with ia ora na and a smile. Treat marae as sacred sites. Ask before entering private land, as much of it is family owned. |
| What to wear | Swimwear is for beaches and resorts; cover up in towns and churches. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | Air Tahiti flies between the main islands, and multi island air passes can save money. Ferries run often between Tahiti and Moorea. On the islands, visitors use rental cars, scooters, bikes, boat shuttles and tours. |
| Main airports | PPT, BOB, RGI |
Polynesian navigators settled these islands over many centuries, and Raiatea's Taputapuātea marae was a major religious and political centre. European explorers arrived in the 1700s, followed by missionaries and traders. France made the islands a protectorate and then a colony in the 1800s. Today French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France with its own government and strong Polynesian identity.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.