French Polynesia has to be my new favourite travel destination. From the moment you step off the plane you will see why; it's the postcard image of paradise. You'll be met with warm air, lei's, smiling faces the most jaw-dropping scenery you will ever see.
French Polynesia is made up of over 100 islands and atolls located across the South Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway between Australia and South America. There are an abundance of islands to choose from and each island offers something slightly different; luxury resorts, adventure, secluded paradise or all of the above!
I spent 10 days across Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora and this is everything you need to know!
Let's start with the basics...
BEST TIME TO VISIT – April to October
WEATHER – Tropical; expect the occasional tropical shower & warm temperatures
GETTING AROUND – Car, electric bike or scooter
CURRENCY – Central Pacific Franc (XPF)
LANGUAGES – French, Tahitian, English
MAIN ARRIVAL AIRPORT - Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti
How to get to Moorea:
Where to stay in Moorea:
MOOREA
Moorea is a stunning mountainous island that is perfect for the adventure seeker. There is so much to explore here from hikes to viewpoints overlooking the valleys and waterfalls, jungle drives, road-side fruit stands, pristine lagoons, palm trees and plenty of water activities to pick from. Not only is Moorea beautiful, but it's also much more affordable compared to other islands like Bora Bora. You can still get the overwater bungalow experience at a fraction of the price!
Because of the abundance of activities and sights in Moorea, I recommend spending at least 5 days here.
How to get to Moorea:
Moorea was the first island we visited and is only a 30 minute ferry away from Tahiti. There are plenty of ferry companies to pick from with multiple departure times daily. The ferries are quite large and are able to transport cars, so if you get sea-sick like me, it's quite a comfortable journey if you have good weather! Don't worry about booking a ticket online beforehand - you can just purchase one when you get there and the prices range from about $15-$20 AUD per person. We went with Tuatea ferries.
How to get around Moorea:
Moorea as an island only takes about 1.5 hours to drive around its entirety. There is so much to explore and with the appearance of some tropical rain, I highly recommend hiring a car from Avis. Avis is also a 2 minute walk from the port so picking up the car was very convenient! Make sure you book beforehand as cars definitely book out in peak season. If you miss out, you will have the option to get taxis or tour operators, however there aren't many on the island and the prices can be a bit expensive.
Where to stay in Moorea:
Depending on your budget, Moorea has plenty of accommodation options. From beachside shacks to guesthouses to overwater villas, they have it all.
We firstly stayed at Les Tipaniers which is located perfectly on one of the best lagoons on the island. The best part is that it's right next to the infamous 'Stingray Alley' which is where you will see all of the photos with the reef sharks and rays. You can hire a boat (no license needed) from the water sports centre right in front of your accommodation for anywhere between 1-8 hours. We hired one for 2 hours and it cost us approximately $110 AUD.
The next place we stayed was called Hotel Kaveka which was located overlooking Cooks Bay with incredible mountain views. We chose to stay here to experience both sides of the island; the stunning ocean and then the lush bays. Looking at the mountain peaks change colours with the sun was incredible - did you know that the mountains here are what inspired Moana?!
What to do in Moorea:
-
A boat trip around the lagoon with Get Your Guide. The experience we did was a private boat trip that took us to all of the best snorkel spots and viewpoints around the island. Within 5 minutes we were lucky enough to see whales, and 5 minutes after that, dolphins! A boat trip isn't complete without a visit to Stingray alley and then lunch on Coco Beach island. Book the experience we did here.
-
Belvedere and 'Three Pines Lookout'. Drive to Belvedere lookout to take in the views before doing a 30 minute hike up to 'Three Pines lookout' where you will be rewarded with views over the valley and a swing! It is so beautiful at sunset.
-
Toatea lookout and Temae beach - this was by far my favourite place on the island. Toatea lookout gives you unparalleled views of the lagoon with Tahiti making an appearance in the distance. The beach that you are looking down on is called Temae beach so make sure you drive down, bring some snacks and spend the day swimming here!
-
Hire your own boat from Les Tipaniers - definitely spend a morning taking your own little boat out to Stingray alley and then Coco Beach island. With reasonable prices and no license needed, it is the perfect way to explore the underwater world of Moorea at your own pace. Don't be scared of the reef sharks, they are harmless and not interested in you whatsoever!
-
Swim with whales/whale watching - we were lucky enough to see some of the first whales of the season. We got right up close to them as they were frolicking. If you are looking for an adventurous day out on the water then this is the perfect activity. If you are planning on visiting Moorea specifically for this, make sure you book your trip between August - November.
-
Afareaitu waterfalls - If hiking is your thing, this hike is about 1.5 km long and leads to two beautiful waterfalls.
-
Watch the sunset at Ta'ahiamanu beach - this beach is covered in palm trees and the perfect place to watch the sun go down behind all of the catamarans in the lagoon.
-
Cooks Bay and Opunohu bay - these bays are the perfect place for a scenic jungle drive. With mountain peaks, palm trees and a stunning lagoon to paddle in, I highly recommend parking the car and going for a walk to take it all in.
-
ATV tours - if you want to go off-road and take a guided tour around the island, definitely look into doing one of the ATV tours!
BORA BORA
Bora Bora is exactly like you imagine it... I think it's probably the most beautiful place I have ever witnessed and seeing it in real life was definitely a pinch-me moment. Bora Bora is known for its luxurious resorts that are often frequented by celebrities, however you can also stay on the main island for a more budget-friendly experience. There are plenty of airbnbs and guesthouses there that won't break the bank!
How to get to Bora Bora
Like most people, Bora Bora is the next island to visit during their time in French Polynesia. The best way to get to Bora Bora is on a plane; I recommend flying with Air Moana because unlike other flight operators, you can pick your seats on Air Moana flights. If you want jaw-dropping views of Bora Bora, my tip is to book the left side of the plane flying in, and the right side of the plane flying out.
Once you arrive in the airport, you will need to get a boat transfer to your accommodation. If you are staying on the main island, there is a boat that picks everyone up and takes you there. Alternatively, if you are staying at a resort, each one has their own boat and will be there to pick you up on arrival.
We were lucky enough to be staying with Conrad Bora Bora Nui during our time in Bora Bora and we were picked up in style and taken across the lagoon to our home for the next 3 days.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
You may have seen this resort before from the infamous Kardashians moment 'my diamond earring!'. Every single detail of this resort was breathtaking. From the warm welcome at reception, the best food I have ever tasted, the water activities and the marine life surrounding the resort; this was an amazing stay from start to finish.
We stayed in an overwater pool villa with views looking at Mount Otemanu; we lapped up every second sipping on coconuts, getting our breakfast delivered by a traditional canoe, paddle boarding through the lagoon, snorkelling and relaxing at the hilltop spa with the most beautiful viewpoint.
Conrad has 6 restaurants and bars, loads of water sports activities, an artificial reef full of fish under the main jetty and a stunning main pool to relax at. Needless to say, it was a very sad goodbye!
What to do in Bora Bora:
During our time at Conrad, we had organised a half-day out on the lagoon with Get Your Guide. We got picked up at our resort and were taken to swim out in the deep with black tip reef sharks and lemon sharks. It was a little bit nerve wracking jumping into 'shark infested' waters but it was probably one of the coolest experiences I have done. The sharks were harmless and it was a magical experience getting to share the water with them.
Next we went to a sand bank to see the rays and more black tip reef sharks; this experience was very similar to the one in Moorea! Afterwards, we got taken to an incredible snorkelling spot with turquoise water and hundreds of curious fish who swam straight up to your mask. The drive around the lagoon back to everyone's resorts was the best way to end the morning; the views were pure perfection. I know I always rave on about Western Australia's beaches... But Bora Bora definitely gives us a run for our money. Book the experience we did here.
I could not recommend French Polynesia enough as your next travel destination. The prices were on the more expensive side but nothing too crazy... and the scenery and activities more than make up for it. We made memories to last a lifetime and I can't wait to go back one day!