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Top 10 Islands

The Perfect Honeymoon In Tahiti - post cover

The Perfect Honeymoon In Tahiti

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort - beach view

Hawaii Or Tahiti: Which Paradise To Choose?

Hiva Oa Travel Guide - post cover - French Polynesia

Hiva Oa Travel Guide

view of Vaipo Waterfall - Hakaui Valley - nuku hiva - marquesas islands - french polynesia

12 Days In the Marquesas Islands Itinerary

Road trip Hiva Oa Marquesas Islands French Polynesia Eiaone Bay

5 Days In Hiva Oa itinerary

top things to do in hiva oa marquesas islands - road trip

Top 10 Things To Do In Hiva Oa

French Polynesia Travel Guide

French Polynesia Travel Guide

piton basalt pinnacle - Ua Pou - Marquesas Islands - French Polynesia

4 Days In Ua Pou Itinerary

shark beach view - Ua Pou - Marquesas Islands - French Polynesia

Ua Pou Travel Guide

aerial view - raivavae - austral islands - french polynesia

10 Days In The Austral Islands itinerary

motu piscine - raivavae - austral islands - french polynesia

Austral Islands Travel Guide

austral-islands-whale

Top 10 Things To Do In The Austral Islands

View-of-Maupiti-and-Motu-Auira-French-Polynesia

A Flash Of Paradise: The Top 10 Tropical Beaches In The South Pacific

Hike to Vaipo Waterfall - Hakaui Valley - nuku hiva - marquesas islands - french polynesia

Nuku Hiva Travel Guide

aerial view of Taiohae - nuku hiva - marquesas islands - french polynesia

4 Days In Nuku Hiva itinerary

Anaho Bay lookout - Nuku Hiva Marquesas Islands French Polynesia

Top 10 Things To Do In Nuku Hiva

Coconut grove in Fakarava French Polynesia

The Best Atolls in French Polynesia

Tropical fish in aquarium snorkeling tour Rangiroa French Polynesia

10 Days In the Tuamotu Atolls of French Polynesia

pink sand beach 2 - tikehau lagoon tour - french polynesia

5 Days In Tikehau itinerary

tropical beach - ninamu resort - tikehau - frech polynesia

Tikehau Travel Guide

cycling in - tikehau - french polynesia

Top 10 Things To Do In Tikehau

Diving-In-The-Avatoru-Pass-Rangiroa-silvertip-shark

Rangiroa Travel Guide

Maupiti from motu auira - Maupiti - French Polynesia

Maupiti Travel Guide

Maupiti-lagoon-tour-the-coral-garden

5 Days In Maupiti Itinerary

Maupiti-lagoon-tour-swimming-with-manta-rays

Top 10 Things To Do In Maupiti

InterContinental Thalasso Resort Bora Bora - the swing

How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon in Tahiti

St Regis Resort Bora Bora 1

How to Plan a Trip to Tahiti Like a Pro

boat in Motu Auira overlooking maupiti

Top 10 Islands In French Polynesia

Fare beach - Huahine - canoe on beach

10 Days In French Polynesia itinerary

Les Tipaniers Hotel & Beach - Moorea - the beach

2 Weeks In French Polynesia itinerary

Diving-in-Rangiroa-sea-turtle

1 Week In French Polynesia itinerary

mount rotui and hilton overwater bungalows - scenic flight - moorea - french polynesia

Moorea Travel Guide

Cooks-Bay-Moorea-French-Polynesia

7 Days In Moorea Itinerary

Moorea Travel Guide - cover

Top 10 Things To Do In Moorea

The best hikes in Tahiti - French Polynesian - post cover - Maupiti hike

The Best Hikes In French Polynesia

Tahiti to Easter Island - post cover

A Voyage from Tahiti to Easter Island

Bags and hats Papeete market Tahiti French Polynesia

1 Day In Tahiti Itinerary

Grand Canyon Marquesas Island - Nuku Hiva

The Mysterious Islands At The End Of The World

Ahe French Polynesia

Top 10 Things To Do In French Polynesia

Faraura-Valley-Tahiti

5 Days In Tahiti Itinerary

Motu Auira - Maupiti - French Polynesia - Perfect Tropical Beach

The Best Beaches In French Polynesia

Mangarevan Dance - Rikitea Mangareva - Gambier Islands - French Polyensia

Gambier Islands Travel Guide

le tahaa luxury resort review - post cover

Le Tahaa Resort: An Insider’s Review

crossing river in Papenoo Valley - Tahiti - French Polynesia

Tahiti Travel Guide

Diving-in-Fakarava-North-sea-turtle

Fakarava Travel Guide

Plage PK9 Beach - Fakarava North - French Polynesia

5 Days In Fakarava Itinerary

Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa - Rangiroa - overwater bungalows

4 Days In Rangiroa Itinerary

Diving in Fakarava North - Ohotu Cliff - school of fish

Top 10 Things To Do In Rangiroa & Fakarava

picnic motu lunch lagoon tour Huahine Island French Polynesia

Top 10 Things To Do In Huahine

Tahaa travel guide - post cover - hammock on lagoon

Tahaa Island Travel Guide

1

When to go?

Weather is a critical ingredient of this once-in-a-lifetime journey to paradise. Seasons vary between wet & dry, each with its pros and cons. The shoulder months of November and May are good options as well.

Dry season (June – October): temperatures are moderate and often just perfect. The easterly trade winds are blowing, keeping the mosquitos and the clouds away and making the nights a bit chilly. Though rain is less frequent, it will still happen. This is the tropics, after all. The Heiva Festival begins in June, culminating in the July celebration in Tahiti.

Wet season (December – April): hot, humid with frequent rain that can last for a few minutes or a few hours. Hiking can be dangerous, and some inland tracks might be closed. Cyclones are developing not too far away but hardly ever hit French Polynesia. Fear not the wet season if you’re coming for a long stay. There is plenty of sunshine! Clouds tend to form around the mountainous interior, leaving the lagoon side sunny and gorgeous.

2

Which islands to visit?

With 118 islands to choose from, this is the million-dollar question! You will spend some time in Tahiti as it’s the only international gateway, but, as for the other islands, each is unique, and that’s what gives this destination its extra points. Here are my top 10 islands in French Polynesia, and below is a breakdown based on what you desire to get out of this journey to the South Seas.

Beaches: Moorea, Maupiti, Bora Bora, Huahine, Fakarava, Tikehau
Culture: Tahiti, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Hiva a, Rurutu
Archeology: Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou
Markets: Tahiti
Water sports: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora
Luxury: Moorea, Bora Bora, Tahaa, Tikehau
Diving: Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau
Hiking: Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou
Laidback: Moorea, Maupiti, Raiatea, Huahine, Tahaa, Fakarava
Off the beaten track: the Marquesas Islands, Huahine, Maupiti, Fakarava, Tahaa, the Gambier Islands, the Austral Islands

3

How long do you need?

French Polynesia spans a huge distance, and If you’ve already come this far, take your time. Who knows when you’ll have the chance to visit again? A week would be the absolute minimum, but I strongly recommend spending at the very least 10 days in French Polynesia. If your time is limited, do not (I repeat, do not), try and see as many islands as possible. Choose a maximum of three and try to spend at least 3 nights on each island. Keep in mind that the first and last nights will probably be spent in Tahiti. I personally spent three months in French Polynesia, and that wasn’t even enough. If you’re the kind of person who works a busy full-time job and has the time (and money) for one big vacation per year – do your best to spend at least 2-3 weeks in French Polynesia.

4

Where to stay

Though the overwater bungalow was invented in French Polynesia, this isn’t a destination just for the rich. Here’s an overview of the popular accommodation options in French Polynesia.

Resorts: ranging from ultra-luxurious to 3-star properties, resorts are pampering yet very expensive, especially if you’re opting to stay in a dreamy overwater bungalow. There are ways to save on resort accommodations if you know the tricks of the trade.

Pensions: family-owned guesthouses ranging from ultra simple to boutique-style. In most pensions, half-board options are available (or required) and communal meals are the norm. This is the best option for travelers who seek to get to know the locals and for those who do not plan to lounge by the pool the entire day.

Lodges: somewhere between resorts and pensions as far as luxury and amenities.

Camping: many islands do have a camping option. This can even be in the backyard of a pension.

Vacation rentals: lots of simple and fancy units are available for rent on most islands.

5

Getting around

The easiest easy way for visitors to get from one island to the next is by air. French Polynesia’s islands are relatively well-connected and you can purchase travel passes from Air Tahiti based on your itinerary. Some islands can be conveniently reached via public ferries and all inhabited islands are served by cargo ships but this mode of transport is reserved for flexible travelers.

Getting around the islands may pose a challenge since very few have reliable public transportation. Renting a car for a day or more is the best way for do-it-yourself travelers. On some islands, scooters are also available and cycling options are always possible. Hitchhiking is very safe but unreliable. Every island offers guided land or lagoon tours with some islands more geared towards self-catering travelers.