French Polynesia Luxury Guide | Best Resorts & Islands

French Polynesia

Welcome to our French Polynesia travel guide

Just 7 hours from the west coast of California and just a few short hours from Hawaii, is the island paradise of French Polynesia. This collection of 118 islands is truly heaven on earth. While most travelers head straight to Bora Bora, we encourage you to explore some of French Polynesia’s other gems, like Moorea, Tahiti or Rangiroa. There is so much natural beauty, down to earth hospitality and spectacular landscape to experience. The culture and people of French Polynesia are also the most hospitable, kind people we have ever met.

This is how I recharge - how about you? #travelmore #travelphotography #frenchpolynesia #moorea #travelgram #travelreels

Feb 18

Life in an unfiltered paradise ❤️ We love Moorea so much and one of the most incredible things about this island is that everywhere you look, it’s just naturally and purely beautiful. @hiltonmoorea also has the best water on the island 👌 #moorea #mooreaisland #frenchpolynesia #beautifuldestinations #bestplacestogo #amazingdestinations #paradise

Nov 30

Most common question we get: Maldives or French Polynesia?? It’s a tough one to answer because they offer two completely different experiences. The Maldives offers luxury, 5 star resorts and service where many resorts have butlers that cater to your every whim. You don’t even have to lift a finger, unless you want to. The resorts are unreal, as though someone creatively designed their greatest fantasy and it came to life, like at @discoversoneva. French Polynesia offers a cultural experience with majestic views that kind of make you feel like you’re living in a real life green screen. Every direction is breathtaking with vibrant reefs, kind & passionate locals and the ability to explore hundreds of islands during your trip. If you’re looking for luxury, relaxation and the best hotel money can buy, Maldives is the place for you. If you’re looking for cultural immersion, stunning views and access to surrounding islands, towns and villages, French Polynesia may be more your speed. Questions? Let us know! ⬇️ #maldives #frenchpolynesia #bestplacestogo #amazingdestination #beachesnresorts #wonderfulplaces

Oct 18

The only happy hour location I’m interested in right now 👌🏼 #moorea #mooreaisland #tahiti #frenchpolynesia #happyhour #coupleslovetravel #islandreel #islandlife #bestplacestogo #islandstyle

Oct 14

Give me the choice between an overwater bungalow or a mega mansion and I’ll choose an overwater bungalow anytime 💁🏼‍♀️. Anyone else agree? Thank you to @hiltonmoorea for having us back for a second time in paradise ❤️❤️ #frenchpolynesia #tahitilife #moorea #hilton #hiltonmoorea #dronestagram #dronephotography #beautifulplaces #beautifulhotels #bestplacestogo

Oct 4

I miss you @hiltonmoorea ❤️. Moorea is our favorite island in the world, to this day. There’s something so magical about mountains, the lagoons, the people. There are few places in the world that bring us to tears when we leave, but this is always one of them. #hilton #hiltonmoorea #hiltonhotels #moorea #tahiti #frenchpolynesia #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations #dronephotography #dronestagram #wonderfulplaces #wonderful_places #amazingplaces #beachesofinstagram

May 14

Sitting here in rainy New York, I REALLY miss the sun on my face, the stillness of nature and the sound of literally nothing but water flopping around beneath the bungalow 🙌🏼. It’s like a completely different world, a dream or some alternate universe that feels a million miles away. We would joke when we were lying in bed staring out at that majestic mountain that it was a green screen programmed to be the perfect escape. We said, “wouldn’t it be funny to click the channel button and have it switch to something else? Click.” Right now I’m wishing I could click right back there 🤣. Thank you @fsborabora for providing the most epic escape. #fourseasons #fsborabora #borabora #tahiti #frenchpolynesia #suitelife #overwaterbungalow #waterbungalow #travellove #womenwhotravel #mountotemanu #bestinhotels #hotelsnresorts #beautifuldestinations #beautifulhotels #amazingplaces #wonderful_places

May 7

Have you ever seen a view like this?! @fsborabora had arguably the best sunset light we’ve ever seen. It was just SO peaceful and picturesque. #fsborabora #fourseasons #beautifulhotels #beautifuldestinations #bestplacestogo #amazingdestinations #amazingplaces #beachesnresorts #luxuryhotels #luxuryworldtraveler #besthotels #sunsetlover #fourseasonshotels #tahiti #frenchpolynesia #incredibleplaces

May 5

Sometimes a different perspective is good for the soul. How incredible does @letahaabypearlresorts look from above? #letahaaislandresortandspa #pearlresortsoftahiti #beautifuldestinations #beautifulhotels #tahiti #frenchpolynesia #amazingplaces #beachlife #djimavicpro #dronephotography #dronestagram

May 3

Things to See and Do in French Polynesia

Explore Marché Papeete on the main island of Tahiti for pearls, flower crowns and jewelry.
Stay on Moorea for down-to-earth luxury, just 20 minutes by boat from Papeete.
Eat Poisson Cru, a delicious French Polynesian dish.
Snorkel or Scuba Dive in the pristine lagoons that circle many of the Polynesian islands.
Try wine of Tahiti: Vin De Tahiti, made locally on Rangiroa.
Taste Sparkling Pineapple on Moorea.

What to know

One could spend a month exploring French Polynesia and it wouldn’t be enough. However, we highly recommend spending at least 3 nights on each island. For maximum impact, fly to Bora Bora for 3 nights and then spend 3 nights either on Moorea or one of the other islands. Bora Bora is incredible, but it comes at a higher cost. Rates on Rangiroa or Moorea are more budget friendly, while still providing a luxurious experience.

A common type of accommodation in French Polynesia is called “Pensione”. Pensiones are family-run boutique hotels that typically operate more like a guest house. They range in price and luxury from very basic to high-end boutique hotel with full blown amenities. You’ll find Pensiones on most islands and provide a nice alternative to the big brands. Our recommendation if you are on a tighter budget is to spend a few nights in a Pensione and then spend the last 2 nights of your trip in the ultra-luxurious hotel.

Typically, travelers will arrive to PPT, the main international airport for all of French Polynesia. Once on the main island of Tahiti, you will travel by boat or by smaller prop-plane to your destination. Bora Bora and sister islands are a few hours away and require a domestic flight. Islands like Moorea, however, are a short, 40 minute ferry ride from Papeete and require only a $20 ferry ticket.

Taxis are quite expensive due to the high gas prices on the islands, so many travelers opt for renting a car if they plan to explore the islands. On Moorea and similar islands, restaurants will typically pick you up and drop you off if you eat a meal at their restaurants.

French Polynesia has everything you love about France and more. Think delicious cheese, beautiful wine and fresh bread. Of course, Tahitians put their own spin on it, adding fresh fish and seafood. The don’t-miss dish of French Polynesia is Poisson Cru, a take on Tuna Poke with coconut milk – just trust us.

Dining prices really range, depending on where you go. Resorts will be more expensive, particularly the big chains on the islands (think $35 USD for a burger at select 5-star resorts). Regardless of what you’re looking for, you will find it. Note, however, that if you stay on Bora Bora or similar islands, it’s likely that you will not be leaving the resort to go out to dinner.

French Polynesia is known for their pearls. The best shopping we encountered is the Marché Papeete, located just across from the ferry terminal on the main island of Tahiti. Travelers can find anything from discount single pearls to beautiful, handcrafted jewelry and flower crowns. The shops surrounding the Marché contain some of the higher-end items and travelers can claim VAT upon exiting the country.

Prices are fair due to the Tahitians being genuinely kind people that are not looking to “screw” the tourists. Some negotiation is expected, within reason.

People in French Polynesia are some of the kindest, genuine people we have ever met – anywhere in the world. There’s really no such thing as getting ripped off in French Polynesia that we experienced. From the Marché to the hotels, Polynesian people genuinely care about everyone (tourists and their fellow Polynesians alike). It’s a stark contrast to many places around the world, where you’re constantly in fear for your safety and for getting majorly ripped off. The concept of Pensions are huge in French Polynesia. The family-owned “bed and breakfast” style hotels are the low-key, often low-cost alternative to fancy hotels. The Polynesian owners take care of you as if you’re family and they’re often incredibly clean and nice. Of course, with all places, do your research. Beware of places with negative reviews on TripAdvisor, as they’re often great indicators of the truth. We’ve only had one bad experience in French Polynesia and it was dealing with a scam from the Australian-owned Moorea Beach Lodge.

Articles to read

5 Things to Know about French Polynesia

Spectacular beaches, towering mountains and kind people make up the beautiful island nation of French Polynesia. This French-Tahitian paradise is perfect for travelers looking for delicious food and gorgeous views. There's a lot to consider when planning your trip!

Typical costs

The flights are typically the most expensive part of the trip- although, there are consistently deals on the major airlines like Air Tahiti Nui and United. Be sure to follow Scott’s Cheap Flights or set up Google flight alerts for your preferred dates. If you’re planning to visit Bora Bora or some of the other gorgeous, remote islands, be sure to account for the additional $500-800 USD per person for the roundtrip airfare from Papeete.

Hotels range dramatically, from the lower-end Pensions to the high-end luxury resorts. Be aware of additional costs like food and alcohol on the more remote islands. Bora Bora, for example, is more like the Maldives – you will likely not leave the hotel. In these cases, it could be worth adding a F&B package like Half Board to your stay to minimize your costs during your trip. Alternatively, staying in Moorea offers a broader reach of dining options as you can walk from your hotel to a number of restaurants.

Suggested daily budget – Food found in French Polynesia is mostly French as the majority of the food is shipped from Europe to French Polynesia and subsidized. Poisson Cru (our favorite dish), ranges from about $5 for a container at the grocery store to $35 at a high end hotel. Alcohol prices are on the higher end, ranging from $12-17 for a cocktail or glass of wine. Vin De Tahiti is a delicious wine made on Rangiroa, and provides an inexpensive alternative to some of the French wines (and trust us, it’s delicious).

When to TravelFrench Polynesia Seasons

While there's really no bad time to visit French Polynesia, the weather can certainly impact your trip. The best months for weather are June-August, but be forewarned that prices can get quite high as travelers flock to the islands for summer vacation. November-December are some of the wetter months, but prices are lower November-April, making it the optimal time for travelers looking for a deal.

Travel Tips

Explore the sea life – Get ready to snorkel or Scuba Dive. The sea life in French Polynesia is truly mind-blowing.
Stay local, end with a bang – If you’re looking to save, stay a few nights in a local Pension and “go big” on your last 2-3 nights at a luxury 5 star, overwater bungalow hotel.
Try the Poisson Cru – Try the local dishes and alcohol. Poisson Cru is our favorite dish in the world and the Pineapple Rum on Moorea is not to be missed. Neither is the Vin De Tahiti.
Befriend the locals – Polynesian people are so kind and have incredible stories to tell.

Upon entering the grounds at the Sofitel, we were immediately greeted with with fresh juice, tiare-scented cold towels and the…

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How to plan your trip

Epic mountain peaks, kind people and delicious French food are the top three things to expect from this gorgeous island nation. But I warn you, prepare to never want to leave.

Our recommendation to start planning your trip is to first establish a budget. Be sure to include what you are comfortable spending per night on lodging, any added transfer costs (from $20 for the ferry to Moorea, up to $800 for a flight to Bora Bora) and your daily food budget.

Next, consider how far you’re willing to go. There are a lot of islands! If you go to Bora Bora, consider hopping over to Tahaa after. Be sure to consider what time your flight arrives or departs from Papeete. It’s quite possible that you will need to spend the night on Tahiti before jetting off the islands. If this is the case, consider the Intercontinental Tahiti or the Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel.

Lastly, be aware that if your flight departs Papeete late at night, the airport opens 2 hours before your flight and there is nowhere to hang out before then. Consider grabbing dinner locally to avoid the humidity you’ll experience in the air-conditioning-free airport.