Things to do in French Polynesia

French Polynesia · Nunu'e

80 reviews

Bora Bora is located in French Polynesia in the South Pacific and is a volcanic island in the Society Islands, often known as the "Pearl of the Pacific." The island's distinctive geographical feature is its dual-layered view: in the center of the island stand two ancient volcanic peaks, Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia, surrounded by a lagoon with distinct color gradients. The lagoon transitions from light blue to deep blue, a color variation caused by the varying depths of coral sand and the seabed topography. Pristine white sand beaches stretch along the edge of the atoll, contrasting beautifully with the lush volcanic slopes. Overwater bungalows are an iconic accommodation type on this island, allowing guests to jump directly from their rooms into the clear lagoon. The lagoon's rich coral reef ecosystem makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, where you can observe blacktip reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and hundreds of colorful tropical fish up close, and even encounter dolphins in some areas. Some tours offer snorkeling experiences that allow for close encounters with sharks and rays, providing a unique way to experience the marine ecosystem of the South Pacific. The island preserves a rich Polynesian cultural tradition, with traditional dance, music, and handicrafts passed down through generations. Visitors can experience a traditional Polynesian feast, taste authentic cuisine featuring coconut milk, vanilla, and fresh seafood, and soak in the unique charm of the South Pacific islands.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Tahiti

Tahiti

6.9

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia and serves as the local political, economic, and cultural center. The entire island was formed by the long-term erosion of two dormant shield volcanoes, connected in the middle by a narrow isthmus—the larger northwestern part is called Tahiti Nui, and the peninsula extending to the southeast is called Tahiti Iti. The island's coastline presents two distinct faces. The east coast is dominated by black volcanic sand beaches, and the black sand beaches around Papenoo are quite unique among tropical islands. The lagoon coast features light-colored sand beaches and clear waters. The Papenoo Valley extends deep into the interior with towering cliffs on both sides, making it one of the main routes for hiking to waterfalls and tropical jungles. The island is also dotted with traditional Polynesian stone temple ruins and the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands, where you can learn about local history and customs.

French Polynesia · Papenoo

French Polynesia · Papetoai

Mo'orea

6.5

4.9/5

46 reviews

Mo'orea is located approx. 17 km northwest of Tahiti and is one of the important islands in the Society Islands. Formed by volcanic activity, it features towering peaks, deep valleys, and dense tropical forests in its center, while its coast is surrounded by coral reefs and azure lagoons. Its unique mountain and coastal landscape makes it one of the most representative islands for natural scenery in French Polynesia. The island has a leisurely pace, with tourist facilities relatively concentrated in coastal areas, making it suitable for both short sightseeing trips and multi-day leisure vacations. Blending the tropical ocean with local culture, it is an ideal destination for exploring the island charm of the South Pacific.

French Polynesia · Nunu'e

To'opuaiti

6.5

To'opuaiti is located in the South Pacific and belongs to the Austral Islands, serving as one of the key islands in the archipelago and the local administrative center. Formed by volcanic activity, it features undulating mountains and green hills in the interior, while the coast is surrounded by coral reefs and light blue lagoons, presenting a quintessential South Pacific island landscape. The lagoon waters are rich in color, with the sea surface transitioning from light green to deep blue, making it suitable for enjoying the seascape, swimming, snorkeling, and experiencing marine activities. The interior is dotted with villages, farmland, and coconut groves, and the daily lives of the residents are closely linked to agriculture, fishing, and local traditional culture.

Selected for Best Things to Do in French Polynesia

Matira Beach

5.8

5.0/5

9 reviews

Matira Beach is a representative tropical seaside attraction in the South Pacific. It features fine, light-colored sand beaches, clear water, and groves of coconut trees. The coastline extends gently, surrounded by tropical vegetation and a tranquil lagoon, presenting a typical Polynesian island landscape. The water near the shore usually appears light blue and turquoise, gradually turning deep blue as the depth increases, set against the backdrop of distant coral reefs and the green peaks of Bora Bora. Due to the shallow water and gently sloping seabed in some areas, it is suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

French Polynesia · Bora Bora

Tetiaroa

5.3

5 reviews

Tetiaroa is located in French Polynesia in the South Pacific and is an atoll composed of several low-lying coral islands. It surrounds a light blue lagoon, with the islands connected by clear seawater and coral reefs, featuring a typical South Pacific tropical island view. Far from large cities, the overall environment is tranquil and retains a relatively pristine coastal landscape. Its natural features include white sandy beaches, palm forests, coral reefs, and a rich marine ecosystem. The lagoon waters have distinct color layers, presenting an interwoven view of blue and green under the sunlight.

French Polynesia · Arue

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Tahiti

Museum of Tahiti and The Islands

5.3

French Polynesia · Punaauia

22 reviews

Museum of Tahiti and The Islands is an important local cultural and historical museum. It is primarily dedicated to collecting, researching, and exhibiting the natural environment, historical heritage, traditional culture, and art of the Polynesian region, helping visitors understand the unique cultural development of Tahiti and its surrounding islands. The museum features rich exhibitions covering the geographical environment of the Polynesian islands, volcanic island formation, traditional navigation methods, the history of human migration, and daily life. Exhibits include traditional canoes and navigation-related implements, fishing and hunting tools, daily necessities, wood carvings, stone tools, woven items, and religious cultural objects, showcasing how local residents utilized natural resources to adapt to island life.

French Polynesia · Papeete

Papeete Market

5.2

Papeete Market is one of the area's representative traditional markets and an important place to learn about daily life and local culture in Polynesia. It brings together local residents, produce vendors, artisans, and specialty goods merchants, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere of a tropical island city. The market offers a wide variety of goods, mainly including tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, spices, and local specialty foods. In addition to food, it also sells handmade woven goods, shell jewelry, wood carvings, traditional textiles, and pearl jewelry, among which Tahiti black pearl accessories are particularly distinctive.

French Polynesia · Uturoa

Society Islands

5.2

Society Islands are located in the South Pacific and consist of multiple volcanic islands and atolls, mainly divided into the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. The Windward Islands include Tahiti, Mo'orea, and others, while the Leeward Islands include Bora Bora, Raiatea, Taha'a, and Huahine, among others. Known for their magnificent volcanic mountains, azure lagoons, coral reefs, and tropical vegetation, they are one of the most representative island regions in the South Pacific. They combine marine ecology, volcanic landscapes, and Polynesian culture, serving as a key core region for tourism and culture in French Polynesia.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in French Polynesia

The Robert Wan Pearl Museum

5.1

5.0/5

29 reviews

The Robert Wan Pearl Museum is a unique local museum themed around pearl culture, primarily focusing on the formation, cultivation, history, and artistic value of pearls. It is closely linked to the Tahiti black pearl industry and aims to help visitors understand the important role of pearls in Polynesian social, economic, and cultural life. The museum's exhibitions center on pearls and related knowledge, introducing the growth environment of pearl oysters, the pearl formation process, black pearl cultivation techniques, and methods for evaluating pearl quality. Through images, physical objects, and explanatory materials, the exhibitions also showcase the process of pearls from cultivation, harvesting, and selection to processing and jewelry making, helping visitors understand the natural conditions and craftsmanship behind this unique industry.

French Polynesia · Papeete

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Bora Bora

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Bora Bora Lagoonarium

5

5.0/5

2 reviews

French Polynesia · Bora Bora

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Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

Trip.Select

Full-Day Bora Bora Lagoon Cruise Including Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays

Free cancellationBook now for tomorrowDuration: 6 hrsEnglish

240 reviews

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Experiences you can't miss in French Polynesia

Featured Culture & history in French Polynesia

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Papeete: walking tour

5.0/5

· 3 reviews

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5.0/5

· 1 review

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Bora Bora: Experience the Magic of Tahitian Black Pearls

5.0/5

· 3 reviews

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Raiatea: 4x4 Island Tour with Pearl Farm & Marae Visit

5.0/5

· 9 reviews

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Featured Outdoor & sports in French Polynesia

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Bora Bora Island Tour by Jet Ski

5.0/5

· 97 reviews

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97 consecutive positive reviews

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4.9/5

· 58 reviews

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Small Quad Tour 2h30 Quad excursion in Moorea (single or two-seater)

4.9/5

· 16 reviews

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English

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Moorea 4WD Tour: Magic Mountain, Belvedere, Pineapple Road & More

4.9/5

· 472 reviews

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Tahiti: Shared Snorkeling Tour with Turtles

4.8/5

· 6 reviews

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5.0/5

· 35 reviews

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35 consecutive positive reviews

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Featured Day tours in French Polynesia

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Tahiti Papeete East and West Coast 1-day Tour (Minimum 1 person)

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Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Half day Tours

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· 147 reviews

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From Tahiti: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

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Papeete: Ferry Transfer between Tahiti and Moorea

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· 33 reviews

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Bora Bora: Jet Ski, Lunch & Shark/Ray Safari

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Tahiti: Teahupoo Wave Watching Tour

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8 days · Tahiti · Papeete - Taha'a - Huahine - Raiatea - Bora Bora - Moorea - Papeete

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