There are few places in the world that capture the imagination quite like French Polynesia. The moment you arrive, the warm island breeze, the scent of tropical flowers, and the endless shades of blue stretching across the horizon make it clear—you’ve stepped into paradise. With its postcard-perfect beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and a relaxed rhythm of life, this is a place that invites you to slow down, sink your feet into the sand, and embrace the magic of island living.
For me, the perfect itinerary here blends adventure with tranquility, taking in some of the most breathtaking destinations this region has to offer. From the lush peaks and golden beaches of Moorea to the vast, shimmering lagoon of Rangiroa and the untouched beauty of Fakarava, each island has its own unique charm. Whether it’s diving alongside graceful manta rays, drifting through a pass teeming with sharks, or simply watching the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues, every moment feels like something out of a dream.
This journey isn’t just about seeing French Polynesia—it’s about experiencing it. It’s about gliding through warm waters, sharing smiles with locals, savoring the freshest seafood, and letting the rhythm of the islands wash over you. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and some of the best diving in the world, this itinerary will take you there.
How to get around French Polynesia
French Polynesia consists of over a hundred islands that are very spread out from each other. To get around the islands, there is really only one way and that is by airplane. The islands around Tahiti like Moorea, Huahine, and Raiatea can be reached by ferry but aside from that, everything else is by airplane.
There are two main airlines in French Polynesia: Air Tahiti and Air Moana. Flights mostly originate from Tahiti, the capital island of French Polynesia so it’s 100% guaranteed you will need to fly out of Tahiti for your domestic and international flights.
Flights are not cheap and you should expect to pay something like €100-€150 for a one way flight from Tahiti to the islands in the Tuamoto like Rangiroa and Fakarava. I did not fly Air Moana while I was in French Polynesia as it was a new airline but I heard that they are looking to disrupt the monopoly that Air Tahiti has by offering cheaper flights to the most popular islands. Yay for competition!
Island Hopper Pass
Air Tahiti offers island hopping passes which let’s you save a little bit on the cost of your flights. As an example, you can book an island hopping pass for the Tuomoto Islands that allow you to fly to Tikehau, Rangiroa, and Fakarava as part of one ticket.
The cost of this during the high season is €482 as of 2025. If you were to book this individually (Tahiti to Tikehau, Tikehau to Rangiroa, Rangiroa to Fakarava, Fakarava to Tahiti), you would pay more for the 4 flights.
As I did not visit Tikehau, it was still cheaper to just book the three flights from Tahiti to Rangiroa to Fakarava to Tahiti but I wish I had spent some time on Tikehau instead.
Getting around on the islands
Once you’re on the islands, the main forms of transport are car and scooter. On the really small and remote islands like Fakarava, bicycles are also commonly used. The islands in French Polynesia are deceptively larger than you think. Moorea is around 70 minutes driving around the entire island while Rangiroa is about 12 km from one end to the other. Walking is definitely doable but you won’t get far on many of these islands as it is super spread out without much cover meaning you will fry under the hot Polynesian sun.
Scooters are criminally expensive in French Polynesia. As an example, renting a scooter on Fakarava is almost €50 a day. For this price, you get a beat up 125cc that costs no more than €1,000 to purchase. This means these people are making up the cost of the bike within a month which is insane. Cars are equally as expensive and will cost €70-100 for the most basic manual car.
Where I went in French Polynesia?
French Polynesia is a huge country as far as area that the country encompasses. There are 121 islands scattered across 2,000 km of ocean. The furthest points of the country is the same as going from London to Turkey. It’s insanely spread out!
With that said, there are countless islands for you to visit which makes it difficult to decide which ones to see with limited time.
I had three weeks in French Polynesia which seems like a long time but in reality it goes by super fast! I wanted to focus my time visiting the most beautiful paradise-esque beaches I could find as well as scuba dive as French Polynesia has some of the best diving in the world.
I ended up settling on the following islands to visit as I was primarily focused on scuba diving.
I did not visit the honeymoon islands of Bora Bora or nearby islands to Tahiti like Huahine or Raiatea. I spent a total of 19 days in French Polynesia (1 week in Rangiroa, 1 week in Fakarava, 4 days in Fakarava, and 2 days ibn Tahiti just for transfer reasons).
I focused most of my time in the Tuamoto islands (Rangiroa and Fakarava) to maximize my diving. However, I really did not like Rangiroa as I thought the diving was average at best. There also was nowhere to eat a good meal so we ended up eating baguettes with canned tuna for the majority of the stay. I wish I had spent just 3 or 4 days in Rangiroa, and the rest of the time in Tikehau as it is so well connected with Rangiroa.
How long to spend in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is the utlimate paradise for those looking for that idyllic beach getaway. It consists of over a hundred different islands all with something to offer. I could spend months traveling French Polynesia and I wouldn’t get bored.
It really depends on what you’re into. I am a big beach guy and even bigger diving aficionado so French Polynesia is obviously the hot spot for me. If these aren’t things you’re into, then you’ll quickly be bored from what the country has to offer.
However, if you have limited time and want to just cover off the basics of French Polynesia, I would still recommend you spend at least 1-2 weeks in the country to see how diverse it is.
If you only come to French Polynesia to spend a few nights at a high end resort in Bora Bora, that is still great but you won’t really get a feel of how the island life is as you see a very particular manicured version.
I spent almost three weeks in French Polynesia and wish I could have spent 3 months. I really want to visit more of the Tuamoto islands, as well as visiting the Marquesas which are totally different than the rest of the country. I would have loved to also visit the islands near to Tahiti like Huahine and Raiatea.
Day 1: Landing in Tahiti
Every trip starts in Tahiti whether you want to see it or not. For whatever reason, everyone told me to skip Tahiti since it is the biggest and most commercial island in the country. However, the landscape looks absolutely stunning in Tahiti so I feel like a day or two in the island wouldn’t be bad.
Nevertheless, I did not spend time in Tahiti as I really wanted to rush off to get some scuba diving done! With that said, many of the flights into French Polynesia arrive in the afternoon and any connecting flights or ferries have all closed up for the day.
As an example, the last ferry to Moorea leaves around 17:30 from the port (20 minutes from the airport). Therefore, if your flight arrives anything before 16:30, you’re pushing it to make it on time. As well, the flights to the Tuamoto islands like Tikehau, Rangiroa, and Fakarava depart in the morning so you can’t connect.
Therefore, I had to spend a night in Tahiti just so I could connect to my local flight the following day. I spent the night at Manueva Lodge. This guesthouse was perfectly located just 5 minutes from the airport and came with free airport pickup. Although this guesthouse was close to nothing, they drove us to nearby restaurants for free which was perfect.
Day 2-9: Rangiroa
Rangiroa, one of the largest atolls in the world, is a place where nature takes center stage. This breathtaking destination in French Polynesia offers an escape into a world of crystalline waters, thriving marine life, and a laid-back island atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and soak in the beauty.
Dive into the Underwater Wonderland
A trip to Rangiroa isn’t complete without experiencing its legendary underwater world. Known as one of the best diving spots on the planet, the Tiputa Pass is where thrill-seekers gather to witness an exhilarating drift dive. Sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and schools of vibrant fish glide through the strong currents, offering an unforgettable display of marine life. Snorkelers can also revel in the shallow lagoon, where coral gardens host an array of tropical fish, making it easy to enjoy the wonders beneath the surface without venturing too deep.
Discover the Beauty of the Lagoons
For those looking to embrace Rangiroa’s natural beauty from above the water, a boat excursion to the Blue Lagoon is a must. This secluded paradise, a lagoon within the lagoon, is an ethereal setting with pristine turquoise waters and tiny motus (islets) dotted along the horizon. The journey itself is an adventure, with stops to feed reef sharks and admire the untouched landscapes. Another incredible spot is Lagon Vert, or Green Lagoon, where a serene, emerald-hued body of water contrasts against the striking blues of the ocean, creating a picture-perfect scene.
Experience the Magic of Tahitian Pearls
Beyond its waters, Rangiroa offers cultural and sensory delights. A visit to Gauguin’s Pearl Farm provides insight into the art of cultivating Tahitian black pearls, one of the region’s most prized treasures. The experience is both educational and mesmerizing, as the delicate process of harvesting and grading…