French Polynesia

Things to do in French Polynesia

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Top 10 attractions in French Polynesia

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Bora Bora
2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Bora Bora

9.4
4.8/5
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.

French Polynesia · Nunu'e
Tahiti
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
Mo'orea

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 · Papetoai
To'opuaiti

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.

French Polynesia · Nunu'e
Matira Beach
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

Tetiaroa

5.3
4.8/5
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
Museum of Tahiti and The Islands
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Tahiti

Museum of Tahiti and The Islands

5.3
4.8/5
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 · Punaauia
Papeete Market

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 · Papeete
Society Islands

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.

French Polynesia · Uturoa
The Robert Wan Pearl Museum
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

Traveller favourites curated for you

Bora Bora Lagoonarium
No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Bora Bora

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

4.8/5
240 reviews

Departs from Bora Bora

Free cancellationBook now for tomorrowDuration: 6 hrsEnglish
FromSAR 567.73
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13 days · Tahiti · Honolulu - United States - French Polynesia - Papeete

13 days · Tahiti · Honolulu - United States - French Polynesia - Papeete

4.1/5
23 reviews18 booked
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Spirit
3
Depart from Honolulu
From SAR 3,303
See all cruises
14 days · Tahiti · Papeete - French Polynesia - Cook Islands - American Samoa - Samoa - Fiji - Lautoka

14 days · Tahiti · Papeete - French Polynesia - Cook Islands - American Samoa - Samoa - Fiji - Lautoka

4.1/5
23 reviews8 booked
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Spirit
3
Depart from Papeete
From SAR 6,058
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Experiences you can't miss in French Polynesia

Featured Day tours in French Polynesia

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

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

4.9/5
· 16 reviews
Duration: 165 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromSAR 398.28
Tahiti Papeete East and West Coast 1-day Tour (Minimum 1 person)
󱌍

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

Duration: 3.1 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
FromSAR 489.18
Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Half day Tours
󱌍

Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Half day Tours

4.8/5
· 147 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
95.9% of travelers recommend
FromSAR 236.11
Papeete: Ferry Transfer between Tahiti and Moorea
󱌍

Papeete: Ferry Transfer between Tahiti and Moorea

4.9/5
· 33 reviews
Duration: 50 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
33 consecutive positive reviews
FromSAR 66.11
From Tahiti: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran
󱌍

From Tahiti: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

4.7/5
· 113 reviews
Duration: 11 hrs
Free cancellation
91.2% of travelers recommend
FromSAR 801.44
Tahiti: Shared Snorkeling Tour with Turtles
󱌍

Tahiti: Shared Snorkeling Tour with Turtles

4.8/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 2–4 hrs
Free cancellation
FromSAR 436.02
Papeete: walking tour
󱌍

Papeete: walking tour

5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSAR 217.18
Full-Day Bora Bora Experience with Lunch on Motu Fanfan
󱌍

Full-Day Bora Bora Experience with Lunch on Motu Fanfan

5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 7 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSAR 537.97

More things to do

French Polynesia Cruises

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27 days · Auckland - French Polynesia - United States - Canada - Vancouver

27 days · Auckland - French Polynesia - United States - Canada - Vancouver

Set sail across Asia-Pacific and the Americas, where volcanic islands and vibrant cityscapes await
4.5/5 · 17 reviews
Princess Cruises ·
Royal Princess4
Depart from Auckland
From SAR 10,302
21 days · Tahiti · Auckland - Papeete - Moorea - Kailua-Kona - Honolulu - Los Angeles

21 days · Tahiti · Auckland - Papeete - Moorea - Kailua-Kona - Honolulu - Los Angeles

Set sail across Asia-Pacific and the Americas, where volcanic islands and vibrant cityscapes await
4.5/5 · 17 reviews
Princess Cruises ·
Royal Princess4
Depart from Auckland
From SAR 6,210
49 days · Auckland - Oceania - North America - Seattle

49 days · Auckland - Oceania - North America - Seattle

4.6/5 · 6 reviews
Holland America Line ·
Westerdam3
Depart from Auckland
From SAR 27,749
32 days · Auckland - French Polynesia - United States - Samoa - Fiji - Australia - Sydney

32 days · Auckland - French Polynesia - United States - Samoa - Fiji - Australia - Sydney

4.7/5 · 18 reviews
Princess Cruises ·
Grand Princess3
Depart from Auckland
From SAR 11,355
94 days · Auckland - Oceania - North America - Asia - Auckland

94 days · Auckland - Oceania - North America - Asia - Auckland

4.7/5 · 18 reviews
Princess Cruises ·
Grand Princess3
Depart from Auckland
From SAR 39,180
8 days · Tahiti · Papeete - Taha'a - Huahine - Raiatea - Bora Bora - Moorea - Papeete

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

2 booked
Ritz-Carlton Cruises ·
Evrima5
Depart from Papeete
From SAR 37,533
9 days · Tahiti · Papeete - Moorea - Rarotonga - Raiatea - Bora Bora - Papeete

9 days · Tahiti · Papeete - Moorea - Rarotonga - Raiatea - Bora Bora - Papeete

4.1/5 · 23 reviews · 2 booked
Norwegian Cruise Line ·
Norwegian Spirit3
Depart from Papeete
From SAR 4,444
16 days · Papeete - French Polynesia - Cook Islands - Tonga - Fiji - Lautoka

16 days · Papeete - French Polynesia - Cook Islands - Tonga - Fiji - Lautoka

2.8/5 · 1 review · 1 booked
Ponant ·
PAUL GAUGUIN5
Depart from Papeete
From SAR 38,862

Free things to do in French Polynesia

Bora Bora

Bora Bora

9.4
4.8/5
80 reviews
French Polynesia · Nunu'e
Mo'orea

Mo'orea

6.5
4.9/5
46 reviews
French Polynesia · Papetoai
Matira Beach

Matira Beach

5.8
5.0/5
9 reviews
French Polynesia · Bora Bora
Tetiaroa

Tetiaroa

5.3
4.8/5
5 reviews
French Polynesia · Arue
Maraa Grotto

Maraa Grotto

4.1
French Polynesia · Paea
Marae Arahurahu

Marae Arahurahu

4
5.0/5
6 reviews
French Polynesia · Paea
Opunohu Lookout

Opunohu Lookout

3.9
French Polynesia · Papetoai
Water Gardens Vaipahi

Water Gardens Vaipahi

3.8
5.0/5
1 reviews
French Polynesia · Mataiea
Vaitape

Vaitape

3.8
French Polynesia · Nunu'e
Taravao Plateau

Taravao Plateau

3.7
5.0/5
10 reviews
French Polynesia · Afaahiti

What travellers say about French Polynesia

user-avatar
Lo1aaa12 October 2026
5.0
Bora Bora is a tropical paradise in the South Pacific, famous for its turquoise lagoon, white-sand beaches, luxury overwater villas, and the dramatic silhouette of Mount Otemanu. Often called one of the most beautiful islands in the world, it is a dream destination for couples, honeymooners, and travelers seeking extraordinary natural beauty.

Bora Bora

user-avatar
喜悦旅途22 November 2024
5.0
Day French Polynesia Moorea Moorea is one of the windward islands of the Society Islands in French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean, located 17 kilometers northwest of Tahiti. #Scenery Its name means "yellow lizard" in Polynesian. If you look at it from a bird's eye view, the shape of Moorea is similar to a triangle, but for those with a bigger imagination, it looks like a heart. Therefore, it has become a popular place for weddings and honeymoons. It is really a paradise for lovers.

Mo'orea

user-avatar
M38***9230 December 2019
5.0
A tropical paradise! Any photo you take will be as beautiful as your phone screensaver.

Matira Beach

user-avatar
coo***an22 June 2020
5.0
【View】The beauty of Tetiaroa's scenery is totally out of this world. The mountain views from the transfer boat when arriving in Bora Bora are spectacular. 【Value for money】A must visit.

Tetiaroa

user-avatar
如心如意如来4 May 2021
5.0
It's very beautiful and you must come here once in your life. Although it's very far and inconvenient to come here from Beijing, there are direct flights now, and it's easier to arrange accommodation after arriving, so it's still worth a visit. However, the cost here is very high, including the cost of air tickets, hotel accommodation, food, drink and entertainment.

Museum of Tahiti and The Islands

user-avatar
Tony淇3 August 2022
5.0
It's best to renew your visit, otherwise there will still be a lot of people queuing, especially under the scorching sun, I really can't stand it haha

The Robert Wan Pearl Museum

Trip Moments in French Polynesia

Ultimate Bora Bora Island Guide: How to Explore, Where to Stay, & What to Eat 🌴✨

Ultimate Bora Bora Island Guide: How to Explore, Where to Stay, & What to Eat 🌴✨

“Bora Bora is dream island vibes, no cap!”

@MD SHAHED IQBAL SHUHAG · boraboradream · 19 days ago
💋 BORA BORA — THE SEXIEST ISLAND ON EARTH! ❤️‍🔥🌊🌴

💋 BORA BORA — THE SEXIEST ISLAND ON EARTH! ❤️‍🔥🌊🌴

“Some places are beautiful.”

@Lo1aaa · borabora · 15 days ago
The Hermès of islands! Known for its incredible atmosphere, this place is legendary.

The Hermès of islands! Known for its incredible atmosphere, this place is legendary.

“You know that feeling!”

@Tommie Runolfsson · 4 days ago
Moorea Island: A Turquoise Sea Paradise.

Moorea Island: A Turquoise Sea Paradise.

“Moorea, French Polynesia, is a breathtaking masterpiece of nature.”

@เก้าเก้าออกเดินทาง · เกาะมูเรีย · 4 days ago

Frequently asked questions

What are the recommended tours and excursions in French Polynesia?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Small Quad Tour 2h30 Quad excursion in Moorea (single or two-seater), Tahiti Papeete East and West Coast 1-day Tour (Minimum 1 person), and Franckyfranck Tours Moorea - Half day Tours. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 13 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in French Polynesia is around SAR 66.11 – SAR 801.44. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.