Things to do in French Polynesia

Wade into waist-deep turquoise water at a sandbar inside Bora Bora's world-famous lagoon, where gentle blacktip sharks and stingrays glide right up to you.

Trek through lush tropical forest to a panoramic viewpoint high above Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, revealing Moorea's iconic jagged peaks and deep blue lagoon.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant two-story market in downtown Papeete, where stalls overflow with tropical fruits, fragrant tiare flowers, handcrafted monoi oil and woven pandanus hats.

Walk among ancient stone platforms and coral altars at this UNESCO World Heritage site, the most important ceremonial complex in Polynesia, set beside a serene lagoon.

Slip into the open ocean and experience the unforgettable sight of humpback whales and their calves swimming gracefully beneath you, a thrilling July-to-November encounter.

Descend into the swift channel of Tiputa Pass, where graceful manta rays, dolphins and schooling sharks cruise the current in one of the world's greatest drift dives.

Sink your toes into powdery white sand and wade into calm, shallow water at this mile-long crescent of perfect beach backed by palms and local snack stands.

Glide over glass-clear water past quiet motus and coral heads, often with the lagoon entirely to yourself, on the less-visited but intensely beautiful island of Huahine.

Bounce along volcanic tracks to the thunderous Arahoho Blowhole, then plunge into fern-filled valleys, past waterfalls and ancient marae on a rugged back-country tour.

Join locals at the nightly gathering of food trucks on Place Vai'ete, ordering classic poisson cru au lait de coco while the sun sets behind Moorea.

Spend an evening in a recreated Polynesian village where drumming, dance and a spectacular fire knife show bring ancestral legends to life under the stars.

Discover the life and work of the post-impressionist painter in a serene botanical setting, with reproductions of his vibrant Tahitian canvases and a reconstructed artist's studio.

Let the gentle current carry you between two idyllic motus through shallow passes teeming with vivid hard coral canyons and clouds of butterflyfish.

Visit a beautifully restored open-air temple with massive stone altars and tiki statues, set beneath towering banyan trees, where important ceremonies once took place.

Board a sport-fishing boat from Marina Taina and head into the deep blue ocean beyond the reef to test your strength against hard-fighting pelagic fish.

A short walk through thick vegetation leads to the towering Vaimahuta fall, then up to the twin Haamarere iti and rahi, roaring in a lush, rain-fed valley.

Cruise across the multicolored lagoon to a tiny palm-fringed motu, where you'll snorkel, relax and enjoy a lunch of grilled fish, poisson cru and tropical fruits cooked underground.

Tour a fragrant plantation on the 'Vanilla Island' to see how delicate vanilla orchids are hand-pollinated and cured, then sample vanilla-infused rum and honey.

Stand on the bridge over a clear stream and watch enormous freshwater eels with striking blue eyes rise to the surface, fed by locals in a centuries-old tradition.

Step onto a sand floor and choose your fresh seafood from the ice display at this iconic celebrity-frequented bar and grill, set in a palm-thatched A-frame.

Learn the traditional Polynesian va'a paddle technique while gliding over calm water as the sky explodes into orange and pink behind the silhouette of Mount Rotui.

Enter the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve's wild southern channel and witness a constant stream of grey reef sharks, along with barracuda and grouper, on a pristine wall dive.

Delve into the history, science and art of Tahitian cultured pearls at this free museum, featuring rare specimens and the world's largest Tahitian pearl.

Stay dry while peering into a living aquarium beneath the boat's glass floor, gliding over vibrant coral formations and spotting tropical fish in the lagoon's clearest spots.

Wander paths lined with tropical trees and water lilies at the garden that inspired Paul Gauguin, visiting his reconstructed house and the adjacent Gauguin Museum.