Things to do in French Polynesia

25 things to do in French Polynesia

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Snorkel with blacktip reef sharks and stingrays in Bora Bora lagoon

  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.

  Bora Bora

• Hike to the Belvedere Lookout on Moorea

  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.

  Moorea

• Visit the Marché de Papeete for local crafts and produce

  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.

  Papeete, Tahiti

• Explore the sacred marae of Taputapuatea on Ra'iatea

  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.

  Ra'iatea

• Swim with humpback whales off Moorea (seasonal)

  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.

  Moorea

• Dive with manta rays in Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass

  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.

  Rangiroa

• Relax on Matira Beach, Bora Bora's only public beach

  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.

  Bora Bora

• Kayak or paddleboard across the crystal lagoon of Huahine

  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.

  Huahine

• Take a 4x4 safari to the Arahoho Blowhole and Tahiti's lush interior

  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.

  Tahiti

• Sample poisson cru at the Papeete roulottes by the waterfront

  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.

  Papeete, Tahiti

• Watch a traditional fire knife dance at Tiki Village, 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.

  Moorea

• Visit the Paul Gauguin Museum on Tahiti

  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.

  Papeari, Tahiti

• Drift snorkel the Coral Garden of Taha'a

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

  Taha'a

• Explore the archaeological site of Marae Arahurahu on Tahiti

  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.

  Paea, Tahiti

• Go deep-sea fishing for tuna, mahi-mahi and marlin off Tahiti

  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.

  Tahiti (Marina Taina)

• Chase the three cascades of Faarumai Waterfalls

  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.

  Tahiti (Tiarapu)

• Join a lagoon tour and motu picnic with a Tahitian feast in Bora Bora

  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.

  Bora Bora

• Learn about vanilla at Domaine de la Vanilleraie on Taha'a

  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.

  Taha'a

• Marvel at the sacred blue-eyed eels of Faie Bay, Huahine

  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.

  Faie, Huahine

• Dine at the legendary Bloody Mary's restaurant in Bora Bora

  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.

  Bora Bora

• Paddle an outrigger canoe at sunset in Cook's Bay, Moorea

  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.

  Moorea

• Dive the Shark Wall in Fakarava's south pass

  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.

  Fakarava

• Visit the Robert Wan Pearl Museum in Papeete

  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.

  Papeete, Tahiti

• Take a glass-bottom boat tour over Bora Bora's coral gardens

  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.

  Bora Bora

• Stroll through the Harrison Smith Botanical Garden and Gauguin's house

  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.

  Papeari, Tahiti