French Polynesia is a beautiful country to visit and there are plenty of fun things to do while you are there. It is a French overseas territory and archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean, comprised of 118 islands and atolls.
You’ll want to experience as much of this fantastic culture as possible and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of daily life. The weather won’t let you down either, so you should limit the time you spend in your hotel room as much as possible and make the most of visiting such a wonderful collection of islands.
And with so many island destinations to choose from, including Tahiti, Bora Bora, Cook’s Bay, and Mangareva, you’ll find yourself busy enjoying yourself from morning to evening.
So, here are the top 10 things to do in French Polynesia.
Visit Mount Otemanu
If you are looking for a stunning view then Mount Otemanu in Bora Bora is a must-see. It is the jagged remains of an ancient volcano that completely dominates a phenomenal turquoise lagoon.
You may even get a good look at Mount Otemanu from your plane as you arrive, but that is nothing compared to physically going to see it.
The rocky expanse of the volcano rises 2,385 feet into the air and can be seen from all over the island. Though you can’t go right to the top, Mount Otemanu is still a popular hiking destination.
You can book in to have a local tour guide take you on a hike to the base. If you would prefer a less high-endurance trip then you could go for a walk across the island and observe it from several different viewpoints.
Even though it is just a rocky expanse, the view will take your breath away, and it will also satisfy those of you who love to see a little bit of history when they travel abroad.
Spend Time On Matira Beach
Another fantastic place to visit in Bora Bora is Matira Beach. It is perhaps one of the most picturesque beaches in all of French Polynesia and you won’t want your day there to end. There are 1.6 kilometers of pristine white sand that stretch along the southernmost tip of the island.
Matira is actually one of Bora Bora’s only public-access beaches, so definitely make the most of the sun, sea, and sand. And there is a lot more to do than just enjoying the beach. There is a series of waterfront restaurants, boutiques, and tour operators to occupy almost every interest you may have.
You can arrange to go snorkeling in the deeper waters of the lagoon and experience the wonders of the offshore barrier reef. A walk along the length of the beach will have you wishing that it went on for longer because there is natural beauty every way that you turn.
But if you just want to spend some time relaxing in the sunshine or the shade, get some snacks from one of the nearby eateries and recline with a cold drink to watch the sunset.
Experience Fautaua Waterfall
If you want to be further wowed by the natural beauty of French Polynesia then you should definitely make time to see the Fautaua Waterfall in Tahiti. It is one of the tallest in the world, with more than 980 feet of picture-perfect rock and water located in the Fautaua Valley.
The waterfall flows down into an enchanting pool at the bottom of the volcanic cliffs, making this sight an entire scene that you will not want to miss.
Sightseeing at Fautaua Waterfall will have to be a full-day trip because it is an arduous hike to get to it. You would be the safest undertaking this hike with a tour guide because it is quite a trek and you don’t want to get lost.
You’ll need to prepare ahead of time and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. Wear sturdy shoes with good grips as well.
But this will all be worth it when you get to the falls and take in that immense scenery. Though fairly tiring, the hike through the Fautaua Valley is wonderful as well, so you won’t be robbed of picturesque views at all.
You can get an incredible view of the waterfall when you reach the clearing at the foot of the cliffs. It is super relaxing to just sit and listen to the water for a while.
Enlighten Yourself at Bora Bora Turtle Centre
If you love turtles and also love learning things then Bora Bora Turtle Centre is a fabulous laidback attraction to spend some time at. You will doubtlessly be impressed by all the effort taken by the Bora Bora government to rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles.
It is incredibly sobering to learn more about the conservation of animals and sea life, especially since only one or two out of a thousand turtles born live to adulthood. You can spend time watching all the turtles swimming and learn a lot about them from the marine biologists who work with them.
Also, you can watch a feeding session (these are held at 10:30 am daily), listen to personal stories about individual turtles, see the turtle hospital, and even swim with them. There are also some other sea animals that you will be able to see.
One thing to research before visiting is if the center is open because the pandemic did cause a lot of places to close. But if it is open as usual then this is a fun and interesting activity to do.
The center depends on tourist money and donations to stay running, so definitely let the staff know how much you appreciated your visit.
Explore The Maraa Grotto
This natural sight really does feel like something out of a fairytale and you’ll hardly be able to believe that it is real. Located in Tahiti, the Maraa Grotto is surrounded by beautiful greenery, fascinating caves, and tranquil freshwater pools.
The Grotto itself is hidden deeper into the forest, so you can spend some time exploring all of the vegetation on the way. You’ll feel like you’re losing yourself to the sublime otherworldliness of the greenery.
A picnic is a great idea because there are so many lovely spots to sit. This is a great experience for couples, friends, and families. It is also a must-see for fans of Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin because he greatly appreciated the waters of the area.
There is a private island tour that takes you across Tahiti and includes a visit to the Maraa Grotto, but if you would like to spend more time there then definitely carve out some time to visit the area by yourself.
The Maraa Grotto and all its surrounding natural wonders really are a nature lover’s dream. From the ferny entrances to the caves to the pools, this is a simple yet stunning location.
Admire Art In The Galerie Van Der Heyde
Located in Cook’s Bay, this gallery specializes in the paintings of Dutch artist Aad Van Der Heyde, as well as jewelry, souvenirs, black pearls, and South Pacific artifacts.
A visit to the gallery will allow you to take a break from exerting yourself on hot walks and see one of French Polynesia’s most unique attractions. For those who love art, a visit to the Galerie Van Der Heyde will be fascinating and some time well spent.
The paintings are all displayed outside in a garden setting, so you can appreciate the art against the beauty of the landscape. You can also purchase some lovely jewelry to remember your visit and will learn a lot about Aad Van Der Heyde.
There are lots of nice places in Cook’s Bay nearby to get food and drink, so you can incorporate this gallery into a day trip.
This gallery will transport you out of the busy everyday life of French Polynesia and allow you to spend some quiet time learning about art on a nice, private spot on a hill.
Immerse Yourself In The Lagoonarium
Of course, one of the main things associated with French Polynesia is its beautiful waters. If you really want to experience them to their fullest then definitely book yourself onto a tour of the Bora Bora Lagoonarium.
It is actually one of the island’s motus (a small island that is part of the outer ring of the lagoon) and is called the Lagoonarium because it is essentially an outdoor aquarium, so you can enjoy the experience without the sea life being kept behind glass.
Seeing sea creatures in their natural habitat is truly breathtaking and you can swim with sharks, rays, turtles, and tropical fish. You can also watch a feeding session for the animals and then have a feeding session of your own with a tropical barbecue.
There are several different tours that you can book to visit the Lagoonarium, including 6-hour snorkeling and lunch experience.
There are multitudes of phenomenal things to see, so spending as long as possible on one of these tours will not have you bored for a minute. There is something truly wonderful about getting to witness these sea creatures happy and free in their natural environment.
Have An Adventure On Magic Mountain
This is another very physical trip, but the spectacular view is more than worth the climb. Unlike Mount Otemanu, you can hike right to the top of Magic Mountain in Moorea.
You may seek out a tour guide to take you on this hike as well for your safety and direction, but it is not too arduous a hike to do by yourself. You can take a whole day to dedicate to this hike so that you don’t have to rush and can admire every stretch of the mountain on the way.
The trail is quite lovely too, with plenty of tranquil greenery and a very obvious path to follow. When you get to the top, look out over Moorea and take in just how high up you are.
You may encounter some ATV or quad traffic on your hike, but it shouldn’t be too busy. You can even take an ATV tour yourself if you would prefer not to walk, and you can cool off when you get back to the base with some juice from one of the juice stands.
The stunning scenery is one of the main reasons that people visit French Polynesia, so you really cannot leave Moorea without taking in the expanse of the island from this unrivaled viewpoint.
Take In Some History At Point Venus
If you are looking for a secluded spot to spend a relaxing day then pay a visit to Point Venus in Tahiti.
It is a lovely volcanic beach with some great history behind it because it was the landing site of two famous explorers: Captain Cook and Captain William Bligh, both of whom have monuments dedicated to them there.
Tahiti’s only lighthouse dominates the approach to the beach and the peaceful fishing boats in the water only add to this idyllic feel.
Unfortunately, you cannot go inside the lighthouse, but it is a lovely enough view from the outside and admired architecture that was built in 1867.
The area is popular with fishermen and swimmers alike, so don’t feel shy about going for a dip to cool off. You can recline in the shade and take in the landscape to your heart’s content.
This is a great way to take in some subtle history in a way that is also completely relaxing, so there really is something for everyone. Compared to some of the packed beaches elsewhere in French Polynesia, Point Venus feels like a hideaway.
Remember The Past At The Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Rikitea
This neo-Gothic church was built on Mangareva Island and completed in 1848. It really does take your breath away to look at such a building, so definitely stop by and admire this church if you are visiting Mangareva.
It was built under the auspices of the Picpus Fathers by Father Cyprien Liausu. Native workers did all the work to build the church, so it is important to reflect on that when visiting. And for such a remote island in French Polynesia when compared with Bora Bora and Tahiti, this church is quite a large sight to see.
You can admire every inch of the church both inside and out because it is so detailed and so much effort went into every carving that you see. The inside is treated incredibly respectfully and is a lovely space to duck out of the sun and admire more old architecture.
Even if you do not usually visit churches, you can make an exception for the Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Rikitea and its fantastic architecture.
Taking time to visit a more remote island like Mangareva in French Polynesia will offer up special gems, like this church, that you’ll be glad you didn’t miss. There really is so much to see and do, but you should make sure that you don’t overlook or neglect the smaller sights.
Travel Tips
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in all of our travel plans, so you’ll have to ensure that you follow all the current travel advice to a tee if you are planning on traveling in 2021.
At the moment, local measures are still in place in French Polynesia due to the French government’s plans to limit the spread of Coronavirus. You must also pay attention to the travel advice of your own government to make sure you aren’t breaking any rules by going on holiday.
If and when you decide to travel to French Polynesia, the easiest way to access the islands is to book a flight. The major airports in French Polynesia include Bora Bora Airport, Faa’a International Airport, Mo’orea Airport, Rangiroa Airport, and Raiatea Airport.
You can then travel between different islands on water shuffles, boats, and ferries. A lot of companies offer daily water shuffles between Tahiti and Mo’orea, and Mo’orea Ferry provides a regular service between Tahiti, Mo’orea, and the surrounding islands.
Accommodation
You have a seemingly endless number of choices for accommodation during your trip as well.
Of course, your accommodation depends on the island you would like to stay on, but some great options to consider are the Raiatea Lodge Hotel, the Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora, the Brando in Tahiti, the Vahine Island Resort in Taha’a, and the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.
All these accommodations are idyllic, magical places to stay and you will be constantly surrounded by the beauty of French Polynesia.
Summary
With those tips and recommendations in mind, you should absolutely make plans to visit French Polynesia as soon as you can!
There is so much to see and do, and this vibrant culture will have you busy all day long. There is history, recreation, luxury, and a fantastic natural landscape to explore, so French Polynesia should definitely be on everyone’s travel bucket list.