All international flights go through the main island of Tahiti, but there is more here than an airport. Explore the buzzing capital city of Papeete then head to the island’s southern half, known as Tahiti Iti, for a few nights. Here you’ll find misty jungle hiking and amazing surfing, including one of the world’s most famous and powerful waves, Teahupoo.
The most accessible of the Society Islands, Mo’orea can be reached by ferry from Tahiti and is home to soaring and jagged peaks plus the magical aqua-hued sea and overwater bungalow resorts these islands are famous for.
My favorite of the Society Islands — the most accessible group of French Polynesian islands that includes Bora Bora and Tahiti — Maupiti has some of the most beautiful water I’ve ever swum in. It’s also the least touristy of this group, and staying here feels like playing Robinson Crusoe in paradise.
The most famous island of them all, Bora Bora lives up to its reputation. There is no question it is a beautiful place with dreamy water and some amazing over-water bungalows plus delicious food and a lot of A-list visitors. It is also the most expensive of the group with high-season prices that are sky high.
Those more interested in culture than beaches will dig Ra’iatea, which has no proper beaches, but is lush, gorgeous and home to many sacred marae (like the one pictured here). It also features excellent diving and snorkeling in the surrounding lagoon.
Another wild-looking island, Taha’a has an undiscovered vibe and is home to vanilla plantations and pearl farms, plus fabulous snorkeling off its white sand motu. It also has an excellent luxury resort.
The vagina island — no joke. The rough English translation of the word huahine means vagina, and although no one knows exactly where its name originated, historians believe it has to do with the important role women played in the island’s history. There’s not a lot to do here, but the island has a subtle, lowkey charm that appeals especially to budget travelers and surfers. It has some of the cheapest beds and best breaks in French Polynesia. Oh and the sunsets here are fantastic.
In the Tuamotus group of atolls (ring-shaped islands formed by coral), otherworldly Rangiroa is home to a beautiful lagoon. Visitors can do some excellent diving and snorkeling with sharks in the open ocean passes that lead out of the calm lagoon.
In the wild and rugged Marquesas Island group, Hiva Oa is a place where you can ride horses through verdant green valleys or follow the trail of French post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin.
Another very remote island in the otherworldly Marquesas, Nuku Hiva is an eco-tourism destination — a place to hike across windswept ridges into ancient volcanic craters.
