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French Polynesia

French Polynesia holidays

Introduction

The islands of French Polynesia are scattered across two million square miles of the South Pacific Ocean. Its five great archipelagos offer every variation of the dream island paradise; some rise dramatically out of the blue waters, their jagged peaks stark outlines against the blue sky, others seem to barely float above the surrounding surf.

There may be more than a hundred islands to choose from, but the three archipelagos most visited are the Society Islands, comprised of Tahiti, Mo'orea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Ra'iatea and Taha'a, and tiny Maupiti; the Tuamotus, also known as 'Tahiti's Strand of Pearls'; and the Marquesas or 'Mysterious Islands', a long-loved escape of artists, writers, adventurers and musicians.

The two other island groups, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Archipelago, may well be less visited but are as postcard perfect as the rest.

The Society Islands are home to more than three-quarters of French Polynesia's population, as well as its main island, Tahiti, and administrative capital, Pape'ete.

Most visitors head straight for the white-sand bliss of Mo'orea or Bora Bora, which novelist James Michener described as ‘the most beautiful island in the world', but there's plenty to see on Tahiti too, including coastlines dotted with wild passion fruit, shadowy mountains and green river valleys, black-sand beaches and ancient archaeology.

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
18½ hours

Time zone
GMT

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

Special offers in French Polynesia

Moorea, French Polynesia

Tahitian treasures on Oceania Nautica

14-day luxury ocean cruise from £5,995 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

'Simply more' included
Book by: 31 March 2024

Discover the breathtaking islands of French Polynesia aboard Oceania Nautica. Featuring overnight stays in Bora Bora and Papeete, you'll explore myriad cultural and natural wonders in style.

Fakarava, French Polynesia

South Pacific Paradise on Seven Seas Voyager

21-day luxury ocean cruise from £9,785 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Free 3-night post-cruise New Zealand land programme
Book by: 31 March 2024

This epic three-week voyage will see you sail among the tropical shores, crystal-clear lagoons and mystical volcanic islands of French Polynesia aboard one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships.

Top itineraries in French Polynesia

MS Paul Gauguin

Society Islands & Tuamotus with Ponant

14-day tailor-made cruise holiday from £6,450 pp incl. flights

Taking in the island paradises of French Polynesia, this all-inclusive cruise aboard Le Paul Gauguin will see you travel in sheer luxury, enjoying open bars, gourmet dining and complimentary water sports in between beach relaxation and jungle treks to hidden temples.

Top places to stay in French Polynesia

Pearl Beach Resort, Mo’orea

Pearl Beach Resort, Mo'orea

Accommodation

This boutique resort sits in the grounds of the first hotel built on Mo'orea and is steeped in Polynesian history and tradition.

Intercontinental Tahiti

Intercontinental Tahiti Resort, Tahiti

Accommodation

With a long-established reputation for being the premier resorts on Tahiti, Intercontinental Resort offers guests a combination of luxury and location.

Where to go in French Polynesia

The Marquesas

The tiny archipelago of the Marquesas, known as Henua Enata - 'Land of Men' - is some 1,400 kilometres north-east of Tahiti. Despite being the most remote part of French Polynesia, it has attracted many artists, explorers and writers over the years, including Thor Heyerdahl, Jack London, Robert Lo…

Huahine

The green islands of Huahine‚ Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti are surrounded almost entirely by a protective reef, which creates a calm lagoon around them. Separated by a hair's breadth, the two islands have sheltered interiors - wild worlds of blossoming plants and rugged landscapes that remain largel…

Taha'a

Known as the ‘Vanilla Island' and shaped like a flower, Taha'a sits to the east of Bora Bora and is just across the water from its nearest and larger neighbour, Ra'iatea.

Moorea

The so-called ‘Magical Island', Mo'orea is just ten or so miles to the west of Tahiti and easy to get to either by small plane or high-speed catamaran.

See all places

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See all articles

Meet our French Polynesia experts

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Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0614 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

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