Are you itching for a tropical getaway? Located in the South Pacific are the 121 islands that make up the beautiful territory of French Polynesia. Most commonly visited by tourists are the islands of Tahiti, Mo’orea and Bora Bora. Surrounded by glistening, aquamarine waters, this is a destination that should be at the top of every travelers bucket list.
Tahiti: Things To Do
Shop the Papeete Market
Papeete, French Polynesia’s largest city, is filled with lively vendors and friendly locals. Vibrant and colorful, the municipal market offers handmade goods and native produce. Throughout the multi-story building, visitors can shop a variety of prismatic clothing and jewelry, hand-carved sculptures, beautifully bundled flowers and fresh Polynesian dishes.
Take Home an Authentic Tahitian Pearl
One of my favorite experiences was at the Tahiti Pearl Market. The salesman, Paco, educated me on the four S’s of pearl classification: size, shape, surface and shine. After examining a handful of different sizes and colors, I picked my very own Tahitian pearl to take home. Paco wrapped my new treasure in a box and even included a stamped letter of authenticity.
Take a Ferry to Mo’orea
Papeete Ferry Terminal offers frequent transportation to the neighboring island of Mo’orea. For approximately $60, walk-on passengers can purchase a round trip ticket. If you choose to take a vehicle across, it can quickly become expensive. The ferry ride takes 30 minutes port to port. Passengers can freely roam the decks and purchase refreshments on board.
Hike Fa’aruma’i Falls
Located on the north end of Tahiti is the magnificent 262 ft (80m) Fa’aruma’i Falls. A wandering dog lead the short walk from the parking lot to the roaring cascade surrounded by luscious greenery.
Watch the Sunset at Point Venus
A short drive from downtown Papeete lies the only lighthouse on Tahiti. Built in 1867 from rubble and coral, this unique landmark provides a landing place for many explorers. The surrounding area offers picnic tables and wide open beachfront, making it the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Pacific.
Walk Along the Black Sand Beaches
Tahiti is home to many black sand beaches. At Taharuu Beach visitors can experience a relaxed, local ambiance. I walked along the shore while the warm ocean waves tried to sweep me off my feet. Make sure to pack sandals – the black sand is HOT!
Mo’orea: Things To Do
Ride a Scooter
The best (and most fun) way to get around the island of Mo’orea is by scooter. Directly across the street from the ferry terminal is Moorea Scooter, a small shipping container that provides all-day scooter rentals for $50-60. Driving the scooter around the entire island of Mo’orea was by far my favorite memory from the trip! Simply email or message the WhatsApp number on the website for availability and reservations.
Visit Belvedere Lookout
Belvedere Lookout is a must-visit spot on the island that offers serene views of Mount Rotui. There are two routes that take you to the top: Opunohu Bay route and Cook’s Bay route. I made the mistake of directing my friend up Cook’s Bay route. Although it’s a shortcut, this rough, unpaved trail isn’t made for scooters. Be sure to take the paved, scenic route up the hill from Opunohu Bay.
At the lookout I met a family who makes their living by selling coconuts to tourists for five dollars. They hand cut each fruit and provide straws for drinking the delicious coconut water. When you’re finished, they slice the shell in half so you can carve and eat the white “meat” inside. This experience opened my eyes to the simplicity of Polynesian life.
Sample Sweet Treats
To my surprise, located five minutes down the hill from Belvedere Lookout is Lycée Agricole Opunohu: an agricultural high school. The campus shop is the perfect pit stop for taste testing homemade jams, juices and sherbet.
Tour Rotui Juice Factory and Distillery
A well-known product of French Polynesia is the Tahiti Drink. Manutea, offers self-guided tours to see how the alcoholic mixed cocktail is made. The short excursion is followed by a flavorful tasting of popular juices, rums and whiskeys in the main building. This entirely free experience should be added to everyone’s itinerary.
Travel
When visiting Tahiti, travelers must first fly into the city of Papeete (PPT). Click here to use my favorite interactive flight map to plan your route. I flew round trip from Los Angeles (LAX) on Delta Airlines.
If you’re looking to visit more of French Polynesia, Air Tahiti and Air Moana offer flights to multiple islands including the most popular, Bora Bora (BOB) and Mo’orea (MOZ).
Lodging
Wanting to get out of the hustle and bustle, I chose to stay 15 minutes south of downtown. I found a beautiful guest suite with a pool and incredible views through Airbnb. The property offers simple self check-in, a luxurious patio and a private outdoor shower. The host, Chebi, was welcoming and helpful throughout my entire stay. Here is the link to Chebi’s hillside oasis.
Dining
Lou Pescadou is a restaurant that specializes in Italian cuisine. Their menu includes a variety of mouth-watering pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a handful of grilled entrée options. My pizza of choice was the Chèvre Miel, or Goat Honey, which was topped with homemade tomato sauce, Emmental, mozzarella, goat cheese and honey.
CJ’s Stone Grill provides a unique dining experience. Guests are given the opportunity to cook their choice of meat on a hot stone. I ordered the Stone of the Sea, a dish that included meka fish (swordfish), scallops, shrimp and salmon. View their English menu here.
Les Rêves de Lucie is a dreamy French bakery located downtown Papeete. With a display case full of confectionary creations, you can’t walk past this vibrantly decorated without stopping in for a treat. I ordered a slice of lemon cake to go, it was delicious!
If you’re in search of snacks, be sure to visit Champion Supermarket. I tried a variety of chips, crackers and candies I had never seen before. You can also purchase warm, ready-to-eat pastries, chicken skewers, rice bowls and more.
Transportation
Although a car isn’t necessary to get around downtown, I highly recommend it if you’re looking to explore the entire island. Avis Pacificar provided me with an easy experience with no surprise fees. They offer unlimited kilometers, where other rental companies did not. The freedom of driving wherever I wanted was definitely worth the price.
Scooters are a popular way to get around the islands. There are many rental companies that offer affordable day rates. If you’re traveling to Mo’orea, contact Moorea Scooter via email or WhatsApp for availability. Operating from a literal shipping container, this local business will have you buzzing around the island in no time.
An easy way to get to Mo’orea is by ferry. Travelers can take a 30 minute ride across the channel from the Papeete Ferry Terminal. All day parking is available next to the terminal for under $20. Simply purchase your ticket at the counter, board the ship and off you go!
From black sand beaches to hilltop coconuts, French Polynesia has something for everyone. If you’re searching for a relaxing getaway or high-energy fun in the sun be sure to put this tropical paradise at the top of your destinations list!
Love Always.
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