Visiting French Polynesia is probably on your bucket list, but you may not be able to find a whole lot of information about the destination outside of the resorts. Here are some French Polynesia travel tips for your vacation to Tahiti, Mo’orea, or Bora Bora that will help you have the best trip while respecting the local people, culture, ecosystem, and wildlife!
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Where is French Polynesia?
French Polynesia is a chain of islands and atolls in the South Pacific. Roughly three to four thousand miles from the west coast of the USA and Australia, these islands are pretty remote and take a while to get to. Once there, paradise awaits you with some of the most incredible views you can imagine.
There are over a hundred islands and atolls (a ring shaped island surrounding a lagoon) that comprise French Polynesia, but the most commonly visited include Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Rangiroa.
How to get to French Polynesia
The easiest way to get to French Polynesia is by flying. While you *could* sail, it’s well over a month long journey. Credit card points are a great way to save some money and book the long haul flight to Tahiti’s international airport, since the cost can add up pretty quickly. You can book through most major airlines to Tahiti, but will be likely connecting via AirFrance or Air Tahiti. You’ll land at the Fa’a’ā International Airport, located in Papeete, Tahiti.
From Los Angeles, you’ll board an 8.5 hour flight across the Pacific. If you’re traveling from the east coast of the US like I was, your travel time may be closer to 24+ hours in total. Plan for longer layovers, as the big international airports can have connections across the entire property in a totally different terminal.
From Papeete, you can grab a ferry over to Mo’orea. Bora Bora also has a ferry, but there are domestic flights operated by AirTahiti many times a day. To get to the more remote atolls, you may need to book separate travel such as ferry, sea plane, or small domestic island hopper plane
When to visit French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a year-round tropical destination, so it’s never a bad time to visit the Polynesian Islands. The “best” time to visit French Polynesia is between June and September, as that is peak dry season, and temperatures are a bit cooler with less rain. Whale season runs from July to November, so if swimming with whales is your goal, aim to visit between August and November, as interactions outside of this time is limited to boat or shore viewing only.
Languages Spoken in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is home to a variety of different languages and dialects, including Tahitian, French, English, and many different Polynesian languages. When traveling to Tahiti and her sister islands, you can get away with only speaking English, but it is helpful to know some common phrases in French or the native tongues. Not everyone speaks strong English outside of the resort areas, so some translating may be necessary.
A couple common Polynesian phrases used around the Tahitian islands include:
- Ia Ora Na – Hello (pronounced yo-rah-nah), a polite way of greeting the Polynesian people
- Mauru’ uru – thank you (pronounced mah-ru-ru – slight roll to the “R” sound, similar to “rouge”), a polite way of expressing gratitude
- Motu – island, commonly heard when referring to excursions or tours
Some French terms you may hear on island include:
- Merci – thank you
- Bonjour – hello
- Non – no
- Oui – yes
- Parlez-vous anglais? (Pronounced parlay vu an-gles) – Do you speak english?
While these are just a couple phrases to get you started, the Polynesian people seem to greatly appreciate any efforts to understand their culture, and starting with these phrases can help you navigate this multilingual country well.
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Mo’orea Whale Swim: Travel Guide
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Currency and Tipping in French Polynesia
Payment in French Polynesia is conducted with the CFP, or the Polynesian Franc. This currency is going to be the one utilized in the islands, and is typically 100CFP to 1 USD conversion (but check current market and local conversion rates. While credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are accepted most places, having cash on hand is a good practice. If you love searching local markets, traveling off the beaten path, or adding gratuity, carrying cash in the local currency is a great idea.
Note when you arrive, that only $200 USD is allowed to be transferred to CFP in the Tahiti (PPT) airport. Some places, especially the more touristy or resort areas, may accept US dollars, but the exchange rate may not be ideal. The best practice would be to exchange within the states, your last chance will likely be LAX or SFO, depending on your flight schedule. Speaking from experience, it is a good idea to transfer before your layover, incase of delays.
While in French Polynesia, it is not customary to tip, but is always invited. Some restaurants may include a service fee, but any additional tips are not expected like in some other destinations. It is always a great way to show your appreciation to your tour guides, waitstaff, and hotel staff, but is up to your discretion. It is important to note, especially if you are heading to the local markets, that bartering is considered rude in any market in French Polynesia.
Health and Safety in French Polynesia
Is it safe to drink the water in French Polynesia? Drinking water in French Polynesia can vary between islands. While generally safe in Tahiti, it is a safer option to boil any water for drinking, or purchase bottles of water. While bottled water is not my first choice, purchasing drinking water in large gallons is a great way to have a more sustainable bottled water option. With the big jugs, you can refill your reusable water bottle many times!
It is also important to note that ciguatera is a risk for seafood sickness in the islands. Ciguatera is typically caught by consuming contaminated reef fish, so talk with your doctor before visiting French Polynesia to discuss your risks.
Mosquitos are a common occurrence in the islands, so be sure to bring a mosquito repellant or wipes, and ensure your accommodation has either closed doors, screens, or mosquito netting.
Sun poisoning is also a risk in French Polynesia. Avoid this by wearing reef safe (non-nano, mineral based sunscreen), and covering exposed areas with hats, sunglasses, sun shirts, or the shade of a palm!
French Polynesia is considered a safe destination for visitors, but be sure to take normal precautions as you would traveling anywhere!
Cultural Tokens in Polynesia
When you arrive in French Polynesia, you’ll likely be greeted with a flower necklace, called a lei. This is a token of welcome to the islands, and can appear in many different designs.
If you see women or men wearing flowers in their ears, it has significant meaning about the person’s love life. A flower worn on the left side means that the person is taken, and/or in love, while a flower on the right side means the person wearing the flower is single.
If you hope to wear a flower crown while in the islands, note that this is a cultural significance, offering a sign of welcome from the locals. The flower crown may be elaborate, or simple, but is a way to celebrate the beauty of the islands, it’s visitors, and the overall welcome that the Polynesian Islands offer.
When you go to depart the islands, you may be donned with a shell necklace. Similar to the lei, the shell necklace symbolizes the journey of leaving the Tahitian Islands. Since the shell necklace will not wilt like the lei, it is commonly given as a parting gift to remind you of your time in the Polynesian Islands.
What to Pack for French Polynesia
If you’re packing for French Polynesia, it’s safe to pack like you would for any tropical destination, with a few additional items. I have an entire list of eco-friendly essentials for a tropical destination here, but some good things to pack for Tahiti and her sister islands include:
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Swimsuits
- Comfortable shoes for exploring such as Tevas
- A light sweater or kimono for evenings that may be chilly
- Bug spray (I like the Off Botanicals wipes, they work well and are easy to travel with!)
- A long sleeve neoprene top or spring suit for chillier water temperatures
- Lightweight, layerable outfits such as cotton or linen
- Snorkel gear (if you own your own)
- Electrical socket adapter and/or a voltage converter
While this is by no means an extensive list, it includes some of the essentials to get your packing for the islands started!
Want to find the best tours in French Polynesia? Click here to browse tours!
Where to stay in French Polynesia
Find your best resort or hotel stay for: Tahiti, Mo’orea, Bora Bora, or Rangiroa here!
Depending on the island(s) that you visit, there are a variety of different accommodations to choose from. Bora Bora is famous for it’s overwater bungalows, Mo’orea has one of my favorite resort stays, Tahiti offers many accommodation options. If hotels and resorts aren’t your choice in stays, there are yacht charters available. There are also many stays offered on sites like AirBnb where you can book villas, bungalows, or other unique accommodations.
How to travel between French Polynesian Islands
There are a few options when island hopping between the major islands and atolls. You can take the ferry, which is the most budget-friendly and flexible option. This ferry typically departs from Tahiti, and has a schedule traveling to Mo’orea, Bora Bora, and other minor islands. Alternatively, for a more luxurious and faster travel option, you can hop aboard a sea plane or small aircraft to travel between islands.
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