There's something truly magical about Moorea. With its soaring vertical peaks and white sandy beaches, this jewel of French Polynesia is a gentle alternative to its sister island of Tahiti. Don't miss a visit to the Tiki village, with its local festivals, singing and dancing. With epic dive sites at every turn, you can swim alongside stingrays, eagles, sharks and a host of other characters. Pick up beautiful black velvet pearls, the ones this island is famous for. With a multitude of beaches, you can soak up the freshness of Coco Beach or Opunohu Bay, or seek out your own hidden slice of paradise at Opunohu Bay. Drop anchor, swim, sip coconut water and cycle along these truly exotic shores.
Located among the Society Islands, Huahine caters to tourists with a wide range of activities. It's a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving, 4x4 island tours, historical and cultural visits and a distillery tour. Huahine is famous for its sacred eels, which visitors can feed from a bridge crossing the stream where they live.
Raiatea is known as "sacred Raiatea" and is the second largest of the Leeward Islands after Tahiti. It was once the cultural and religious capital of Eastern Polynesia, with Taputapuatea, a marae or sacred site and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the southeast of the island. Raiatea is thought to have been the starting point for the great migrations to the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand. Many tours are available on the island, including cultural and historical tours, 4x4 tours and archaeological tours. The crystal-clear sea makes the island ideal for water sports. French and local cuisine and seafood are the main dishes available, but a variety of European dishes can also be enjoyed.
Utoroa is a luxury yacht resort located in French Polynesia. A coastline of over 30 kilometers bathed in the turquoise-blue colors of the Pacific Ocean lagoons offers a myriad of options for enjoying crystal-clear waters and investing in adventure. Activities such as swimming, scuba diving, diving, jet skiing, fishing and stand-up paddling offer travelers a rich array of entertainment. After sunset, guests can enjoy the many bars and restaurants along the coast. Numerous boat rental services are available, offering a full range of options for exploring the turquoise waters around Uturoa.
The capital of Huahine, Fare is the administrative epicenter of this jewel of French Polynesia, but it's not lacking in assets. With a handful of compact but friendly banks, stores and eateries, Fare gives charter passengers a taste of local life in Huahine, as the town has not been overrun by tourism and has retained its cultural roots. It's worth visiting the pretty church with its white walls and terracotta bell tower before heading to the beach. Fare beach is spectacular, with its shallow, lagoon-like waters and sculpted green hills on the horizon.
Accessible from the neighboring island of Raiatea, Tahaa is best known for its high-quality vanilla and pearls. Less modern than the other Society Islands, Tahaa is an excellent spot for jetskiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Other activities include visits to a vanilla farm and a pearl farm, as well as day trips. French and local cuisines and seafood are the main foods available, but a variety of European dishes can also be sampled.
Bora Bora, one of the world's most romantic islands, is an ideal sailing destination for honeymoons and wedding anniversaries. Surrounded by golden sands and sparkling turquoise waters, it's a truly upmarket vacation destination. The best activities are aquatic: scuba diving, snorkeling, jetskiing, paddle-boarding, rafting, jet-boating, kayaking, shark diving and much more. On-land excursions include island tours by quad bike and 4x4. A boat trip to the Lagoonarium is well worth the effort. Bora Bora boasts a number of gourmet restaurants, as well as others offering a wide range of dishes, including sushi, French, European, Asian and other cuisines.
The port city that first welcomes you into Tahiti's warm embrace, Papeete, is well worth taking the time to explore, even when the hidden coral atolls beckon. Fall in love with the sunny yellow of Notre-Dame Cathedral, explore the colors and sounds of the Papeete market and pick up some of the famous black pearls. If you want to learn more about the pearl culture of Papeete and French Polynesia, visit the Musée de la Perle for an in-depth look at the history and culture of pearl diving. Stroll along the waterfront and lunch at a food truck on the iconic Place Vaiete. Here you'll find some of the best food trucks and shacks, not to be missed if you're craving fresh raw fish in a truly horizontal setting.