Here is some general information about French Polynesia, her islands, and various other tidbits about travel to the islands. You can find a detailed review of my travels in my reviews on my
website, but most of the information is unbiased and gathered through hours of research and training. This is just a quickie research lesson for those wanting to know more before making the big honeymoon or vacation decision!
The two most important things to figure out before you set out to do research on the French Polynesian islands are a) what is my budget? And b) when do I want to travel? Once you have these two things figured out, you can begin doing research to decide on an itinerary. It’s very important to narrow down the island choices, because there are so many to choose from! The best place to begin your research is the
Tahiti Tourism website. This website gives a run down on each island, what those islands have to offer, what resorts are located on those islands, and some packages that include various island and resort combinations that give an idea of pricing. When doing my own research, for example, I found that Moorea did not really appeal to me for a first trip, but Taha’a did, so that helped me narrow it down some. For my second trip, I wanted more seclusion, more relaxation, and the opportunity for some world class diving/snorkeling, so I chose Tikehau and Rangiroa. The third time, I decided on Moorea because I only had 5 nights and it’s the closest to Papeete.
It’s suggested by many that you stick to 1 or 2 islands for a stay of up to 10 days, and no less than 3 nights per island. Of course, if you have the budget and the time for a vacation of 2 weeks, 3 islands would work perfectly in an itinerary. If you are truly serious about going, I also suggest picking up the Tahiti and French Polynesia Guide, 5th Edition, by Jan Prince. It’s one of the best travel guides for French Polynesia out there and it is very up to date since it was just released in May 2008. Once you have the length of your stay, what islands, and what resorts appeal to you, begin getting quotes for your trip from several travel agents.
Bora Bora is the quintessential Polynesian paradise. It’s where everyone wants to travel and it’s the island you see in all of the pictures. It’s gorgeous and a must-see at least once, but keep in mind that it is the priciest island in French Polynesia and the most touristy. Here is a brief rundown what I personally thought of the resorts in Bora Bora:
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St. Regis Bora Bora: Open since 2007, it’s considered by many to be the most exclusive resort in Bora Bora. The St. Regis boasts some of the most well appointed bungalows, personal butlers, and top of line cuisine and spa treatments. Rooms are either beach or overwater bungalows and are the most expensive rooms in French Polynesia to date. The resort even has a $15,000 a night Royal Bungalow!
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Hilton Bora Bora Nui: One of the upscale and more expensive resorts in French Polynesia with fancy, top-notch amenities and expansive grounds. It does, however, lack a view of the main island from most of their bungalows and it is also one of the largest and most Americanized of the resorts. It was just taken over by the Hilton group, and they have already added two spectacular two story Presidential bungalows! They have also hired on a new American spa manager, who is turning the spa into one of the most gorgeous places in the South Pacific!
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Hotel Bora Bora: the oldest and most well-known resort, it is known for its top notch service and large rooms. This hotel is located on the main island, as opposed to a private motu, so no spectacular view and some of the amenities are across the street (it does not have a pool, though.)
NOTE: This resort is currently closed for complete renovations. It is expected to reopen sometime beyond 2012
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Le Meridien: On the “honeymoon row” side of Bora Bora, it has the most incredible view of Mt. Otemanu and one of the largest white sand beaches of any resort in Bora Bora. While there is no snorkeling around the OWBs, the resort has a turtle lagoon near the beach bungalows. The beach bungalows are the largest and most open bungalows at the resort and are favored over the OWBs, especially since they recently expanded them into beach villas with giant lap pools. It is worth noting that if you book them as a “beach bungalow” and not a “beach villa” that privacy may be an issue. This resort is also located on the opposite side of the main island from the main village, Vaitape .
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Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort: Formally known as the Sofitel Marara and Sofitel Motu, this resort offers perhaps the smallest and most intimate private island experience in Bora Bora. Both the Sofitel main island resort and the Private Island have a decent view and excellent snorkeling opportunities. Both properties under went renovations to bring the resort as a whole up to more luxury standards, but note that the pool and the larger restaurants are on the main island property. The wedding chapel was recently completed and is located up on a hill on the private island. It has 360 degree views of the island of Bora Bora and when the hotel is not hosting a wedding, they offer champagne at sunset to their guests at this unique site.
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Le Moana Beach Resort: Formerly known as the InterContinental Beachcomber, Le Moana is a 4.5 star resort that has middle of the road prices. The beach there is second to Le Meridien and the view is good, depending on the accommodations you choose. The Moana is also on the main island, so it has easy access to Matira Point, but doesn’t give the private feel of a motu. Le Moana’s main selling point is that it has an on-demand, complimentary shuttle to the Thalasso and it has exchange privileges with the the hotel, so you can dine at the Thalasso or use their spa throughout your stay, but not pay the hefty room rates. Also, Le Moana is very intimate and is essentially staffed by two Polynesian families, so it really makes you feel like you are intertwined with the local culture.
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InterContinental Thalasso Resort and Spa: One of the newer resorts on the island, it opened in 2006 and is built around the premise of the water. It is located just next to Le Meridien. While this resort may be ecologically friendly, it most certainly is not budget friendly. The resort only has OWBs and prices range from a good value for the emerald OWB to quite pricey for the Diamond OWBs. The spa is also worth mentioning, as it is very high-tech and offers many hydrotherapy treatments. As I mentioned above, you are able to take a complimentary shuttle over to Le Moana to dine at the hotel or to have access to the main island, which makes you feel a bit more connected to activities.
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Pearl Beach: The Pearl Beach is hands down the best value for your money just because of it’s view. The authentic OWBs are nice, yet not extremely luxurious, but are still well-appointed. The Pearl is a smaller resort than most and is somewhat removed from the rest of the resorts and Vaitape, but it has a view similar to Le Meridien. The Pearl does lack decent snorkeling opportunities, though. The Mandara Spa is perhaps a hidden gem there, as it only offers Polynesian treatments in a very sensual setting.
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Bora Bora Lagoon Resort: Another 4.5-5 star and less well known, but on the same motu as the Nui. The BBLR has also been recently renovated and most people are extremely happy with their stay there, but the location is prone to boat traffic since it is right across from Vaitape and the cruise port.
NOTE: This resort is currently closed indefinitely. I will keep you updated.
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Le MaiTai Polynesia: The best 3 star resort on the island, Le MaiTai is a wonderful choice for those seeking to do Bora Bora on a tighter budget. It is on the main island and the bungalows aren’t as well-appointed, but they are clean and well taken care of and the staff is friendly according to those who have been. The beach bungalows and the overwater bungalows are the absolute best value on the property and perhaps in Bora Bora. Le MaiTai just starting offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as select beverages, in all of it’s packages, so that is a big draw to those who are not only a tight budget, but those who just do not want to fuss with anything while they are on vacation.
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Four Seasons Bora Bora: Open since Fall 2008, the Four Seasons is a direct competitor to the St. Regis. Located alongside the St. Regis, it has a great view of the main island and a gorgeous highly rated spa. Expect some of the best service at this hotel, along with a highly rated kid’s club, but it comes at a steep price. The Four Seasons also allows few lucky people to have fractional ownership at the resort!
To get more in depth information about most of the Bora Bora resorts, please visit my most recent
review.
The other most popular island destination in French Polynesia is the island of Moorea. Moorea is located closest to Papeete and is accessible via ferry from the main island of Tahiti. None of the resorts are on a motu and the island itself has the most to offer in the way of activities and sight-seeing outside of the resorts. The most expensive resort on the island is the Legends Resort, which consists of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas. The villas have full kitchens and the resort focuses on long term stays and on family stays. The most popular resort on the island is the Hilton (formerly the Sheraton) Resort and is highly recommended for an OWB, but not overwhelmingly for any other type of accommodation, though the new garden plunge pool bungalows may change that. The Spa there is among the best in Moorea (the couples massage I had was VERY expensive, though!), and the views from the horizon OWBs are simply breathtaking. The snorkeling was out of this world and was better than any other island I had visited up to that point. For a beach or garden bungalow, the Pearl Resort, the InterContinental, and the Sofitel are the favorites. The InterContinental features the Dolphin Excursion, which is the only place to offer such an experience in the islands. The Pearl Resort is located very close to a village, so it has easy access to markets and restaurants. While the Pearl is the least expensive of the two, and also the smaller resort, it offers a similar experience but without the extra cost. The Sofitel was just recently remodeled and has a very nice view of the main island of Tahiti. While it’s somewhat close to the airport, which may concern some, the beach there is one of the best on the island. The InterContinental is making a comeback, with it’s just completed mult-million dollar renovation, adding new pools, plunge pools to their garden bungalows, and new expansive desk on their overwater bungalows. The consensus is not in on what will make this resort stand out yet, but i’ll be sure ot let you know! To learn more about the resorts on Moorea, please visit my most recent
review.
Huahine is another island within the Society Islands that is similar to Moorea in topography, but is much less populated and developed. Huahine is considered the most cultural island because it reflects the Polynesian way of life more so than any other island. In Huahine, the Te Tiare Resort is most often recommended for accommodations. According to those who stayed there, the beach bungalows and the horizon overwater bungalows are the most sought after rooms, but the resort does offer garden bungalows as well. The Te Tiare was taken over by the Pearl Resorts group in 2008, and is starting to undergo some major upgrades to make it more on par with a 5 star resort. Le MaiTai Le Pita is the only other resort class accommodation on the island and is similar to Le MaiTai Polynesia in Bora Bora is hotel class and offerings. It is a newer hotel, though, so I do expect that it will start getting more favorable reviews than its sister property.
Another Society Island is Taha’a. It is just beginning to hit the travel spotlight with the opening of Le Taha’a Private Island Resort and Spa. While Taha’a is still relatively undeveloped, it is beginning to be a sought after location for new resorts, including a Raffles Resort and a possible golf resort. The main island itself does not offer much to do in the way of activities, but Taha’a is considered the Vanilla Island and there are some vanilla plantations located there. Another resort option in Taha’a is Vahine Island, which is a 4.5 star, extremely small, and extremely intimate resort. They only offer 6 bungalows- 3 over the water and 3 beach bungalows. It isn’t as popular as Le Taha’a, but it is a great option for those seeking a quiet, secluded getaway on a slightly lower budget. Unfortunately, it’s still quite expensive!
Raiatea, Taha’a’s sister island, is where the airport is located for both islands and is approximately 40 minutes by boat to Le Taha’a. Raiatea is not a popular tourist island, but it does offer some smaller pensions for those wanting to stay there. Raiatea’s main focus is diving and hiking, and not so much luxury or tourist amenities. While the Pearl Group does have a hotel there, it is perhaps a step below the other Pearl offerings on other islands, especially Le Taha’a just across the lagoon. There are also two other hotels there- Raiatea Lodge Hotel and Opoa Hotel, both of which are a step above the Raiatea Hawaiki Nui. As I mentioned in my review of the Hawaiki Nui, a little bit of love could vastly improve this hotel and make it a hidden gem! Raiatea is also the starting point for many private boat charters, including Moorings and Archipels.
While the Society Islands are lush and mountainous, the Tuamotus- Tikehau, Manihi, Rangiroa, and Fakarava- are flat, more desert-like, and much more secluded. The Tuamotus are the most popular destination for diving in French Polynesia and consist of many atoll islands, which are mostly uninhabited. These islands are a great destination for pure relaxation and just enjoying the beautiful water and surroundings, since each island has only one major resort and there are almost no outside restaurants and activities.
The largest of the Tuamotu resorts is the Hotel Kia Ora in Rangiroa. It is considered by many to be the only 5 star resort in the Tuamotus. The Kia Ora also has a smaller offshoot of the resort, the Kia Ora Sauvage, located on an outlying motu about an hour by boat from the village. The Sauvage is the ultimate in seclusion and privacy with only 5 beach bungalows and no electricity. (
NOTE: Hotel Kia Ora is currently closed for renovations. It will reopen in September 2011.) Rangiroa is also home to Le MaiTai Rangiroa. This property, like its sister properties in Huahine and Bora Bora, is an all-inclusive property and focuses on the budget minded traveler.
Both Tikehau and Manihi are home to a Pearl Resort hotel and both resorts are very intimate as well, with just over 30 bungalows each. Tikehau is said to have the most concentration of fish in its lagoon out of all the French Polynesian islands, so snorkeling and diving are the most popular activities there. Manihi offers the same experience, perhaps a little more secluded, but the resort is slightly older than the Pearl in Tikehau. Fakarava, perhaps the least known of the Tuamotus is where you will find the White Sands Beach Resort. It’s a little hidden paradise and recommended that you visit there when you are fully relaxed and ready to completely unwind!
Once you have narrowed down your island choices, searching for the best package is the next best step. Of course, that’s when budget comes into play. French Polynesia is considered to be an extremely expensive venture, but can be done on a smaller budget if luxurious resorts aren’t of importance. Most French Polynesia honeymoons average between $8K-$12K for everything for 8-10 days. Of course, you can definitely spend less. What resorts you choose and what islands you choose are a big factor in determining price. Bora Bora and Taha’a are considered the most expensive islands, and the Tuamotu atolls are, for the most part, the most affordable. Moorea and Huahine tend to be in the middle of the budget scale. Of course, all of this depends on what accommodations you choose at what resorts. For example, a horizon OWB at the Hilton in Moorea is around $950/night rack rate, which is the same as the lowest category room at the InterContinental Thalasso Resort. Also, in Bora Bora, you can get an overwater bungalow at the 3 star Le MaiTai Polynesia for around $600/night, but an overwater bungalow at the St. Regis runs over $1200/night for their rack rates. A lot also depends on the current exchange rate, which can be found on
XE’s website. Finding the right resort/budget combo can be frustrating, but remember you are in paradise, so do what you can afford and you’ll be guaranteed to get a lot for your money.
Also, keep in mind when pricing flights, they are expensive and can run around $1200/person. Of course, there are deals out there from time to time. Adding an upgrade to business class runs around $1900/person roundtrip ($700 one way when done at the airport) and first class tickets run around $3K/person. As one who flies first class often, I found that the upgrade to business class is more than sufficient for a decent, comfortable flight if you are looking for that extra luxury. To me, it is worth the extra money, but their first class is not. The only other airline that flies to Papeete is Air France. I have found Air France to be comparable to Air Tahiti Nui, so either choice is good.
As for food, activities, and souvenirs, expect to pay more than normal since much of their goods are imported from New Zealand. On an average 10 day trip, a conservative amount of spending money would be around $2K. Some resorts, such as the Tuamotus and Le Taha’a, have very few options for food outside of the resorts, and therefore, it’s harder to be more budget minded with meals. We ate three meals a day at Le Taha’a and spent around $30-$50/day on breakfast, $50-$75/day on lunch, and $100-$125/day on dinner, with minimal alcohol. Hamburgers generally run around $18, mixed drinks are usually around $12-$14, and a continental breakfast will run around $30, but offers enough food for two. Meal plans are offered by most travel agents, but not recommended for the more popular and developed islands because there are a lot of local eateries worth trying. Also, meal plans do not include soft drinks or alcoholic beverages (with the exception of Le MaiTai and even that does not include everything.) As for activities, a shark and ray feeding on Bora Bora will run around $80/person and a 4×4 jeep safari tour will run around $60/person. Our one hour Jet Ski tour in Taha’a was around $350. Of course, snorkeling is usually free unless you choose to go on a tour.
Last, but not least is finding the right travel agent. First and foremost, I have to recommend myself,
Janelle , from
Easy Escapes Travel, but of course, I don’t expect everyone to just stop their search with me (well, maybe in a perfect world!) I would also recommend two of my co-workers at Easy Escapes,
Caroline Bracewell and
Andrea Duvall, who, like myself, are certified Tahiti Tiare agents. There are a few agencies out there that specialize in Tahiti, such as
Tahitian Vacations,
Tahiti Explorer,
Tahiti Travel Planners (who I used before I was an agent.) Also, other agents that do offer packages to Tahiti include
Islands and
Liberty Travel. If you are looking for a great price, but don’t mind doing most of the research on your own, look into
Costco Travel or
Island Spree. After doing tons of research, I have found that each agent typically has a few incredible select deals that beat all other quotes, so choose a few agents to get quotes on 2 or 3 different itineraries. Try choosing the agent who not only gives you a competitive price, but who also provides the best customer service. Paying less is great, but sometimes having questions answered thoroughly and timely is worth the extra money. As I mention on my website and as it’s stated on my agency’s website, we price match! So, if you do happen to find a quote from another agency that is lower, I am more than happy to meet or beat that confirmed rate quote! I would love to work with you! Also, Tahiti Specialists, or Tiare agents, can offer the best knowledge on the islands. I, personally, am a certified Tiare Agent and have been for over 5 years! For a listing of Tiare agents, consult the
Tahiti Tourism website.
Various other tips:
- Vaccinations are not required to enter French Polynesia. I’m sure you could get them, but you will not need them. The only thing required for entry is your passport.
-pack lightly. Check out the
packing list I put together for guidance.
-Food can be expensive, so visit a market on the island if you can to grab some baguettes and snacks. Also, considering bringing granola bars or other easily transported food along with you in your checked baggage. With the American dollar being so weak, any extra help in saving money goes a long way.
-Taking the 4:20pm flight out of LAX isn’t so bad. Yes, it adds a night to your itinerary in Tahiti, but you wake up feeling refreshed and renewed in the morning. The best choice for a hotel is the InterContinental or Manava Suites.
-Tipping in French Polynesia is not required, but it is becoming more popular, especially on the bigger islands as the American resorts move in. Some places will even leave a sign out on the table reminding you to tip!
-If all else fails when planning a trip due to budget, don’t count out a cruise. Paul Gauguin cruises offer a decent all-inclusive package and you get to see A LOT of the islands, including part of the Cook Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and even Fiji and Tonga!
-Learning a few of the Tahitian or French phrases is appreciated, but not required to get by. The locals like it when you try, and those phrases may come in handy in the Tuamotus since they are more remote.
-When planning your itinerary, and it includes Moorea, try to visit Moorea first. It is just a short ferry ride from Papeete (about 20 minutes), so it’s a fast and easy way to start off your vacation.
-To help with budget, and to get an overall experience of the islands, try mixing up your accommodations on each island. So, try an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora and maybe a garden or beach bungalow in Moorea. The overwater bungalows are unique, but some of the beach bungalows are amazing and worth giving a shot.
-If you get a chance, stop at the duty free store at the airport and pick up a bottle or two of alcohol. It will help you save some money if you order a Coke and then pour your own rum into it. Travelers are allowed to bring in 2 liters of spirits through customs without declaration.
-Island hopping is a great way to see French Polynesia and there are interisland flights that can take you from island to island on a small, 30 seater plane. The only island that has ferry transportation is Moorea, which goes round trip between the island and Papeete. There is also a helicopter transfer available through Le Taha’a from Taha’a to Bora Bora.
-Resorts on motus offer shuttles to the main islands for guest transportation. Each resort offers a different schedule, and some require a fee, so be sure to check with your resort to make sure you make your scheduled excursions or restaurant reservations. All excursions and reservations can be made through the hotel’s activities desk, so they will tell you the appropriate shuttle time when you make those reservations
-Booking excursions ahead of time is not recommended because it forces you to stick with a particular day and time. Booking spa treatments at some of the more intimate, exclusive resorts and the Dolphin Experience at the Moorea Dolphin Center ahead of time is recommended for the high season.
-French Polynesia is a tropical destination, so therefore, rain can occur at any time. I would not be afraid to travel to French Polynesia because of the threat of bad weather, though. Sunshine is abundant year-round and most rain showers are brief and isolated. It may be raining on one side of the island, but not the other!
-Since French Polynesia is tropical and there is plenty of gorgeous flora, bugs do exist. They are hardly a concern, however. Mosquitos are present, but in most cases, are not noticeable. In the case that you are a little concerned about the bugs, bring bug spray and an itch stick and keep it with you at all times. While there aren’t swarms of bugs flying around, a bite or two can happen and you wan’t be be prepared. If you are still unsure, try steering away from a garden bungalow since they are usually surrounded by tropical plants. Again- bugs aren’t usually an issue, but staying away from lush areas will help reduce the chance of getting bit.
-While there are beautiful beaches in French Polynesia, they are very different from what you’ll find in the Caribbean. So, if you are looking for long stretches of white, soft sand, the Caribbean is probably a better bet. The Tuamotu islands offer the best chance to see long stretches of beach, but this is more uncommon in the more popular Society Islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, Taha’a, Huahine). Most resorts, especially in Moorea, do not have much of a beach at all, but resorts like Le Meridien Bora Bora, the Bora Bora Nui, and the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort do have decent beach areas. The sand is mostly broken up coral (except at Le Meridien), so it isn’t fine grained and soft. Also, Bora Bora features the famed Matira Beach between the Moana Beach Resort and Hotel Bora Bora (I personally did not care for it, though). However, Matira Beach is public and not affiliated with any resort.
-Credit cards are widely accepted on the islands, but you will need some cash for your stay. Use yuor ATM card at the ATMs in the islands to get the best exchange rates. There are several located in Faaa Airport, or in the larger villages in Moorea and Bora Bora. Don’t forget to call your bank before leaving to let them know when and where you will be traveling so they do not flag your card as being stolen.
This is obviously just a broad overview of what to expect when planning a French Polynesia vacation! Good luck and happy planning!
