French Polynesia is a place that feels almost unreal — turquoise lagoons, green peaks, and quiet atolls. On this trip, we explored four islands, each with its own personality: Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and Tahiti.
Moorea
Moorea was the perfect introduction to French Polynesia — clean and easy to drive around.
We stayed at Linareva, a peaceful waterfront hotel with friendly resident cats and a dog who greeted us like old friends. The property sits on a calm lagoon with a long pier stretching into the coral reef. From above, you can spot fish drifting between the corals, and the water is so still it’s ideal for kayaking. Sunrises and sunsets here were unforgettable.
One of our favorite experiences was the Captain Taina lagoon tour. The first stop was a relaxed snorkel with eagle rays and turtles gliding effortlessly through the water. Lunch was served on a private island, followed by the “creepy‑cool” highlight: snorkeling with stingrays and black‑tip reef sharks.
We also hiked Magic Mountain, a short but steep climb through lush greenery that rewards you with a panoramic view of the island.
And no visit to Moorea is complete without a stop at the Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery — a quick tasting of juices and rum, plus a peek behind the scenes. Dinner at Q2coco wrapped up the day deliciously.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora was exactly what you imagine when you hear the name — pure, indulgent paradise.
We stayed at the Pearl Resort in an overwater bungalow with its own private pool. For two days, we did absolutely nothing except swim, float, eat, and repeat.
The hotel had a big, beautiful garden with the tallest gates.
The restaurants were excellent, the water was impossibly blue, and happy hour arrived like a daily holiday.
It was the kind of place where time stops in the best way. However after 2 days of this, we were ready for some adventure.
Rangiroa
Rangiroa felt like stepping into another world — quieter, less developed, and more rugged than Moorea or Bora Bora. Our resort, Kia Ora, is scheduled for a major renovation this fall, and it definitely needs it, but the island’s natural beauty made up for the dated facilities.
We joined a full‑day lagoon tour with several memorable stops:
- The Aquarium — a shallow area teeming with fish and even a sizable shark. A fish bit me at some point, though I didn’t notice until I was back on the boat.
- Reef Island — reached after an hour of rough water. This unique spot is where tectonic plates push coral above the surface, creating a jagged, otherworldly landscape. Shallow water was great for snorkeling. There were sea cucumbers everywhere.
- The Blue Lagoon — another hour away through big waves. Here we saw more sharks and enjoyed a seafood lunch in a surreal, postcard‑perfect setting.
Tahiti
Before our overnight flight, we spent a day driving around Tahiti, the most populated island in French Polynesia. It’s busier, with fewer beaches and fewer easy roadside stops compared to the other islands.
In Papeete, we wandered through the market and bought a bracelet with a Tahitian pearl — the clasp broke immediately, which felt very on‑brand for a weekend market purchase. Public beach parking lots were packed, but we found a peaceful, free botanical garden where a local vendor sold passion fruit juice and breadfruit chips (both delicious).
Along the drive, we stumbled upon roadside caves and a surprisingly large waterfall.
Tahiti isn’t as scenic as the other islands, but it offers a glimpse into everyday life beyond the resorts.
