South Pacific
Tahiti and her islands: Bora Bora, Moorea and beyond
Planned by McKenzie McCarty and Susan Green at Susan's Travel Services in Cave Creek, Arizona.
The islands are not interchangeable
French Polynesia has 118 islands in 5 archipelagos, spread across an area about the size of Europe. Most visitors know Bora Bora, but the experience changes completely from one island to the next. Moorea is green and mountainous, Bora Bora is the classic lagoon, Taha'a is quiet vanilla and pearl country, and the atolls of the Tuamotus have some of the best diving in the world.
Choosing the right 2 or 3 islands, and the right order, is what turns a beautiful trip into the right trip.
Book a callGetting to Tahiti
Flights to Papeete take about 8 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco, and there are also flights from Seattle and Honolulu. From Phoenix, you'll connect on the West Coast. Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii, so there's very little jet lag.
Between islands, you'll fly Air Tahiti or Air Moana, or take the 30-minute ferry to Moorea. Inter-island flights have luggage limits, which we confirm for your itinerary.
Choosing your islands
Tahiti
Best for: Arriving and departing.
The arrival island and home of Papeete. Most visitors stay 1 night on arrival or departure, depending on flight times. If you have a day, see the black sand beaches and the Papeete market.
Suggested stay: 0 to 1 night
Moorea
Best for: A gentle first stop, hikers and snorkelers.
A 30-minute ferry or 15-minute flight from Tahiti, with jagged green peaks, pineapple fields and lagoon snorkeling. A gentle first stop after the long flight.
Suggested stay: 3 nights
Bora Bora
Best for: Honeymoons and the classic overwater bungalow.
The famous lagoon and Mount Otemanu, with many of the islands' most luxurious resorts. This is the overwater bungalow most people picture.
Suggested stay: 4 to 5 nights
Taha'a
Best for: Couples who want quiet.
Vanilla plantations, Tahitian black pearl farms, and a slower, quieter lagoon. It shares a lagoon with Raiatea.
Suggested stay: 3 nights
Raiatea and Huahine
Best for: Culture lovers and travelers who want the authentic side of Polynesia.
Raiatea is home to Taputapuātea, a sacred marae and UNESCO World Heritage site. Huahine is lush, quiet and local, with ancient archaeological sites. Both are popular stops on small-ship cruises.
Suggested stay: 2 to 3 nights each
The Tuamotus (Rangiroa, Fakarava and Tikehau)
Best for: Divers and snorkelers.
Remote atolls with world-class diving and drift snorkeling. Fakarava is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Tikehau has pink-sand beaches.
Suggested stay: 3 nights
Maupiti
Best for: Travelers who want Bora Bora's look without the resorts.
A small, quiet island near Bora Bora with guesthouses instead of big resorts.
Suggested stay: 2 to 3 nights
Tetiaroa
Best for: The ultimate private escape.
A private atoll home to The Brando, about 20 minutes by plane from Tahiti.
Suggested stay: 3 to 4 nights
The Marquesas
Best for: Adventurous return visitors.
Far to the northeast, with dramatic mountains, no lagoons, and deep Polynesian culture. Most visitors arrive by small ship.
Overwater bungalow or beach villa?
Overwater bungalows are the image everyone has in mind, with steps straight down into the lagoon. Beach villas often have more space, more privacy and a private pool, and they can suit families or longer stays better. Many of our clients split their time between the two.
Seeing Tahiti by small ship
A small-ship cruise through the Society Islands is a relaxed way to see several islands without repacking. Windstar sails French Polynesia full time, and Silversea and others sail here too. Susan's clients love Windstar here and keep rebooking it.
Susan has sailed these islands twice: On Windstar's Star Breeze, which now sails French Polynesia full time, and on Silversea's Silver Whisper in October 2026. Her clients love Windstar here and book it again and again.
How we'd pace a first trip
First trip, about 10 nights
Moorea, 3 nights. Bora Bora, 4 nights. Taha'a or the Tuamotus, 3 nights.
Honeymoon, about 8 nights
Moorea, 3 nights. Bora Bora, 5 nights, with part of the stay in an overwater bungalow.
Divers, about 10 nights
Moorea, 3 nights. Rangiroa or Fakarava, 4 nights. Bora Bora, 3 nights.
Good to know: Add a night in Tahiti if flight times require it.
When to go
Tahiti Tourisme calls May to October the Season of Renewal: drier, slightly cooler and less humid. November to April is the Season of Abundance: warmer, more humid, with more rain, but often quieter and better value. It's warm all year, usually between about 77°F and 86°F. Humpback whales visit from about July to October.
| Season | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season of Renewal (drier, slightly cooler) | No | No | No | No | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | No | No |
| Season of Abundance (warmer, quieter) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Humpback whales | No | No | No | No | No | No | Whales | Whales | Whales | Whales | No | No |
French Polynesia pairs beautifully with
Small-ship cruising
A voyage through the Society Islands is a relaxed way to see several islands without repacking.
Hawaii
Same time zone, and an easy add-on from the West Coast.
Booking through a Virtuoso agency
We're a Virtuoso agency, so at many Virtuoso resorts our clients get extras like daily breakfast and an upgrade when one is available.
Book a callFrequently asked questions
Which islands should we visit in French Polynesia?
For a first trip, most clients pair Moorea and Bora Bora, then add Taha'a for quiet or the Tuamotus for diving.
How many nights should we spend in Bora Bora?
Four to 5 nights is ideal. Fewer can feel rushed after the long journey, and more works best paired with a second island.
Moorea or Bora Bora?
Moorea is greener, more relaxed and a gentle first stop. Bora Bora has the famous lagoon and the most luxurious overwater bungalows. Most first trips include both.
Overwater bungalow or beach villa?
Overwater bungalows give you direct lagoon access. Beach villas often have more space and privacy. Many travelers try both.
When is the best time to visit Tahiti?
May to October, the Season of Renewal, for drier, slightly cooler weather. November to April, the Season of Abundance, is warmer and wetter but often quieter and better value.
How long is the flight to Tahiti from the U.S.?
About 8 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Papeete. Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii.
Do Americans need a visa for French Polynesia?
U.S. citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. We confirm current requirements for every trip.
Is French Polynesia good for a honeymoon?
It's one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world, especially Bora Bora, Moorea and Taha'a.
Can I see Tahiti on a cruise?
Yes. Windstar sails French Polynesia full time, and a small-ship cruise lets you see several islands without repacking.
Where do Tahitian black pearls come from?
Pearl farms in the lagoons, especially around Taha'a and the Tuamotus. Many trips include a pearl farm visit.
Is Tahiti good for families?
Yes, especially in beach villas with more space. Moorea is a great island for families.
Tahiti or Fiji?
Tahiti is the classic overwater-bungalow honeymoon with a French influence. Fiji is more family-friendly, with more private islands and often better value.
Your specialist
McKenzie McCarty
Chief Strategy Officer and Luxury Travel Advisor, South Pacific
McKenzie has traveled these islands herself and helps couples choose the right islands, resorts, and order.
Meet McKenzie →
Free guide
McKenzie's Tahiti Travel Guide
McKenzie's own guide to Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and the quieter islands of French Polynesia. Download it free and start picturing your time on the lagoon.
Let's plan your Tahiti trip
Tell us how many nights you have and how you'd like to spend them. We'll help you choose the islands and the resorts that fit.
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