French Polynesia has long existed in the imagination as a dreamscape: turquoise lagoons shimmering beneath the sun, overwater bungalows floating like lanterns on the horizon, and mountains rising lush and emerald from the sea. But what makes these islands even more magical is how much there is to discover beyond the postcard views — from quiet fishing villages to plates of poisson cru drenched in coconut milk, from black-sand beaches to festivals where drums echo late into the night.

This isn’t just a destination for honeymooners (though it’s a near-perfect one). It’s a place to slow down, sink into island time, and taste life with all your senses wide open.

Below is an insider’s guide to the Society Islands — Huahine, Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti — where to eat, where to stay, and how to soak in the rhythm of paradise.

Need-to-Know Basics

Airports: Faa’a International (Tahiti), Bora Bora (BOB), Raiatea (RFP), Moorea (MOZ)

Getting Around: Rent a car on Tahiti or Moorea for freedom; bikes and scooters work beautifully on smaller islands. Ferries and puddle jumpers connect the archipelagos.

Best Time to Visit: May–October brings dry skies, soft breezes, and low humidity. November–April is wetter but lush, alive with festivals and slower crowds.

Ideal Stay: 7–10 days. This is not a fly-in, fly-out place — give yourself time to breathe.

Taste to Remember: Poisson cru, mahi mahi with vanilla sauce, fafa wrapped in taro leaves, and freshwater shrimp.

Currency: CFP Franc (XPF).

What to Pack: Light, breezy clothing, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and something elegant for sunset dinners.

Huahine: French Polynesia’s Untouched Gem

Where to Stay

Huahine doesn’t boast the polished resorts of Bora Bora — and that’s its beauty. With fewer hotels, the island invites you to slow down. A wonderful option is to combine Huahine with a Paul Gauguin cruise, letting you explore this island alongside others without losing intimacy. It’s an elegant way to balance seclusion with variety.

Where to Eat

Meals here are rooted in tradition. Chez Tar serves dishes baked in an underground oven (‘ahima’a), giving food a smoky, unforgettable flavor. For something breezier, Huahine Yacht Club serves grilled fish at water’s edge, while Omai Restaurant puts a modern twist on French-Polynesian fare. Mornings are best at Chez Guynette, where pastries and strong coffee are paired with local chatter.

What to Do

Dive into Huahine’s lagoon at Fare Beach, where snorkeling reveals a kaleidoscope of reef fish. Rent a bike and pedal to marae — ancient Polynesian temples — hidden among palms and coastal paths. And don’t skip the Huahine Pearl Farm, where artisans also create pottery you’ll want to pack home as a souvenir.

Bora Bora: The Icon of Paradise

Where to Eat

Few islands deliver dining with as much atmosphere. Bloody Mary’s is a Bora Bora classic, all sandy floors and seafood feasts. For romance, La Villa Mahana is the place — intimate, candlelit, and unforgettable. For water views, choose Bora Bora Yacht Club or Saint James, each mixing French technique with Polynesian flair. At the Four Seasons, you can dine Mediterranean at Arii Moana, fusion-style at Vaimiti, or toes-in-sand casual at Faré Hoa Beach Bar.

Where to Stay

Bora Bora’s resorts are destinations unto themselves. The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is the epitome of barefoot luxury. Conrad Bora Bora Nui, tucked into a private cove, feels secluded and serene. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort pampers guests with butler service in overwater villas that stretch into the lagoon. For a boutique feel, Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa nearby combines Relais & Châteaux charm with Polynesian authenticity.

What to Do

Snorkel in the underwater playground of Coral Gardens, charter a boat to circle the island’s lagoons, or simply spend a day on Matira Beach, considered one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful stretches of sand. Adventurers can tackle Mount Pahia for epic views, while romantics may prefer a sunset catamaran cruise, Champagne flute in hand, watching the horizon blaze gold.

Moorea: Adventure Meets Serenity

Where to Stay

Moorea balances sophistication and laid-back charm. Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort stretches along the island’s longest beach, perfect for morning swims. Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa blends romance with activity, offering tennis courts, a spa rooted in Tahitian tradition, and its beloved creperie perched overwater. For a more intimate stay, Manava Beach Resort & Spa is home to a coral nursery and spa treatments inspired by Polynesian ancestral practices.

What to Eat

For chic dining, Moorea Beach Café pairs creative cuisine with a robust wine list. The Sofitel’s Toatea Creperie & Bar is the quintessential sunset spot. If you’re craving something rustic and romantic, hop a boat to Coco Beach, where lunch is served right on the sand. Locals flock to Snack Mahana, where seafood is always fresh, and for something casual and fun, pizza delivery from Allo Pizza hits the spot after a long beach day.

What to Do

Moorea is an island of contrasts. Relax at Temae Beach, where the lagoon feels like glass, or climb to Belvedere Lookout, where Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay unfurl below you. Adventure seekers will love ATV tours through pineapple plantations, while foodies can visit Lycée Agricole d’Opunohu, an agricultural school where you can taste locally grown fruits and walk trails lined with vanilla vines.

Tahiti: The Heartbeat of French Polynesia

Where to Eat

Tahiti mixes French artistry with Polynesian warmth. O Belvédère, perched above Papeete, pairs fondue with sweeping sunsets. Le Lotus at the InterContinental is a must for romance, blending refined flavors with lagoon views. For casual dining, the Harbor Food Trucks come alive at night with sizzling grills and buzzing energy, offering everything from grilled mahi mahi to noodles.

Where to Stay

The Brando on nearby Tetiaroa Atoll is the pinnacle of eco-luxury — villas nestled in solitude, sustainable and soulful. In Papeete, InterContinental Resort Tahiti and Hilton Hotel Tahiti offer convenient luxury, while Te Moana Tahiti Resort and Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts provide boutique charm with Polynesian-owned roots and direct access to black-sand beaches.

What to Do

Surf the legendary breaks (Tahiti is one of surfing’s birthplaces), or hike the lush Vaipahi Gardens. For a challenge, trek to Fautaua Waterfall, where water drops nearly a thousand feet into a crystalline pool. If relaxation calls, the black sands of Plage de Taharuu offer moody beauty, while the Marché de Papeete bustles with color, from mangoes and pineapples to handmade baskets and jewelry.

Festivals & Culture

French Polynesia’s cultural heartbeat shines brightest during its festivals. If you can, time your visit with one:

Heiva i Tahiti (July): A month-long celebration of dance, music, and traditional sports.

Tattoo Festival (March): Honoring Polynesia’s ancient tattoo heritage.

Tahiti Pearl Regatta (May): Sailboats race between islands, followed by beachside revelry.

Hawaiki Nui Va’a (November): The world’s largest outrigger canoe race.

These aren’t just events to watch — they’re invitations to join the rhythm of the islands.

Final Thoughts

French Polynesia is one of those rare places where the clichés — turquoise water, overwater bungalows, sunsets that set the world on fire — are not exaggerations. But beyond the beauty lies something deeper: a culture rooted in the ocean, traditions kept alive in music and dance, and islands that remind us how to live slowly, simply, and beautifully.

Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to lose your sense of time. In French Polynesia, paradise isn’t just a place — it’s a way of being.