Five-Week Itinerary in French Polynesia

THE HAIRY GIRAFFE… IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

How long? We spent five weeks in French Polynesia.

When? July and August, the dry season. Dry season doesn’t mean it never rains; we regularly had some rain, usually passing, except in Moorea where it rained for several consecutive days.

Ease of independent travel: 3 giraffes On the larger islands, renting a car is necessary to go around as public transportation is rare, if not non-existent. To travel from one island to another, taking a plane is the quickest and often the only available solution.

The Air Tahiti Pass is quite expensive, and it takes some time to calculate how many days you can spend on each island based on the flight connections. Apart from the most touristy islands (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora), there aren’t daily air connections. However, it’s still entirely manageable, and it’s not necessary to go through an agency to plan your itinerary.

Costs: 5 giraffes Paradise comes with a rather high price tag! French Polynesia leans more towards honeymooners than backpackers. Even though it’s still possible to find more affordable accommodations, expect to pay quite a bit for car rentals, flights, and activities.

Ease of communication: 5 giraffes What a pleasure to travel so far and still be able to speak French! English is also widely spoken, especially by those involved in tourism.

Security: 5 giraffes No concerns on the safety front.

Health: 4 giraffes Of course, one must consider the geographical distance in case of accidents or serious health issues, but the inter-island helicopter transfer system is efficient, and the healthcare system is very modern. Not all water is potable, but drinkable water is easily accessible, and hygiene rules are followed by everyone. There’s no malaria or seemingly very dangerous animals.

Don’t forget sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Against ‘nonos,’ tiny flies that can devour you within minutes, especially in the Marquesas, use monoi oil (it prevents them from settling on you to bite). It’s also recommended to wear UV protective clothing to shield yourself from the sun. Very practical for staying on the beach and for snorkeling.

Gay friendly: 5 giraffes LGBT+ travelers can visit French Polynesia with peace of mind. They will frequently encounter ‘rae rae,’ men who adopt feminine roles, clothing, and behaviors, and who have always been part of Polynesian culture.

Travel ease: 4 giraffes Traveling in French Polynesia is relatively easy, thanks to the kindness and assistance of the Polynesian people. However, one must not be too bothered by public transportation, especially the plane journey of almost 24 hours from Paris.

Highlights: So many favorites! Maupiti for its pristine beauty, Papeete for its manageable modernity, the Marquesas for their raw authenticity, and generally, the coral reefs, the variety of fish, the shades of blue, the hospitality of the Polynesians, the culture…

Letdowns: Unlike many, Huahine wasn’t a favorite for us. The island didn’t seem the most beautiful or pleasant. We also didn’t love Rangiroa, but if you’re into diving, you’ll probably have a better opinion.

This 5-week itinerary took us from the Society Islands (Tahiti, Maupiti, Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine, Bora Bora, and Moorea) to the Tuamotu Archipelago (Tikehau and Rangiroa) and to the Marquesas Islands (Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva).

Check out our individual Travel Reflections articles on French Polynesia:

Travel Reflections: Benjamin

Travel Reflections: François