Our most recommended things to do in French Polynesia

Moorea: Half-Day Open-Air 4WD Safari with Hotel Transfers

1. Moorea: Half-Day Open-Air 4WD Safari with Hotel Transfers

This Moorea safari tour will introduce you to this picturesque island, dotted in tropical vegetation and home to beautiful locals and wildlife. This tour is a fantastic opportunity to grab some truly memorable holiday snaps, so don't forget to bring your camera.  Start with a 4WD tour by open-air safari truck, stopping at several lookout points along the way. Learn about the local culture from your guides throughout the day. Enjoy a half-day tour of Bora Bora by land and sea, with lunch. During the day you'll also get to visit a local workshop to try local jam, pineapple fruit and see a colorful coral garden with a multitude of tropical plants. This tour will also help you gain some insights into the traditions of the Moorea people from your expert guide. Throughout the day, you will see sights like the Volcano crater, the Tahitian temple, Rotui lookout, Magic Mountain, the Belvedere lookout, fruit plantations, Two Bays, the tropical garden and the juice factory.

Bora Bora: Eco Shark and Snorkeling Safari

2. Bora Bora: Eco Shark and Snorkeling Safari

Start your two and a half-hour Bora Bora snorkeling tour in the afternoon, boarding a motorboat that will take you across the lagoon. Make multiple snorkeling stops along the way for close-up looks at sharks, rays and other marine life. Stop near the barrier reef and discover a coral garden teeming with nearly 700 species of tropical fish. Black-tip reef sharks are a highlight of Bora Bora. Continue your excursion where you'll have the chance to spot sea turtles, dolphins, whales, leopard rays, and manta rays, depending on the weather conditions and time of year

Moorea: Whale and Dolphin Watching

3. Moorea: Whale and Dolphin Watching

Tick an item off the bucket list with this incredible experience: an up-close encounter with humpback whales. Swim with these gentle giants and other marine life on a unique tour in a stunning French Polynesian lagoon. Known as the best place in the world for an in-water experience with humpback whales and other wildlife species, French Polynesia is one of the rare places on earth where swimming with these beautiful giants is permitted. Observe them in their natural habitat, playfully interacting with one another. Learn about the whales' migration and watch them evolve in their natural habitat with experienced tour guides. Then, the experienced guides will brief you on proper safety guidelines and how to respect the animals before you dive into the water for an indescribable experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. On top of the whale watching, during the day tour, you can have the opportunity to observe spinner dolphins, pilot whales, pelagic sharks in the ocean. In the lagoon, you can observe sea turtles, different tropical fish species – and snorkel with stingrays and blacktip sharks.

Bora Bora: Full-Day Tour with Islet Lunch and Lagoon Swim

4. Bora Bora: Full-Day Tour with Islet Lunch and Lagoon Swim

Discover the rich culture and natural setting of Bora Bora, the tropical jewel of French Polynesia. Go snorkeling and swim among exotic fish and sea life. Listen to live, local music and savor the tastes of regional food for lunch. Enjoy an authentic Polynesian experience on this full-day tour. Start your day by snorkeling to meet the charmingly curious and playful stingrays in warm shallow water on the lagoon, followed by a stop through one of the most preserved coral gardens of the island. On site, undergo a swim like no other, surrounded by hundreds of tropical and colorful fishes fluttering around you. Finally, to top it all off, experience the long-awaited moment of a high emotion immersion with the powerful and graceful sharks, unless you prefer to watch their lively dance from the boat. Next, cruise to a beautiful lagoon lulled by the sound of a Polynesian ukulele or pahu (the traditional drum), accompanied by the natural joy of life shared by the local people. Keep your camera close to capture these everlasting spectacular memories. After enjoying the music, slowly cruise to a motu (local word for islet) and delight in a delicious buffet composed of local dishes. At tables near the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon, enjoy rice salad, grilled fish and meat, fruit, and more, while admiring Mount Otemanu and the Pacific Ocean. Finally, watch different performances known as the Coconut Show, Pareo Show, or Palm Leaf Plate Workshop, to get to know local traditions. After the entertaining and instructive activities, take time to swim around, relax on a sun chair, or walk around before heading back to your accommodation.

Bora Bora by Land and Sea: 4WD Safari and Snorkel

5. Bora Bora by Land and Sea: 4WD Safari and Snorkel

Benefit from pickup at your hotel, or Vaitape pier, and then travel along the mountain roads of Bora Bora by open-sided 4WD vehicle to get panoramic views. Follow a 20-mile circuit around the island, and stop to admire the lagoon at the viewpoints Matira Point, the Faanui Cannon, and Amanahune Bay. Learn about the military relics left by US troops after World War II. Marvel at the volcanic rock formations from the ancient caldera, and watch local artisans making coconut oil and tie-dye sarongs at a crafts workshop. Sample tropical fruits at a plantation, and enjoy a delicious lunch at the iconic Bloody Mary’s restaurant with a quirky interior of tiki torches and palm-trunk seats from Monday to Saturday. When the restaurant is closed, the lunch will take place et the Lucky House Fare Manuia. Spend the afternoon on a boat cruise of the lagoon and search for stunning stingrays and blacktip sharks. Then, snorkel around the coral gardens and marvel at the colors of the tropical fish.  Enjoy a tour focused on respect for marine life, ensuring a great experience whilst protecting the flora and fauna (no feeding of sharks, and protecting the coral). Marine life is well represented, but spotting an animal presence cannot be guaranteed

Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour

6. Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour

Start your Jet Ski tour of Bora Bora with pickup from your hotel or the Vaitape pier. Then settle onto your Jet Ski, snap on a life jacket and listen as your guide provides a safety briefing before speeding away on your water adventure. Zoom across the crystal-clear lagoon past Bora Bora’s postcard-perfect water bungalows. Get a look at yachts and sailboats, and cruise by the emerald-draped hillsides of Mt Otemanu, the island’s tallest peak at 2,385 feet (727 meters) high.  Your guide stops at two locations where you can jump into the turquoise water for a refreshing swim and soak up the breathtaking tropical scenery. Hear about French Polynesian culture as your knowledgeable guide points out island landmarks and treats you to a coconut husking demonstration. You can select whether you want to ride solo or double. All of the Jet Skis are well-maintained to ensure a safe and thrilling ride. Your 2-hour expedition concludes with a return to your selected hotel or the pier.

Moorea: Sea Scooter Snorkeling Tour

7. Moorea: Sea Scooter Snorkeling Tour

Take a swim at one of the best coral reefs on Moorea. Enjoy your experience in a more remote area far away from the crowds. Get some instruction on how to safely use your sea scooter and then push a button and feel the pull as you move effortlessly through the water. Let your guide point out the various species of marine life you'll see all around you in the bay. Have a chance to see stingrays, sharks, dolphins, and turtles. Keep an ear out for the sound of humpback whales. Enjoy a picturesque boat ride around the island with a professional underwater cameraman and photographer on board.

Bora Bora: Island Tour and Mountains Getaway by Quad Bike

8. Bora Bora: Island Tour and Mountains Getaway by Quad Bike

After a quick initiation on how to drive your quad, cross Vaitape, the city center of Bora Bora, that leads you directly onto the plateau of Amanahune for a superb view of the fifty shades of blue of the beautiful lagoon. You will then head to the legendary Matira Beach and the famous restaurant Bloody Mary's. After several passages on the main road, take a small off-road path that will lead you to the Rock of Anau with a magnificent view of the hotels located on the islets and also a surprising view of the mythical Mount Otemanu. Next, visit another superb viewing point where you’ll discover the first vestiges of the Second World War. Then, drive to a village for a fun stop to see how a pareo is made. The wraparound skirt is not only considered a symbol of Polynesian culture in terms of clothing, but also of artistic expertise. Continue on to a tasting of exotic fruits and coconut water where your guide will present a “coco show” demonstration and lesson on the coconut. You’ll also enjoy a 5-minute stop at the entrance of the Faanui Valley, another incredible viewing point.  To end our tour, take in the mythical place considered to be one of the most beautiful points of the island, the Faanui Canon lookout. Contemplate the lagoon and Faanui Bay with an incomparable panorama making for an unforgettable memory of your time on Bora Bora.

Bora Bora: Lagoon Tour and Snorkeling Experience

9. Bora Bora: Lagoon Tour and Snorkeling Experience

Join a guided snorkeling tour of the Bora Bora lagoon to discover pristine turquoise waters teeming with tropical sea life. Stop at 3 separate locations, each one frequented by different species. Meet your guide at your selected pickup location and hop aboard a traditional motorized outrigger. Your first stop takes you to a spot where you'll be able to swim with stingrays. These elegant and majestic creatures are very curious and friendly, allowing you to get up close to them. From here, you'll move on to your second snorkeling location for the day, one of the best-preserved coral gardens in the lagoon. Explore this underwater paradise and admire the colorful tropical fish before heading to your third and final snorkeling spot. Last but by no means least, your final encounter for the day is with blacktip and lemon sharks. For a truly memorable experience, hop into the lagoon and swim with these impressive animals. Both shark species are regarded as shy and docile and viewed as everyday companions in French Polynesia. Your guide will join you in the water to ensure that you are comfortable. And if you prefer, you can also choose to stay onboard and take in this moment from the boat. Before heading back to your pickup location, stop at a sandbank to enjoy some refreshments. Savor handmade coconut bread served alongside fresh seasonal fruit while admiring views of Mount Otemanu. Eat your snacks aboard the outrigger or step into the warm, shallow waters one last time. 

Mo'orea: Guided ATV Nature Tour

10. Mo'orea: Guided ATV Nature Tour

On this adventurous ATV excursion, discover the beautiful island of Mo'orea and learn its legends from your guide. Jump on your vehicle and start out on the roads, crossing rivers and fruit plantations. Pass the agricultural high school and sprawling pineapple fields. Depending on what’s open, you may be offered a free tasting of local products.  Then, head towards the Belvedere and enjoy the amazing views of the Cook's and Opunohu Bays. Head to the Rotui juice factory and distillery, where you can enjoy a tasting (depending on the day).  If you’ve selected the 3.5-hour option, at this point you’ll discover one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the island, the “Magic Mountain”. Finally, take the tracks across the fields to return to Opunohu Bay. Admire the magnificent panoramic views of the Bay and north coast before returning to your meeting point for some rest and a complimentary drink.

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What people are saying about French Polynesia

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 244 reviews

Amazing and un-nerving altogether!! Yes you will swim side by side with sharks and the reef tour showed us 100's of different fish species in so many different colour combinations. Not to mention the ocean itself, I have never seen so many different shades of turquoise and blue.... incredible!! Of course the final spot with a family of 5 Stingrays swimming in a steady formation around their territory.... awesome! Our guides were awesome, including the ukulele playing while we were exploring.... more than 5 out of 5!!!

We had a great time seeing the Bora Bora main island on a quad bike. We did the complete island, with good info about the island and its surroundings. We also saw the layout of the other islands from 3 different view points, and experienced the off roads. Me and my husband didn’t feel comfortable driving on the off roads, they took over the driving, gave me a chance to enjoy a fun ride!! This is one of best ways to see Bora Bora!

Super belle journée en bonne compagnie, autant en jeep qu'en jet ski, les gens sont formidables ont fait un travail exceptionnel et font attention à leur clientèle. Nous avons été très choyés de vous rencontrer. Merci encore

We had an amazing time! It was our last day in Bora Bora and it was a great way to say goodbye to such a beautiful place. Our guide, Coco, was wonderful. Highly recommend this tour. You won’t be disappointed!

Our guides were very friendly. We enjoyed it very much.