French Polynesia

Travellers must be registered on the new French ETIS (Electronic Travel Information System) and produce a registration receipt. In the absence of this receipt, airlines are asked to refuse boarding to the passengers.

 

As with all entry restrictions, changes to entry requirments could be re-instated or amended at any time without notice, so please check the relevant Government websites before you book or travel.

 

 

WE WILL ADVISE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION OR NEW CHANGES AS WE ARE ADVISED.


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All our itineraries are tailor-made to your exact requirements, but if you would like some ideas for itineraries and guide prices, please click HERE

 

For your information:  We have noticed in the last 1-2 years before COVID closed the islands, hotel and flight availability in the islands have been severely restricted, especially in high seasons, partly due to an increase in visitors from the US, Chinese and Indian markets.  We highly recommend early booking to guarantee your first choice of flight dates, and more importantly, your accommodation.  At busy times, if booking late, you may find there is no availability at all.

 

French Polynesia and her miriad of beautiful, tropical islands, including Bora Bora and Tahiti, are an ideal place for a special holiday, anniversary or a honeymoon.  So if you would like to enjoy a trip to the paradise islands, then Tahiti and her islands could be the place for you.

 

Known more commonly as Tahiti, the correct name for these islands is French Polynesia, which is a collection of five Archipelagos, the Society Islands, of which Tahiti Island is one, the Austral Islands, the Marquesas, the Gambier Islands and the Tuamotu Atolls archipelago. There are 118 islands with an area of 1544 square miles of land but they are spread over an area of nearly 2,000,000 square miles of Pacific Ocean, which is equal in size to the mainland of  Western Europe!

 

Probably the most well known are the Society Islands, which includes the most popular islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tetiaroa, Tahaa, Huahine and Raiatea. The main international and domestic airport is Papeete, on Tahiti, and all connecting flights to any of the outer islands leave from here.  Bora Bora is probably the most famous lagoon in the world, and with good reason; it is very beautiful and everything you would imagine paradise to look like!

 

The Islands of Manihi, Tikehau, Rangiroa and Fakarava are all part of the Tuamotu Atolls archipelago, that is the largest of French Polynesia Island groupings. The islands lay to the east of the main island of Tahiti, with 78 islands and atolls making up the group covering an area of 20,000 square kilometres. These four main atoll Islands are all to be found in the north of the archipelago, just a short 60-minute flight from Tahiti. With very limited tourist development these islands offer an experience of island living that has changed very little over the centuries that man has been in occupation. These atolls offer the visitor some of the best scuba diving to be found any where, with Rangiroa being continually voted as one of the Worlds top 10 dive locations.  And for those who just want to snorkel in the shallows, the experience will be an unforgettable one.

 

French Polynesia has mostly consistant temperatures all year round, ranging from 70-86°F (20-31°C) but the high season, usually between May and October, it is slightly cooler, less humid and less prone to rain or storms.  The low season, usually November through to April, has the top end of the temperatures, but is more humid and has more of a chance of rain showers or storms.  But rain is never guaranteed, and you could stay in the low season and see little or even no rain at all.   Some islands are nearer the Equator, such as The Tuamotus and the Marquesas Island, and can be slightly warmer than Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora, and because of the huge distances between many of the islands, one island can have rain, and another be in bright sunshine.

 

Wi-Fi and Internet access can be spotty, or non-existant, around some of the islands, especially the smaller, less popular islands and most properties will charge onsite for internet access.  Portable Wi-Fi units are available from our office in Tahiti on arrival, giving you 1GB of High speed access and unlimited low speed internet access, transforming the current 2G/3G/4G network into Wi-Fi.  Please contact us or further information and costs per day/week per unit.

 

Priority Arrivals Service is also available, giving you a dedicated Airport Host or Hostess to escort you through a priority channel at Immigration, a last stop at the Duty Free shop, guiding you through Customs before exiting into the Arrivals Hall, where they will excort you to your ground services reception desk.  A porter service is also available if you have a large amount of luggage, or just don't fancy carrying it.  For departing passengers, there is a new Departures Business Lounge which opens minimum 2 hours before each international departing flight, and is available to passengers travelling in Premium classes, with limited availabilty to standard Economy passengers to book and pay separately.  This may be of particular service to passengers leaving on late flights who may have a long wait in Tahiti after their outer island flight lands.  The lounge offers complimentary showers (towels and toiletries provided), food and drink

 

Please note: We are constantly updating the prices shown on this website, but due to volatility of the currency exchange markets at the moment with the UK Sterling rate, prices may vary from those shown.  If you wish to confirm any prices shown here, please contact us directly.

 

Click HERE to see the UK Foreign Office's latest advice for visitors travelling to French Polynesia

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An introduction to the different islands
Society Islands

Society Islands

French Polynesia's main island chain, comprising of Tahiti, Bora Bora Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa and Maupiti, these islands have a high central mountain core with coastal plains, white sand beaches and coral reefs.

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Marquesas

Marquesas

The most remote of the island chain, being a three and a half hour flight from Tahiti. There are six main islands that make up the archipelago, of which Nuka Hiva and Hiva Oa are the main ones. The islands are stunningly beautiful with rugged and lush terrain and high mountain ranges.

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 Tuamotu Atolls

Tuamotu Atolls

The largest archipelago that makes up French Polynesia, a short 1hr flight north east of Tahiti. The main islands that offer quality accommodation and the best diving experiences are Rangiroa, Tikehau, Manihi and Fakarava.

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The Gambier

The Gambier

Located at the extreme southern tip of the Tuamotu atolls, closer to Pitcairn Island than they are to Tahiti. They are home to the largest black pearl farms in French Polynesia.

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 The Austral Islands - Rurutu and Tubuai

The Austral Islands - Rurutu and Tubuai

The most western archipelgo that makes up French Polynesia with the two main islands being Rurutu and Tubuai. The islands are very quiet and are the main focal point for the annual Antartic Humpback Whale migration which occurs during July through to October.

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Transpacific's Recommended French Polynesian Cruises
Aranui 5 Cruise

Aranui 5 Cruise

The Aranui 5 Cruise is a unique part-passenger, part-freighter trip around the idylic Marquesas islands.

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Island Escape Cruise

Island Escape Cruise

7 or 10 night small ship cruising around the beautiful Society Islands, including Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine and Taha'a.

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Archipels Yacht Cruises

Archipels Yacht Cruises

Do you want to see the Polynesian Islands the way the men of the Bounty did, under sail, the smell of salt spray & the swell of the waves?

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 Paul Gauguin Cruise

Paul Gauguin Cruise

A luxurious, mid-size cruise ship, that sails to some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

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Haumana Cruises

Haumana Cruises

A personal small ship catamaran cruise with just 12 staterooms, taking in Bora Bora, Taha'a and Raiatea

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Variety Cruises

Variety Cruises

Small, intimate Boutique ship cruising around the beautiful islands of French Polynesia, with just 25 cabins and 49 guests.

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