French Polynesia holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your French Polynesia holiday in Oceania
French Polynesia is the epitome of tropical luxury: Bora Bora with its iconic overwater bungalows, Moʻorea with dramatic volcanic mountains and turquoise lagoons, Tahiti as the cultural center. The 118 islands in the South Pacific offer a combination of French lifestyle and Polynesian soul that is unique in the world.
Capital
Papeete
Language
French, Tahitian
Currency
CFP Franc (XPF)
Time zone
UTC-10
Flight time from DE
approx. 22–26 hours (with layover)
Entry requirements
EU identity card/passport (French overseas territory)
Top hotels & accommodations in French Polynesia
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in French Polynesia — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Top 5 highlights in French Polynesia
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Bora Bora
The most beautiful island in the world: overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoon, and Mount Otemanu.
Moorea
Dramatic volcanic peaks, pineapple fields, dolphins, and a cheaper alternative to Bora Bora.
Rangiroa
One of the largest atolls in the world – a diver's paradise with sharks, dolphins, and manta rays.
Tahiti
Main island with black volcanic beaches, markets, Gauguin's heritage, and Polynesian culture.
Fakarava
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with the famous 'Wall of Sharks' – a diver's dream.
Hotels in French Polynesia
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für French Polynesia
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für French Polynesia. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit French Polynesia
Recommended travel time
May–October (dry season)
Summer
28–32°C
Winter
25–29°C
How much does a holiday in French Polynesia cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
100–150€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
200–400€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
400–1500€+
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for French Polynesia
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Guesthouses are the cheapest accommodation and very authentic
Use the Air Tahiti Pass for island hopping between several islands
Snorkeling is often just as spectacular as diving – possible for free
Best travel time May–October avoids rainy season and cyclone risk
Hinehina flower behind the ear: left = taken, right = available
Food & drink in French Polynesia
These dishes you must try!
Discover French Polynesia
4 regions, cities and highlights in French Polynesia
Islands
Bora Bora
Bora Bora, the "Pearl of the Pacific", is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The small island in French Polynesia consists of the extinct volcano Mount Otemanu (727m), surrounded by a turquoise coral reef and a lagoon whose colors surpass any imagination. Bora Bora became famous for its iconic overwater bungalows — the concept was invented here in the 1960s. The lagoon offers snorkeling with mantas and sharks, and Shark & Ray Safaris are a unique experience. The island is small enough to cycle around in a day. The Polynesian culture with its tattoos (Tatau — the word "tattoo" originates from here), dances, and traditions is omnipresent. Bora Bora is expensive, exclusive, and for many, the ultimate honeymoon destination — a place where dreams come true.
Moorea
Moorea is the jewel of French Polynesia — a heart-shaped volcanic island that rises from the South Pacific just 17 kilometers from Tahiti, embodying the archetype of a South Sea island with its emerald peaks, turquoise lagoons, and snow-white beaches. While Bora Bora represents luxury, Moorea is the more authentic, wilder, and more affordable sister. The two spectacular bays — Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay — cut deep into the rugged volcanic island, framed by 900-meter-high peaks shrouded in clouds. The Belvedere viewpoint offers a panoramic view of both bays simultaneously, regularly cited as one of the most beautiful in the world. The lagoon around Moorea is an underwater paradise: stingrays glide like living carpets over the sandy bottom, blacktip sharks patrol the reef edge, and humpback whales migrate through the waters from August to November. Snorkeling with rays and sharks in crystal-clear water is Moorea's most iconic experience. The pineapple plantations in the interior produce the sweetest pineapples in the world: Moorea's pineapple factory Manutea processes them into juice, jam, and the famous pineapple liqueur. The vanilla plantations complement the aromatic world of the island. The Polynesian cultural heritage lives on in dance, tattoo art, and the marae (sacred stone platforms). The Tiki Village offers authentic Polynesian shows with fire dancing, traditional umu (earth oven cooking), and handicrafts. The connection to nature and ancestors is palpable in Moorea.
Tahiti
Tahiti is the queen of Polynesia — the largest island of French Polynesia and the gateway to an archipelago of 118 islands scattered over a sea area as large as Western Europe. Since Paul Gauguin created his vibrant South Sea paintings here in 1891, Tahiti has become synonymous with the tropical paradise: volcanic mountain peaks disappearing into the clouds, turquoise lagoons, and a culture that welcomes visitors with flower garlands and the scent of Tiare flowers. Papeete, the vibrant capital, surprises with the Marche de Papeete, one of the most colorful markets in the South Seas: exotic fruits like rambutan, star fruit, and Tahiti vanilla, handmade pareos, black pearls, and fresh tuna are traded under colorful umbrellas. In the evening, the harbor transforms into a Roulotte street — mobile snack trucks where locals and visitors alike enjoy Poisson Cru and crepes under the stars. The interior of Tahiti is unexpectedly wild: the Fautaua waterfall plunges 130 meters into a gorge, accessible only by a multi-hour jungle hike. Mount Orohena (2,241 m) is the highest peak in Polynesia, and the Papenoo Valley leads by 4x4 vehicle through tropical rainforest to sacred Marae temple complexes built by Polynesian ancestors centuries ago. The lagoon of Tahiti Iti (Little Tahiti) offers some of the best surf spots in the world: Teahupo'o, where meter-high waves break over a shallow coral reef, is legendary and was the venue for the surfing competitions at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. For divers, the underwater world offers encounters with manta rays, lemon sharks, and humpback whales that migrate through Polynesian waters from July to November.
Complete guide for French Polynesia
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan a holiday in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is one of the most popular travel destinations in Oceania, offering Luxury, Beach, Diving and much more. The best time to visit French Polynesia is May–October (dry season), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 100–150€ (Budget) to 400–1500€+ (Luxury), French Polynesia is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Papeete, French Polynesia can be excellently explored. The official language is French, Tahitian, and the currency is CFP Franc (XPF). From Germany, you can reach French Polynesia in approx. 22–26 hours (with layover). Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Poisson Cru, Mahi-Mahi, Fei (cooking banana), visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: French Polynesia has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your French Polynesia holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if French Polynesia is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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