French Polynesia guide
The Society Islands
The Society Islands are the high volcanic islands of French Polynesia: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a. They have lagoons, villages, roads and green interior ridges, and almost every cruise itinerary includes several of them. This is the accessible half of the country and, for a first visit, the right half.
Tahiti
Tahiti is the arrival island and a working one. Papeete is a port city rather than a resort, and travelers who fly in expecting a postcard sometimes leave disappointed by the first twelve hours.
We think that is a mistake. The market, the waterfront and the food trucks that set up along the quay in the evening are the most enjoyable ordinary evening in French Polynesia, and the black-sand coast and interior valleys are worth a day. Build in a night here before you board rather than going straight from the aircraft to the ship.
Moorea
Moorea is where the Society Islands start to look like the pictures, and it is close enough to Tahiti that itineraries almost always include it. Two deep bays — Opunohu and Cook's — cut into a ring of jagged green ridges, and the view down over both from the Belvedere lookout is the image most travelers carry home.
The lagoon is calm and easy to snorkel, the island is small enough to circle in a day, and the interior walks are steep but short. It is the island we would choose for a first full day ashore.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is as beautiful as promised and as busy as promised. The lagoon really is that colour, Mount Otemanu really does rise straight out of it, and there really are a great many overwater bungalows around the edge.
As a cruise call it works well, because you get the lagoon and the motu without paying resort rates to sleep there. Travelers looking for solitude should treat it as a sight rather than the highlight, and give their quiet day to Huahine or Taha'a instead.
Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a
These three are the quieter Societies. Huahine is the least developed and the most agricultural, with archaeological sites around Lake Fauna Nui. Raiatea is the cultural heart of the archipelago, with the marae at Taputapuatea inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Taha'a shares Raiatea's lagoon and is known for vanilla.
If your itinerary includes any of them, that is a point in its favour. More on the cultural side in our guide to Polynesian culture and heritage.
Common questions
Which Society Island is best?
Moorea for scenery within easy reach, Bora Bora for the lagoon everyone has seen, Huahine or Taha'a for quiet, Raiatea for history. Most itineraries include several, which is precisely the argument for cruising rather than picking one and staying put.
Is Tahiti worth extra time?
One night before your cruise, yes — it deals with jet lag and gives you the market and the waterfront in the evening. Two or three nights only if you want the interior valleys, the surf coast or the museum, all of which reward the time.
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Written by your expedition advisors
Chris Commisso · Expedition Expert
Erika Commisso · Travel Experience Architect
CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor · ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
Chris and Erika have personally sailed 18 expedition ships and explored eight expedition regions.
Last updated .