Top 15 Things to Do in French Polynesia in 2026

French Polynesia captivates with overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, and volcanic peaks that draw millions every year. This sprawling archipelago of 118 islands delivers unbeatable things to do in French Polynesia, from drifting with sharks in Rangiroa to wandering ancient marae in Raiatea.

Start here for a clear look at French Polynesia, covering must-see spots across the islands. Explore what to do, from lagoon swims to mountain hikes. Sample routes show how to move between islands without stress. Information on phone service and internet access helps you stay linked when needed. Each detail fits together so the journey feels smooth from start to finish.

Snorkeling and Diving Adventures

Off public shores in Moorea, explore bright coral beds while snorkeling - then take a boat ride that finds turtles alongside eagle rays, zero training needed. For those who dive deep, Fakarava's Tumakohua Channel pulls thrill-seekers toward sheer drop-offs swarming with more than a hundred reef sharks. Another draw is Rangiroa’s Tiputa Pass, where hammerheads appear near pods of lively dolphins. In Bora Bora, the lagoonarium welcomes newcomers through calm, clear shallows filled with gentle feedings of rays and small sharks.

Hiking and Scenic Lookouts

Up on Moorea at Belvedere Lookout, wide-open sights stretch across both Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, start your walk before sunrise if you want quiet among the rows of pineapples. Through thick green cover on Tahiti, a narrow path climbs fast toward an old volcanic rim where everything opens into sky and stone. Over on Bora Bora, rough dirt roads take four-wheelers high enough to glimpse the foot of Mount Otemanu, passing rusted wartime guns tucked beside tree roots.

Cultural Experiences and Marae Visits

Cultural discovery remains one of the most meaningful things to do in French Polynesia, especially when visiting ancient marae and village gatherings. Start your journey where old chants echo - Raiatea’s Taputapuatea Marae stands quiet, stones shaped by hands long gone. Watch local artisans near Papeete weaving pandanus leaves into baskets and mats, their hands moving quickly through natural fibers. Among hills and palms, Huahine holds more than thirty temple sites carved into memory. At Faie, water ripples when locals toss food to pale-eyed eels that glide like shadows.

Fresh bites of poisson cru greet you first at Papeete Market, where crafts spill from every corner. Music floats through the air, not loud but steady, threading between voices and footsteps. Tying a pareo yourself changes how you see it - slower, closer. Instead of standing back, trying an ukulele lesson pulls you into the rhythm. Memory sticks better when fingers move, not just eyes.

Island Tours and Plantations

Bumping along trails into Moorea’s rugged heart brings you to Rotui Juice Factory - pineapple chunks wait there, followed by sips of sharp rum. Over on Taha’a, among rows of green vines, workers explain how each flower must be touched by hand before revealing ripe vanilla beans pulled fresh from their stems. Old stone temples appear along the route, built from coral stone and volcanic rock and layered with centuries of history.

Out on the water, circling Bora Bora means stumbling upon old war wreckage and quiet stretches of sand. Choosing a smaller crew makes things feel closer, more relaxed. Some tours finish off with grilled food on a tiny island.

Beach Relaxation and Overwater Stays

White sand stretches wide at Matira Beach on Bora Bora, open to everyone, great for wading when the water pulls back. Just beyond the Sofitel in Moorea lies Temae Beach, where gentle waves invite slow swims through clear patches. Around Maupiti, a thin island loop wraps nothing but quiet - no hotels, just sky meeting sea.

Floating huts in Bora Bora, Moorea, and Taha’a place you right in a dreamy scene - some even have clear floor panels where you can spot fish drifting underneath. While most island stays feel remote, these sit lightly on the water, opening up views few places match.

Best Islands to Visit in French Polynesia

Exploring multiple islands unlocks some of the most diverse things to do in French Polynesia, from reef dives to rainforest walks. Out past the busy streets of Papeete, Tahiti greets you with lively markets and waves crashing on dark shores. A short ride by boat brings you to Moorea, where jungle trails climb above turquoise water and reef sharks gather near shore. Overwater bungalows line Bora Bora’s famous lagoon, set above clear shallows in long wooden rows. Farther out, Rangiroa wraps around endless blue, known best for strong currents that pull divers into swirling life below. Then there is Raiatea - home to ancient stones at Taputapuatea, where stories echo under wide palms.

Out here, Huahine pulls you straight into quiet island rhythm, where people know the sacred eels by name. Taha’a draws visitors not with beaches but with sweet-smelling fields of vanilla vines. You won’t find high-rises on Maupiti - just calm waters and slow days under coconut shade. Divers talk most about Fakarava, where drop-offs bring swarms of sharks out of deep blue silence. The Marquesas wait for those who want raw paths, ancient carvings hidden in steep valleys. Start with places like Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora - their names come up often for a reason. After that, move toward the atolls of Tuamotu if swimming with manta rays sounds right.

Food and Market Delights

Tasting local dishes ranks high among the everyday things to do in French Polynesia, especially at markets and seaside stalls. Floating on a lagoon breeze, poisson cru is served as fresh fish with coconut milk. Street wheels called roulottes turn corners of Tahiti loud with flavor. A dish from Taha’a carries vanilla like a secret, best tasted alongside Moorea’s sun-warmed pineapple chunks. At Papeete Market, piles of uru rise high, next to pink shrimp trays and bottles full of sharp noni drink. A bite of Poe pie might surprise you, while blowhole-grilled shrimp brings smoky depth.

Unique Activities for Thrill Seekers

Floating through clear water on a drift snorkel near Tahiti feels quiet, smooth. High above Moorea, cables carry you across green valleys at Tiki Parp. When whales visit Bora Bora, guided swims happen - only with official approval. Deep inside Tahiti, hidden caves wait under rock folds. Farther along, pools shaped by nature shimmer beneath open sky.

Explore Huahine's hidden paths on a rented scooter. Glide across Moorea’s clear lagoon waters by kayak.

10 Day French Polynesia Itinerary

This sample route bundles the essential things to do in French Polynesia into a smooth 10-day plan. Footsteps begin in Tahiti. Two quiet days unwind among Paofai Gardens’ green hush. A path leads toward Faarumai Waterfalls, where water spills down stone without hurry. Meanwhile, Papeete Market hums with color - pearls gleam, vanilla pods breathe deep.

On the third morning, a ferry cuts across to Moorea. Hills rise sharply, watched from Belvedere Lookout like silent giants.

Later, wheels crunch over red dirt as ATVs roll past rows of pineapples, dusty and bright. By dusk, shapes glide beneath the surface in Opunohu Bay - stingrays move like shadows underwater. Days stretch into Bora Bora by the fifth sunrise. The lagoon wraps the island in shifting blue. Coral bursts below the snorkel line, alive with darting fins. Overhead, one small hut floats on stilts above the water. Sunset arrives slowly, tipping light across the waves.

On day nine, head to Rangiroa. Float through Tiputa Pass where dolphins glide near sharks beneath you. Afterward, visit a working pearl farm just off the shore.

Want something richer? Choose Taha’a instead, its vanilla plantations offer quiet walks among sweet-scented vines. Those watching costs could extend time on Moorea, where prices stay lower. Book every internal flight early using Air Tahiti - they fill fast.

• Day 1 to 2: Tahiti, markets, waterfalls, black pearls.
• Day 3 to 5: Moorea, hikes, 4x4 tours, lagoon picnics.
• Day 6 to 8: Bora Bora, shark swims, Matira Beach, fire dances.
• Day 9 to 10: Rangiroa, scuba passes, motu relaxation.

Capture and Share Your Polynesian Paradise with SimCorner

Want to get online the moment you land? That is what SimCorner offers through global eSIMs made for people moving between islands. Scan the QR code and get connected straight to your phone. No hunting for local SIMs, no hassle swapping tiny cards. Your device handles it all if it supports eSIM tech. Activation works whether you are still at home or already boarding the next ferry.

Getting around gets easier with a travel eSIM that offers real-time map lookups, last-minute booking checks, quick messages to friends, or uploading pictures mid-adventure. Open your camera once you buy it, point it at the QR code, then let your device guide you through the rest.

Starting fresh each morning, the connection stays steady when island hopping or settling into a single spot. With SimCorner, choices adapt easily to where the road leads. Their plans move at your pace.