Time of Year: May
*Note: French Polynesia is HUGE! This sample itinerary touches only a fragment of what French Polynesia has to offer, but it is perfect for a short trip to the islands.
Day One: Fly into Tahiti. Overnight at Hotel Sara Nui.
My friend, Rosie, took this trip with me, and we flew in from different locations, meeting up at Hotel Sara Nui. There is nothing fancy about this hotel, but all we needed was a place to sleep for a brief night, and it was perfect for that. However, none of the staff, at least that night, spoke English, so we had a little difficulty with the check in, but it was fine.
Day Two: Fly to Moorea. Stay at Hotel Fenua Mata’i’oa. Drinks and swimming at the hotel.
I cannot say enough good things about this hotel! The design is like a tropical jungle on the beach. We actually stayed in two different rooms here because I upgraded the second night (it wasn’t available the first night) with my United miles. In both rooms, we had our own private beach. The service was outstanding, and I just kept thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m staying at a place this cool!’ After getting acquainted with the hotel, we met up with a friend of mine from home, Chris, and her friend, Heimata, from Moorea. Heimata took us to Taoahere Beach House Snack. Then he took us for a drive to see Mount Tohivea, Rotui, Opuhonu, and LOTS of pineapples. After a nice drive, we hung at Heimata’s house for a drink before heading back to the hotel and having dinner at Holy Steakhouse.
Day Three: Hang at hotel. Explore or foot.
We rented a clear canoe at the hotel and paddled out to the sandbar. At this sandbar, tours come to let people swim with the blacktip sharks and stingrays. After canoeing, we went snorkeling. In the afternoon we walked around the island a little and had lunch at Chez Tamahau in Haapiti. We also got enough food to take home for dinner. We did some souvenir shopping, and then went back to the hotel.
Day Four: Fly to Huahine. Drive around the island.
We woke up to a GORGEOUS Moorea sunrise. We made breakfast at the hotel, then packed up and headed back to the airport. On Huahine, we stayed at Fare Hautiare. Fare Hautiare is island living at it’s finest…and by “finest,” I mean no frills. It was as if we actually lived there. They also included a car with the rental, which was amazing. We drove around the island after we got settled, and ate dinner at Hotel Le Mahana, watched the sunset, and headed back to our place.
Day Five: Explore Huahine.
Woke up and made mimosas with pineapple champagne and fresh squeezed oranges. We made a charcuterie tray at our place for lunch, then headed out for more beach and exploring. Watched the sunset at Fare Harbor…unbelievably beautiful.
Day Six: Fly to Bora Bora.
We drove around Huahine for more exploration before leaving this island. We stopped at Fare Potee Maeva and took pictures of a fishpond. Then we went back to the airport to head to Bora Bora. We stayed the first night at the Royal Bora Bora.
Day Seven: Move to the Intercontinental.
I got up and went for an early morning run. The hotel had a great breakfast buffet. After breakfast, I did a jet ski tour. After the tour we changed hotels to the Intercontinental to spend a night over the water.
Day Eight: Fly home.
This itinerary was perfect. I would have loved to stay longer at Hotel Fenua Mata’i’oa on Moorea and explored more of the island, but given our limited time frame, what we did worked well. I wouldn’t change anything about our time on Huahine. I could probably spend a significantly increased amount of time on Bora Bora if I had it, and if I had the money, I would spend another night or two in an overwater bungalow. We really didn’t see much of the island of Bora Bora, either, but the water is where we wanted to be.