Things to do in French Polynesia
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Raiatea & Tahaa: Coral Garden Snorkel & Bora Bora ViewsYou board a boat in Raiatea, cross the lagoon to Tahaa, and spend the morning snorkeling in a coral garden with multicolored fish and intact reefs. The boat includes snorkeling equipment on request, and you get a view of Bora Bora from the water before returning. It's built for people with a few hours, not a full day.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Raiatea with a few hours and want to see the lagoon without arranging separate transport and equipment — the boat operator handles the logistics, which is what makes a real snorkel in a half-day possible.
Coral Gardens Bora Bora: Snorkel, manta rays & motu lunchYou board a boat in the morning, snorkel the Coral Gardens and encounter manta rays and stingrays in controlled, safe conditions with a trained guide. Lunch is grilled fish, raw fish in coconut milk, and local sides on Motu Fanfan's beach. All snorkel equipment, the guide, bottled water, and the traditional meal are included; the boat handles transport between the three main stops, and you're back by afternoon.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to snorkel Bora Bora's lagoon and encounter marine life without arranging your own boat or gear — the guide and equipment are included, and the fixed itinerary moves you between three main stops. Plan for a full day on the water with moderate activity getting in and out of the boat; that pace is what lets you cover the Coral Gardens, the rays, and lunch on the motu in one trip.
Tahiti 4.5-Hour East & West Coast Tour from PapeeteYou'll travel the east and west coasts of Tahiti in a single morning, stopping at Point Venus (where Cook observed the 1769 transit), three waterfalls in a lush valley, ancient marae temples, sea caves, and the island's famous surf towns. The air-conditioned vehicle includes WiFi, bottled water and snacks, and your local guide handles all the stops and timing so you return to Papeete knowing you've seen the island's main landmarks without arranging transport yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you're in Papeete for a few hours and want to see both coasts and the main historical sites without arranging your own transport or guide — the fixed schedule and included stops mean you're not negotiating timing or directions yourself.
Private Bora Bora Lagoon Snorkeling: Customized Boat CruiseA private snorkeling cruise around Bora Bora's lagoon with a Tahitian guide who customizes the route, stops and activities to your preference. The captain and guide are both experienced snorkelers who adapt to conditions and keep the group small. Snorkeling gear, towels, water and soft drinks are included; the experience runs 3.5 hours and operates in English or French.Is it for me?The fixed itinerary is gone—your captain and guide build the day around what you want to see and how long you want to stay, which is what makes a private boat the only way to snorkel Bora Bora's lagoon without following someone else's schedule.
Polynesian Culinary Workshop in Paopao Valley, MooreaA Polynesian culinary workshop in Paopao Valley, Moorea, where you make raw fish in coconut milk, po'e (fruit dessert) and coconut bread in a professional kitchen space next to a production laboratory, then share the meal you've prepared. The session runs about three and a half hours and includes all ingredients, lunch, snacks, coffee and tea. Children are welcome from age 7, and guides Stevenson and Audrey teach in English, Spanish or French.Is it for me?The three and a half hour session leaves the rest of your day free, so it fits easily into a morning or afternoon without consuming the whole day. If you want to cook and eat rather than watch a demonstration, this hands-on format is the difference—you make the dishes yourself, not observe someone else making them.
Bora Bora: Luxury Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling with Floating BarYou sail a 46-foot catamaran to a private coral garden, snorkel away from the crowded main sites, then float at a shallow-water bar with drinks and music included. Hotel pickup handles the logistics, and the whole experience fits into a half-day window. Small groups — maximum eight people — keep the boat from feeling like a ferry.Is it for me?Right choice if you want to snorkel Bora Bora's lagoon without the crowded main sites and prefer not to arrange your own transport. The half-day timing fits easily into a vacation schedule, and the eight-person limit means you're never jostling for space on the boat or at the reef.
Bora Bora: Introductory Scuba Dive & Coral Garden AfternoonYou’ll feel that first breath underwater in Bora Bora’s lagoon, guided by a patient local instructor. Swim among bright tropical fish in a coral garden, with all gear included and hotel pickup sorted for you. It’s gentle, hands-on, and leaves you quietly buzzing long after you’re back on shore.
Bora Bora: ATV Island Tour, WWII Sites & Fruit TastingYou’ll zip through Bora Bora’s heart on an ATV tour with a local guide, climb up for wild lagoon views, sample fresh island fruits right from a family plot, and wander among WWII relics above Faanui Bay. Expect laughter, ocean air in your lungs, and moments that stick with you long after you leave.
Moorea Snorkeling: Dolphins, Stingrays & Coral CanyonYou get picked up from your hotel and spend a half-day snorkeling three separate spots in Moorea's lagoon: a shallow sandbank with stingrays and sharks, a drift snorkel through a coral canyon with turtles, and a coral garden full of fish. The tour includes all equipment, a local guide, and a fruit break. Around four hours total, with hotel return included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel Moorea's main lagoon sites without arranging your own boat or gear — the fixed schedule and included transport mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled.
Va'a sailing tour in Moorea: Traditional Polynesian canoeA 4-hour sailing tour on a traditional va'a in Moorea's lagoon where you take part in hoisting sails and steering the double-hulled canoe while your guide shares stories of Polynesian seafaring. The boat was hand-built over four years and is the first double-sail va'a approved in Polynesia. Morning and afternoon departures available; snorkeling gear, drinks and local snacks included; suitable for ages 4 and up with no sailing experience needed.Is it for me?Handle the va'a yourself, learn traditional sailing techniques, and discover hidden lagoon spots where you'll anchor to snorkel and taste local food—the ocean becomes your experience, not your scenery.
Rangiroa Blue Lagoon: Private Pink Sand Island, Shark & Bird TourYou’ll walk barefoot across Rangiroa’s rare pink sand beach, snorkel with curious sharks in crystal water, taste fresh coconut crab with local wine for lunch, and listen to stories from your guide under swaying palms. It’s a day that lingers long after you leave—especially that first step onto the island.
Snorkeling in Tahiti: Sea Scooter Safari with GuideSnorkel Tahiti's lagoon on an underwater scooter with a live guide, visiting the Aquarium, White Valley, the Source and Mont Rae Rae to spot rays, sharks, turtles and coral gardens. Groups stay small—2 to 7 people—and the guide speaks English, Spanish or French. Pickup is included, and the activity runs four hours.Is it for me?Book this if you have a free morning and want to see multiple reef sites without the physical strain of swimming between them—the scooter covers more ground and keeps small groups of 2 to 7 people together at each stop, so you spend the time watching, not working.
Moorea: Sea Scooter Jet Snorkeling Small Group Reef TourYou’ll glide through Moorea’s coral gardens with a sea scooter (no swimming skills needed), spot stingrays and tropical fish alongside a local guide, and enjoy small group company. Expect hands-on help, hotel pickup if you want it, bottled water after snorkeling—and maybe even a turtle sighting if you’re lucky.
Bora Bora Shark and Ray Snorkel Safari: Half-Day Shared BoatYou spend four hours snorkeling in Bora Bora's coral gardens and swimming near rays and reef sharks, guided by someone who knows where to find them. The tour includes snorkeling gear, water, fresh fruit, and a towel. You meet at the dock and return by early afternoon, which leaves the rest of your day open.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Bora Bora who want to snorkel with rays and sharks without arranging their own boat. The four-hour window fits a half-day schedule, and small group size means you're not competing for space or attention from the guide.
Bora Bora Sunset Catamaran Cruise & DrinksYou board a luxury catamaran at sunset with hotel pickup included, settle into sunbeds or the shaded lounge, and spend the evening watching the light change across Bora Bora's lagoon while a hostess brings drinks and snacks. The boat's nets and comfortable seating mean you can lounge however you want — quiet or social — and the smooth ride and small group size keep the whole thing feeling intimate rather than crowded. Return transport to your hotel is included, so the evening ends without logistics.Is it for me?Book this if you want a quiet evening on the water without arranging transport, finding a restaurant, or deciding what to order — the fixed itinerary and included drinks mean you show up and the rest unfolds.
Tahiti: Humpback Whale Watching & Snorkel Tour 4.5hYou board a small boat (max 12 passengers) at Papeete Marina and spend the morning searching for humpback whales with a naturalist guide, then snorkel in the lagoon among tropical fish. Gear, snacks and fruit are included. The tour runs 4.5 hours and departs at 7am or 1pm—book the time that fits your schedule, and know that whale sightings depend on their presence that day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see humpback whales in their natural habitat without a large crowd and don't mind that sightings depend on the whales showing up—the small group size and respectful pace are what make a genuine encounter possible.
Tahiti: 4x4 Safari Through Papenoo Valley & Caldera CraterYou ride a 4x4 through Tahiti's largest valley, stop at black sand beaches and a volcanic crater, eat lunch in a traditional village, and hear stories about the island's myths and history from a guide who knows the land. The full day includes a local fruit platter and photo stops at waterfalls and the high-altitude lake. Bring your own lunch and water, and book only if you're comfortable with rough roads and a moderate level of physical activity.Is it for me?Right for travelers with moderate fitness who want to see Tahiti's interior without hiking or organized group tours. The rough roads and full-day duration mean you'll be in a moving vehicle for hours, which is exactly what makes reaching the crater and the village possible in one day.
Private Snorkeling Tour Bora Bora: 4 Lagoon Stops, No SharingYou choose your snorkeling stops in Bora Bora's lagoon — manta rays, eagle rays, coral, tropical fish — with a private guide who adjusts the route to your pace. Hotel pickup, gear, water and snacks included. Morning (3.5 hours) or afternoon (3 hours) departures available.Is it for me?Right for couples or small groups who want the lagoon without a crowd and the flexibility to linger where they choose. Plan for a half-day out of your schedule — that's what makes the private route and four stops possible in one outing.
Moorea: Half-Day Small Group Tour, Bays & Fruit TastingYou’ll ride through Moorea’s dramatic bays with a local guide, hear island legends at Belvedere Lookout, walk among ancient marae stones by the river, taste fresh tropical fruits at Opunohu Agriculture School, and sample juices at Rotui factory—all in half a day. Expect laughter, new flavors, and moments that linger long after you return.
Tahaa Lagoon Tour from Raiatea: Pearl Farm, Motu Lunch & Coral GardenYou’ll ride out from Raiatea with a small group across Tahaa’s turquoise lagoon, visit a family pearl farm and see how they work by hand, enjoy lunch on a quiet motu islet, snorkel through Tau Tau’s coral garden with your guide nearby, and wander among fragrant vanilla vines before heading back salty-haired and sun-warmed.
