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🇵🇫 Itinerary · French Polynesia · 14 days

2-week French Polynesia itinerary 2026: the ideal route

Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora: 14 days linking the 4 essential Society Islands without excess transit. Detailed budget, inter-island flights, real accommodation.

🔄 Updated June 30, 2026

📅 See the program 🔄 See variants

In brief

Duration

14 days

Stops

4 islands

Average budget

€2,900-5,800

Total distance

~600 km inter-island

Profile

Lagoon & islands

Season

May-October

Tahiti 2d · Moorea 3d · Huahine 3d · Bora Bora 6d

Itinerary map

The route at a glance

French Polynesia 2-week itinerary map: Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Detailed program

14 days, day by day

1

~€70/pers

Tahiti · Arrival in Papeete

  • Morning/Afternoon Arrival at Tahiti-Faa'a airport after 22-24 h of flying (technical stop in LAX or SFO). Transfer to Papeete (15 min).
  • Late afternoon Nap to reset the clock (12 h time difference with Paris in summer), then a walk along the Papeete waterfront.
  • Evening Dinner at the Vai'ete roulottes (seaside food trucks), raw fish in coconut milk speciality.
🛌 🛌 Papeete · e.g. Hilton Tahiti (2 nights)·🚖 Airport shuttle or taxi·Tahiti guide →
2

~€60

Tahiti · Island tour and waterfalls

  • 9am Papeete market (the covered municipal market, busiest on Saturday mornings): vanilla, black pearls, monoi oil.
  • 11am Pointe Venus, the black sand beach where Cook observed the transit of Venus in 1769.
  • 2pm Hike to the Fataua waterfall, under an hour's walk from central Papeete.
  • Evening Packing up: the ferry to Moorea leaves early the next morning.
3

~€25

Tahiti → Moorea · Crossing the channel

  • 8am Fast ferry (Aremiti or Terevau) from Papeete harbour (30-45 min, ~€17/one-way).
  • 9:30am Check-in around Cook's Bay or Opunohu Bay. First swim in the lagoon.
  • Afternoon Guided snorkeling trip with rays and sharks at Pointe Noire, right off the lagoon.
🛌 🛌 Cook's Bay · e.g. Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa (3 nights)·⛴️ Tahiti-Moorea ferry
4

~€45

Moorea · Belvedere and the pineapple road

  • Morning Climb to the Mount Tohivea belvedere, with Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay side by side below.
  • Midday Lunch along the pineapple road, fresh juice tasting at the local agricultural cooperative.
  • Afternoon Visit a pearl farm in Opunohu Bay.
5

~€120-180

Moorea · Swimming with whales (July-November) or lagoon day

  • 7am Guided humpback whale swim (July to November, peak August-September, booking mandatory in advance). Outside that window, a classic lagoon trip (rays, turtles, motu) instead.
  • 1pm Picnic on a private motu, turquoise water and white sandy bottom.
  • Evening Waterfront dinner, last night in Moorea.
🤿 Guided boat trip
6

~€140

Moorea → Tahiti → Huahine · Transit day

  • 7am Return ferry Moorea → Tahiti (30-45 min).
  • 10:30am Air Tahiti flight Papeete → Huahine (ATR, 40 min, daily flight, ~€140 in standard class).
  • 12pm Arrival at Fare airport. Check-in on Huahine Iti, Avea bay.
🛌 🛌 Avea (Huahine Iti) · e.g. Pension Mauarii (3 nights)·⛴️ Ferry + ✈️ domestic flight
7

~€35

Huahine · Maeva marae and Maroe bay

  • Morning Maeva archaeological site: marae (stone Polynesian temples) on the shore of Lake Fauna Nui, the best preserved in the Society Islands.
  • Afternoon Scooter tour of the island (~€25/day rental): the bridge linking Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti, Maroe bay.
  • Evening Dinner at the pension, local specialities (raw fish, fafa).
🛵 Scooter rental on site
8

~€50

Huahine · Avea, pearl farm and vanilla

  • Morning Avea beach, one of the finest in the Society Islands, with few crowds.
  • Midday Visit a vanilla plantation (Huahine is one of the main producing islands).
  • Afternoon Free snorkeling off the pension's pontoon, shallow and calm lagoon.
9

~€160

Huahine → Bora Bora · Direct flight, Leeward Islands

  • Morning Direct Air Tahiti flight Huahine → Bora Bora (30 min, only 3 flights/week: book 2-3 months ahead in high season).
  • Midday Arrival at Bora Bora airport (Motu Mute), boat shuttle transfer to Vaitape (15 min, usually included by hotels).
  • Afternoon Check-in, first look at the lagoon and Mount Otemanu.
🛌 🛌 Bora Bora lagoon · e.g. InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, or a Vaitape pension on a budget (6 nights)·✈️ Direct flight + 🚤 boat shuttle·Bora Bora guide →
10

~€40

Bora Bora · Lagoonarium and Matira beach

  • Morning Matira beach, the island's only public beach, white sand and shallow water.
  • Afternoon Semi-wild Lagoonarium: rays, lemon sharks, turtles, reached by boat shuttle.
11

~€90

Bora Bora · Full lagoon tour

  • 9am-4pm Lagoon boat tour (~€85): manta ray swim at the pass, lemon sharks, picnic on a private motu.
  • Evening Dinner with a view of Mount Otemanu at sunset.
12

~€70

Bora Bora · Mount Otemanu hike and 4x4

  • Morning Inland 4x4 excursion: former American WWII cannons, viewpoints over the lagoon.
  • Afternoon Overwater bungalow time: nap, snorkeling off the private pontoon if the property has one.
13

~€50

Bora Bora · Free day and sunset cruise

  • Daytime Full rest, last swim in the lagoon, last Tahitian black pearl shopping in Vaitape.
  • 6pm Sunset catamaran cruise, champagne and reef views.
14

Flight

Bora Bora → France · Return

  • Morning Last moments by the lagoon. Check-out, shuttle transfer to the airport (Motu Mute).
  • Afternoon Flight Bora Bora → Papeete, then international connection to Paris via Los Angeles or San Francisco.

How much

Itinerary budget (per person, Paris-Tahiti flight included)

Backpacker

€2,900

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight Paris-Tahiti: €1,100
  • 🏨 Family pension: €90/night
  • 🍽️ Local meals: €30/day
  • ⛴️ Ferry + inter-island flights: €250
  • 🎫 Activities: €150
Recommended

Comfort

€5,800

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight Paris-Tahiti: €1,250
  • 🏨 3-4★ hotel in Moorea/Tahiti, pension in Huahine: €200-320/night
  • 🍽️ Mixed dining: €50/day
  • ✈️ Air Tahiti inter-island pass: €450
  • 🎫 Activities: €300

Honeymoon

€14,000

per person

  • ✈️ Business class possible: €1,100-4,000
  • 🏨 5★ overwater bungalow, Bora Bora: €1,200-2,500/night
  • 🍽️ Half-board + restaurants: €100/day
  • 🚤 Private boat transfers
  • 🎫 Private excursions: €500

Shorter, longer

Other possible durations

1 week

1 week

Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora. The essential Society Islands.

You're here

2 weeks

2 weeks

4 islands including Huahine for a more authentic stop.

1 month

1 month

A tour of all 5 archipelagos, including the Tuamotu and the Marquesas.

How to get around

Itinerary logistics

This itinerary combines 2 ferry crossings, 2 Air Tahiti inter-island flights and several boat shuttles. Budget roughly €350-450 of inter-island transport over 14 days, on top of the international flight.

⛴️

Tahiti-Moorea ferry

~€17/one-way · Aremiti or Terevau · 30-45 min · frequent, booking not essential

✈️

Flight Papeete → Huahine

~€140 · Air Tahiti, ATR · daily flight · 40 min

✈️

Direct flight Huahine → Bora Bora

~€160 · Air Tahiti · only 3 flights/week · book 2-3 months ahead in high season

🚤

Bora Bora airport boat shuttle

Motu Mute → Vaitape, 15 min · often included in the hotel rate

🎫

Air Tahiti inter-island pass

From €550 for 3 to 5 destinations · pays off from 3 flights

Adapt by season

Dry season, whale season or wet season: 3 versions of the same itinerary

This itinerary works year-round, but the content shifts with the month. From May to October (dry season), the sea is calmer for ferry and inter-island transfers: the most comfortable version. From July to October, add 1 day in Moorea if possible for a guided humpback whale swim (peak in August-September, book 1 to 2 months ahead). From November to April (warm, humid season, rain peaks December-January), showers are more frequent but brief: keep lagoon activities in the morning, and Bora Bora hotel rates drop noticeably, a good argument for this period on a tighter budget.

Author tips

What I would redo (and change)

✅ Would redo

  • • In September 2025, the whale-watching trip booked in Moorea the day before was fully booked: we had to wait 2 days for a spot. Book the moment you land in Polynesia, or even before leaving if you're traveling between August and September.
  • • The direct flight Huahine → Bora Bora instead of routing back through Papeete: 30 minutes instead of half a day of connections
  • • The family pension in Huahine rather than a hotel: genuine Polynesian welcome, fair price, and the best base for visiting Maeva
  • • The morning ferry to Moorea (8am) rather than the afternoon one: calmer sea, less crowded on arrival
  • • 1 extra day in Bora Bora rather than Tahiti: Tahiti wraps up well in 2 days, Bora Bora rewards a longer stay once you're there

⚠️ Would change

  • • Book the Air Tahiti inter-island pass before departure rather than on site: flights to Huahine and Bora Bora fill up fast in July-August
  • • Don't cut Moorea down to 2 nights if a whale season trip (July-November) is part of the plan: a single outing isn't always enough if the weather doesn't cooperate
  • • Plan a buffer night in Tahiti on the way back if the international connection is tight: Bora Bora → Papeete flights sometimes run late
  • • Don't book an overwater 5★ bungalow for the entire Bora Bora stay: 2-3 nights overwater and the rest in Vaitape cuts the bill without cutting the experience

FAQ

Itinerary FAQ

Do you need to book inter-island flights before leaving? +
Yes, especially in high season (July-August, year-end holidays). The Huahine → Bora Bora flight only runs 3 times a week and fills up fast. Book the pass or Air Tahiti flights 2-3 months before departure.
Is this itinerary doable without domestic flights, using ferries only? +
Partially. The Apetahi Express links Papeete to Huahine in 3 h and continues on to Bora Bora, but only 3 days a week and with mandatory booking. The Tahiti-Moorea ferry, on the other hand, is frequent and unconstrained. Flying remains simpler for fitting 4 islands into 14 days.
What's the best order to visit these 4 islands? +
Tahiti first (arrival, jet lag) and Bora Bora last (a strong note to end the trip on) work well. Moorea before Huahine lets you use the easy ferry early on, before the more complex inter-island flights to the Leeward Islands.
Can this itinerary be adapted for a family with children? +
Yes, Moorea and Huahine suit children well (shallow lagoon, short guided outings). Trim the Bora Bora portion instead (for budget reasons) and favour accommodation with a pool and kids' activities in Moorea.
What budget should I plan for this itinerary in a family pension? +
Around €2,900 per person, international flight included: pension at €80-150/night, local meals, ferry and standard-class inter-island flights. The overwater bungalow in Bora Bora is what drives the bill up in the comfort or honeymoon version.
How much time should I allow between Huahine and Bora Bora at the airport? +
The direct flight takes 30 minutes, but allow 1h30 to 2 h in total with check-in on the Huahine side and the boat shuttle transfer to Vaitape once you land in Bora Bora (the airport sits on Motu Mute, separate from the main island).

Marie Laurent ✓

·

Southeast Asia specialist · itinerary personally tested.

Last updated: June 30, 2026.

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