Travel to French Polynesia: cheap flights to Tahiti
Five island groups, 118 islands and an ocean the size of a continent: French Polynesia combines turquoise lagoons, volcanic peaks and overwater bungalows. An overseas collectivity of France, it has a single international airport, on Tahiti. Here is how to plan the trip and track fares.
French Polynesia in numbers
Capital
Papeete
Population
~283,000
Status
Overseas collectivity
Island groups
5
Currency
CFP franc
Languages
French, Tahitian
UNESCO sites
2
Time zone
UTC-10
Airports covered
3
Why visit French Polynesia
A slice of France in the middle of the Pacific
Five island groups, a vast territory
The Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Gambier and Austral groups cover a huge maritime area for only 3,521 km2 of land. The Society Islands alone hold at least 205,000 residents.
Taputapuātea and the Marquesas
The Taputapuātea marae on Raiatea, the most sacred ceremonial platform in the Polynesian world, has been a UNESCO site since 2017. The Marquesas, with steep valleys and dramatic landscapes, are also on the World Heritage List as a mixed property.
Lagoons and overwater bungalows
Shallow lagoons make it possible to build bungalows on stilts. Bora Bora, an extinct volcano with two peaks inside a barrier reef, is one of the most visited islands in French Polynesia.
Paul Gauguin, pearls and vanilla
Gauguin lived on Tahiti in the 1890s and painted many Tahitian subjects. Black Tahitian pearls, high quality vanilla and noni juice are the best-known exports, and the Heiva festival in July celebrates dance and traditional sports.
Islands and landmarks
Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and beyond
Tahiti and Papeete, the gateway
Tahiti is the highest and largest island, with Mount Orohena at 2,241 m and a lagoon of about 141 km2. Fa'a'ā International Airport lies near Papeete, the capital, where the market and the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands are the main stops. Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti are the two halves of the island.
Moorea, the sister island
Moorea sits close to Tahiti and is reached by catamaran from the Vaiare ferry terminal or by a short flight. Mount Tohivea (1,207 m) is the highest point; Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay are the best-known views. Average temperatures run 28 to 30 C with a steady breeze.
Bora Bora, the pearl of the Pacific
About 230 km north-west of Papeete, Bora Bora has one reef passage, Teavanui, deep enough for cruise ships. The airstrip on the motu Mute dates from the Second World War and was the only international airport in French Polynesia until 1960. Luxury hotels with overwater bungalows dominate, and diving with sharks and rays is popular.
Raiatea, the Tuamotus and the Marquesas
On Raiatea, the Taputapuātea marae was once the religious heart of the Society Islands. The Tuamotu atolls are diving destinations, and Hiva Oa in the Marquesas is where Gauguin died in 1903.
Food and culture
Poisson cru, pearls and vanilla
Polynesian cooking features poisson cru, raw fish in coconut milk, along with faraoa 'ipo, a sweet coconut bread, and rēti'a. Black pearls accounted for 55 percent of the territory's exports by value in 2008; vanilla and noni juice round out the list.
In July the Heiva festival brings together dance, singing and traditional games. French and Tahitian are the everyday languages, and the Maohi culture of tattooing and stone marae continues in the Society Islands and the Marquesas.
Getting around
Boats, ferries and inter-island flights
Fa'a'ā is the only international airport in French Polynesia. Each main island then has its own airfield: Bora Bora and Moorea are served by local airlines, and there are 53 airports in total. Moorea can also be reached by ferry from Papeete.
Leave generous connection times if you combine a long-haul flight, an inter-island hop and a boat transfer. French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France but sits outside the Schengen area, so check entry rules for your nationality. To combine with other Pacific stops, look at New Caledonia, New Zealand or Tonga.
Before you go
Two seasons and a steady tropical climate
| Island | Climate | Best time to visit |
|---|---|---|
| Tahiti & Papeete | 21 to 31 C, little seasonal change; January is the wettest month (340 mm) | May to October |
| Moorea | 28 to 30 C on average, steady wind | May to October; July for the Heiva |
| Bora Bora | 22 to 33 C; sometimes violent storms from November to April | May to October |
| Marquesas & Tuamotus | Tropical; steep valleys in the Marquesas, atolls in the Tuamotus | May to October |
The wet season runs from November to April and the drier season from May to October. Cyclones can reach the Society Islands during the wet season. Prices are high, especially on Bora Bora, so plan your budget early.
Flying to French Polynesia
The Polynesian airports covered by SniperAir
Faa'a International
Papeete airport on Tahiti: the only international airport in French Polynesia.
Bora Bora
A former US Second World War airstrip on the motu Mute, now served by local airlines.
Moorea
An airfield opened in 1967 for short hops from Tahiti; the ferry is the alternative.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about French Polynesia
Which airport should I fly into for French Polynesia?
Faa'a (PPT), at Papeete on Tahiti, is the only international airport. For Bora Bora (BOB) and Moorea (MOZ), take an inter-island flight; Moorea is also reachable by ferry.
When is the best time to visit?
May to October, the cooler and drier season. November to April is hot and humid, with storms and some cyclone risk. In July, the Heiva festival enlivens Papeete.
Is French Polynesia expensive?
Yes, prices are high, especially for luxury hotels on Bora Bora, where overwater bungalows are among the priciest. Compare options with partners and stay flexible on dates.
Do I need a visa or passport?
French Polynesia belongs to France but is not part of the Schengen area, so entry rules depend on your nationality. Check with the authorities before you travel.
How long should I stay?
Plan 10 to 14 days to combine Tahiti, Moorea and a resort island such as Bora Bora. Add a few days for the Tuamotus or the Marquesas.
How do I get alerted when a flight to French Polynesia drops below my budget?
Create a SniperAir alert with your departure airport and Papeete, Bora Bora or Moorea as destination. We watch prices and notify you as soon as an opportunity matches. See how it works.
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