Tahiti Islands Guide

About the author, Michael Cottam Founder of Visual Itineraries, Michael lives in Bend, Oregon. He's an avid traveler, scuba diver, photographer, and a private pilot, and also the founder of Bright Yonder, which offers marketing tools to travel agents. He's been to Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Seychelles, Kenya, France, England, New Zealand, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Mexico, and the major islands in French Polynesia. He's been in Rotary for 22 years, currently on the board of the Greater Bend Rotary Club. Here's his LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Which Islands Should We Visit in French Polynesia?

Having been to Tahiti Nui, Bora Bora, and Moorea myself, I'd say that it's not just about the resorts, or even the islands themselves. You need to consider how you're going to get there from the main international airport in Papeete, on the main island of Tahiti Nui. Bora Bora, Le Taha'a, and the Tuamoto Atolls are going to require a plane flight, which adds significantly to your cost AND to the travel time.

Moorea, on the other hand, is close enough that you can hop on a ferry boat from Papeete right after your plane lands, and be at your resort within about an hour, and at very little expense. And while the main island of Tahiti Nui has some nice resorts, the scenery and the resorts themselves generally don't really compare to Moorea, Bora Bora, etc. Most people stay on the main island at most a night or two, then head to one of the outer islands.

Tahiti Nui:

7 resorts; very few overwater bungalows; shopping, food carts, Paul Gauguin Museum.

Bora Bora:

11 resorts, iconic views of Mount Otemanu, wide range of styles of accommodations, tons of overwater bungalows, privacy, luxury.

Moorea:

7 resorts, overwater bungalows, good range of accommodations from moderate to luxury, family-friendly, golf, ATV tours, zip lines, swimming with sharks and sting rays, tons of activities on land and water, easy to get to.

Tuamotu Atolls:

4 resorts, moderate accommodations, a bucket-list quality scuba diving destination, remote and secluded.

Other islands:

8 resorts including Le Taha'a and The Brando, ranging from economy to ultra-luxury accommodations; overwater bungalows, privacy and seclusion.

If you're trying to decide where to stay, we've got over 600 high-resolution photos, about 50 videos, and even some virtual tours. Or talk to one of our Tahiti experts, who know the islands and the resorts like the back of their hand :-).

Click here to see all resorts in French Polynesia.

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Expert's Tips:

I've personally visited almost every resort on Tahiti Nui, Moorea, and Bora Bora, and seen all of the room categories, so that I have a first-hand understanding of the differences between them, as this helps match resorts to each of our clients. While I certainly have my own favorites, I believe that the notion of a "best" resort in Tahiti is a silly marketing ploy: best FOR WHOM? It depends so much on what the client likes.

What's really striking is how different the resorts really are. From pictures, the overwater bungalows look very, very similar. Here's where the resorts really differ:

• Interior style: some are very Polynesian, some have a very classic feel with antique furniture, some are opulent/luxurious with exotic woods and marble, some feel very modern and chic
• The grounds: some are totally flat, others have interesting hills and jungle bits, some feel very open, and others you wander through twisting paths in the jungle (one of them has a spa set in the middle of a lily pond!)
• Pools: some are more elaborate than others, with creative shapes, different views, etc.; some of the bungalows even have private plunge pools
• Dining: I never had a bad meal in French Polynesia--not even a mediocre one, but some resorts have a more expansive menu than others
• Condition: the photos from the hotels will always make the hotel looks its best--some of them have seen some wear and tear since the pictures were taken, so it's helpful to talk to someone who's seen the properties recently
• Location: you can snorkel from the deck of your overwater bungalow at any of the resorts--the difference is what you'll see underwater, as there's a radical difference in what's on the bottom near the bungalows from one property to the next
• Views: on Bora Bora, you'll get views of the spectacular Mount Otemanu from every resort--but, not necessarily every bungalow, as there are a few resorts on the main island (Otemanu is behind you then), and one resort with bungalows on the opposite side of the motu, facing west, away from Otemanu. On Moorea, you're not generally going to get views of the mountains from your bungalow, but you will on the walk back to the shore. And Huahine and Le Taha'a are their own little worlds.

Map of all Resorts in French Polynesia