Tour guides France > Polynesia

5 ideas for guided tours in French Polynesia

• Île aux Récifs

  

  An hour by boat from Tubuai, in the Austral Islands, lies an almost unreal treasure: Île aux Récifs. Wild, preserved, silent. Here, the ocean hasn’t just shaped the landscapes. It has carved a labyrinth of coral where water filters through, forming natural pools with watercolor hues.

  At low tide, you walk barefoot among the reefs. The silence is broken only by the calls of brown boobies or a passing current. Nothing touristic—everything feels raw and true. No hotels, no roads. Just nature, in its purest form.

  This remote place, reachable only by boat with a local guide, feels like a forgotten land. Shades of blue, no crowds, sunlit shells… Everything invites awakening.

  This is not a place to describe—it’s a place to live. You return different, a bit freer, a bit calmer.

• Bora Bora

  

  Northwest of Tahiti, nestled in the Society Islands, Bora Bora seems to float between sky and lagoon. Its name alone evokes escape. But seeing it in real life is something else. A soft, surreal shock.

  From the summit of Mount Otemanu, an ancient volcano draped in green, you take in one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons. Below, the water dances in blues—turquoise, emerald, sapphire. At Matira, the only public beach, the sand feels unreal underfoot.

  Explore the lagoon by outrigger canoe, swim with stingrays, maybe cross paths with a blacktip reef shark. Nothing frightening—everything here is peaceful. Even the silences feel magical.

  Bora Bora isn’t a place you visit. It’s a place you feel. In the gaze of its people, in the warm evening breeze, in the scent of tiare flowers at Vaitape market. A place where the world fades. Where time simply disappears.

• Maupiti

  

  Just 40 kilometers from Bora Bora, Maupiti feels like another world. Quieter, more intimate, it offers the Polynesia of your dreams—without the flashy luxury.

  There are no big hotels here. Just a few family-run guesthouses where smiles are genuine. The island is tiny—you can bike across it in under an hour. Yet every corner deserves your time. The pure blue lagoon wraps around it like a jewel on glass.

  From Mount Teurafaatiu, a short hike up, the view takes your breath away. Below, the motus (coral islets) form a turquoise lace. You can reach them by canoe, or even on foot at low tide.

  Swimming with manta rays in the lagoon is a suspended moment. The silence underwater, the graceful movement of these giants—it feels like a rare privilege. Maupiti doesn’t try to impress. She gently lets you in. And when it’s time to leave, part of you wishes to stay.

• Fatu Hiva: the Wild Soul of the Marquesas

  

  Far in the south of the Marquesas archipelago, Fatu Hiva is one of the most remote islands in French Polynesia. You can only get there by boat—often after days at sea. But the effort is worth the light.

  In Hanavave, the main village, cliffs rise from the ocean in a dramatic setting. The Bay of Virgins, surrounded by basalt spires, watches over the island like an ancient sanctuary. Each sunrise feels sacred.

  Hiking paths lead into lush valleys where breadfruit trees grow beside waterfalls. In the shade of banyans, rare birds accompany your steps. Far from modern life, everything here breathes authenticity.

  You’ll meet artisans pounding tapa bark, share a simple meal under a faré, listen to elders recount forest spirits. Fatu Hiva gives only to those who take their time. And what she gives, she never takes back.

• Papeete

  

  Capital of Tahiti, Papeete is much more than an arrival point. It’s a beating heart—vibrant, colorful, full of contrasts. Between green mountains and a blue lagoon, the city blends ancient tradition with modern energy.

  At the municipal market, early morning stalls overflow with tropical fruits, shell necklaces, and bright fabrics. Smiling faces, the scent of vanilla and raw fish—it’s all there. Nearby: the cathedral, the Vaiete food trucks, pearl shops—everything invites you to wander.

  At night, local music fills the air. A ukulele follows slow steps along the waterfront. A bit further, the Paofai Gardens offer shade and quiet by the sea.

  Papeete isn’t peaceful—it’s alive. A gentle urban hum warmed by deeply rooted culture. A stop full of flavor, not to be missed.