We are planning our trip for May 31-June 10th. Splitting our stay between Moorea and Bora Bora. Right now it’s my husband and my daughter who is 9. We are currently booked at the Hilton Moorea OWB and St. Regis in a beach lagoon side villa. My husband wants to bring his widowed mom on this trip as well as it’s a once in a lifetime place for her. We can’t seem to find a hotel in BB that allows for 3 adults and 1 child. In Moorea it looks like the Hilton allows for it in the garden villa or we can go to the Sofitel in a beachside villa. My husband and I have been to both Moorea and BB before. Does anyone have any advice on booking hotels with our party size without having to book two rooms?

We are also potentially looking at AirBnb for Moorea and BB. It seems Moorea will be a breeze for the Airbnb but was curious how complicated it would be on bora bora. Would we need a car rental if we stayed at a place on Matira beach? Are there a lot of grocery and dining options when not staying in a resort? My MIL will not be partaking in water activities but she LOVES laying out staring at the ocean. We really want to make this happen for her after the rough year she has had!

Thanks for any advice!

Hello,

we (four of us) are coming to FP in end of Dec and were contemplating of renting a boat for one day either in Bora Bora or in Moorea. Never rented a boat prior so no experience in handling. Here are some questions -

1. Which island is better to rent it - Bora Bora or Moorea.

2. Most of the boats I see are 12ft boats with 6HP. Are they stable enough and easy to handle.

3. Do you have any links or suggestions for rentals.

So I’m planning a surprise trip for my wife next year to Tahiti. I’ve already booked the flights and reserved the AirBnB in Punaauia. We will be there May 2 and fly out early on the 9th.

However, I’ve found a reasonable well reviewed overwater bungalow in Bora Bora for May 2 to May 5. The extra cost with the flight is in budget, but I’m debating if it’s worth splitting the trip.

She enjoys light swimming, kayaking, boating. But also likes hiking, exploring local cusines, etc. we enjoy being remote and away from people but also like having the ability to go to a nice restaurant (which is possible in both places I know).

I feel like Bora Bora is one of those places you have to see before you die, but is taking 3 nights away from Tahiti is truly worth it. We generally travel very fast paced itineraries, but I don’t want to feel like we are rushing to see/do things and not take the time to enjoy where we are.

Tl/dr, instead of spending 7 nights in Tahiti, should I spend 3 in Bora Bora in an over water bungalow and 4 in Tahiti in a beachfront cottage in Panaauia.

Been piecing together the logistics for a 2 week trip to Moorea next summer. My brain is about to explode with dates, flights, accommodations, food options and excursions. One of the components is scuba diving. We are looking at airbnb's on the north side in the Papeto'ai area. I see on maps there is a pickup site for Nemo'z diving. What places do you recommend for good diving in that area? Is Nemo'z a good option? I'm a very experienced former instructor so I am looking to do more advanced sites on 6 pack style boats and avoiding crowds.

Will also possibly be having our 15 y/o son wanting to do a discover scuba experience. Which ops can you vouch for? Which "small boat" snorkeling ops would you also recommend for a family of 4? Is the Papeto'ai area a good area to be based from for the diving and snorkeling activities we want to do?

Thanks!

I and my wife are in Moorea from Sept 5 - 8. I am checking if anyone has any availability for whale watching on Sept 6th or 7th morning. Alternateively I can also book a boat that we can share.

Note: We are average swimmers and not super strong swimmers.

Going in two months and bringing our inflatable paddleboards. I can easily paddle 8 miles in 5 hours around Seattle area and wife and I keep looking at Google maps and see a ton of lagoon but didn't know if some of it was off limits... if not any good spots that don't have tour boats and crowds? The southern lagoon looks to have no public accessibility is there a spot to park? I'll circumnavigate from motu to motu if I have to...

Interested in taking the ferry from Tahiti to Huahine or Raiatea. Can anyone speak to the schedule’s reliability in late December? I’m just diving into possible travel so please forgive me if this is a stupid question.

Hello, is anyone staying at the Sofitel on Moorea right now with a GoPro they don't necessarily need tomorrow? Ours broke, and we'd love to use one tomorrow. We're happy to pay for it, too.

Hi,

On Moorea right now and need to purchase a mask and snorkel ASAP. Does anyone know if I can buy one on this island? Need to take it to the next islands. I can’t find anything on google/google maps. Thank you!

We’re seeking a reliable person to assist with guest check-ins for our Airbnb in Paea, and possibly handle cleanings as well.

✅ English required ✅ Flexible schedule ✅ Good pay

If you’re interested, please send me a message with your experience and availability.

Hi all, I am planning to go in French Polynesia with my partner (we are 33 and 31 yo Italians, living in Annecy) and wanted to schedule accordingly our 16 day stay, taking into account that we enjoy sightseeing, strolling by the beach, hiking, surfing/body-surfing, snorkeling but don't do diving.

So I have some questions regarding the islands, since I've read a lot of contrasting opinions on different threads. The main questions would be:

1) How many islands, in order to relax and not overdo things? CONTEXT: we plan to just stay a couple of nights in Bora Bora, three at most.
2) Are any of the Tuamotus worth it for just snorkeling, without diving? CONTEXT: fine swimmers and we follow instructions in order to stay safe, we don't dive, so we are unsure if the snorkeling on its own will be deserve a trip out of the Society islands. This will effect the choice of the air Tahiti pass to use.
3) How many nights does each deserve? CONTEXT: I don't want to skip Tahiti, despite reading many people only doing a stopover, since I think it may ne culturally interesting and rich of hikes. It also has good surfing spots, although I'm more of a body surfer. I
4) Is a car recommended on all islands?
5) Are there any dodgy, less safe, areas in any of the Society Islands?
6) Maupiti versus Huahine, in your experience?

I have tons of other questions and curiosities, but these are the main ones. At the moment, I am thinking to go Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and Huahine, with the most time spent on Moorea, but would like your opinion. Please feel free to answer any of these questions, looking forward to your replies.

Has anyone done parasailing in Tahiti? (Papeete) If yes, how was the experience and would you recommend? Mauruuru!

So, when I was 9, my parents decided to get out of Dodge. We flew from SF to Taiwan, picked up a boat and sailed it home. Took 4 years. (I've been late ever since.)

We spent about nine months in French Polynesia, including maybe six months of time in Papeete, where I attended a local school. (French, spoke not one word going in).

Next month, my wife and our besties are headed back. My first time since 1976.

On Friday, we arrive on the United flight about 7 pm; departing for Huahine the next am about 10. Part of me, reading in the posts, wants to give up on Papeete, as I know it's bigger and lost much of the charm it had in 76. (As many places have)

Part of me wants to be right in town, to walk along the Quay where our boat was tied up.

We are only there for that one night; after 12 days on the Catamaran, and some days on Rangiroa, Lynn and I will spent 1.5 days back on Tahiti before flying home, but I was thinking about getting an airbnb in Punavia. (sp), which is where, incidentially, we lived on our boat for about two months after my parents got sick of being docked in "The Big City". (I used to take Le Truk from there to school, daily)

Dad almost got chomped by a reef shark, one day, while spearfisihing our cats.

Amazing experience!

Any tips appreciated. Also any good places in Papeete for drinks and a reasonable meal, late on a Friday, if that isn't an oxymoron for Papeete.

We are at the Four seasons BB. Can’t seem to find distilled water anywhere. Anyone else go though this? Were you successful in finding it somewhere? Thanks?

We’ll be staying in the Puna’auia area after visiting other islands. Looking for a place with really good food and a nice atmosphere. Thanks for any ideas!

Private Whale Tour Opening 9/2/25

I am looking to fill one more spot on a 6 person full day private whale swim tour for September 2nd, 2025. This tour is with an experienced local company that puts the safety of the clients, whales and ocean life first. Ideal for intermediate to advanced swimmers who are confident in the open ocean. Please DM for details and interest.

I am wondering if something is going on with Marriott properties in Bora Bora where they are blocking room availability to prevent upgrades. Or is some sort of staffing issue?

Both St Regis and Westin Bora Bora had availability for rooms during my stay (over 3 rooms of multiple types) when I checked 6 days ago. Then all of a sudden 4 days ago when my Nightly upgrade awards were to be applied, both hotels no longer had any room availability for parts of my stay so they are getting denied. And both properties have “sold out” days on the exact same days.

Did something happen to the Westin Bora Bora and St Regis, usually their rooms are never sold out? And I doubt all of those rooms both sold out during the 2 days I didn’t checked. It would mean over 6 rooms were sold out for last minute stays (or next week stays) within 2 days.

Both Four Seasons and Conrad seem to still have availability while both Marriott properties have the same “sold out” days.

Hi

Any ideas re food n drink costs - Moorea, Rangiroa and Fakarava. Ie average prices for bread, biscuits in local shops, average price for burger and fries, cola? Thanks

Going next year. Joined this sub to learn as much as I can prior to the trip and this popped into my head. I’ve traveled a lot but always for business. So I know it’s different in different parts of the world. What is the protocol in Tahiti?

Can any recent travelers offer opinions on the quality of the provided shampoo and conditioner? TIA

We booked a somewhat last-minute trip to Moo’rea the first week of October, and we’re coming up short on whale tour availability. The below companies are all sold out on those dates:

• Moo’rea Ocean Adventures
• Moo’rea Sea Experience
• Corralina
• Moorea Expedition 
• Mana Moo’rea Tours
• Moo’rea Ocean Tours 
• Moorea Deep Blue

While not a must-have, we would love to experience this while on the island. Thanks in advance for any other recommendations!

Hi

Does anyone know of a local dance group or groups in Bora Bora we’re an English speaking beginner would be welcomed? Looking to connect ♥️💙

Hi! Me and my soon-to-be wife will be honeymooning in Bora Bora here in the next couple of weeks. Our layover time between our flight from LAX and our inter-island flight to BOB is a little tight (1hr 55 mins), so I wanted to make sure that we have our game plan for whenever we land. If anyone who has taken then journey before could please advise regarding the below, it would be greatly appreciated!

• In general, what was your procedure between whenever you landed and took off for BOB?
• Do we have to collect our baggage and re-check it for our flight to BOB, or will this be handled by the airport? We made our reservation for both flights to PPT and BOB at the same time through Air France, so not sure if this changes anything
• Are there any advantages when flying inter-island when flying in premium cabins? (e.g. if we do have to re-check our baggage, are there priority lines for checking baggage?) Our reservation is for business class for what it's worth.

Thank you so much for any advice in advance! Feel free to include any tips for anything I might have missed.

Recommendations for boat rental in bora bora. I’d like to spend one day of my cruise going around the island.

Hi all,

Hope you guys are doing great. I am going to Tahiti at the end of October to the beginning of November. I am very interested in photography. I would like to meet locals, see them 'do their things'. I don't know if there are any festivals or festivities during this period. I have these images of Polynesia in my head that I would like to photograph, mostly Polynesian dances (on the beach or not). Traditional Hula dances and such. Are there any places I should go to in Moorea and Bora Bora where I could witness these performances during this period ?

Thank you for your answers <3