Islands and lagoons of French Polynesia in 3 weeks
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora, Discovery, Adventure / Sports & Leisure, Free time, Relaxation / Well-being.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne.
Where to stay - Punaauia ?
The map of your stay "Islands and lagoons of French Polynesia in 3 weeks"
Detail of the stay : Islands and lagoons of French Polynesia in 3 weeks
How to get there - Punaauia
Tahiti
Steps: Taravao-Afaahiti
This first day is devoted to exploring the west coast. First stop: the white sandy beaches of Punaauia, then the marae of Paea. One of them, nicknamed Arahurahu, is the best preserved in Tahiti, decorated with recent tikis and bamboo huts. At PK 28.5 are the Maraa caves, a destination that precedes the drive across the Taravao plateau to a parking area with a magnificent view of the isthmus of the same name. Overnight on the outskirts of Taravao.
Places of interest : MARAE TATAA ET ARAHURAHU GROTTES DE MARAA
Teahupoo, a cult village
Steps: Teahupoo
Accompanied by a guide, you're ready to take on the peninsula. Park in the village of Teahupoo and walk three hours to discover the Vaipoiri cave and its underground lake. One-day expeditions can take you further to the start of the Pari cliffs, but two days are needed to traverse these dangerous areas for those unfamiliar with them.
Places of interest : GROTTE DE VAIPOIRI ET FALAISES DU PARI
Vaimahutu waterfall
Steps: Hitiaa Te Ra
If you haven't opted for the two-day tour of the peninsula, it's still possible to spend half a day visiting the lavatubes (lava tunnels) at Hitiaa, and then take a 1 km walk along the east coast, not far from kilometer 22, to see the Vaimahutu waterfall, 100 m high. A 20-minute walk will take you to two other waterfalls, Haamarere Iti and Haamarere Rahi. Overnight in Papeete.
Moorea
By plane or ferry, you'll soon reach Moorea. Moorea's lagoon looks more like a Polynesian postcard - a good reason to spend a couple of days here. One of Moorea's tourist attractions is the Tiki Village Theatre, a reconstruction of a Polynesian village that welcomes visitors in a dozen traditional farés (houses), each evoking an activity representative of Ma'ohi culture. Two evenings a week (Tuesdays and Fridays), there's an amazing dance show, including the famous fire dance!
Swimming with dolphins
Steps: Papetoai
Once you've made an appointment, take advantage of this magical opportunity to swim with dolphins, especially if you're traveling with children! A final, delightful image of Moorea is that of the Belvedere. To get there, you'll have to cross pineapple-growing fields once off the ring road. If you have enough time left on the return journey, there are a few marae below. Those who don't want to enjoy the dolphin show can opt for a lagoon tour to watch the rays and sharks (in season, whale watching is a must), or take part in the many water sports offered by the various service providers, or hike, quad or 4x4 into the mountains.
Places of interest : LE BELVÉDÈRE
The Bora-Bora lagoon
The beginning of the trip was mainly devoted to discovering the interior of Tahiti and Moorea. Now there's no time to waste enjoying the turquoise waters of the Bora-Bora lagoon. It takes at least 50 minutes to reach your destination. In the afternoon, we recommend a snorkeling session to discover the seabed of this superb stretch of translucent water.
Relaxation on Bora-Bora
Steps: Matira
Several service providers offer jet-ski tours, some of which include a swim and a stop on a motu. There's no better place than Bora-Bora to indulge in this sport, not least thanks to the colorful surfaces it crosses. Or opt for a leisurely catamaran ride on the lagoon, a hike in the mountains... or enjoy the beautiful white-sand beach of Matira. After a few hours of excitement, get ready to head off to the Tuamotus. It's also possible to walk or cycle the 13 km of paved road around the main motu.
Rangiroa
Steps: Avatoru
Welcome to the kingdom of diving! This first full day is devoted to this activity, of course, and to encountering a dense fauna. The main dive spots are in Tiputa pass,Avatoru pass, or in the rifts with their multicolored coral formations.
Diving
Steps: Avatoru
Three excursions are regularly offered to travellers arriving in Rangiroa. The best known and most visited site is undoubtedly the blue lagoon. To the west of the atoll, it is a small "lagoon in the lagoon", formed by a few motus encircling a natural swimming pool of a supernatural blue. A real feast for the eyes, which can be explored by following the motu crown. The shallow depth also allows any novice to discover hundreds of surprising fish and sharks without masks, and without risk.
Places of interest : LE LAGON BLEU
Towards Tikehau
Take off for a small atoll where there's a real warmth to life: Tikehau. Full of fish and boasting a magnificent lagoon, it is ideal for diving. A bicycle tour of the island is also worth its weight in gold. You're likely to meet some of the locals who work with copra. Don't hesitate to stop and observe the magnificent hues of the surrounding waters on a sandy beach.
Fauna and flora
Steps: Pahua
In Tikehau, excursions are regularly organized to thebird island, the fish farms or to picnic on a motu. More atypical, some will take you to the long motu opposite the main one, where a strange atmosphere reigns. The houses of former "coprahculteurs" are deserted, at the end of a road where nature has reclaimed its rights.
Flight to Fakarava
Fly to Fakarava atoll. Numerous pearl farms allow visitors to discover the efforts and secrets behind the creation of a quality pearl. If you're lucky, the guesthouse you'll be staying in will also own a farm, and will be able to offer you unbeatable prices on its products. A dive into this little paradise is a must!
Tahiti
Steps: Mahina
Your stay in Fakarava will have been a short one, as you'll already have to return to Tahiti. In the afternoon, you can visit tomb of King Pomaré V and the popular Pointe de Vénus beach.
Places of interest : TOMBEAU DU ROI POMARE V POINTE VÉNUS ET BAIE DE MATAVAI
The center of the island
Steps: Papenoo
A full day devoted to Tahiti's interior. As you enter the Papenoo valley, the route along the island's cross-country road takes you past beautiful waterfalls, as well as the Anapua and Farehape marae, not far from the Maroto waterfall. This is followed by a stop at the Pautona site, then a swim in Lake Vaihiria. Return to Papeete or the surrounding area.
Marquesas Islands
Steps: Taiohae
Expect a striking contrast when you arrive in the Marquesas Islands at Nuku Hiva. Rather than taking a helicopter, we recommend a 4x4 transfer to better discover the landscapes of this sumptuous island. The roads are narrow, winding and mountain-side. A well-deserved rest is then in order at the village of Taiohae.
Hiking in paradise
Steps: Hakaui
One of the most popular hikes is to the Vaipo waterfall and the Hakaui valley. This is one of Nuku Hiva's most grandiose sites. Formerly the stronghold of King Te Moana, the valley boasts a paved royal road embellished with numerous tikis and paepae.
Taipivai waterfalls
Steps: Hatiheu
By renting a 4x4 or using a service provider, you can reach the Taipivai valley, renowned for its many waterfalls, as well as one of the island's most beautiful archaeological sites, flanked by numerous stone tikis. But first, be sure to visit some of the sculptors who will be happy to welcome you, most of whom are located not far from Taiohae. Near Hatiheu, in the north of the island, a vast pae pae reveals all its grandeur. Plan to leave early, as the drive there and back is quite long.
In the footsteps of Brel and Gauguin
Steps: Atuona
We reach Hiva Oa. Receptacle of the last moments of Jacques Brel and Paul Gauguin, this island is the second largest in theMarquesas archipelago. After less than 15 minutes on a paved road, you'll reach the village ofAtuona. You'll then head for the Calvaire cemetery, a quarter of an hour from the center, where the two aforementioned artists are buried.
Places of interest : CIMETIÈRE DU CALVAIRE
Marquesan culture
Steps: Ta'Aoa
The day begins with a visit to the Gauguin cultural center, then moves on to two archaeological sites: Taaoa, south ofAtuona, which features over a thousand pae pae, a large tohua and several meae, with a tiki over a meter tall to the right of the site, and Iipona, one of the main legacies of Marquesan culture.
