Traditional sports and leisure activities
Dancing. Outlawed in 1819 by the Pomaré family, dancing once again became a pastime in French Polynesia in the early 20th century. In 1956, Madeleine Moua founded Heiva Tahiti, a dance troupe featuring some of the island's most beautiful women. Since then, dance schools have sprung up, and anyone can learn to dance the expressive Paoa, Hivinau, Aparima and O'te'a dances, as well as the sensual tamure. Dance competitions are always held, especially during the Heiva festivities, allowing all Polynesians to combine improvisation with respect for the ancestral values that characterize Polynesian dance. In addition, the various "Soirée Merveilleuse" events at Intercontinental hotels feature magnificent dances, the one featuring the famous Ballet de Tahiti being the most famous and probably one of the best in Polynesia. But most luxury hotels offer a traditional dance show, usually on Friday or Saturday evenings. Otherwise, the Tiki Village in Moorea is not to be missed.
Pirogue. The Hawaiki Nui race brings to a climax the Polynesian craze for the sport of deep-sea pirogue. Considered to be the most spectacular of all offshore competitions, it is an extremely tough three-stage event: Huahine-Raiatea, Raiatea-Tahaa, Tahaa-Bora Bora. On each island, it's not uncommon to come across courageous athletes training along a calm lagoon or battling the ocean's waves and currents to improve their skills.
Surfing. The history of surfing in French Polynesia is like that of an old love that never dies: deeply rooted in local culture, the sport was born on the islands and was already thrilling Polynesian royalty, gliding majestically along on wooden boards. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that surfing really took off worldwide, thanks to Hawaiian heroes like Duke Kahanamoku, who introduced the sport to the rest of the planet. Today, surfing in Polynesia is more than just a pastime: it's a dance with the ocean, a celebration of Polynesian roots and the perfect excuse to spend your days at the beach... The craze is now even greater since the 2024 Olympics, which showcased the Teahupoo wave that Kauli Vaast majestically tamed, earning him a fine gold medal.
Scuba diving, the main activity
Scuba diving remains one of the top attractions in French Polynesia. Locals dive a lot, but travelers are also keen to explore the seabed, especially as the aquatic fauna here is so rich. Lemon, white-tip and blacktip sharks, eagle rays, stingrays, tigers and mantas, butterfly fish and dolphins are just some of the legendary animals that will leave travelers breathless. In Tahiti, Moorea and Bora-Bora, in particular, there's a special attraction for those who can't swim. With the aid of a helmet connected to air bottles on the surface, it is possible to walk on the seabed in complete safety, accompanied by an instructor. An original and fun idea!
Perfect conditions. In Polynesia, you can dive all year round. The water is simply warmer in summer, or the rainy season, although you shouldn't expect monsoon-like deluges. Water temperature varies from 25 to 30°C. Visibility generally ranges from 25 to 50 m. In any case, the spectacle is magnificent: in addition to the fauna, you'll be able to observe drop-offs covered in gorgonians, shipwrecks... or witness the reproduction of groupers and encounter humpback whales (from July to October in the latter case, particularly in the Australs).
Almost all dives are open to Level 1 and Open Water Dive divers, with depths ranging from 5 to 30 m, and up to 50 m if you have the appropriate level.
There is an inter-island evacuation system in Tahiti, which means that in the event of a problem, you can be treated urgently (multiplace decompression chamber available). Some centers require a medical certificate, others do not: we therefore recommend that you take out appropriate insurance. On the other hand, your logbook and diving diplomas are imperative: PADI, CMAS, SSI, NAUI... Equipment is provided (masks, snorkels, belts, weights, stabilizing vest and regulator), generally of good quality, although experienced divers always prefer to bring their own equipment: a 5 kg excess baggage allowance is granted on Air Tahiti flights, on presentation of a diving diploma and passport. Good to know!
In Tahiti (Windward Islands), you'll find a little-known, yet attractive seabed. Wrecks (wooden schooner sunk in 1976, Catalina seaplane sunk in 1962), dizzyingly colorful drop-offs and coral gardens are home to a rich and varied fauna. Children's dives are possible, and you can even take your first dive here. The stars of the area are the sharks, visible all year round, and the whales, from July to November.
In Moorea (Windward Islands), the clear, warm waters are home to an abundance of fauna (turtles, moray eels, jacks, triggerfish). Although shark feeding has long been practised in the reefs, it is no longer popular. But there's plenty to do, with lemon sharks and turtles visible all year round, and humpback whales from July to November.
In Bora-Bora (Leeward Islands), you can enjoy the ballet of manta rays, leopard rays and eagle rays all year round in the lagoons. Alternatively? From August to November, you'll be on the lookout for lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, grey sharks and humpback whales.
In Rangiroa (Tuamotu), one of the three largest atolls in the world, pelagics, manta rays (July to October), hammerheads (November to April), eagle rays (idem), grey sharks (May to June), schools of jacks, barracudas or dolphins are all welcome without an appointment.
In Fakarava (Tuamotu), a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, you can dive anywhere in the lagoon, which is no more than 40 m deep. Of the atoll's five major dive spots, four are concentrated in the north and one in the south. The most intense diving is to be found in the Garuae and Tumakohua passes. Here you can encounter all the fish of the Tuamotus: barracudas, groupers, loaches, manta rays, eagle rays, grey sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins and turtles, not to mention the sumptuous corals.
In Nuku Hiva (Marquesas), the absence of a lagoon means that diving is more dependent on the vagaries of the weather than in other archipelagos. Loaded with plankton, the water is easily disturbed by the swell, which can reduce visibility to 10 to 20 m. But the Marquesas are so vast and unexplored that most fish have never seen a diver's bubbles, and more than a dozen exceptional sites have been identified.
Meeting the whales
Polynesia is one of the last destinations in the world to allow snorkeling with whales. While Rurutu, in the Australs archipelago, remains the "whale destination" par excellence (the cetaceans calve in its waters every year from July to October), they are also becoming increasingly frequent elsewhere, particularly in Tahiti and Moorea. There are many service providers offering this exceptional excursion, but choose a serious guide.
The beach, the beach, the beach
Polynesia is obviously synonymous with beach! If tourists flock there every day of the week, the Polynesians generally take advantage of their weekends to go and spread their towels. In Tahiti, the majority of public beaches fill up with people on this occasion, especially at Pointe Vénus. Everyone can then combine relaxation and pleasure, while meeting their neighbors. In addition, service providers offer all the latest water sports, such as jet-skiing, water-skiing, surfing and kitesurfing, towed buoys and more.
Dream cruises
Most of the archipelago's islands offer deep, protected bays for yachtsmen, making anchoring relatively easy. You can also anchor close to the outer reefs, often bordered by vast stretches of sand on the lagoon side; their shallow depths and massive coral reefs generally guarantee a safe anchorage.
Sailing between the islands is relatively easy, with trade winds blowing from east to west. From July to September, the maaramu, a southerly wind, can reach a force of 6 to 7 (25 to 30 knots).
The sea becomes short and choppy, especially in the hoa, the channels between the islands. At this time of year, especially in the Tuamotus, don't tempt the devil: the southern passes are virtually impassable. The north wind, known as the toerau, can blow almost as hard from December to February. The passes are then just as dangerous to cross.
And for those who don't have the skills to take the helm, a cruise is a fascinating experience, as close as you can get to Polynesia's paradise-like reality... In this guide, we list the luxury cruises; it is also possible to embark on small sailing boats, which are also mentioned. Finally, the Aranui 5 offers a mythical two-week cruise from Tahiti to the Marquesas. In short, there's something for every taste... but perhaps not for every budget!
On land too, the big show
Above all, don't neglect the inland and the heights! You risk missing out on the other real wealth of Polynesia. Green tourism is still in its infancy here, so you'll be safe on the trails... waiting for the riot when the general public finally (maybe) discovers these incredible natural beauties. Then it'll be too late to take full advantage..
Hiking. The High Islands remain a hiking paradise. Few travelers are aware of Polynesia's extraordinary hiking potential, which would make Madeira or Reunion Island green with envy.
Steep-sided valleys, stray waterfalls, luxuriant tropical vegetation, ridges from which you can contemplate the infinity of lagoons and ocean, breathtaking panoramic views, peaks sometimes over 2,000 m high, wild coves, sheer cliffs... Nature's spectacle is magnificent. Some trails are made difficult by river crossings, slippery, root-covered dirt paths and particularly brittle volcanic rock.
Guides and organizations offer walks for all types of hiker, whether you're a novice or an accomplished sportsman. In Tahiti, more than 30 itineraries have been identified, but very few are officially marked. In most cases, you'll need a guidebook, as there are no real markers, no topoguides, and no official service to maintain the trails (not to mention the problems of land ownership and joint ownership). Vegetation and flooding are also a constant problem, so everything changes very quickly in Tahiti's highlands! A dozen courses are also available in Moorea. Last but not least, the Marquesas Islands are a veritable sanctuary for walkers.
Horseback riding. A number of service providers offer unforgettable horseback excursions along beautiful, unspoilt beaches or in the lush tropical vegetation of the islands. We particularly recommend Moorea, Huahine, Rurutu and, of course, the Marquesas.
Cycling. Around the islands, a simple back-pedal bicycle is generally sufficient; inland, a mountain bike with gears is more suitable. You'll find breathtaking nature around every bend.
