Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Islands in FP Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tahiti & French Polynesia
pbutala 02:22 UTC 28 Mar 2007 | Okay, so we've finally settled on visiting French Polynesia over Cook Islands in September. We have two weeks. I was originally thinking Moorea, Huahine, Maupiti, Bora Bora, and if possible Tikehau. (and of course the obligatory Papeete on the way out). My question is---is that selection recommended? And am I being too aggressive with two weeks? |
silvanocat 20:20 UTC 28 Mar 2007 | I wouldn't rush around like that. I like to experience the islands and spend time snorkeling, kayaking and walking around. The general consusus by people that have been to French Polynesia (via the excellent Tahiti Explorer forums) is a minimum of 3 or 4 nights per island. I personally like to spend longer and explore more. Though the flying times between the islands are short you still spend a half a day with packing, getting to the airport, checking in, waiting for the plane, being driven to your new place. Maupiti is going to be problematic. Via plane you can reach Maupiti from Tahiti or Raiatea only. There aren't flights there everyday. You can also reach it a few days a week via the Maupiti Express from Bora Bora. Two excellent Web sites for information on French Polynesia are Tahitiguide and The Tahiti Traveler (no relation to poster #1). | 1
pbutala 21:13 UTC 28 Mar 2007 | Silvanocat Thanks so much for the helpful suggestion. So, if were to limit to let's say 3 islands---which would you recommend? I'm thinking Moorea, Huahine, and Maupiti or Bora Bora. Because Maupiti would be harder to get to, can I assume it may also be less touristy? Or do you suggest another combination---maybe Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tikehau? | 2
silvanocat 00:29 UTC 29 Mar 2007 | I haven't had a chance to visit Huahine or Maupiti yet though I am hoping to. There are no resorts on Maupiti and everything that I've read indicates that it's very low-key. I certainly would assume that it's far far less touristy than all but possibly Tikehau. Check out "holtes" posts on Tahiti Explorer, she is a yearly visitor to Huahine. Tikehau is lovely and of course, quite different from the high islands. The one resort is a distance away on its own motu. The only evidence of tourism is the few postcards for sale at the small grocery store. | 3
ejpiii 06:22 UTC 01 Apr 2007 | I'm firmly with Silvanocat on this; spend more time on each one and get to know people. For instance I spent 4 days on Maupiti and could've happily stayed a month. It IS very, very low key. The highlight of the day is when the Ferry from Bora Bora shows up, about half the island shows up to greet it seemingly. There is almost nothing touristy abotut he whole island. A couple of magasins-and some French would help there-and thats about it for tourisms ugly face. There is little to nothing in the way of organized activity. But it is so perfect, so wonderfully lovely, what more could you want? You can walk across the lagoon to the reef motu in many places, easily swim the rest and spend the day in your own south seas retreat with not another soul in sight all day. Tikehau should be similar to the other atolls of the Tuamotus. I've been to a couple, but the only one I spent time on was Fakarava, and it was lovely. Just as laid back as Maupiti, but as soon as you leave the little town, even less travelled. Not a single road exists on almost the entire ring of land that makes up the island, save only from the airport to a little way past the only resort. Maybe 5 or 6 km of road. No more than 10. But the island is 50 times that circumference. I stayed at the south pass and went whole days not seeing anyone else at all. Stunning snorkelling and diving, the best I've seen anywhere, and I grew up in Hawaii. Ed | 4