Mo'orea
This spot really fits the picture-postcard ideal. Atop the hill north of the Sofitel la Ora Moorea Beach Resort, this lookout affords dazzling views of…
Mo'orea
This spot really fits the picture-postcard ideal. Atop the hill north of the Sofitel la Ora Moorea Beach Resort, this lookout affords dazzling views of…
French Polynesia
Across the road from the airport, this marae (traditional sacred site) features a large paved platform and a massive upright stone standing more than 2m…
French Polynesia
On the eastern outskirts of the village of Moerai, near Arei Point, you'll find this large roadside cavern with stalactites and stalagmites. Traditionally…
Tahiti
A picturesque strip of white sand, Maui Beach gets packed and noisy on weekends, but is peaceful during the week. It’s right on the road but has shallow…
French Polynesia
At Vaitauarii are the remains of a site dedicated to tattooing Tubuai royalty. Until 2007 it was believed that the ancient Tubuai people were not tattooed…
Tahiti
A signposted turn-off at PK9.5 leads a short distance inland to the rarely visited remains of Marae Nuutere, restored in 1994. There are three paved yards…
Mo'orea
You can’t miss the huge (though falling apart) statue of a tattooed man holding a club at the entrance of this private property overlooking a lovely strip…
French Polynesia
This cave, with its massive, oozy-looking stalactites and stalagmites, is the most stunning on the island. It’s 500m north of the Teautamatea pension;…
The Marquesas
The island’s main town is at the end of a very deep, narrow inlet, about 1km long and rightly named Invisible Bay. You'll find two stores, lots of fruit…
The Marquesas
This modest museum, in the white house on the seafront, shows the evolution of traditional pirogues (outrigger canoes) as well as hooks used for shark…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
On the right of the road into Haamene is this small family-run operation where you can see vanilla preparation and drying processes and also purchase…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
Along the Les Trois Cascades (Three Waterfalls) hike, it’s an easy stroll to the first (the smallest) waterfall, which has a great swimming hole. Though…
Tahiti
This very well-maintained site holds three adjoined stone courtyards, each with its own ahu (alter). It was probably used for religious fishing rituals…
French Polynesia
This well-maintained marae can be found about 1km from the Vaiuru entrance of the cross-island road (ask for directions as it’s not easy to find). It…
Around Tahiti Nui
Beloved by locals, Plage du PK18 is a stunning beach to sun yourself on, but not that great for swimming or snorkelling due to the shallow water. The…
Mo'orea
Afareaitu is the island’s administrative centre. There are two waterfalls that are worth a gander (although they are but feeble trickles in winter). Ask…
Around Tahiti Nui
Lush gardens, overhung caverns, crystal-clear pools and ferny grottoes are all standard features at gorgeous Mara’a Grotto. The fairy-tale park is found…
The Tuamotus
To the east of the lagoon, a crescent-shaped coral spit covered in small shrubs is a favourite nesting place for oio (brown noddies), tara (great…
The Tuamotus
The Rocher aux Tortues refers to a big coral outcrop lying about 4.5km north of the village on the exterior reef. Its base has been undercut by water…
Bora Bora
The small, private Musée de la Marine has a collection of model ships made by architect Bertrand Darasse. The opening hours are fairly haphazard, so you…
The Marquesas
From Hakahau, it’s a 30-minute walk east to deserted Anahoa Beach. From the Hakahau quay, follow the sign for Pukuéé pension and continue along the paved…
Tahiti
The restored Marae Farehape site is almost directly below the ridge line on which the Relais de la Maroto inn perches; you can see an archery platform…
The Tuamotus
The tiny village of Pahua is divided by a pass a few metres wide and no deeper than 1.5m, suitable only for very small boats. A bridge spans the pass and…
The Marquesas
At the entrance of the village a sign marks the mountainside track to a waterfall. It has a deep round bathing pool that looks like something out of a…
French Polynesia
The Bounty is remembered by a sign on the northeastern corner of the island marking the site of Fort George, where the mutineers attempted to set up camp…
The Marquesas
The neighbouring islet to Motu Teuaua, Hemeni is also a nesting ground for thousands of kaveka (sooty terns). Access to Hemeni is prohibited in order to…
The Marquesas
Right in the centre of town is this enticing church made of wood and stone. Inside you’ll find some fantastic woodcarvings of religious figures with a…
The Tuamotus
A great way to get a feel for Ahe is to visit this islet, which has the only remaining patch of primary forest in the Tuamotus, which consists of imposing…
French Polynesia
Behind Teautamatea pension on the west side of the island are the well-preserved remains of Marae Tararoa, the marae(traditional temple) of the last…
French Polynesia
This is a sweet, picturesque spot at the southern end of the island. You’ll find a series of photogenic little coves fringed with white-sand beaches. A…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
This small operation, on the east coast between Faaha and Hipu, is known for its quality vanilla pods at economical prices. Visitors will get the low-down…
The Tuamotus
Lying almost in the middle of the lagoon, the rocky Motu Puarua hosts several species of ground-nesting birds, including brown noddies and uaau (red…
Nuku Hiva
Other sites around Taipivai include the new Te Ai'tua mea'a built for the 2011 Marquesas Festival and decked out in interesting modern, mostly cement tiki.
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
The second waterfall you'll pass along the Les Trois Cascades (Three Waterfalls) hike. After passing this waterfall, the trail follows the riverbed…
The Tuamotus
The southeast shores of the atoll are fringed with truly amazing ‘Pink Sands Beaches’ that really do glow a light shade of pink, a result of finely…
The Marquesas
Near the airport, Manihina Beach is a wonderfully scenic pebbly beach framed by basaltic cliffs. Sadly there are lots of nono. It’s accessible by a dirt…
The Marquesas
Next to the post office and expanded in 2017, the Te Ana Peua Museum houses a range of exhibits focusing on Marquesan culture, from fish hooks to stone…
The Tuamotus
Pouheva village is an administrative and school centre for the central Tuamotus. The church and the lighthouse near the pass are the only sights of…
The Tuamotus
This stunning beach is lapped by topaz waters and backed by arching coconut trees. This magical spot is a mere 15-minute boat ride away from Pouheva…
Bora Bora
An idyllic spot blessed with a lovely strip of sand and superb coral gardens just offshore. It's privately owned, so you'll need permission to get there.