Attractions in French Polynesia
The finest attractions in French Polynesia at a glance: castles, natural wonders, historic old towns and more. Each place links to a detailed page with map, tips and photos.
Culture & History
Bay of Virgins
The Bay of Virgins on Fatu Hiva is famous for its spectacular basaltic rock spires.
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Teahupoo Coast
The Teahupoo coast is world-famous for its massive, heavy waves that break over a shallow coral reef.
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Te Pari Cliffs Reserve
The Te Pari cliffs on the southeast coast of Tahiti Iti are only accessible by boat.
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Fautaua Waterfall
Fautaua Waterfall drops an impressive 135 meters into a dense jungle valley on Tahiti.
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Arahoho Blowhole
The Arahoho Blowhole on Tahiti is a natural geyser created by ocean waves crashing into a lava tube.
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Tiputa Pass
Tiputa Pass is a natural opening in the Rangiroa atoll connecting the ocean with the lagoon.
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Maraa Grotto
Maraa Grotto is a natural cavern on Tahiti filled with clear freshwater.
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Opunohu Bay
Opunohu Bay is a deep, fjord-like bay on the northern coast of Moorea.
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Blue Lagoon (Rangiroa)
The Blue Lagoon is a smaller atoll located within the vast Rangiroa atoll.
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Vaipo Waterfall
Vaipo Waterfall on Nuku Hiva is the highest waterfall in Polynesia, dropping 350 meters.
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Point Venus
Captain Cook landed here in 1769 to observe the transit of Venus.
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Calvary Cemetery Atuona
This hillside cemetery on Hiva Oa is the final resting place of Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel.
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Uturoa Public Library
An important educational center on Raiatea.
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Vaima Center
The best-known shopping and business center in Papeete.
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Kanti Chinese Temple
A colorful Chinese temple in Papeete dedicated to the deity Guan Yu.
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Papeete Town Hall
Papeete Town Hall is a magnificent colonial-style building that resembles the former palace of Queen Pomare.
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Punaauia Business Center
Punaauia is a modern commercial center with many service companies.
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Papara Agriculture
Papara is one of the largest agricultural zones in Tahiti.
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Faa'a International Airport
This is the only international airport in the region.
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Huahine Vanilla Farms
Huahine is famous for its high-quality vanilla production.
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Tubuai Agriculture
Tubuai is the breadbasket of the Austral Islands.
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Uturoa Town Hall
The administrative building of Uturoa on Raiatea, the second-largest settlement in French Polynesia.
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Taravao Plateau
This high plateau is the center of livestock farming.
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Assembly of French Polynesia
The seat of the local parliament in Papeete.
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Tahiti Iti Coffee
High-quality Arabica coffee is grown on the peninsula.
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Raivavae Taro Fields
Taro cultivation is the backbone of Raivavae's economy.
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High Commissioner's Residence
The official residence of the representative of the French Republic in Polynesia.
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Afareaitu Pineapples
These fields form the basis for Moorea's fruit industry.
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Notre Dame Cathedral Papeete
This central cathedral in Papeete was built in the 19th century and is the religious heart of Tahiti.
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Papeete Market
The Marche de Papeete is the heart of local commerce.
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Rangiroa Vineyard
This is one of the world's few coral atoll vineyards.
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Notre Dame Cathedral Taiohae
The main church of the Marquesas Islands on Nuku Hiva.
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Moorea Tropical Garden
This garden above Opunohu Bay houses a variety of tropical fruit trees and flowers.
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Harrison Smith Botanical Garden
This botanical garden in Papeari was established in 1919 by an American physicist.
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Te Fa'aiti Natural Park
This is the only regional park on Tahiti and covers the upper Papenoo Valley.
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Vaiare-Paopao Nature Trail
This trail crosses the mountain ridge of Moorea and passes through various vegetation zones.
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Ua Huka Botanical Garden
The Papuakeikaha Arboretum on Ua Huka houses over 300 species of trees from around the world.
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Lake Vaihiria
Lake Vaihiria is the only natural freshwater lake on the island of Tahiti.
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Bora Bora Leopard Ray Trench
This area in Bora Bora's lagoon is a known gathering spot for spotted eagle rays.
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Rangiroa Lagoon Sanctuary
Rangiroa has one of the largest lagoons in the world and is a hotspot for marine biodiversity.
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Taha'a Coral Garden
This coral garden located between two motus offers an extraordinary variety of hard corals.
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Tahiti Lagoonarium
The Lagoonarium in Punaauia provides insights into Tahiti's marine life.
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Bora Bora Turtle Center
This center is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured sea turtles.
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Tetiaroa Bird Sanctuary
The atoll of Tetiaroa hosts one of the most important nesting colonies for seabirds in French Polynesia.
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Makatea Bird Plateau
Makatea is a raised coral island with high limestone cliffs.
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Maupiti Manta Ray Point
Maupiti's lagoon hosts a resident population of manta rays.
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Fakarava UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The reserve encompasses seven atolls and protects rare terrestrial and marine life.
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Ahe Pearl Oyster Habitat
Ahe atoll is renowned for the natural recruitment of the black-lip pearl oyster.
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Eiao Island Nature Reserve
Eiao is an uninhabited island in the Marquesas archipelago that has been declared a nature reserve.
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Rurutu Whale Sanctuary
The waters surrounding Rurutu are a major breeding ground for humpback whales.
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What are the top attractions in French Polynesia?
Among the most popular are Moorea Tropical Garden, Bay of Virgins, Teahupoo Coast, Harrison Smith Botanical Garden, Te Pari Cliffs Reserve and many more – the full top 50 list is on this page.
When is the best time to visit French Polynesia?
May to October offers the most pleasant weather; July and August are warmest and busiest.