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regions | oceania FEATURE
ISLAND-HOPPING AROUND OCEANIA
Rising from the southern Pacific Ocean, halfway between California and Australia, French Polynesia is a far-flung destination home to volcanic peaks, vibrant coral reefs and centuries-old ruins. By Lucy McGuire
French Polynesia’s 118 remote islands are among the world’s most magical destinations. Travellers would be hard pressed to tick off all five archipelagoes, which span an area hat’s roughly equal to Europe. However, a 12-day island-hopping vacation provides a fantastic introduction to the region, taking in some of the most famous Tahitian islands including Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora and Tahiti itself. Here’s how to do it.
Day 1: Tahiti JOURNEY: 8 HOURS FROM LOS ANGELES OR SAN FRANCISCO TO PAPEETE Tahiti is French Polynesia’s capital and the largest of the Society Islands archipelago. Arriving in Tahiti’s lively capital of Papeete allows visitors to discover busy boulevards,
116 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2024/25
the Robert Wan Pearl Museum and the local market, which sells Tahitian vanilla, authentic monoi oil (an infused perfume oil) and pareos (colorful wraps). Come evening, Place Vai’ete fills with roulottes (food trucks), which serve international and Tahitian dishes, including the national dish of poisson cru (raw fish salad).
Day 2: Tahiti to Moorea JOURNEY: 30-60 MINUTES BY FERRY Traveling to Tahiti’s photogenic sister island by ferry not only provides great whale-spotting opportunities (especially between July and November), but it also affords spectacular views of the island’s peaks. While adventurers find their thrills on quad-bike tours and intrepid hikes, the fittest walkers can tackle the volcanic peak of Mount Tohiea. An easier amble to
Belvédère Lookout offers panoramic views over the island’s top beaches: Cook’s Bay and the isolated bay of Opunohu. It’s here where Royal Navy vessel HMS Bounty is said to have moored in the 1700s, later inspiring a Hollywood film.
Day 4: Moorea to Raiatea JOURNEY: 40-MINUTE FLIGHT The UNESCO-listed Taputapuatea is an essential stop on Raiatea’s serene southeast coast. Overlooking a once-sacred lagoon and a seabird habitat, the vast ruins of courtyards and places of worship have stood on Polynesia’s ancient homeland for 1,000 years. Inland, hikers can spot the legendary tiare petahi — a flower that grows nowhere else on Earth — on 3,337ft-tall Mount Temehani. Scenic drives around Mount Oropiro lead to the Faaroa Valley,
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