13 days island hopping French Polynesia - the perfect solo traveller itinerary.
French Polynesia is a true paradise in the middle of the South Pacific and a beach lover’s dream come true. Mostly known as the perfect destination for a honeymoon the island have some of the best diving and beaches in the world. I've backpacked around the islands alone and show you my best tips on what to do so you too can make most of your time there as a solo traveller!
If you are interested on how much money I've spent in total for this trip and want to have a detailed cost breakdown, check out my ultimate budget travel guide for French Polynesia.
THE ULTIMATE French Polynesia ITINERARY
Here’s an overview of my recommended route. I think it’s a pretty good route for first timers.
- 2 Nights in Tahiti
- 3 Nights in Huahine
- 2 Nights in Bora Bora
- 3 Nights in Moorea
- 1 Night in Tahiti
Multi-Island Fares - Air Tahiti Pass
Air Tahiti is the only airline that flies between the islands. It can be really rewarding to buy a combination ticket as single flights can be quite expensive. With such a combination ticket you can visit different islands for a fixed price. You will have to look into the different flight routes and timetable to plan your itinerary. More information about the different island passes can be found on the website of Air Tahiti. For my itinerary, you will need the Bora Bora aircraft pass.
Also keep in mind that there are almost no boats between the islands. If you want you can take the ferry from Tahiti to Moorea or vice versa.
Itinerary - two weeks island hopping
This 14-day itinerary along four islands gives you a beautiful and versatile picture of French Polynesia. Tahiti is in my opinion the least beautiful island, so you don’t have to spend too much time here. You surely can have some great days by renting a car and driving around the island but I only explored the island by foot and was not impressed at all. Furthermore, you stay on Huahine, Bora Bora and Moorea for three days. This will give you enough time to explore the islands without getting bored.
Days 1 to 3: two nights on Tahiti
I decided to spend some nights in Tahiti to explore the island before heading off to my island hopping trip. I've stayed in the Mahana Lodge & Backpackers in the middle of the city. I wouldn't do the same again but instead only stay one night in Tahiti and close to the airport so it's easier to head off to Huahine in the morning.
If you're staying at the Backpackers in the centre of Tahiti I would recommend visiting the Papeete Market.
Days 3 to 7: four nights on Huahine
After a beautiful flight of only 40 minutes, you will land on the small island Huahine. The island is super lush and green and the least touristy one of all four islands on this itinerary. You can rent a car, scooter or bicycle here to drive around the island.
There is a lot to do on Huahine so make sure you have a couple of days to explore the island! There is a beautiful beach at the closed Sofitel Resort. I highly recommend going there as it is one of the prettiest beaches in Huahine with not many people around. But be careful, the current is super strong!
Of course has Huahine some spectacular lookouts and hikes as well.
Matairea Hill Hike is an easy one hour return hike. It takes you through the rainforest and leads you to a view point overlooking the lake.
Huahines Belvedere Lookout is located at the side of the road and is only a short steep walk up to the view point.
Other things to do you might find interesting are:
- Vanilla bean plantations
- Mont Taitaa
- Village of Faie blue-eyed eels
- Galerie 'Umatatea
- Ruins
- Maraes Maeva Village
- Marae Anini
Tip: I stayed at Pension Fare Ara . A super nice homestay for 70€ per night including breakfast.
Days 7 to 9: two nights on Bora Bora
After four days of relaxing on Huahine, you will fly to Bora Bora in just 25 minutes. I wasn't sure whether I should go visit this island as it's quite expensive and touristy. And I still don't know if it was actually worth the money as there is not much to do than relaxing at the beach.
There are some nice lookouts on the island. Unfortunately, they don't have an official track so you have to drive around the island and look out for some side paths leading up a hill. If you fancy you can hike Mount Paihia. I planned to do that but as I was alone my accommodation recommended me to book a guide but I didn't want to spend any money on one so in the end I did not do the hike.
The only public beach on Bora Bora is Matira Beach. It is a beautiful white sandy beach with crystal clear tourquoise water but I did not find it too impressive or special. It is also not that big but still a good spot to chill at the beach and relax in the sun.
Tip: I stayed at Sunset Hill Lodge. A the relatively cheap accommodation on Bora Bora for 105€ per night.
Days 9 to 12: three nights on Moorea
As already mentioned Moorea is the only island that you can reach daily by ferry from Tahiti. After Bora Bora it is the most touristic island of French Polynesia and probably the surfers paradise amongst all islands. It is also very popular for its amazing snorkeling spots.
You should definetely drive up to the Belvedere Overlook. It offers spectacular views of the island and if you want to add a nice hike you can choose from a lot of treks. The most popular ones are the Pass of the Three Coconuts and the Pass of The Three Pines.
There are two public beaches on the island. One is not too far away from the Backpackers and I walked there. For the other one you need your own transport to get there. I've rented a scooter for one day and drove around the island. You can see and do a lot in only one day there!
Toatea Lookout is a nice viewing spot right next to the road over the Sofitel Resort and the torquoise ocean. It's also not far away from the second public beach so make sure to stop there on the way.
Tip: I stayed at the PainaPaopao Backpackers. One of the best hostels I've ever stayed in so far with with beds separated by walls for 30€ per night.
Days 12 to 13: one night on Tahiti
I've only stayed another night on Tahiti for my departure flight. I would not do it again this way but instead book a flight for the same day. However, if you want to spent some more time on Tahiti and might want to rent a car to travel around it would be a great idea to do that before leaving the country.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write them in the comment section below. ⇣
xx
Nina
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Your photos are so beautiful! This is definitely making me want to move this up my bucket list so much.
Thank you! So happy you like it 🙂
Can’t wait to visit here one day! Beautiful location and great itinerary!
Thank you so much, Andrea! 🙂
What a paradise! Great guide and beautiful pictures.
Thanks Katy! I’m glad you like it 🙂
Wow these blue waters are so inviting ..I have been wanting to visit French Polynesia .hope to visit sometime soon
Thank you 🙂 I hope you can visit one day!
The photos are so colourful. I haven’t spent much time on any of the Pacific Islands apart from Tahiti – which I just adored. I’d like to spend more time there – I was hoping to go on a cruise around the Pacific – one day!
Thanks Sharyn! That sounds like an incredible plan 🙂
Amazing itinerary! I’d love to visit French Polynesia one day!
Thanks Arabela! I’m happy you like it 🙂 I hope you can make it one day.
This is where I want to be right now! Saving for when I can.
It is such a beautiful destination! I hope you can make it there one day 🙂
This trip is my ultimate bucket list. It looks absolutely incredible! Definitely keeping this article handy and your photos are also so beautiful! 🙂
Thanks Taylor for you kind words!
Oh what a divine location and look at those azure waters. I just wanna dive right in and the lush forests seem to make the place look like an amazing paradise.
I totally agree! It is a dream destination, and I love that it actually has more to offer than most people think 🙂
Wow! I never considered French Polynesia to be a backpacking destination and I agree, it really does look like a beach lovers dream. I will definitely consider this trip after reading this and I’m in love with your dreamy photos!
Thanks Rachel! I thought the same as well before doing some proper research and found out that it has more to offer than those overwater bungalows! 😀
Ahh, this post has me dreaming of French Polynesia! In love with all of your photos and saved this for future inspiration!
Thank you Elena! Happy to hear you enjoyed this post 🙂
Your photos are amazing! I’ve dreamt about visiting French Polynesia but always thought you would have to spend thousands upon thousands on accommodation, flights and whatnot. I had no idea about this island hopping pass and your accommodation tips are really helpful – i mean 30 to 100 eur in french polynesia was definitely not the prices I had in mind! Seems really doable for the budget conscious traveller that wants a little splurge. Definitely saving this for when I plan to travel that way! Thanks for sharing – the water looks unbelievably blue.
Thank you Caroline! I’m glad you find this guide helpful 🙂 before doing some proper research and traveling there I also thought it’s a luxury getaway and I have to spend a fortune for a trip there! I actually found out that the most expensive is the flight there – depending on your departure country. But once you are there it is not impossible to find budget alternatives!
Do you think anyone could ever get bored of deep blue seas and white sandy beaches? Looking at this it would be hard to imagine. I would love to visit French Polynesia. It looks gorgeous and seems to be the ultimate luxury getaway
Thanks Emma! I could never get bored of such beautiful places 😀 it definitely is a dream destination!