Multi-Day Trips from Papeete

November 5, 2026

Papeete is the air and ferry hub for the rest of French Polynesia, so most multi-day trips start and finish here. Plan the flights first, because on the outer islands the aircraft schedule sets everything else.

Society Islands circuit

Moorea is the easy first step, reached by a 30 to 45 minute ferry from the Papeete terminal to Vaiare. Other Society Islands such as Raiatea, Huahine and Bora Bora are reached by Air Tahiti from Faa’a airport. Treat Papeete as the first stop of the journey: arrive, sleep a night, see the Marche and the roulottes, then move on.

Air Tahiti multi-island passes

Air Tahiti sells passes that bundle inter-island flights. Each island can be visited once, returning to Tahiti on the pass is not permitted, and Moorea has to sit at the start or end of the Society Islands leg. Pass names and prices changed in 2026, so read the current rules at airtahiti.pf before you build an itinerary around one.

Taputapuatea marae on Raiatea

Taputapuatea on Raiatea was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2017. The inscribed area takes in the marae, Atiaapiti Point, two bays, the lagoon, the pass and Otara motu. It was a gathering place for voyagers, and it is a sacred site, so visit quietly and follow local guidance. The listing is at UNESCO .

Tuamotu atolls

Rangiroa, Fakarava and Tikehau are reached by Air Tahiti from Papeete, and an Air Tahiti pass covers one of these atolls alongside the Society Islands. Dive operators on the atolls handle the diving itself, so confirm shark and current conditions with them directly.

Before you fly

Inter-island aircraft carry limited baggage, so check Air Tahiti’s allowance when you book. The UK FCDO advises carrying travel insurance that covers local medical treatment and evacuation, which matters on remote atolls where the nearest hospital is far away.

Putting it together

A common pattern is to keep Papeete for the first and last night. A first night gives you the market and Place Vai’ete, while a last night near Faa’a airport avoids a stressful morning transfer. Taxis from the airport to central Papeete cost roughly 2,500 to 3,500 XPF, more at night.

Cyclone season runs from November to April, so book flexible tickets in those months. Look over accommodation at Papeete stays when you have your flights.