French Polynesia

Papeete, Tahiti

The waterfront market, old buildings, and ferry connections make it the easiest place to feel daily life.

Bora Bora Lagoon

The lagoon is famous for its clear water, coral, and views of Mount Otemanu.

Moorea

It is close to Tahiti, with bays, pineapple plantations, and hikes that are easy to reach.

Raiatea and Taha'a

These islands are known for marae sites, vanilla farms, and quieter lagoons.

Poisson cru

Raw tuna marinated in lime juice and mixed with coconut milk, cucumber, and tomato.

Fafaru

Fish fermented in seawater with bran or shrimp, a strong local dish usually eaten by people who already know it.

Po’e

A dense sweet pudding made from banana, pumpkin, or papaya, often served with coconut milk.

Chevrettes

Small freshwater shrimp, often cooked in sauce or grilled in places with river sources.

Life mixes Polynesian traditions with French public life. People still speak Tahitian and other local languages alongside French, and marae stone temple sites such as Taputapuātea on Raiatea show how old chiefdom networks shaped the islands. Music, dance, and church gatherings are part of weekly life, and the rhythms of the sea still matter in how people travel, eat, and work.

• Ia ora na

  yah oh-rah nah

  Hello / good health

• Mauruuru

  mah-oo-roo-roo

  Thank you

• Nana

  nah-nah

  Goodbye

• E aha te moni ?

  eh ah-hah teh moh-nee

  How much is it?

On some islands, the traditional black pearl farms are a major part of the local economy, and the pearls are one of the best-known exports from the lagoons.

The official languages are French and Tahitian.

See who has been there and what you need to travel.