Stay : Islands and lagoons of French Polynesia in 3 weeks
According to us, it is a pity to come to French Polynesia for less than 3 weeks, given the cost of the plane ticket, the distance and the size of the territory! Of course, the services are quite expensive on the spot, but we can still manage to control the costs...
The indicated itinerary is, of course, theoretical, but it gives a good overview of three archipelagos of Polynesia
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
20 days
€€€ - Luxury
Detail of the stay : Islands and lagoons of French Polynesia in 3 weeks - 20 days
Day 1: Tahiti
Steps: Punaauia, Paea, Taravao-Afaahiti
This first day is dedicated to the discovery of the west coast. First stop, the white sand beaches of Punaauia, then the marae of Paea. One of them, nicknamed Arahurahu, is the best preserved in Tahiti, decorated with recent tikis and bamboo huts. At KP 28.5 are the Maraa caves, a destination that precedes the crossing of the Taravao plateau by car, to reach a parking lot with a magnificent view of the isthmus of the same name. Night in the vicinity of Taravao.
GROTTES DE MARAA
Day 2: Teahupoo, cult village
Steps: Teahupoo
Accompanied by a guide, you are ready to attack the peninsula. When you park in Teahupoo village, all you have to do is walk for three hours to discover the Vaipoiri cave and its underground lake. One-day expeditions allow access further afield, at the beginning of the Pari cliffs, but two days are necessary to cross these dangerous places for those who do not know them.
GROTTE DE VAIPOIRI ET FALAISES DU PARI
Day 3: Vaimahutu Waterfall
Steps: Papeete, Hitiaa Te Ra
If you have not opted for the two days devoted to the peninsula, it is still possible to visit in half a day the washtubs (tunnels dug by the lava) of Hitiaa, then to engage, not far from kilometre point 22, east coast, in a path of about 1 km to observe the Vaimahutu waterfall which starts from 100 m high: 20 min walk allows access to two other waterfalls, Haamarere Iti and Haamarere Rahi. Night in Papeete.
Day 4: Moorea
By plane or ferry, you will arrive very quickly in Moorea. This one has a lagoon that looks more like Polynesian postcards, a good reason to stay there for two days. One of Moorea's tourist monuments remains the Tiki Village Theatre, a reconstruction of a Polynesian village that welcomes its visitors in a dozen traditional farés (houses), each evoking an activity representative of Maohi culture. Two evenings a week (Tuesday and Friday), we offer an amazing dance show, including the famous fire dance!
Day 5: Swimming with dolphins
Steps: Papetoai
After making an appointment, take this magical opportunity to swim with dolphins, especially if you are traveling with children! A final tasty image of Moorea will surely remain the one you get from the Belvedere. To get there, you will cross pineapple fields once you leave the ring road. If you have enough time left on the way back, some marae are located below. Those who do not wish to enjoy the dolphin show can choose to go around the lagoon to observe the rays and sharks (in season, it is absolutely necessary to dive with the whales), or to indulge in the numerous water activities proposed by the different providers, or to hike in the mountains on foot, by quad or by 4x4.
LE BELVÉDÈRE
Day 6: The lagoon of Bora-Bora
The beginning of the stay was mainly dedicated to the discovery of the interior of Tahiti and Moorea. No more time to waste savouring the turquoise waters of the Bora-Bora lagoon. A minimum of 50 minutes is required to reach your destination. In the afternoon, a scuba diving session is still recommended to discover the seabed of this superb translucent body of water.
Day 7: Relaxation in Bora-Bora
Steps: Matira
Several service providers offer jet-ski tours, some of which include swimming and stopping on a motorcycle. There is no more pleasant place to indulge in this sport than Bora-Bora, thanks in particular to the colour of the surfaces crossed. Or take a quiet catamaran ride on the lagoon, a hike in the mountains... or enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach of Matira. After a few hours of great sensations, get ready to leave for the Tuamotus. It is also possible to walk or cycle the 13 km of paved road of the main motu.
Day 8: Rangiroa
Welcome to the diving kingdom! This first full day therefore devotes itself to this activity, to the encounter of a very dense fauna. The main spots are the Passe pass, the Passe pass, or the level of faults that have colorful coral formations.
Day 9: Diving
Steps: Avatoru
Three excursions are regularly offered to travellers arriving in Rangiroa. The best known and most visited site is undoubtedly the blue lagoon. To the west of the atoll, it is a small "lagoon in the lagoon", formed by a few motus encircling a natural swimming pool of a supernatural blue. A real feast for the eyes, which can be explored by following the motu crown. The shallow depth also allows any novice to discover hundreds of surprising fish and sharks without masks, and without risk.
LE LAGON BLEU
Day 10: To Tikehau
Take-off for a small atoll where a real warmth of life reigns: Tikehau. Very fishy, with a magnificent lagoon, it is ideal for diving. The tour of the island by bike is also worth its weight in gold. You will probably meet some of the people working with copra at this occasion. Don't hesitate to stop and observe the magnificent nuances of the surrounding waters on a sandy beach.
Day 11: Fauna and Flora
In Tikehau, excursions are regularly organized to Bird Island, fish parks, or to have a picnic on a motu. More atypical, some will take you to the long motu located opposite the main motu, where a strange atmosphere reigns. The houses of former "coprahculators" are indeed deserted, at the end of a road where nature has regained its rights.
Day 12: Flight to Fakarava
Fly to Fakarava atoll. Many pearl farms allow visitors to discover the efforts and secrets behind the design of a quality pearl. Hopefully, the pension in which you will stay will also have a farm and will offer you prices that are unbeatable on its products. A dive into this little paradise is essential!
Day 13: Tahiti
The stay in Fakarava will have been short, since you already have to leave for Tahiti. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of King Pomaré V and the very popular beach of Pointe de Vénus.
Day 14: The centre of the island
A whole day devoted to the interior of Tahiti. As you enter the Papenoo Valley, the island's ferry route takes you past some beautiful waterfalls, as well as the Anapua and Farehape marae, not far from the Maroto waterfall. Then a stop at the Pautona site, followed by a swim in Lake Vaihiria. Return to Papeete or its surroundings.
Day 15: Marquesas Islands
Steps: Taiohae
Expect a striking contrast when you arrive at the Marquesas Islands in Nuku Hiva. Instead of taking a helicopter, make a 4x4 transfer to better discover the landscapes of this sumptuous island. The roads are narrow and winding, on a mountainside. A well-deserved rest is then required in the village of Taiohae.
Day 16: Hiking in paradise
Steps: Hakaui
One of the most popular hikes is to Vaipo Waterfall and Hakaui Valley. This site is one of the most grandiose in Nuku Hiva. Former stronghold of King Te Moana, the valley has a paved royal road, decorated with numerous tikis and paepae.
Day 17: The waterfalls of Taipivai
By renting a 4x4 or through a service provider, it is possible to reach the Taipivai valley, famous for its numerous waterfalls, as well as one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the island, flanked by numerous stone tikis. But first, don't hesitate to visit some of the sculptors who will be happy to welcome you, most of them located not far from Taiohae. Near Hatiheu, in the north of the island, a vast pae pae reveals all its grandeur. Plan to leave early, as the road to and from the site is quite long.
Day 18: In the footsteps of Brel and Gauguin
Steps: Atuona
We win Hiva Oa. Receptacle of the last moments of Jacques Brel and Paul Gauguin, this island is the second largest in the Marquesas archipelago. After less than a quarter of an hour on a paved road, you will arrive at the village of Atuona. You will then head towards the Calvaire cemetery, a quarter of an hour from the centre, where the two artists mentioned above are buried.
CIMETIÈRE DU CALVAIRE
Day 19: Marquesan culture
This day begins with a visit to the Gauguin Cultural Center, then moves on to two archaeological sites, Taaoa, south ofAtuona, which contains more than a thousand pae pae, a large tohua and several meae, with a tiki of more than one meter on the right side of the site, and Iipona, one of the main legacies of Marquesan culture.
Day 20: Return to Tahiti
Last day in Tahiti, take the time to swim one last time!
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