French Polynesia

Five island groups with 118 islands and atolls, each one distinctive and striking, make up the overseas collectivity of France’s French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean.

Aerial drone shot of overwater bungalows of Bora Bora with Mount Otemanu in the background. Photo: Maridav/iStock

Overview

The islands of French Polynesia conjure visions of verdant volcanic peaks, palm-studded beaches, and electric-blue lagoons. These are the lands of flowers in the hair and pareo-clad Ori dancers, of bold tribal tattoos on bronze skin, and ritual offerings to the shark gods. Artists, romantics, and sailors have long answered these island’s siren call, and they are now joined by travelers seeking the exotic relaxations of the Society Islands of Tahiti, where thatch-roofed bungalows perched above clear shallows and beach resorts that deliver five-star vacation experiences with a unique flair for barefoot luxury.

A different version of paradise awaits on the quiet atolls of the Tuamotus and Gambiers, where expansive rings of coral and small barrier islands shelter inner lagoons brimming with colorful reefs and a menagerie of marine life. Farther off the grid are the rugged green peaks of the Marquesas and the fertile valleys and pristine reefs of Tubuai.