French Polynesia
The eerily beautiful remains of Rouru Convent, which once housed 60 nuns, stands south of the cemetery and is quickly becoming engulfed by weeds. It’s…
Must-see attractions in French Polynesia
Bora Bora
Coming from Faanui Bay, continue until you reach the quay of the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa on your left. Walk for another 50m and you'll see a…
Nuku Hiva
This little museum has a few documents and some beautiful ancient Marquesan artefacts. It also doubles as a small craft shop. Entry was free at the time…
Mo'orea
This large marae has a small, raised-terrace ahu (altar), and back rests that were used by the priests. It is flanked by two crescent-shaped archery…
French Polynesia
Akamaru was the first island to be visited by Laval, and his majestic 1841 Église Nôtre-Dame-de-la-Paix (Our Lady of Peace Church) still stands on the…
Huahine
Dotted with the reminders of the god Hiro’s splitting of the island in two, the village of Maroe sits on the southern side of Maroe Bay. You can spot the…
French Polynesia
Picture this: there’s a white-sand beach lapped by turquoise waters, palm trees leaning over the shore, and great snorkelling options. This deserted islet…
French Polynesia
Beach bums in search of a place to wallow will make a beeline for this picture-perfect, white-sand beach on the western coast. Here the lagoon is deep…
Mo'orea
The constant toing and froing of ferry boats and high-speed catamarans at the ferry quay, the busy market scene and the cars, taxis and buses shuttling…
Mo'orea
This spot really fits the picture-postcard ideal. Atop the hill north of the Sofitel la Ora Moorea Beach Resort, this lookout affords dazzling views of…
Rangiroa
Avatoru won’t leap to the top of your list of preferred villages in French Polynesia, but its location, right by Avatoru Pass and the lagoon, is stunning…
Maupiti
There’s an important melon-production plantation on Motu Auira, as well as a lovely coral sand beach. At low tide you can reach it from the mainland by…
Pape'ete
On the edge of Matavai Bay, this wide curve of sparkling black sand is great for a dip. It never gets crowded. The eastern side is framed by steep…
Pape'ete
This square is an evolving multi-use development project on Pape’ete’s western edge. The far end of the square is home to a 5000-seat pavilion, which is…
French Polynesia
On the eastern outskirts of the village of Moerai, near Arei Point, you'll find this large roadside cavern with stalactites and stalagmites. Traditionally…
Tahiti
A picturesque strip of white sand, Maui Beach gets packed and noisy on weekends, but is peaceful during the week. It’s right on the road but has shallow…
French Polynesia
Across the road from the airport, this marae (traditional sacred site) features a large paved platform and a massive upright stone standing more than 2m…
Tahiti
A signposted turn-off at PK9.5 leads a short distance inland to the rarely visited remains of Marae Nuutere, restored in 1994. There are three paved yards…
Mo'orea
You can’t miss the huge (though falling apart) statue of a tattooed man holding a club at the entrance of this private property overlooking a lovely strip…
French Polynesia
At Vaitauarii are the remains of a site dedicated to tattooing Tubuai royalty. Until 2007 it was believed that the ancient Tubuai people were not tattooed…
Huahine
On an isolated property by the road on Motu Ovarei, you’ll find this art gallery, where the exotic paintings of the highly respected artist Melanie Dupre…
Huahine
If solitude is what you’re seeking, head for this secluded beach at the southern tip of Motu Ovarei, just off the now defunct Sofitel. It features shade…
The Marquesas
This modest museum, in the white house on the seafront, shows the evolution of traditional pirogues (outrigger canoes) as well as hooks used for shark…
French Polynesia
This cave, with its massive, oozy-looking stalactites and stalagmites, is the most stunning on the island. It’s 500m north of the Teautamatea pension;…
The Marquesas
The island’s main town is at the end of a very deep, narrow inlet, about 1km long and rightly named Invisible Bay. You'll find two stores, lots of fruit…
Maupiti
The airport and a couple of pensions are found on Motu Tuanai, another picture-friendly islet. However, the lagoon is shallow along this motu, which doesn…
Pape'ete
Some members of the Pomare family are buried (or may be buried – their tombs are unmarked) in the Cimetière Pomare. A board at the cemetery indicates…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
On the right of the road into Haamene is this small family-run operation where you can see vanilla preparation and drying processes and also purchase…
Maupiti
Motu Tiapaa has beautiful, sandy, white beaches and good snorkelling on its ocean and lagoon sides. It’s also the most developed motu, with several…
Pape'ete
Place Vaiete is home to multiple roulottes and occasional live-music performances at night, but is quite peaceful during the day. There are plenty of…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
Along the Les Trois Cascades (Three Waterfalls) hike, it’s an easy stroll to the first (the smallest) waterfall, which has a great swimming hole. Though…
Tahiti
This very well-maintained site holds three adjoined stone courtyards, each with its own ahu (alter). It was probably used for religious fishing rituals…
Mo'orea
Afareaitu is the island’s administrative centre. There are two waterfalls that are worth a gander (although they are but feeble trickles in winter). Ask…
French Polynesia
This well-maintained marae can be found about 1km from the Vaiuru entrance of the cross-island road (ask for directions as it’s not easy to find). It…
Around Tahiti Nui
Beloved by locals, Plage du PK18 is a stunning beach to sun yourself on, but not that great for swimming or snorkelling due to the shallow water. The…
Around Tahiti Nui
Lush gardens, overhung caverns, crystal-clear pools and ferny grottoes are all standard features at gorgeous Mara’a Grotto. The fairy-tale park is found…
Fakarava
The PK10.5 marks the end of the dirt road, just on the edge of the phenomenal Garuae Pass. By incoming or outgoing current, the pass gets really rough,…
The Tuamotus
To the east of the lagoon, a crescent-shaped coral spit covered in small shrubs is a favourite nesting place for oio (brown noddies), tara (great…
Huahine
Just before completing the Huahine Nui circuit, the road passes through the Fitii district. This is an important agricultural area in the shadow of Mt…
Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa’s most bizarre statue can be found near the road to the airport, about 10km from Atuona. About 1m in height, it stands alone in a clearing. To…
