You’ll find this dispersed collection of isles and atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, around 5000 miles east of Australia. It comprises five distinct groups of islands; the Society Islands are furthest west and contain Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tetiaroa. French Polynesia is about halfway between California and Sydney, and an eight-hour flight from the latter. You can reach Tahiti from the UK in around 22-24 hours with a single stopover in Los Angeles; internal flights to Bora Bora, Moorea and Tetiaroa all depart from Tahiti
Stay and cruise
A stay and cruise holiday is a fantastic way of seeing many of the French Polynesia islands in just one visit. Our cruise partners Paul Gauguin are specialists when it comes to cruising the shallow waters and lagoons that surround these spectacular islands, and their flag ship MS Paul Gauguin is based in the South Pacific year-round. As well as including an overnight stay of world-famous paradise island Bora Bora, they also own a small private islet, Motu Mahana where you can spend a whole day revelling in the tropical island ambience, with just your fellow guests for company. Break up your journey to French Polynesia with a few days in Los Angeles and even add a night or two at a beachside hotel in Tahiti, where the cruise departs from.