Logistics · Country Guide
Atoll passes, shark sanctuaries, whale season, and lagoon days across the South Pacific
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most travelers arrive at Tahiti Faa'a International Airport near Papeete, then continue by domestic flight, ferry, resort shuttle, or private boat. Tahiti and Moorea are the lowest-friction combination because Moorea is connected by ferry and short flights. Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Rangiroa, Fakarava, and Tikehau usually require domestic flights and prearranged transfers. The Marquesas and Australs are rewarding extensions, but they are not core scuba hubs for most first-time French Polynesia dive itineraries.
Tahiti Faa'a International Airport
PPT • NTAA
5 km to Papeete • Ten to twenty minutes by road to central Papeete in normal traffic
Primary international gateway for French Polynesia, the main domestic hub, and the best staging point for Tahiti, Moorea ferries, outer-island flights, gear logistics, and medical backup.
Transport: Airport taxis, Pre-booked hotel transfers, Rental cars, Ferry transfers to Moorea via the port, Domestic flights
Moorea Temae Airport
MOZ • NTTM
10 km to Cook's Bay area • Short road transfer to most east and north-shore bases
Small airport for Moorea, though many travelers use the Tahiti-Moorea ferry instead. Good for lagoon resorts, whale-season operators, and mixed dive or snorkel trips.
Transport: Domestic flights, Rental cars, Scooters, Hotel transfers, Taxis
Bora Bora Airport
BOB • NTTB
7 km by lagoon route to Vaitape area • Short boat shuttle plus onward resort or road transfer
Lagoon airport on Motu Mute serving Bora Bora resorts, Vaitape, manta-focused diving, coral gardens, and premium lagoon itineraries.
Transport: Domestic flights, Airport boat shuttle, Resort launches, Private transfers
Domestic flights are the backbone of island hopping, especially for Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, the Marquesas, and the Australs. Tahiti and Moorea are linked by ferry. On main islands, use rental cars, scooters, bicycles, taxis, hotel shuttles, or prearranged guesthouse transfers. On atolls, transport may be a bicycle, pension van, small boat, or simple road shuttle, so confirm pickup points before arrival.
French Polynesia has its own entry formalities within the French overseas system, and rules vary by nationality. Many tourism visitors from visa-exempt countries can stay for up to ninety days, but travelers should verify requirements through official French or consular sources before booking. Carry a valid passport, return or onward travel, accommodation details, insurance, and proof of sufficient funds if requested. If transiting through the United States, New Zealand, or another country, check transit authorization separately.
Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora have the easiest rental and repair options. Tuamotu dive centers can rent gear, but sizes, DIN/yoke adapters, camera parts, and spare masks may be limited. Bring personal mask, computer, SMB, exposure suit, prescription items, and camera spares. Ask domestic airlines about checked-bag allowances and sports-equipment rules before routing multiple islands.
CFP franc (XPF)
Cards are widely usable in major hotels, resorts, many restaurants, larger shops, and main-island supermarkets. XPF cash is important for pensions, small markets, snack stands, taxis, tips, bikes, remote atolls, and boat extras. Resorts may quote in XPF, EUR, or local equivalents, but settlement is normally in XPF or by card.
ATMs are most reliable in Tahiti and the larger Society Islands. Outer atolls and small villages may have limited machines, outages, or no convenient access, so carry enough XPF before flying to Tikehau, Fakarava, or other remote islands.
220V to 230V, with some older or boat systems at 110V • 50Hz to 60Hz depending on island and installation • C, E, A, B
Confirm with your hotel, pension, resort, or boat before travel. Carry a universal adapter, a small power strip, and dual-voltage chargers for camera batteries, dive computers, strobes, and laptops.
Communications
Mobile and Wi-Fi coverage is strongest around Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and major villages. Outer atolls can have slower guesthouse Wi-Fi, patchy mobile coverage, and outages. Download maps, ferry confirmations, dive operator contacts, insurance documents, and domestic flight details before leaving Tahiti.
Language
French is the official working language, and Tahitian and other Polynesian languages are culturally important. English is common in tourism, dive centers, and resorts, but less reliable in small pensions or remote administrative settings. Learn a few French phrases and keep written booking details handy.
Insurance
Choose travel insurance that includes scuba or freediving at your planned depth, emergency evacuation, recompression treatment, remote-island medical transport, domestic-flight disruption, baggage delays, and weather interruption. Divers should verify whether pass dives, shark dives, and depths beyond are covered.
Packing list
Pack for sun, salt, and remote logistics: personal mask, dive computer, SMB, 3mm suit, rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, sun hat, dry bag, reef shoes, seasickness medication, prescription medicine, camera spares, and enough XPF cash for outer islands. A light rain shell is useful in the wet season, and a hooded vest can help on repetitive dry-season dives.