How to Island Hop Around French Polynesia (Flights, Ferries & Costs)
- 1 day ago
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Island hopping around French Polynesia doesn't have to cost a fortune. By mixing ferries and flights, we managed to visit four beautiful islands without completely blowing the budget.
When we started planning our trip to French Polynesia, we knew we wanted to see more than just one island. We wanted to experience as much of French Polynesia as we possibly could, in the time we had.
Only issue was, flights between the islands can be expensive, especially when you're paying for a family of four.
That's when we started looking into ferries.
We travelled with Apetahi Ferries, which operate between several of the Society Islands. At the time of writing, Apetahi Express connects Tahiti, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora, making it one of the easiest ways to island hop through French Polynesia.
Timetables change regularly, so it's worth checking their website before planning your itinerary.
By mixing ferries and flights, we visited Tahiti, Huahine, Bora Bora and Moorea. Looking back, we'd do it exactly the same way again.
Our French Polynesia Island Hopping Route
Tahiti → Huahine (Ferry)
Huahine → Bora Bora (Ferry)
Bora Bora → Tahiti (Flight)
Tahiti → Moorea (Ferry)
Moorea → Tahiti (Ferry)
Approximate Costs
When we travelled, ferry tickets were significantly cheaper than flying between every island.
At the time of writing, Apetahi Express fares start from around 6,000–7,000 XPF per person one way between Tahiti and the Leeward Islands, including Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. Prices do change regularly, so it's worth checking the latest fares before booking.
The Tahiti to Moorea ferry was even more affordable, costing around 2,000 XPF return (approximately AU$27 per person) when we travelled.
Things to Know Before Booking the Ferries
The ferry doesn't run every day. When we travelled, it operated roughly every second day, so you'll need to plan your itinerary around the schedule.
If you're hopping off at an island along the way, you'll usually need to stay a minimum of two nights before the next ferry arrives.
The booking website isn't the easiest to navigate, but stick with it. We found the savings well worth the effort.
If you're prone to seasickness, pack tablets. The crossing between Tahiti and Huahine can sometimes be rough.
Arrive at the port a little early, especially if you're travelling with kids and luggage.
Travel Tip: Because the ferry only runs every second day, we planned our entire itinerary around the ferry schedule before booking accommodation. I'd highly recommend doing the same.
Starting Point: Papeete, Tahiti
Tahiti is the gateway to French Polynesia and the starting point for most island-hopping adventures.
Like most visitors, we arrived in Tahiti and spent our first night there before continuing our journey.
To be honest, unless you're planning to hire a car and explore more of Tahiti, you probably don't need more than a night in Papeete.
If you're self-catering or staying in Airbnbs, it's worth visiting the Papeete Market to pick up fruit, vegetables and snacks before you leave. You'll generally find more choice and better prices here than on some of the smaller islands.
From Papeete, we boarded the Apetahi Ferry and headed towards Huahine.
Huahine (By Ferry)
Catching the ferry was incredibly easy. From Tahiti to Huahine takes around four hours and was far more comfortable than we expected. There was plenty of seating, food available onboard and opportunities to walk around and enjoy the views.
Huahine was a really beautiful stop and somewhere many visitors simply pass by on their way to Bora Bora. It's a much smaller island with a relaxed local feel, beautiful beaches, great snorkelling and far fewer tourists. We only spent 2 nights there, but it was a lovely place to slow down and experience a quieter side of French Polynesia.
Bora Bora (By Ferry)
After 2 nights in Huahine, we continued on to Bora Bora by ferry.
Watching Bora Bora slowly appear on the horizon was an experience in itself. Long before we arrived, we could see the island's dramatic mountain peaks rising out of the ocean.
Many travellers fly directly to Bora Bora, but taking the ferry allowed us to visit Huahine along the way saved us money compared to flying every leg of the journey.
We spent three nights on Bora Bora exploring the island by car, relaxing at Matira Beach and hiring a boat through La Plage Boat Hire to explore the lagoon.
If you're planning a visit, you might also enjoy reading our guide to Bora Bora on a Budget, where we share exactly how we visited one of the world's most famous islands without spending a fortune.
Returning to Tahiti (By Plane)
For our return journey, we decided to fly back to Tahiti.
The flight takes around 45–50 minutes and offers spectacular views over the lagoons and islands below.
If you're flying out of Bora Bora, try to grab a seat on the right-hand side of the plane for some truly unforgettable views.
Even if you don't manage to get the perfect seat, the scenery is incredible.
Moorea (By Ferry)
We spent 1 night in Tahiti, then we hopped on another ferry and made our way to Moorea.
The crossing is short, affordable and incredibly easy.
In less than an hour, you'll find yourself surrounded by towering green mountains, crystal-clear lagoons and some of the most beautiful scenery in French Polynesia.
We spent several days exploring Moorea by car, swimming with humpback whales, snorkelling with sharks and stingrays and relaxing on beautiful beaches.
By the end of our trip, we were completely in love with Moorea.
Was It Worth Mixing Ferries and Flights?
Absolutely.
The ferries helped us keep costs down while allowing us to see more islands.
They also became part of the adventure and the scenery was stunning!
One thing we found interesting was most travellers don't realise the ferries are even an option. We actually met a lady who had travelled through French Polynesia multiple times over the years and had never heard of them. Most visitors automatically look at flights, but for families especially, the ferries can be a fantastic way to save money and see more islands along the way.
Would we do it again?
Without hesitation.
If you're travelling as a family and hoping to experience more of French Polynesia without spending a fortune on flights, combining ferries and flights is one of the best decisions you can make.
French Polynesia may be famous for luxury travel, but it doesn't have to be reserved for honeymooners and five-star resorts.
With a little planning, a willingness to slow down and a mix of ferries and flights, we managed to experience several incredible islands without completely blowing the budget.
Planning Your Own French Polynesia Adventure?
If you're dreaming of turquoise lagoons, island hopping and unforgettable family adventures, these guides might help you plan your trip:
French Polynesia was one of the most beautiful places we've ever visited, and we hope these guides help you plan an adventure of your own.
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