Planning a holiday to French Polynesia and wondering which island is best for your family? Whether you’ve been seduced by dreamy Instagram reels of Bora Bora or just want to unwind on a tropical beach where the kids can safely splash around, choosing where to go can be surprisingly tricky – they all look that amazing.
Don’t worry, we’ve been there with kids in tow and rounded up five of the best islands in French Polynesia for a memorable, family-friendly escape. Think lush mountains, calm lagoons, cultural treasures, and a surprising number of chickens on a deserted island. Let’s dive in.
The island of Tahiti
Tahiti is the island where your international flight will land and is home to iconic surf breaks, black sand beaches and stunning waterfalls. It’s probably not the island whose photographs inspired you to holiday in French Polynesia, though. And, as a result, many people head straight to the outer islands, missing out on all the wonderful things about Tahiti.
Tahiti highlights include:
Teahupoo
Teahupoo is home to the Tahiti Billabong Pro, an iconic surf competition held every May that attracts the best of the best from surfers all over the world. Non-surfers will appreciate the beauty and raw power of this unique beach, and besides, it’s fun watching the surfers in action.
Pape’ete
The capital city is not huge as far as cities go, but Pape’ete is a great place to get supplies and stroll the waterfront. Our favourite place? The markets!
Arahoho Blowhole
When the swell is big enough, huge sprays of water shoot out from the blowhole with a big ‘’wooosh’’ sound. Like most blowholes, it’s just fun to watch!
Waterfalls
Jump on a tour or hire a car and find them yourself. Faarumai Waterfalls are a popular choice for tourists as they’re easy to find and beautifully dramatic.
Why Tahiti is one of the best islands in French Polynesia for families
Tahiti is divided into two “circles” connected by an isthmus. The larger being Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti) and the smaller being Tahiti Iti (Little Tahiti). We love Tahiti for its Polynesian vibe, black sand beaches with mountainous backdrops and the amazing laid back village feel once you leave the capital of Pape’ete. Make sure you don’t skip Tahiti on your holiday to French Polynesia!
The island of Mo’orea
Mo’orea is picture-perfect, and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t rub their eyes in disbelief when first laying eyes on its mountainous peaks and sparkling lagoon. Mo’orea is a highlight of any holiday to French Polynesia.
Highlights of Mo’orea include:
Lagoonarium Village
A short boat ride carries you to a tiny Motu with a stunning reef. There is a wide variety of fish with two daily feeding sessions that attract even more. Families can relax on the Motu when they need a break from swimming and snorkelling.
Hauru Point
Hauru Point has one of the best beaches on the island with an offshore Motu that you can reach by swimming or kayak.
Opunohu Valley
Opunohu Valley has some of the most important Marae (sacred historical sites) in French Polynesia. The oldest surviving structures date back to the 13th century!
4WD Tour
A 4WD tour of the island is fun! Families can expect to visit Afareaitu Waterfalls, vanilla and pineapple plantations, archaeological sites and the fruit-juice factory.
The Lagoon
Mo’orea’s lagoon is stunning and a lagoon tour is a great way to experience it. Excursions usually involve a stop at two bays, shark feeding and a picnic and snorkel on a beautiful motu.
Why Mo’orea is perfect for a family holiday to French Polynesia
We love Mo’orea because it’s incredibly beautiful and, unlike the other islands, families can travel there in 45 minutes by a large ferry from Tahiti, a significant cost saving when compared to air travel between islands. The islands are known for not being particularly wallet-friendly, so this is a huge bonus for your holiday to French Polynesia.
The island of Ra’iatea
Ra’iatea is home to the second largest town in French Polynesia (after Pape’ete in Tahiti) and shares its lagoon with a smaller island, Taha’a. Neither island gets many tourists, making Ra’iatea ideal for families wishing to truly get away and explore French Polynesia.
Ra’iatea highlights include:
The Circle Island Road
Hiring a car to drive the 98km sealed circle island road is a wonderful day out. With mountains on one side and a lagoon on the other, you’ll start seriously considering how to pack up your life and start a new one here.
Island Tours
Jumping in on an island tour is a great way to pack it all in one day. The tours often focus on the island of Taha’a but generally include snorkelling in a coral garden, a visit to a pearl and vanilla farm and lunch on a beautiful Motu.
The Motus
Visiting Moto Ofetaru is an amazing day trip involving turquoise water, white sand and coconut trees. The water is shallow enough for younger kids to enjoy and there is great snorkelling. You will need to pack your own lunch and hang it in a tree away from the motu’s many cats and chickens. Beautiful motus are a highlight of any holiday to French Polynesia!
Why Ra’iatea is one of the best French Polynesian islands to escape the crowds
We love Ra’iatea for its lush green interior, affordable guesthouses and beautiful Motus (tiny islands). Ra’iatea doesn’t really have beaches but the Motu’s within the lagoon well and truly make up for it.
The island of Huahine
Huahine is noticeably less resort dominated than Bora-Bora and actually consists of two islands, Huahine Nui (Big Huahine) and Huahine iti (Little Huahine). For the best beaches and lagoons, head to Huahine Iti but for more development, head to Huahine Nui.
Huahine highlights include:
Fish Traps
The V-shaped fish traps have been here for centuries and are simply fascinating. The tips of the V shapes point towards the ocean and as the fish are pulled towards the sea by the tide, they become trapped at the point of the V where they are then harpooned or netted.
Archaelogical Museum
Huahine has a small archaeological museum set in an open traditional house. Housed inside are interesting traditional tools and many other bits and pieces of history. Around the site are Marae, some dating back to the 16th century.
Blue Eyed Eels
The Blue Eyed Eels live near the village of Faie and are considered sacred. When the sunlight hits them, you will notice their amazing porcelain blue eyes that almost appear to glow.
Lagoon Tour
Head out with an organised lagoon tour or hire your own outboard. There are beautiful coral gardens, untouched Motus and some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in French Polynesia. Although we didn’t scuba-dive here, I’m told it’s magnificent.
Relaxing
Huahine is really just about bouts of relaxing in between enjoying the lagoon. It has a village feel and is just perfect for families who love the ocean, outdoors and quiet but don’t need to be in a city to have a good time. Relaxing in tropical paradise will be a highlight of your holiday to French Polynesia.
Why Huahine is a peaceful pick for a French Polynesia family holiday
We love Huahine because it’s delightfully sleepy and has epic sunsets. It’s a beautiful drive to hire a car and circle both of the islands via the sealed road.
The island of Bora Bora
Bora Bora is it! It’s the island featured on social media that’s inspired you to holiday in French Polynesia. Whether you’re staying in an ultra-luxurious over-water bungalow or a value-for-money pension (guest house), you’ll realise very quickly what all the hype is about when the island comes into view from the airplane.
Bora Bora highlights include:
The Lagoon
What can I say… it’s stunning at every angle and whether you want to snorkel, sail, dive or just swim in the shallows, you will fall in love with Bora-Bora’s lagoon.
Island Night
Experiencing an island night at one of the large brand-name resorts is a must on Bora Bora. Expect a great meal and lots of hip shaking, coconut bra wearing, drumming and ukulele fun. It’s very professional and utterly entertaining for all ages. Experiencing an island night is a must-do on any family holiday to French Polynesia.
Exploring
A 4WD tour of the mountainous island is a great way to take in all the American WWII historical sites and local archaeological stops. Alternatively, it’s just as fun to hire a pushbike and casually pedal your way along the coastal road.
Snorkelling
Bora Bora’s water is great for families as the water is clear and calm, with large spatterings of coral and fish at every turn.
Why Bora Bora is one of the best islands in French Polynesia (yes, even with kids)
We love Bora Bora because it lives up to the hype. Bora Bora is spectacular, small, mountainous and engulfed in a stunning turquoise lagoon that has to be seen to be believed.
Ready to choose the best island in French Polynesia for your family?
Whether you’re after calm lagoons and easy access (hello, Mo’orea), epic sunsets and laid-back village vibes (Huahine), or the picture-perfect postcard experience of Bora Bora, a holiday to French Polynesia is unforgettable.
Each island offers something unique for travelling families – from 4WD tours and sacred sites to blue-eyed eels and Motus full of chickens. You really can’t go wrong.
Tip: If time and budget allow, consider visiting more than one island to experience both the well-known highlights and the hidden gems. You’ll return home salty-haired, sun-kissed, and already dreaming of going back.
FAQ: Best islands in French Polynesia for families
Mo’orea is often considered the most family-friendly island. It’s just a 45-minute ferry from Tahiti, making it affordable and easy to access. With calm lagoons, fun 4WD tours, cultural sites, and great snorkelling for all ages, it ticks a lot of boxes for families.
Yes! While it’s known for honeymoons, Bora Bora is also great for families. The lagoon is calm and clear, making it ideal for snorkelling and swimming, and there are affordable guesthouses if overwater bungalows aren’t in the budget.
Absolutely. Many families choose to island-hop between Tahiti, Mo’orea, and at least one other island like Huahine or Ra’iatea. Ferries and short flights connect the islands, and kids usually love the adventure of moving between them.
Ra’iatea and nearby Taha’a are much less visited than places like Bora Bora. They’re perfect if your family prefers quiet beaches, nature, and cultural experiences without big resort crowds.
Yes. The lagoons are calm and shallow, there’s plenty of nature and beach time, and even the food is family-friendly – think tropical fruit, fresh fish, and French-inspired pastries. Just be aware that distances can be far between islands, so plan accordingly.
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