“We are on small, tiny rocks, isolated in the middle of the largest ocean.” On a nature tour on the atoll of Tetiaroa, my naturalist guide, Thierry Sommers, thus reminded me of the oceanic remoteness of our location in the South Pacific. I was staying at The Brando, a luxurious private island resort that sits a mere 30-minute flight from the main island of Tahiti but still feels gloriously far away from regular civilization.

If it’s swaying palms, turquoise lagoons and overwater bungalows you’re after, French Polynesia never disappoints. The nation’s 118 islands scatter across an ocean territory larger than Western Europe, and the best way to explore is by sea. (“Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?” a passenger on a nearby catamaran asked me at sunset.) Meanwhile, the floating villas at Bora Bora remain top of the list for honeymooners everywhere. But there’s more to French Polynesia than just yachting and sunbathing.

Read on for the best cultural and leisure activities in Tahiti, Taha‘a and Raiatea, three Society Islands ripe for exploration. All you need next is to book your flight.

TAHITI
All international travelers begin their trip in Tahiti, yet too many make the mistake of flying off to their next destination too quickly and missing what the nation’s largest island has to offer. Tahiti is home to the capital, Papeete, and roughly 69 percent of the population — a melting pot of artists and chefs, oceanographers, and tourists from all parts of the world. Check out Le Marché de Papeete, a lively market selling handmade jewelry, sarongs, ukuleles and more, and embrace the local lifestyle by hanging 10 at one of Tahiti’s renowned surf breaks. Papara and Papeno‘o accommodate beginners, while Teahupo‘o, the island’s most famous wave, is experts-only.

Raiatea © Stéphanie Malion Photography \ Tahiti Tourisme

RAIATEA
From the nation’s modern epicenter to the sacred birthplace of Polynesian culture, Raiatea offers a lush paradise of rocky cliffs and crystal-clear lagoons. Book a full-day tour with Aroha Experiences to explore the otherworldly beauty and fascinating history of the island. Check out the tropical blooms at Raiatea Botanical Garden and make a pilgrimage to Marae Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing the most spiritual place in Polynesia: an ancient, open-air temple where islanders gathered to connect with ancestors and deities, and navigators set out for voyages to New Zealand, Hawai‘i and beyond.

TAHA‘A
Head north to Raiatea’s smaller sister island, Taha‘a, to discover rural island life and experience traditional Polynesian practices in their modern-day incarnation. Sign up for a Poerani Tour for the perfect daytrip, where you will navigate the island both by land (via open-air Jeep festively adorned with palm fronds) and by sea (on a lagoon boat cruise). Peruse Tahitian pearls at Iaorana Pearl Farm, sip the local flavor at Mana‘o Tahiti Rum, and shop the stylish Polynesian selection of clothing and jewelry at Terre et Mer Shop. And, if you’re interested in diving, both Raiatea and Taha‘a offer diverse marine life, shipwrecks and vibrant coral canyons.

The Brando © Jeremy Austin / Tahiti Tourisme

LODGING
THE BRANDO
Expect world-class, 5-star luxury at this storied island resort, legendarily founded by Marlon Brando and maintained today as a paragon of sustainability and sophistication in the South Pacific.
Tetiaroa Private Island, Arue
Tahiti, French Polynesia
$$$$$

FOUR SEASONS RESORT BORA BORA

Stay in one of the iconic overwater bungalows and spend your days lounging by your private plunge pool. Though synonymous with honeymooners, the resort proves spectacular for watersports, especially snorkeling.
Motu Tehotu, Bora Bora,
French Polynesia
$$$$$

Vahine Private Island Resort © Grégoire Le Bacon / Tahiti Tourisme

VAHINE PRIVATE ISLAND
This remote, 23-acre motu features shaded palms, white-sand beaches and first-class service overlooking a turquoise lagoon. Stay in one of nine bungalows or treat yourself to the Royal Villa.
Motu Tuvahine, Taha‘a Lagoon,
French Polynesia
$$$$$

DINING
KE‘IKI
An intimate hidden gem in the village of Maharepa on the island of Moorea features a home-style outdoor setting and cuisine blending French techniques with authentic Polynesian dishes.
Maharepa, Moorea, French
Polynesia
$$$–$$$$

TIHOTI TARUA

Taste Tahiti at this family-owned organic farm on Raiatea, serving up Polynesian classics using coconut milk as the staple ingredient. Island specialties include taro, cassava fries and freshly caught tuna.
Uturoa, Raiatea, French
Polynesia
$$–$$$

LA VILLA MAHANA
Among the most romantic restaurants in the South Pacific, La Villa Mahana serves French Polynesian cuisine with curated wine pairings by Chef Damien Rinaldi-Dovio. With only seven tables available each evening, reservations are required.
Povai Bora Bora, French
Polynesia
$$$$

© Tahiti Tourisme

INFO TO GO
The gateway to French Polynesia, Tahiti Fa‘a‘ā International Airport lies just 3 miles southwest of the capital city, Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, offering direct flights from the United States through Honolulu (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA). From the airport, hail a taxi to a connecting ferry dock or board a chartered plane or Air Tahiti Nui or Air Moana domestic flight to your destination via regional airports in Bora Bora, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa or Raiatea.