French Polynesia tours & vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

French Polynesia might be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean but it's still relatively easy to get to by air. Aéroport International de Tahiti-Faa’a (PPT) welcomes flights from all over the world via airlines such as Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, and Air New Zealand. If Tahiti is not your final destination within French Polynesia, it's easy to get a connecting flight from the airport with 47 further islands accessible by air. These islands are also facilitated by Air Tahiti Nui, with the exception being the close island of Moorea which is serviced by Air Moorea. 

The best time to visit the islands of French Polynesia is considered to be September as it's the month with the longest days and driest weather. It's also one of the months to try and spot some humpback whales.

The winter months are fine for traveling in but the weather does cool down quite a lot and won't be the best for sun bathing or spending long periods of time outside.

Once you get to the islands of French Polynesia, you don't want to have to worry about a thing. And that means thinking about what you left behind. To ensure your trip is stress-free, make sure you pack the following items: 

• sunscreen 
• weather appropriate clothing 
• camera
• extra electronic chargers 
• bug spray

Traveling to French Polynesia means getting to experience a whole array of animated marine life whether you're snorkeling over the coral reefs or looking into the water from a glass-bottomed boat. Here's what you can expect from French Polynesia's peaceful island waters: 

• turtles
• sharks
• dolphins
• whales
• stingrays 
• different species of fish 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travelers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance