Extreme French Polynesia: sharks, lagoons and mountains
Nine days of extreme adventure in French Polynesia — diving with lemon sharks in Bora Bora, surfing Teahupo'o, hiking Mount Rotui in Moorea and kayaking Raiatea's lagoon — across the most beautiful archipelago on Earth.
Description
This extreme itinerary runs French Polynesia's Leeward Islands in nine days. Tahiti — the main island — hosts Teahupo'o, the most powerful wave on Earth, with a 3-meter lip closing over razor-sharp coral. Moorea offers the 899-meter climb of Mount Rotui with views of both bays, and swimming with spinner dolphins in the crystal lagoon. Raiatea — the Polynesians' sacred island — allows kayaking on the Faaroa river, French Polynesia's only navigable river, and Marae Taputapuatea, the Pacific's most important Polynesian temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bora Bora is the star: diving with 3-meter lemon sharks, 5-meter manta rays and swimming in the bluest lagoon on the planet. Motu picnics on coral islets with reef sharks and rays complete this extreme experience.
Health & safety
- French Polynesia has no endemic malaria or dengue
- The main risks are: coral cuts (rinse with vinegar and apply antibiotic), stonefish stings (wear coral booties) and fire coral dermatitis
- Polynesian sharks are safe to dive — no attacks recorded at the local dive sites
- The equatorial sun is extreme — reapply SPF50+ every 2 hours
- Healthcare in Papeete is of good standard; on the outer islands it is limited
Day-by-day itinerary
Tahiti: Teahupo'o and the market
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Tahiti: Teahupo'o and the market
The planet's most powerful wave and the Papeete market.
Boat trip out to Teahupo'o to watch the wave
Sports3hMarché de Papeete
Culture1.5hMoorea: Mount Rotui and the lagoon
Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea: Mount Rotui and the lagoon
Hike Mount Rotui and swim with dolphins.
Ascent of Mount Rotui (899 m)
Sports6hSwim with spinner dolphins
Nature2hMoorea: kitesurf and stingrays
Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea: kitesurf and stingrays
Kitesurfing the lagoon and swimming with stingrays.
Kitesurfing Moorea's lagoon
Sports3hStingray and shark motu
Nature2hFerry to Raiatea and the Faaroa river
Raiatea, French Polynesia
Ferry to Raiatea and the Faaroa river
Kayaking the only navigable river in Polynesia.
Ferry to Raiatea and kayaking the Faaroa River
Sports3hTaputapuatea Marae: a sacred site
Culture2hRaiatea: jungle and reef
Raiatea, French Polynesia
Raiatea: jungle and reef
Rainforest hike and snorkelling the pass.
Hike to Mount Tapioi
Sports4hSnorkelling the Teavapiti pass
Nature2hFlight to Bora Bora and the lagoon
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Flight to Bora Bora and the lagoon
The world's bluest lagoon.
Flight to Bora Bora and lagoon tour
Nature3hJet ski across Bora Bora's lagoon
Sports2hBora Bora: diving with sharks
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora: diving with sharks
Diving with lemon sharks and mantas.
Shark dive with 3-meter lemon sharks
Sports3hSunset manta dive
Sports2hBora Bora: Mount Pahia and kitesurfing
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora: Mount Pahia and kitesurfing
Ascent of the steepest peak, and kitesurfing.
Ascent of Mount Pahia (661 m)
Sports6hKitesurfing the western lagoon
Sports2hBora Bora: farewell and flight
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora: farewell and flight
Last dive and the flight home.
Morning dive on the coral gardens
Sports2hFlight back to Papeete
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