15 Guided Tours in French Polynesia Worth Booking

1.Half Day Island 4WD Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 440 reviews · from $91Our pick

Ride around Bora Bora in a shaded, open-sided 4WD with a local guide such as Mana, Moana, or Alex. Stop at lagoon lookouts, WWII cannons, a plantation, and a Faanui Valley workshop where you can see sarongs dyed and coconut oil made. Sunset departures include sparkling wine.

“We took two different island tours during our day in Bora Bora, and this by far was the most adventuresome and had the best opportunities for spectacular views. The tour did not start off well since there wasn’t anyone to formally meet us with a sign with our names so there was a lot of confusion at the beginning.”

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2.Half-Day Guided Hike to Afareaitu Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $97Top rated

Walk through Afareaitu Valley with guides such as Yvette, Mary, Sylvie, or Teva, learning about Polynesian culture, temple ruins, tropical plants, and local fruit. The moderately strenuous trail leads to a waterfall swim, followed by a generous tasting in a private riverside garden.

“What can I say? The weather was absolutely perfect. There was an overcast which helped shield us from the sun, along with the beautiful trees. Tevia was our travel guide and he was absolutely amazing! He gave us information about the plants, fruit, and flowers along the trail. You literally hike through the forest. The hike was no more than 30 mins each way. We were given walking sticks to assist us. It was slightly slippery so please bring good hiking shoes. After we leached the waterfall we went for a swim. It was so breathtaking! We hiked back down to a house that hosted us and we tried all…”

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3.NEW!!! ATV TOURS with a local tour guide from Bora Bora

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews

Ride an ATV around Bora Bora with local guides such as Tahi, Manu, Caleb, or Rai. The three-hour route combines paved island roads, steep mountain tracks, views of Mount Otemanu and the lagoon, local history, and an exotic-fruit tasting. Pickup is offered from main-island hotels, and groups are capped at eight.

“One of a few activities done during our visit. Was the best guided ATV tour ever. Highly recommended when visiting the beautiful island of Bora Bora.”

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4.Guided ATV Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 81 reviews · 3h 30m · from $123

Ride an ATV through Opunohu Valley with a French- or English-speaking guide. You’ll cross rivers, pass pineapple fields, stop at Belvedere, sample local fruit products when available, and reach Magic Mountain on the 3.5-hour route. Guides such as Marco, Tapu, and Striker have led especially memorable outings.

“ATV tour was awesome! Tapu was the best guide ever! Magic Mountain was definitely the highlight.”

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5.Unique East Coast Half Day Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 68 reviews · 4h 30m · from $176

Ride Tahiti’s east coast in a new Mercedes minivan with an English-speaking local guide such as Tracy, Ronnie, or Dominique. Visit Papeete, Point Venus, a silk-screen workshop, an old leper colony, waterfalls, the Arahoho Blowhole, and Tahara Viewpoint in a group of no more than eight.

“Ronnie was our wonderful guide, who picked us up at our hotel. There were already 6 people from the cruise ship in the van but we had plenty of space. Ronnie would quiz us as to where we were going and what we already knew about the locations. Apparently, I was the only one who read the agenda as well as Mutiny on the Bounty. Hint for future travelers. We went to places we would never have found on our own, like the Chinese cemetery and Vaihatu waterfall. Enjoyed every minute of a full afternoon tour.”

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6.Eco guided excursion to the lagoon of Moorea in transparent kayak 1/2 day morning

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $91

Meet your guide at Tiahura Beach for a three-and-a-half-hour morning outing in a transparent kayak. Paddle between two motus, look for turtles, rays, sharks, and reef fish, then enjoy a fruit juice and homemade snack on a sandbank. Guides Nicolas and Caro are known for their friendly, flexible approach.

“Guides were awesome; always looking for where the exotic fish were so we could get to see them up close and personal. We were even able to touch a very friendly manta ray and swim close to black tip sharks. The tidbits of information about the area just added to the experience. Highly recommend!”

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7.Guided Small Group Whale Watching and Swim Tour Tahiti

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $238

Join captain Michael and guide Teiki for a four-and-a-half-hour whale search from Papeete Marina, limited to six people. From July to November, you may watch humpbacks, snorkel with turtles, explore coral gardens and wrecks, and enter the sea only when conditions and whale behavior allow.

“What a dream ! We loved everything about this experience. The boat , the people , the view …. great vibes and very professional. We had the chance to dive with the whales, once in a life time moment. We recomend 100%”

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8.Guided tour of the island of Tahaa with Revanui Excursions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $148

From Uturoa, join Revanui Excursions for a 5 to 6 hour boat tour of Tahaa. Meet local vanilla, rum, and pearl producers, snorkel the coral garden, then eat a generous fish, chicken, rice, and fruit lunch on a private motu with music and dancing.

“We had a great time. The stops at the Vanilla Farm, the Pearl Farm and the beautiful water for the swimming were awesome. The lunch they provided was also very good. Just wish the last people were on time. They were 45 minutes late and didn't even apologize for being late and every stop the we're the last ones on the boat. Pretty rude people.”

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9.Hauru Lagoon 3-hour Guided Kayak Tour with Snack

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 50 reviews · 3 hours · from $94

Meet Luca or Omelia at Tiahura Public Beach for a calm three-hour paddle through Hauru Lagoon. Your clear-bottom kayak may reveal turtles, eagle rays, sharks, and colorful fish, followed by snorkeling, Polynesian stories, and fresh fruit or juice.

“Merci pour cette visite pleines de découvertes et de savoirs ! Tortues et raies léopard étaient au rdv, majestueuses et féeriques 😍”

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10.Guided tour of the island and its escapades in Tahaa by Quad / ATV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews

Take a guided four-hour quad tour around Tahaa with local guides such as John and Hine. Visit a vanilla grove, pearl farm, rum producer, plantations, and Marae Vaima’i, then finish with tropical fruit and frozen coconut.

“Great island tour!!!! My wife and I would definitely recommend this tour of the island, pearl farm, rum and vanilla tours!!!!”

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11.Safari Nature and Culture Tour with local guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 4 hours · from $117

Join Christine for a four-hour Moorea tour covering Toatea, Cook’s Bay, Opunohu, pineapple country, ancient marae sites, missionary history, and the Belvedere. Virtual reality reconstructions bring a 17th-century ceremony and naval battle to life, followed by local drinks and fruit tasting.

“The tour was stunning, everything was so beautiful and the guide Christin was full with knowledge and such a nice person and optimistic. Thank you Christin for being so kind!”

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12.You drive, I guide you

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews

Bring your own car and let Spirou Thebaud guide you around Moorea for about four hours. Learn about the island’s geology, plants, farming, culture, legends, pearls, and daily life while visiting Belvédère, pineapple country, juice and jam makers, Tiki Village, and scenic bays.

“This is an excellent way to see the island and learn about the island both past and present day, if you have already rented a car.”

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13.Eco guided excursion to the lagoon of Moorea in a transparent kayak Afternoon 2h

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $60Best value

Join Moorea Blue Paddle at Tiahura Beach for a two-hour afternoon lagoon trip in a transparent kayak. Guides such as Caro, Nicolas, and Lucas lead you to turtles, rays, fish, and a snorkeling site, then serve fresh fruit juice on a sandy motu.

“Merci Caro pour cette excellente après-midi passée en ta compagnie. Superbe idée ce kayak transparent pour profiter des tortues et poissons du lagon. Malgré la pluie, nous garderons un très bon souvenir de cette sortie. Mauruuru. Phuni, Yann, Didier”

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14.Private Guided Jet Ski Tour in Bora Bora

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $352

Ride a private jet ski circuit around Bora Bora’s lagoon with a guide such as Tane, stopping to cool off, visit Laddies Bay near the St. Regis, and learn how to open a coconut on a private motu. The two-hour trip suits first-time riders with moderate fitness.

“We did the private two hour Jet Ski and it was so much fun! Our guide was the best, so professional, friendly, attentive and kept the speed going. We lover her and this tour! Moana Adventure Tours did a great job and certainly did not disappoint. Highly recommend!”

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15.Private Safari Adventure Tour in Bora Bora with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews

Take a four-hour private 4x4 tour across Bora Bora with a local guide such as Tiba, Adolph, Tuarii, or Santi. Expect steep, bumpy tracks, Matira Point, Faanui Valley temples, Mount Popoti views, island stories, fresh fruit, and drinks. Pickup is offered on the main island.

“Our guide, Tiba, is very knowledgeable, funny and friendly. He definitely knew how to navigate, and drive on the multi-terrain and steep roads. The company uses a real 4x4 durable truck. We felt safe the entire time. Tiba drove us to the higRead more”

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